My Diy Lap Steel Build (The Paddle Steel)

Manfred-Klose · 2013-04-14T18:01:42+00:00

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 ?...

My Diy Lap Steel Build (The Paddle Steel)

charleshaupt

Good luck with the building process..

Chris-Mason

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

Wessel

Awesome!!! I need to try this out.

Manfred-Klose

OK so just an update on this, i actually started ?

should be done in a month or so, pics to follow soon

Manfred-Klose

....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 ?)

Highway-Chile

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.

Highway-Chile

Saddle and Nut wrote: 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.

Check this 'ol Gibby out. Maybe not as old as yours but still..........I really dig the amp.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Gibson-Br9-Lap-Steel-Guitar-With-Original-Amp-And-Case-/151109416142?pt=Guitar&hash=item232ed2b4ce

Manfred-Klose

The woodwork you have there looks awesome.

with the help of brian fanner, it always comes out great!!!!

here is one more

AlanRatcliffe

Looking good! But why are you fretting it?

Manfred-Klose

Looking good! But why are you fretting it?

why not ?

it all for looks

Norman86

Very nice! I like the purpleheart!