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Topic: DIY Lap Steel |
Rob DiStefano
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 26 May 2021 4:15 am |
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Wanting a 25-1/2" long scale for slack OpenD on-the-cheap was the instigation for this simple build. No "plans", just laying out what seemed best on a 2x6x48 plank of who-knows-for-sure-what-kinda-wood - looks like yellow pine, but might be fir - don't care, it's straight, squared, and clean. Ripped it all up with table and band saws, then a router. Sure is easier to make a lap steel than the Teles and Strats I've built. 
Using aluminum angle for the bridge and nut. The headstock was undercut to 3/4" and will get sanded down as need be to set the tuner shafts as low as possible for a good string angle off the nut. The "fretboard" is poplar that will get stained dark with veneer "frets" added.
Since I wind pickups, I'll make an AR90 (AlNiCo V poles), and the position and cavity routing will be near the last steps so that the poles will get aligned to lie over the strings for better magnetic transfer. Might put in a pair with one set as RWRP and give those Doozies a run for their big bucks. 
Tele control plate will cover the control cavity rout, string through ferrules will be added. Not much to a lap steel. 
The wood cost was about $10 @ Home Depot - can't beat that unless I raided a house-build construction dumpster.
Much left to do, but the concept is taking shape. The results will intentionally be Spartan - I value function over form, for the most part.
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Peter Jacobs
From:
Northern Virginia
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 26 May 2021 5:13 am
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i made a few pine laps years ago. they were fun to make and i sold them.
your guitar is going to work great!
Last edited by Bill Hatcher on 26 May 2021 5:16 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Peter Jacobs
From:
Northern Virginia
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 26 May 2021 6:21 am
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I have the same table cloth and blinds. 
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Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 26 May 2021 6:23 am
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Looks good so far Rob, keep us posted......what for the finish? Clear, stain, paint or Spartan naked?
_________________
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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Rob DiStefano
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 26 May 2021 6:24 am
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| Bill Hatcher wrote: |
i made a few pine laps years ago. they were fun to make and i sold them.
your guitar is going to work great!
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I like whatcha done, Bill - a square deal all around.  |
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Rob DiStefano
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 26 May 2021 6:34 am
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| Bill Groner wrote: |
| Looks good so far Rob, keep us posted......what for the finish? Clear, stain, paint or Spartan naked? |
It's wood, so it'll at least need a sealer to stabilize and keep the moisture out. Might do a quickee aniline honey amber stain then my favorite wood finish to seal, good ol' MinWax Wipe-On Gloss PolyU.
A few different test AR90 pickups (sans covers) awaiting their hookup time in a short scale test lapper ...
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Jouni Karvonen
From:
Helsinki, Finland
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Posted 26 May 2021 6:38 am
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My DIYs:
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 26 May 2021 7:52 am
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| rob. sent you an email. |
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Rob DiStefano
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 26 May 2021 8:16 am
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| Bill Hatcher wrote: |
| rob. sent you an email. |
Replied ....  |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 26 May 2021 2:49 pm
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| Rob DiStefano wrote: |
| Bill Hatcher wrote: |
| rob. sent you an email. |
Replied .... |
Thanks for your info! |
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Rob DiStefano
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 26 May 2021 2:59 pm
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| Bill Hatcher wrote: |
| Rob DiStefano wrote: |
| Bill Hatcher wrote: |
| rob. sent you an email. |
Replied .... |
Thanks for your info! |
Always happy to help if I can!
Good to see folks like yerself winding their own - it ain't rocket science for sure, just a wee bit of knowledge and a decent winding machine.  |
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