posted 06 September 2006 08:48 PM profilesend emailedit Building lap steel guitar pdf pickups

Frank, Lee, and Mel: (and everyone else…)

Build yourself a really cool lap steel guitar with these detailed, professionally drawn plans. Plans show complete details drawn full scale (1:1). Complete materials list and sources, wiring details for volume and tone controls, fretboard dimensions and much more. The Photos below show a lap steel guitar built from these exact plans. PEDAL STEEL GUITAR E9 FRETBOARD REFERENCE Arranged By: Jesse Leite TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction p.2 The Chord Chart p.3 Chord Zones p.4 Single Position Scale Patterns p.5 Harmonized Scale Patterns p.6-10 Appendix A: Diatonic Chord Reference p.11 A B C LKL LKR F# D# G# A E F# F D# B C# C# G# A F# E F D# D B C# DRAFT #6 Please send all comments. Step by step instructions for how to make your own simple lap steel slide guitar. Plans are here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B65I1ajNVkDudkR1WVVYZmFv.

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OK. You guys asked a few simple questions, so here goes my long-winded response.
You guys have wet my curiosity as to the amount of interest in 7 and 8 string laps. Since I play 6 string, and only in E and G tunings, I’m unfamiliar with the technical perspective of the 7 and 8 string lap steels. I could certainly CAD a print up for a 7 or 8 string lap steel if you think there’s enough interest. To produce a construction print such as the free 6 string lap steel drawing on my website I’ll need some info from you guys. (Others please feel free to chime in).
First, Should I consider both 7 and 8 string instruments? I don’t know what the interest is for these varieties. Since I need to do a working instrument from the drawings I’d like to have a quick synopsis of 7 and 8 string details that I can work from without doing a ton of research. Searching past postings on scale length and tuning preference seems to be as varied as the number of responses. If I could obtain the information from you folks as a starting point I could more easily produce a good construction drawing. I’ll offer the finished drawing as a half-size PDF on my website for anyone to use as they see fit. I’ll probably offer it as a full size drawing that can be reproduced at the local Kinko’s for a small fee. I’m also considering offering a stainless steel bridge assembly with string anchor points and over-wound single coil pickup for 6, 7, or 8 string lap steel guitar construction as well as other items that would be of use to amateur builders.

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So, here are the questions I’d like some input on:
1. Preference for 7 or 8 strings?

2. Scale length? (Here’s a can of worms to be opened…) Ccleaner cd disney pixar greatest.

3. Nut and bridge string spacing? This could also be dependant on the number of strings… 6, 7, or 8)
Going out on a limb here, I personally have settled for string spacing of 11/32” at the nut and 3/8” at the bridge, at least for 6 string lap. There seems to be a lot of varying opinions as to the “correct” setup for string spacing. Narrow, wide, taper, no taper, parallel 3/8”..all seem to have their own devotees.

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4. Headstock style, i.e. “Classic Oahu” or “A” style like the Bluestem I-10 on my website. I have a preference here for the “A” style, as it is easier to get a straight string path to the tuning post. Also, I’m sold on vertical posts, rather than vertical tuning buttons. It takes little time to adjust to tuning a conventional guitar style tuner and the ease of string changes makes up for the tuner buttons mounted in a pan. (IMHO)

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5. What’s a good tuning for a 7 and 8 string lap steel, and what would be the appropriate string gauges for said tunings?

6. Any preference for single coil vs. double coil pickups? (Arranged as classic hum buckers or with a Stringmaster-style blend pot configuration)