lapsteel build

Chris-Mason

Well due to what seems to be a lack of secondhand vintage Gibson lapsteels on the market at present, I have started my own lapsteel project based roughly in a Gibson EH125. Using African Mahogany liberated from a demolition scrapyard, appears to be quite old and has an interesting ping when you tap the woogd, quite bright. lapsteel profile has been cut out of the wood and busy with shaping. Will take pics and shall post them in due course. My first build so a bit apprehensive of the result. Thank goodness no truss rods are involved with lapsteels.
Saddle and Nut

Manfred-Klose

Thank goodness no truss rods are involved with lapsteels.

and not having to worry about major fretting, cause if you do it, its just for the look.

i am planning a lap steel build myself.

aja

Just in case you missed these:

http://capetown-westerncape.gumtree.co.za/c-Home-Garden-antiques-collectibles-Hawaian-Lap-Guitars-W0QQAdIdZ203860598

Also, you better contact Ronnie at albang&strumit in Linden JHB - He might know where to get a gibson lap steel.

There is also a guy called Richard, who works for music connection and plays in a band called "them particles" that you may have seen at TJ's acoustic club - due to a hand injury he also plays mostly lapsteel. I think he has a lapsteel dobro and some others. Maybe chat to him to see if he knows of any gibsons laying around?

aja

And this is too awesome, while we are on about lapsteels:

Keira, you may like the foot percussion pedal?

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PS oops I think I just defiled your build thread. You are welcome to ask a Mod to delete my posts. Sorry about that ?

chrisbark

Not exactly on topic, but since the thread has already been hijacked ? I came across these electric lapsteels after Bob re-ignited my Gretsch GAS this morning

domhatch

aja wrote: Just in case you missed these:

http://capetown-westerncape.gumtree.co.za/c-Home-Garden-antiques-collectibles-Hawaian-Lap-Guitars-W0QQAdIdZ203860598

Also, you better contact Ronnie at albang&strumit in Linden JHB - He might know where to get a gibson lap steel.

There is also a guy called Richard, who works for music connection and plays in a band called "them particles" that you may have seen at TJ's acoustic club - due to a hand injury he also plays mostly lapsteel. I think he has a lapsteel dobro and some others. Maybe chat to him to see if he knows of any gibsons laying around?

+1. rich is a great guy, i have his album - saucetone - some awesome sounds on it. go chat to him, i'm sure you'll find him a mine of info.
dh

Chris-Mason

A quick update on the lapsteel build. Body shaped, cut outs made for pickup and pots etc, and ready for final sanding and finishing. Next step make the fretboad, worked out a great way of doing the frets for a lapsteel and made a fretboard in December for an old Wizard lapsteel. Plane the wood get it smooth both sides. Cut the fret positions using a fine saw. Fill the fret lines and dot markers with Pratley Putty, scrap off excess before it dries, sand it down when dry and you have a really nice fretboard. Anyone know how I could add colour to Pratley putty.

This project for reasons of fun is being completed by using as many recycled bits and pieces as possible. Wood from a scrap yard, bridge made out of an aluminium door lock cover (strange but different). Part of the projects is to do as much by hand as possible from cutting the wood down to using hand chisels for the pickup and pot cavituies (just different)

Andy McGibbons had a look at it last night and tapping the Mahogany body was impressed with the tonal qualities so hopefully will sound great.

Can someone let me know how to post pics on the forum and will upload them
Cheers for now
Saddle and Nut (Definatley Nuts)

aja

Saddle and Nut!

Lol I met you last night and didn't even know it! I was the guy who said: "what's in that case?"

?

Bob-Dubery

domhatch wrote:
aja wrote: There is also a guy called Richard, who works for music connection and plays in a band called "them particles" that you may have seen at TJ's acoustic club - due to a hand injury he also plays mostly lapsteel. I think he has a lapsteel dobro and some others. Maybe chat to him to see if he knows of any gibsons laying around?
+1. rich is a great guy, i have his album - saucetone - some awesome sounds on it. go chat to him, i'm sure you'll find him a mine of info.
dh

Richard is playing at TJ's on Feb 21st. He's usually happy to shoot the lap steel breeze. He usually plays a National Tricone, but I understand he'll have his new (to him) Gretsch at that gig.

aja

Try food colouring to colour pratley putty. You could also try shoe polish (can be messy haha) or you do actually get dye that is used to colour wood filler putty, although I haven't seen it in a while.

Just some stuff I have used in the past but not on guitars so maybe check up on that first...

Shibbibilybob

Also, check out Mr Cat and The Jackal.

They're a Capetonian band that play lots of strange acoustic instruments and actually make their own lapsteels to sell and play. I'm sure they'd be able to help you out with tips and pointers.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mr-Cat-The-Jackal-Handmade-Instruments/270282896335020?ref=ts&fref=ts

There you go ?

domhatch

aja wrote: Try food colouring to colour pratley putty. You could also try shoe polish (can be messy haha) or you do actually get dye that is used to colour wood filler putty, although I haven't seen it in a while.

Just some stuff I have used in the past but not on guitars so maybe check up on that first...

i heard that you can patch scratches and wotnot on furniture by rubbing over them with - of all things - walnuts. worth a try and not quite as messy as shoe polish. ? i guess a lot would depend on how different the putty colour is from the wood...

look forward to seeing the final product
dh

AlanRatcliffe

I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of Pratley Putty - I've seen too many "boer maak 'n plan" repairs with the stuff (and usually wood screws and sometimes steel plates).

If you use a clearish epoxy (PP is an epoxy too), it will take a lot of it's colour from the wood around it. Epoxies generally don't take colour, so if you want contrasting lines, your best bet is to mask off and spray the lines then clearcoat over the top.

Chris-Mason

Contacted Pratley putty, one can colour the putty using oxides or even PVA. To soften use water but only fior the standard putty not the quickset. Fretboard completed and on the body, now the hardpart starts the finishing. Will be using Tung oil, first coat 50/50 mix with Thinners to ensure good oil penetration into the wood. Its so dry it will absorb it immediatley.
Still dont know how to post pics on teh forum, help required on this.
Saddle and Nut

rikus

Saddle and Nut wrote: Still dont know how to post pics on teh forum, help required on this.
Saddle and Nut

Have a looky here: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/how-to/how-to-post-pictures-t4055/

Very keen to see pictures!