Jointing steel guitar cabinets

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 10 Feb 2005 12:52 pm

I'm seeing more and more talking about building there own steels!wondering,how you are putting the joints together??so much on the market these days in wood working.i've seen these biscutes,and router cutters,used in furniture.i have built a few cabinets 20yrs.ago,we would cut out,drill and screw after glueing.and clamping.ect.i can see with formica,most anything goes.but with natural wood,much different.sure inlays covers joints tooo.seems very important to make bodys strong,also mabe less cabinet drop also.just searching for ideas,what you think?? farris

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 10 Feb 2005 1:23 pm

Love dovetail joints, hate to make 'em though.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 10 Feb 2005 2:36 pm

A bisquit-joint is a handyman's shortcut. It's quick, easy, and stronger than a butt-joint. But, real cabinet makers still prefer the traditional (and stronger) lap joints or rabbeting when making any kind of "trough", which is about all there is to a steel body, nowadays.

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 10 Feb 2005 3:16 pm

Thanks guys,i bought me a new router,and dove tail 2yrs.ago,always wanted to do that.I build one drawer,just to say i had done it.sure got to think to do that stuff.but i was thinking,wouldn't it be cool,and strong to build a steel body dove tailed!!if its cut right,would serve as the inlay strips,and much pretty-er.I bet NORM could do it!!!and strong!!! wow,think i'll order my next steel that way!!!!! farris

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 10 Feb 2005 3:57 pm

Amen on the dovetails, you really have to be sure before you cut. Here's an amp cabinet I built a while back. I never thought of dovetailing the front and back of a steel cabinet, but it would look kind of cool.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 10 Feb 2005 5:19 pm

Very nice Darvin!

Jennings Ward · Post by **Jennings Ward** » 10 Feb 2005 6:03 pm

MAN THAT CABNET IS AS US OLD FOGIES WOULD SAY, " THE CATS PAJAMAS " AND MORE.....FERRIS WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN SOME CURLY MAPLE, I BAUGHT A TREE UP IN VIRGINIA, A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.....STILL HAVE SOME QUARTERS LEFT.....GREAT FOR A CURLY MAPLE STEEL......EMMONS COPY.....AHAHAEHEHHEHEH.......MAN IS THAT STUFF HARD, YOU COULD ALMOST WELD AND MACHINE IT..STARTED TO MAKE FIDDLES AND MANDOLINS, GUITARS BUT LOST MOST OF MY SUGHT FOR CLOSE WORK......IF YOU ARE INTERESTED CALL ME AT 386-423-1387 ANY TTIME...I HAVE OREDERED SOME STEEL AND INTRUCTION BOOKS AND A BRACE OF POSSUM TO BB-Q,,,,,, JENNINGS

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EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 10 Feb 2005 7:53 pm

Darvin,i'm sitting here speechless!!man that is one beauty!!never dreamed to see something like that shown on here!you got something to be proud of!!fine work man!!!

Jennings,i'm starving for some chittlings!!and a good batch of hog brains and scrambled eggs!!i got some tomatoes,that would make a fine breakfast.
I will give you a call,i write you number down now!!i'm almost afraid of that wood!!!Probaly soaked in possum grease!!!!

FARRIS

Doyle Huff · Post by **Doyle Huff** » 10 Feb 2005 9:00 pm

Farris, I built a S12 using dovetails like you suggested, using the dove tail as the inlay. My guitar deck is birdseye maple with walnut front and back apron. I'll try to send you some pictures via e-mail since I can't post pics on the forum.
Doyle

Doyle Huff · Post by **Doyle Huff** » 10 Feb 2005 9:06 pm

Darvin, that is a beautiful cabinet! Is that an old LTD?
Doyle

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 10 Feb 2005 10:28 pm

Doyle,that is the prettiest guitar i've ever seen!!i knew it could be done!!got to get it posted for all to see!!thank you so much.mabe you can send pictures to RICKY,he will put them on here for all to enjoy!!
farris

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 10 Feb 2005 11:11 pm

As Archimedes would have said: Eureka!

Farris, I believe your idea of a dovetailed steel cabinet is GREAT. Why hasn't anyone (except Doyle) thought of that before? If Doyle's guitar looks anything like that amp cabinet, it will be gorgeous.

How about really small dovetails combining a flame maple top with a darker wood like curly cherry or walnut for the front apron? And then a silky smooth oil & wax finish instead of lacquer... yummy. Something like this...

Doyle, I've sent you an e-mail offering to post some pics so all can enjoy![This message was edited by Per Berner on 11 February 2005 at 04:12 AM.][This message was edited by Per Berner on 11 February 2005 at 04:47 AM.]

