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Topic: Lap steel build questions |
Cody Coombs
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 16 Sep 2023 7:16 pm |
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Hi everybody,
I’m gonna have a friend of mine build me a six string lapsteel shaped as a telecaster. I do have a few questions so I can have it built to the best quality we can make it!
I am curious if there’s a type of wood that would be best? (Sustain, tone, etc.)
Also could I use any standard 6 string guitar pickups? Or does it need to be lapsteel specific? I was thinking of using those humbuckers with a split coil as this lapsteel will be for real rocking songs my band likes to do, and the single coil would be a nice twang that I could switch to once in a while.
Is there a Scale length that’s best? I’ll keep it in Open D and would like the strings to be taught enough to really rip on them and not go sharp. The low D string would be my biggest concern. I’m hoping I could get it sized to a telecaster; If it was shaped the same size as a telecaster I could play it standing and throw it in a case and call it good.
Is there any other things I should be considering in this build?
Thank you in advance!
Cody Coombs |
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Tim Toberer
From:
Nebraska, USA
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Posted 17 Sep 2023 7:05 am
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| Glad to see someone with a lap steel project! Lots of pedal builders here. My first build was an 8 string using plywood and a 6" can resonator. I love it! I like blade pickups. All depends on how much you want to spend, a cheap Strat single coil would probably still sound fine. For choice of wood, I would suggest Poplar or Pine. Harder materials may sustain more. No need to use anything fancy, especially if painting. If staining maybe Maple or Cherry? I would just make sure it is setup well. I like 22.5 scale length but my next guitar will have a 23" because it is a happy medium. |
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Cody Coombs
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 19 Sep 2023 9:41 am
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I think that’s some great ideas and knowledge, I suppose I was getting a bit more technical than I needed to be. I appreciate the information and am looking forward to the winter so this lapsteel can get started! Will keep ya updated when the time comes!
Thanks |
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Tim Toberer
From:
Nebraska, USA
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Posted 20 Sep 2023 4:40 am
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| You might want to post this over on the non pedal forum. You would probably get more of a response. |
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John Sims
From:
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
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Posted 21 Jan 2024 7:54 am
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This may help...
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=378486
_________________
Regards,
John
Steelin' is a way of life!
1997 Carter U-12 Double Body-Natural Birdseye Maple-8p/5k, Peavey Nashville 1000 Amp, Goodrich L10K Vol. Pedal, Boss DD-3 Delay, Boss CE-5 Chorus, Behringer UMC-204HD Audio Interface, AKAI MPK Mini MK3 Professional Midi Keyboard/Controller, Gretsch Bobtail Resonator, Fender Banjo, Rondo SX Lap Steel (C6), DIY Lap Steel (Open D), a few Mojo Hand Cigar Box Guitars (MojoHandGuitars.com). |
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