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RadioElectric · 09-13-2008, 06:50 PM

Yes. Yes I did!

The body is brazilian walnut, I think. It was an offcut at the timber yard. The neck is ash. Most of the hardware is aluminium; me and my Dad made it on the milling machine he bought (he's getting into making guitar stuff). We made the nut, bridge and jack plate this way.

I decided to go for through-body stringing and it's resulted in the guitar being very resonant. Strumming the open G that I've got it tuned to makes a glorious BRRRRAAANG through a slightly overdriving amp. It's quite loud unplugged, actually.

It might seem like an unusual place for a badge on the back but then the screws for holding the P90 pickup onto the front were unusually long - a little bit of damage control that's ended up looking quite nice.

I inlaid it with abalone. Keen eyes can spot where I missed the dot with a file in this picture. The "A" badge on the back is also abalone (courtesy of my aunt who pinched a shell of it from a wedding decoration).

Here it is with its buddy. Now I just have to get my chops up to scratch!

guitarcookie1 · 09-13-2008, 06:53 PM

That is really rather nice!

I want one too

RadioElectric · 09-13-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitarcookie1

That is really rather nice!

I want one too

Some bits were easier than I expected but there are others that I would have been very wary to attempt without having my Dad there to show me. He's been doing this a lot longer than I have!

In particular I'm talking about the routing, there is actually a repair on the back from when we were rounding the edge of the body and cut through into the jack plug hole.

One thing I've learnt from this is that I really do have to be mindful of what's on the other side of what I'm working on. I had problems with the jack plug hole, pickup screws and tuners all due to this. Sorted them now though, I must say I'm quite proud of it

downfader · 09-13-2008, 07:12 PM

That... is... glorious!

Vim Fuego · 09-13-2008, 07:14 PM

an astounding piece of work, you should be justifiably proud of that.

Brio · 09-13-2008, 08:19 PM

Schwiiinnnggg! Me likey!

imported_fredy · 09-13-2008, 08:44 PM

that looks lush, well done!

Sporky_McGuffin · 09-13-2008, 09:25 PM

That's really nice. And in answer to the original question, yes, I'm pretty sure you did.

eivind · 09-13-2008, 09:43 PM

very well done indeed!!

congrats! amazing piece of work.

RadioElectric · 09-13-2008, 11:03 PM

Hear it here:

http://boomp3.com/listen/c0xhch9g0_w

I'd never laid hands on a lap steel guitar until today so you'll have to forgive my beginner-ness.

09-13-2008, 06:50 PM	#1
RadioElectric Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,555	Did I Make A Lap Steel Guitar? Yes. Yes I did! The body is brazilian walnut, I think. It was an offcut at the timber yard. The neck is ash. Most of the hardware is aluminium; me and my Dad made it on the milling machine he bought (he's getting into making guitar stuff). We made the nut, bridge and jack plate this way. I decided to go for through-body stringing and it's resulted in the guitar being very resonant. Strumming the open G that I've got it tuned to makes a glorious BRRRRAAANG through a slightly overdriving amp. It's quite loud unplugged, actually. It might seem like an unusual place for a badge on the back but then the screws for holding the P90 pickup onto the front were unusually long - a little bit of damage control that's ended up looking quite nice. I inlaid it with abalone. Keen eyes can spot where I missed the dot with a file in this picture. The "A" badge on the back is also abalone (courtesy of my aunt who pinched a shell of it from a wedding decoration). Here it is with its buddy. Now I just have to get my chops up to scratch! __________________ Samick Superstrat Strip and Refinish: Pretty Much Done I made a Lap Steel Listen to my Music I remixed my friend's song (Please Listen! ) Last edited by RadioElectric : 09-13-2008 at 07:37 PM.

09-13-2008, 06:53 PM	#2
guitarcookie1 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 486	That is really rather nice! I want one too __________________ Currently enjoying: Gibson Les Paul Studio Custom Faded Gibson SG Junior Fender Jagstang Washburn 125th Anniversary Parlour Cornell Romany

09-13-2008, 07:12 PM	#4
downfader Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southampton, UK Posts: 2,431	That... is... glorious! __________________ Downfader's Adventures Blog sign me!

09-13-2008, 08:19 PM	#6
Brio Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,751	Schwiiinnnggg! Me likey! __________________ 2+2=5. For large values of 2.

09-13-2008, 09:25 PM	#8
Sporky_McGuffin Spam Tsar Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 17,546	That's really nice. And in answer to the original question, yes, I'm pretty sure you did. __________________ I'm with stupid ▼

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09-13-2008, 08:44 PM	#7
imported_fredy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,967	that looks lush, well done!

09-13-2008, 09:43 PM	#9
eivind Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 25,362	very well done indeed!! congrats! amazing piece of work. __________________ Computermuso since intel8088 - Hive made Website:http://www.fivelsdal.no

09-13-2008, 11:03 PM	#10
RadioElectric Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,555	Hear it here: http://boomp3.com/listen/c0xhch9g0_w I'd never laid hands on a lap steel guitar until today so you'll have to forgive my beginner-ness. __________________ Samick Superstrat Strip and Refinish: Pretty Much Done I made a Lap Steel Listen to my Music I remixed my friend's song (Please Listen! )

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