Doyle Huff · Post by **Doyle Huff** » 10 Feb 2005 11:44 pm

Thanks for those kind words Farris. Its something I've wanted to do for a long time. Took me a bout 6mos.part time
Doyle

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 11 Feb 2005 5:15 am

Here ya go Farris.
On request.....hahaha

Ron

Nikaro SD10 4x6

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 11 Feb 2005 6:12 am

Doyle you did a fine job,got it here now for all to enjoy this pretty guitar.
farris

Klaus Caprani · Post by **Klaus Caprani** » 11 Feb 2005 7:10 am

Wow! I love the woodwork I see in this tread. Way to go gentlemen

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Klaus Caprani

MCI RangeXpander S-10 3x4
www.klauscaprani.com

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 11 Feb 2005 8:27 am

any one else have some of their work to share with us? some ideas to share!i feel its time to have some real changes in our steel guitars,for those of us who love pretty guitars!!most anyone can build a kitchen cabinet we are being offered these days.as PER says they could be treated with oil,and forget the laquer stuff,that skins and cracks ect.rub in coats of wax ect.that will last a life time.we need craftsman ship back in our steels!!so many are covering up any kind of wood with formica and calling it a top guitar!!i believe we will gets much better sounds,more solid guitars.personaly i'm tired of alum,strips and plain old inlays we've had for 40yrs. there has got to be some new ideas for todays guitars. farris

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 12 Feb 2005 4:58 am

Tired of aluminum strips and formica huh.Thanks for kicking me...ha.
Thought you liked my guitars.Apparently NOT.So good to know that somebody still has a mind of his own.There for I would like to ask......when will your new steel be done Farris?

Come on my Friend.
Start building again.I know that you got what it takes.
Give us some insight....hahahaha

Your Pall

Ron

Nikaro SD10 4x6

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 12 Feb 2005 7:06 am

Sorry Ron,ha,didn't mean to hurt your feeling!!Some like kitchen cabinets!!show us yours,and give us ideas my Friend!!

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 12 Feb 2005 7:27 am

OK,trying to keep mind from going wild!many reported they never tear steel down!haul them ready to go!steels could be built more stable than screw in legs!also autos have lost most there chrome these days!

I build lots of cowboy western wrought iron stuff these days.great possibilitys with a steel frame!!set the steel down in a frame,twist some locks,much more stable!!

frame could be fastened together,and left as a unit,seperate,unit,steel still put in a lighter case by itself. So many possibilitys there!!

Just a idea!bring the frame in,set it up,then guitar out of case,set it in the stand,hook pedals,and ready to go.

I better stop for now. farris

Jennings Ward · Post by **Jennings Ward** » 12 Feb 2005 12:01 pm

FERRIS IN BUILDING YOUR STEEL, YOU DONT HAVE TO BE AFRAID OF POSSUM GREASE ON THE WOOD....ME AND MY DOG HAVE LICKED IT ALL OFF. THE WOOD IS NICE AND CLEAN....DO YOU THINK I WOULD WASTE GOOD POSSUM LIKE THAT???? CHITLINS AND BRAINS WITH SCRAMBLED EGGS AND MEDDERS, DONT YOU HAVE ANY TATERS AND CLABBARD TO GO WITH THEM??? NOW YOU KNOW TO BE A GOOD STEEL PLAYER YOU MUST PRACTIC, DRINK LOTS OF CLABBERD,, EAT POSSUM, AND BRAINS WITH MADERS AND TATERS AND COLLARDS........THE WOOD IS CLEAN, ALL IT NEEDS IS A GOOD WOOD BUTCHER, OR SOMEONE THAT THINKS HE IS A CARPENTIER......JENNINGS

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EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +

Lem Smith · Post by **Lem Smith** » 12 Feb 2005 12:15 pm

NOW YOU KNOW TO BE A GOOD STEEL PLAYER YOU MUST PRACTIC, DRINK LOTS OF CLABBERD,, EAT POSSUM, AND BRAINS WITH MADERS AND TATERS AND COLLARDS...

Well...I guess that pretty well answers why I've not got any further with my steel playing than what I have.

Destined to a life as a mediocre player at best!

Lem

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 12 Feb 2005 4:18 pm

Lem,I kindda got the feeling you never tried any of this down home eatting!!haha,

Jennings,YOU DA MAN!knows the finer things of life!!I try and get in touch with you next week!very interested in the wood!

Man i have so many ideas,running around in the old head!planning to fab.a nice wrought iron frame. Thought make a frame like a old mans walker!!Helps us get in,then spread it open wider,and theres the stand to put the guitar on,lock on each end,guess i better get me a patten on this quick!!

I was thinking wow,could put all kinds of cutouts on the frame,cowboys, even POSSUM pictures!! farris

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 13 Feb 2005 3:20 am

Here are some more pics of Doyle's beauty. Looks like first grade craftsmanship to me!

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 13 Feb 2005 3:30 am

Farris: on the subject of oil finishes, I find they work extremely well on maple. I used oil and wax on this Tele I built in 1994 - maple top and bottom, with stained alder inbetween. The finish has a soft sheen and feels very nice to touch, still looks like new after quite a few miles. Very easy to do, environmentally friendly and repairs are very simple - just sand it down lightly and give it another wiping.