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Ok so i had a dream, and in my dream i was playing a some sad western sounds on a lap steel, so seems like i should build one, it seems easy to build also ?

This is what i got so far, i did a quick mockop of what it might look like, and have to do some planning to get everything to fit.
Scale length will be gibson scale length

a block of mahogany and maple, i glued up years ago, that i was gonna use for a neck through build, but never got around to it:


a korean/chinese indian rosewood fretboard, that came off a broken neck, since the fretboard will mainly be for look and reference, it wont affect the quality, i would have to extend the fretboard on the sides abit with maple or something, sand and refret it to look nice again:


some mockups:


i might make the body bigger than this, to cut out a body shape




and then up to the pickups, i was thinking of these VERY low gain humbuckers i got, came of an old samick guitar, sounded ok back then


i haven't started yet, just want to get my planning in order

Is low gain humbuckers a good choice ? or should i rather go with single coils ?

and i assume i make the string spacing at the nut the same as the bridge ?



i wanns play stuff this by the way, if i learn to play it ?
=






    Very interesting ! Good luck with the build.
      Single-coils are the traditional preference, but nothing wrong with humbuckers if you prefer those. Lower output humbuckers would be ideal if you go that route.

      You'd be better off with a flatmount Strat or Tele bridge over a TOM, as you should be going for no radius on the strings or board.

      Traditionally you would go for a wider nut than usual, but it's not essential.
        Having just built my first lapsteel based on a 1947 gibson BR4, I can say its a great project. Yours is looking really nice so far well done. I cannot post pics of my first build as it was exported and now has a new home in another country. Just after I started building mine I actually located and bought a Gibson BR4 1947 in mint condition for a really low price including tomne bar extra picks and original case. You will certainly have fun with the lapsteel, try some blues on it really cool.
        saddle and Nut
          21 days later
          Awesome!!! I need to try this out.
            2 months later
            OK so just an update on this, i actually started ?

            should be done in a month or so, pics to follow soon
              2 months later
              ....Just a long overdue update

              *i have canned the idea of using the old rosewood fretboard and replaced with a nice maple fretboard
              *i was to busy to be building anything lately so i handed over the project to brian fanner to complete it for me
              *it looks like a paddle now
              *and i got some pimpin purple heart binding around the edges.


              Pre cutting layout:


              almost ready to paddle to my next gig in this cape town rain we've been having(Spot the purpleheart binding ?)
                That looks sweet!! My mother-of-toilet seat finished Magnatone just has lines for "frets". Unfortunately the button for the G string tuner, on one of my 3-in-line Kluson tuner assemblies..... has disintegrated. I need to get a new set so I don't have to use a small vice grip ☹ ?. I think they still manufacture this particular set.

                The woodwork you have there looks awesome.
                  The woodwork you have there looks awesome.
                  with the help of brian fanner, it always comes out great!!!!


                  here is one more
                    Looking good! But why are you fretting it?
                    why not ?

                    it all for looks
                      Very nice! I like the purpleheart!
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