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Post new topic Lap Steel Pickguard?
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Author Topic:  Lap Steel Pickguard?
Andy DePaule


From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
Post  Posted 3 Feb 2018 9:20 pm    
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Yikey!.. Saw that I was chipping the black lacquer at the edge of my prized Clinesmith. Didn't realize that when I was playing with much abandon my finger picks were going so far over the edge of the strings and nicking the finish. Whoa!

How could I do this to such a wonderful instrument was a surprise to me so I had to fine a way to stop it. Embarassed

What came to mind was a pickguard, but it had to look good on the steel.
I did the measurements and the drawing. Then took it to a place where they do laser cutting of various materials.
They cut this out for me in a couple of days using polished stainless steel.
I had to use a small file to get the final prefect fit over the frets so it would go in place. Rolling Eyes
Last I attached some 3M double stick tape to the back and attached it carefully too the steel.
Looks good and works perfect to stop the damage I was doing. Shocked Very Happy
Problem solved...



_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.
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Ralph Czitrom

 

From:
Ringwood, New Jersey
Post  Posted 4 Feb 2018 3:13 am    
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Andy - I’ve got a similar problem, and it’s been bugging me for a while. Was going to contact Todd about it, but never did. I was thinking that a pick guard would make sense, but I don’t have the skills to do what you did. Nice job. Are you taking orders? Laughing
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Andy DePaule


From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
Post  Posted 4 Feb 2018 6:36 am     Not really but....
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Hi Ralph,
Not really taking orders but....
If you have the 22.5" short scale I have the drawing already so could have it made it for you.
If yours is the longer scale I'd have no way to measure where the frets are at.

Not expensive to make, but you'd need to file or sand the edges smooth because the laser leaves them too sharp.
I also needed to file a little inside some of the fret slot openings to get it fitting mine.
Maybe if your picks are not hitting inside the frets a little like I was then it could be made with a straight edge there to just butt up against the frets?

I'll be in the US next month for the Dallas Texas Steel Jubilee and then to Oregon to pick up my T-8 from Todd so could mail it to you then.
Had not really intended to start a business with this.
Best wishes,
Andy
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.
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Ralph Czitrom

 

From:
Ringwood, New Jersey
Post  Posted 4 Feb 2018 6:58 am    
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Andy - Thanks for your feedback. Alas, my guitar is a seven string long scale instrument. After seeing your post, I emailed Todd to see if he’s dealt with it.

I’m guessing that you and I are not the only Clinesmith owners with this issue.

Of course the good news is that the guitar still sounds great!

Thanks again.
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Bill Groner


From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
Post  Posted 4 Feb 2018 7:12 am    
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[quote="Ralph Czitrom"]Andy - Thanks for your feedback. Alas, my guitar is a seven string long scale instrument. After seeing your post, I emailed Todd to see if he’s dealt with it.

I’m guessing that you and I are not the only Clinesmith owners with this issue.

Of course the good news is that the guitar still sounds great!

Thanks again.[/quote

Come on guys, that's called character........Just kidding, I would not want mine scratched either.
_________________
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40
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Andy DePaule


From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
Post  Posted 4 Feb 2018 8:05 am     No Kidding Allowed
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Bill Groner wrote:
Come on guys, that's called character........Just kidding, I would not want mine scratched either.


Ouch, With almost any other lap steel I'd also call it character too, but these Clinesmith's have a tone that gets into your soul as quick as the first time you play it.
Becomes like a treasure that needs to be protected like a child. Rolling Eyes

If I had a 7 string Rickenbacker bakelite or Frypan from 1938 I may feel the same way about that, but I don't have one of those and I'm so totally happy with Todd's creation. He is the master luthier now. Smile
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Mike Neer


From:
NJ
Post  Posted 5 Feb 2018 4:48 am    
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I’m going to order another cast aluminum guitar and I might seek to have some art painted on it, like get it tattooed.
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http://mikeneer.com
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David Weisenthal

 

From:
Arizona, USA
Post  Posted 5 Feb 2018 5:16 am    
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Pickguard looks great Andy.
_________________
Derby SD10, Peavey Session 400
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Andy DePaule


From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
Post  Posted 5 Feb 2018 8:44 am     10 String version?
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I was wondering if he ever plans to have a 10 string version of these aluminum ones.
Bet they would be popular. Would be nice for the full E13th. Very Happy
He has that option in the Joaquin Murphy lap steels, but it would involve producing all new moulds for the castings... No small task.
_________________
Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website


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