Lap slide

[rocket]

Today somebody asked me if i would build them a electric lap slide guitar, at first i thought nuh,,, too far from my comfort zone, i can't think of anything further away from an archtop. But then broardening my scope a bit wouldn't hurt would it? So, i said to the prospective customer that i'd do a bit of research and let him know if i could cater to his request. So, can anybody on the forum point me in the right direction as far as plans and any other info that may be useful.
Cheers,,,,
Rod.

[liam_fnq]

Plans, dunno. The lap steels I've seen are about the most basic instruments I've seen. A board with a pickup on it. Bridge and nut made from steel, aluminium or brass angle. Strings through-anchored like a tele. Tuners at the other end.

[jeffhigh]

Well Rod the first thing I would do is find out what tuning he wants to use and what scale length he prefers.
Many of the old lap steel electrics were short scale at around 22.5 " but this does not work real well if he is going to use it in open D.
As far as design, most use a single pickup near the bridge.
You do not need compensation, radius or height adjustment for the bridge, simple and rigid is best.
Things like string spacing at the nut and saddle are a personal preference so you are better off finding out what the player likes Also consider pole spacing on the pickup.
There are certainly plans on the net available but you might as well design your own, to meet the players needs and be unique.
I have rickenbacker, national and supro steels, if I can help with details from these just ask

[H3ytm@n]

I've got a plan that Christophe Grellier used to have on his website.
Happy to email it to you if you want to check it out. There is a pdf with a file size ~260kb and a dxf ~2.5Mb.
They are pretty basic though

[Alan Stassforth]

Go ahead and get all the specs the customer wants, scale length, string spacing at the bridge and nut.
Figure out if the pickups work with the bridge string spacing, and adjust.
Go with a strat type pickup, or a wide pickup pole spacing for the pups, if the costumer wants wide.
I like 25" or so scale length.
I also like 2 pups, and use the 2 together,
and, if I was to put 1 puppy on,
it would be the fb pickup.
Personal pref.
Ferget about da plans.
IMO those old Nationals, Supros and Fenders suck.
Get creative on the shape.
Good luck!, and go for it.
Minor set upwhen done.