Homebrew Lapsteel up and running ... finally

whoa dude. how cool looking. I had no idea you were curious about lap steel, especially with the building part. but your vast knowledge of pups and wiring...makes sense to me.
can't wait to hear you play that beauty.

I like those fret markers. Very art deco look. Also can't wait to hear it.

Peace

Image isn't working for me. Link? I'd like to see it. I'm fascinated by the idea of trying to build a guitar of my own someday, combining my older woodworking hobby with my newer guitar hobby, and I'd like the inspiration of a successful build.

I just rightclicked on "properties" and got this:

Hope that works.

Peace

Man, that is really cool looking! I'm sure it sounds great, too!

Yep . . . art deco scyscraper . . . like the Chrysler building . . .

I just rightclicked on "properties" and got this:

Hope that works.

Peace
Tried that myself, but it didn't work. I think I'm having a local internet problem. I'll see it later, I suppose. Thanks!

EDIT: AHA! There it is!

Very cool instrument! I love the art deco look of it. Any interest in detailing your build? Did you have a good set of instructions for the build?

thanks, guys.

no instructions, FrankyL -- this is a completely original design from the ground up. I did some checking on typical scale lengths and string spacing, checked my parts stash, bought wood at Loews and went to it. it was a half art, half engineering project.

I'd have to reconstitute the design and build process from memory to document it. a lot of it was "design-build," meaning I started with a basic idea from sketches, then modified the design as necessary for real-world materials, available tools and parts. the most difficult design decisions were around the headstock (tilt, thickness, tuner placement), pre-routing of the two maple layers for internal component chambers and wire channels to the pup and bridge ground (I allow for grounding channels to stud-anchored LP Jr bridge or Fender-style hardtail, as I hadn't decided early on which to use). finishing was the most challenging part. I went with "little red wagon red" lacquer + clear lacquer because the maple would not take a good staining.

Nice craftmanship! 8) Now, learn to play that thing! :twisted:

Dan

That's a very cool design,- great work! I love the mix of National New Yorker/Dynamic and 'something else'. I would have kept the position markers, they really add to the overall 'vibe' of the steel,- those on position 5, 7 and 9 almost looks like huge birds flying outside a skyscraper... 8)

thanks again.

Steinar: I can do pretty much anything within reason for position markers. are you referring to those of a particular model or suggesting I keep my temporaries? the design isn't really inspired by any other lapsteels. I'm just an art deco/moderne fan. I'll have to have a look at the Nationals to see what you mean.

I'm referring to your temporary position markers, I really like them.

Here's a National New Yorker, inspired by the Empire State Building:

and here's a National Dynamic:

They're both my favorite vintage lap steel designs...

ah ... I see. both very nice. and the resemblance is in the stepped "shoulders" concepts. those are far more elegant than mine, which I think of as a somewhat SF inspired deco -- maybe something like a kid's toy from the era. I had more MOTS decorative sections cut out for the shoulder and "tail fin" areas, but they just seemed to cluster the look too much.

I've actually been outside on a ledge/parapet of the Empire State Building, and not in the public areas. my team installed some experimental antennas on the outside of the 83rd (IIRC) floor. got to ride some old, really cool, wood lined deco elevators to the upper private areas. had to crawl out a window to get on the ledge.

KR2: I believe the Chrysler Building -- my fave in NYC, is considered art moderne as opposed to deco.

I don't know if you wanted to continue with the art deco theme . . .
but here's an idea for the fret markers . . .
art deco numbers

I noticed the New Yorker had Roman numerals . . .
. . . or you could do art deco Roman numerals . . .
which would be the forward leaning slash of a V or X in thin line and the backward leaning slash of the V or X in a thick line