Don's Guitar Finished

Martin Weenick · Post by **Martin Weenick** » 15 May 2010 6:16 am

Thanks a million for all the nice comments guys. Les : the pickup is the new Alumatone. Martin

Carson Leighton · Post by **Carson Leighton** » 15 May 2010 9:25 am

The only thing wrong with this guitar is: I DON'T OWN IT....

As I said,,It' a beautiful piece of work........Regards,,,Carson

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · Post by **Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)** » 15 May 2010 12:35 pm

Bravo, Martin ... absolutely superb!

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 15 May 2010 2:08 pm

Breathtaking workmanship... As good as, or most likely better than any I have ever seen, and I have seen plenty. My congratulations to the talented builder and fortunate buyer!
Martin, we need to see more of your work. Please build more!

Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 16 May 2010 1:55 pm

We have had a couple of hiccups in the last day or so. $:\$
Nothing that can't be fixed and nothing about the wonderful mechanics of this magnificent steel.
It should all be resolved and ready to play in a few days.
Don

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 16 May 2010 2:16 pm

Hey Don, we're gonna want a sound clip from the guitar asap

Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 18 May 2010 5:57 am

Bent
As soon as I get it home and feel good behind my new baby I will put a clip up so you all can here it.
Don

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 18 May 2010 6:01 am

That is one super fine looking guitar, Don. Good luck with it.

Richard Damron · Post by **Richard Damron** » 18 May 2010 7:14 am

Martin -

That is absolutely, outrageous, gorgeous craftsmanship!

However - and I must echo a thought by Les Hardin - the NEATEST thing on the instrument is the color-coded nylon tuners! You know where I'm comin' from, dontcha?

Respectfully,

Richard

Mark Hayes · Post by **Mark Hayes** » 18 May 2010 8:22 am

Don & Martin,

What a beautiful show piece. You both have to be proud with the final product. Truely something to behold. Can't wait to hear it.

Congratulation Don, your baby has arrived.

Mark Hayes
The Villages, FL

Donald Stackpole · Post by **Donald Stackpole** » 18 May 2010 3:29 pm

Martin,
I am just about to finish the final to-do's on my pedal Dobro and want to build my own Pedal Steel, after looking at your pics I can see that you are the man to talk to. Do you know where can I find literature to assist me.
You are a real craftsman, I am envious it's beautiful. Any help would be appreciated
TIA

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 18 May 2010 6:35 pm

Donald, Martin is the man to talk to for sure. If you want to join a builders forum, I recommend you click on the link at the bottom of this message. We are a happy bunch there..always willing to help and receive advice. Hope to see you!

Marlin Gengenbach · Post by **Marlin Gengenbach** » 18 May 2010 7:05 pm

What a work of art...engineering...craftsmanship...one of a kind. Send us a sound clip sometime. Congratulations on a life-long dream.

Martin Weenick · Post by **Martin Weenick** » 19 May 2010 4:02 pm

Thanks so much folks for all the nice comments. Richard D. I dye those tuners with regular RIT dye in water at 200 degrees. It sure helps when looking over the back of the endplate and trying to see which is which. Different colors for knees, lowers, pedals, knee raises,etc. We are installing a different pickup as the other one was a little treble-ish for what we want. Martin.

Martin Weenick · Post by **Martin Weenick** » 19 May 2010 4:09 pm

Donald S. I dont have any literature to build with. I do everything pretty much out of my head. As you know, building one of these by yourself and making every single part yourself is a major undertaking. I will be more than glad to help you any way I can. My friend Bent is a first class builder and seems to always be glad to help anyone out also. Martin.

Richard Damron · Post by **Richard Damron** » 19 May 2010 8:14 pm

Martin -

Thanks for the Rit dye tip.

I should have known - you've paid so much attention to every other detail on the instrument - then why not color-coded nylon adjusters!

My - Oh - My.

Respectfully,

Richard

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 20 May 2010 2:20 am

I was a Martin's yesterday and Don's new guitar looks better and more impressive in person than it does in pictures.

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 20 May 2010 5:24 am

Martin
Your guitars, along with those constructed by Bent and Dave Wheelhouse show what can be achieved by individual builders on a small scale producing bespoke instruments. They are fantasic guitars, and you must be really proud of the end product.

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 20 May 2010 5:28 am

Ken, thanks for including me in your compliment.
Although I don't feel worthy of the praise that you are giving Martin and Dave, it sure feels nice to be included with these craftsmen.

Les Hardin · Post by **Les Hardin** » 20 May 2010 8:06 am

Martin,

Which pickup did you all decide on?
BTW, was it the Alumitone ToneBar 10 that you had in there?
Les

PS Rit Dye! I need to start thinking more creatively!

Martin Weenick · Post by **Martin Weenick** » 21 May 2010 12:27 am

Les Hardin, we had the Alumatone that all the vendors are selling. I think it's the "bass" or something. Don has decided to go with a G.L. E-66, should be here today. Martin.

Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 21 May 2010 4:53 am

I'd Like to add that Martin will not settle for second best.
We had a bad pot that we could have gotten away with but it will not be used.

We did have some problems with the Alumitone and it just was just not suitable for this steel so I chose to go with an E-66 because of it's tone qualities and I think it will be a perfect fit for this steel.

My friend Jack Stoner has donated an Allen Bradley pot he has for the tone control so as to not hold up any more time to get this steel up and playing.
Thanks Jack.

I do appreciate the comments by Jack about how wonderful the steel looks in person.
The pictures as nice as they are really dont show how impressive this steel is.
It is truly one of kind, thanks to Mike and his crafstmanship.
Don

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 21 May 2010 7:56 am

Martin,
GORGEOUS and CLASSY piece of work here ....I'll bet it sounds as good as it looks !!

Don,
Good Luck with a VERY impressive pedal steel !!!....

Steve ,
Send my your address and I'll send you that dried plant with pointy leaves you were looking for ....I'm not sure what you want with a bunch of Poison Ivy, but I'll send it for ya bud !!....

Jim

Skip Ellis · Post by **Skip Ellis** » 21 May 2010 11:46 am

Martin, what kind of dye did you use on the cabinet? Also, what kind of clear finish?

Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 21 May 2010 1:18 pm

Skip
It's just the standard blue dye from Stew-Mack.
I think as best we can remember is that Mike sprayed 7 coats on it until we got something we liked.
He can fill you in on the lacquer and more details.
The maple wood was a special lot we picked out and is very old.
Don

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