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Topic: Best Position for Volume and Tone Controls on Lapsteel |
Jim Dickinson
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 23 May 2018 11:17 am |
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In your opinion, as more experienced players, which is the best location for the Volume and Tone Controls? As a beginner, the only Steel I have "attempted playing" on is my old Fender Dual 8 Pro.
I am about to build my own first attempt at a portable single neck Lap Steel. I have the wood, most of the parts, just want to do it.
I can put the contols behind the pickups, like a Stingmaster, or on the non playing side near the pickups, like a Champ. I've even seen them sticking out of the back vertical surface, knobs parallel to the strings, on a real old one. Since I am building this thing, I can do what I want, however, would it be best to do something more usual?
I want the smaller Lap Steel so I can practice in the car when waiting in the Ferry Line here, with a headphone amp.
Your opinion please, Jim |
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Keith Glendinning
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 23 May 2018 11:56 am
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Hi Jim,
Here's one I built recently and I used a "stacked" Vol/Tone pot, So two controls on one spindle, which works great. Tone on top and Vol on the bottom. Easily adjusted and out of the way.
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David Knutson
From:
Cowichan Valley, Canada
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Posted 23 May 2018 12:21 pm
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Hi Jim,
When I was getting ready to build the steel that would be my main, gigging player I put lot of thought into just these kinds of details. Glad I did.
I put my knobs in front of the strings (treble side) with volume to the left and tone to the right. I placed the volume right in front of my most usual playing position so I can make adjustments with my little finger without having to move away from playing position. Works for me.
Have fun with your build.
_________________
David K |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 23 May 2018 1:17 pm
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This has worked out well for me. Volume on left, tone on right. I agree with what David K.said. I like those staggered strings Dave. 
_________________
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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David Knutson
From:
Cowichan Valley, Canada
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Posted 23 May 2018 1:43 pm
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Ahh, yes. Those staggered string ferrules do a great job of hiding the fact that the lines aren't quite as straight as I would have liked. 
_________________
David K |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 23 May 2018 2:02 pm
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| David Knutson wrote: |
| Ahh, yes. Those staggered string ferrules do a great job of hiding the fact that the lines aren't quite as straight as I would have liked. |
I used to watch Bill Alexander and Bob Roth oil paint on PBS. When they messed up, they said it wasn't a screw up, it was a happy accident. I think that is what you have going on there. I think it looks great. BTW....anytime I use metal stamps I stagger the letters. I can never stamp in a straight line! Any of you guys that bought one of my tone bars with your initials stamped on the endcap, now you know the story! 
_________________
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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Jim Dickinson
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 24 May 2018 11:42 am
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| So far all for "across strings" position. No Stringmaster position advocates? |
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Joe Elk
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 24 May 2018 4:04 pm
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Mighty Fine looking lot of Steels!!!!
Joe Elk Central Ohio |
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Terry VunCannon
From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 24 May 2018 6:34 pm
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I like mine close enough to do volume swells with my pinky.
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Paul Honeycutt
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2018 1:29 pm
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| I don't have a picture, but my '47 National New Yorker has the volume right where I can get it with my pinky while playing and the tone control is behind the bridge and out of the way. I don't do "Boo-Wah" stuff with it, so it's in the right spot for me. |
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Jim Dickinson
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2018 2:17 pm
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Like this one? |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 3 Jun 2018 3:09 pm
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| I always wondered why the tone control on some steels was placed on the player's side...in the way !! |
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Andy Henriksen
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2018 8:40 am
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| Paul Honeycutt wrote: |
| I don't do "Boo-Wah" stuff .... |
I don't either, but mostly because I can never get it to sound right!  But I like the idea of doing them, and prefer to have the tone knob within pinky-reach of my natural picking position for that reason.
I use a volume pedal and don't do volume swells with a knob, so it's position is less critical. Still, definitely no knobs on the player side of the strings! I never understood that design beyond liking the visual symmetry. |
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Brooks Montgomery
From:
Idaho, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2018 10:01 am
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Like these:
_________________
A banjo, like a pet monkey, seems like a good idea at first. |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 6 Jun 2018 4:40 pm
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| Beautiful !! |
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