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8 string lap steel guitar

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 1:24 pm
by Luke
Have strung up my latest creation my first electric instrument built for a mate he supplied the pick up and tuners.
Specs: 22.25" scale
body: Vic Ash, fret-board Madagascar rosewood, scratch plate Qld Walnut, nut and bridge brass.
tuned to C6 tuning no idea how to play it properly but sounds cool with what I can do with it.
Thanks for looking.
lap slide 2.jpg
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Re: 8 string lap steel guitar

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:13 am
by seeaxe
Hey Luke that looks interesting

Are they real frets? Doesnt really need frets I would have thought, just marks where the frets would be.

Did it take long to make?

What sort of finish did you use?

Did you make the bridge hardware your self?

Cheers

Re: 8 string lap steel guitar

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:46 am
by Luke
Hi Richard.
They are real frets I had the fret board for a couple of years waiting for a project and thought it would look good so I used it adding the wire was simple and makes it look better i think. Its inlaid into the body.
I made the bridge its brass flat bar and silver soldered the pieces together I have had a couple of folks say I like the door hinge for the bridge :shock:
It took me about 35 - 40 hrs to make i don't have a band saw so the shape is all hand done also my routing skills are only in there development and wiring is also :twisted: not a skill iam proficient at as yet.
The finish is true oil, I reckon when I join the local wood working club they have some great machines and tools the next one will be much quicker!

Re: 8 string lap steel guitar

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 9:36 am
by seeaxe
OK, I see now that the fret board is inlaid, that looks nice.
Yes, machines make things go a lot quicker, so you get onto the fun bits faster. I'm all for them, mostly

Good luck with whatever is next.

Richard

Re: 8 string lap steel guitar

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:53 am
by Alan Stassforth
Cool, Luke!
I build and play 6 string lap steels,
and have an old National 8 string that I love to play.
I also make my own hardware similar to yours.
Saves money, and it's fun to do.
Someday I'll make an 8 string.
Maybe this will get me going!
Alan.

Re: 8 string lap steel guitar

Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 12:54 pm
by DarwinStrings
Cool lap Luke, just thinking of multi purpose possibilities for it, flip it upside down to do the ironing or with some sort of string/VT knob cover and a set of trucks and wheels you could skate to gigs with it.

Jim

Re: 8 string lap steel guitar

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 7:45 am
by Luke
Hey Jim,
Thanks for those ideas, a skateboard that is also an instrument I can see a market for that :idea: You don't see skateboards around these days not in my area they must be due for a come back like yo-yo's etc.

Re: 8 string lap steel guitar

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:28 pm
by Clancy
a skateboard that is also an instrument I can see a market for that
Already been done by Cole Clark
skate_06.jpg
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Re: 8 string lap steel guitar

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:36 am
by DarwinStrings
Well I'll be buggered, I want one.

Jim