The Steel Guitar Forum

I found this old thread... I actually bought both of the Sol steel bars from eBay. I have the bars in storage but I will give proper dimensions when I can. I will say that they are very small bars, short and narrow. Almost a novelty more than anything. Not sure anyone would choose one as a main bar....

Hi Ned
That is an early original Demeter Tremulator, owned by my boss, in my shop to be cleaned up and made to work again. A bit of history on my bench.
And by the way, your CD-ROM arrived on wednesday. Such great info and beautiful photos to keep my mind spinning. Thanks so much!

Glueing a separating seam. The things you find... Plus a photo of my other "new" instrument, a 1929 Greenfield Hawaiian, that needs a bit of work: http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix1504/12195_IMG_9713_1.jpg http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix1504/12195_IMG_9712_1.jpg http://bb.steel...

Hi Ned It's a tough call on the finish restoration, I kind of like the 70's hot rod refin. I will restore the instrument so that I can return it to original if I get the urge. Once it's cleaned up and running, disassembly and stripping that finish can be done fairly efficiently. I've just grown to l...

Discovery. Seem that I've located the original finish. http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix1504/12195_IMG_9691_1.jpg And finally received my Aluminum polish. Gotta say, it works. http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix1504/12195_IMG_9699_1.jpg http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix1504/12195_IMG_97...

Legs chromed and reassembled.
Looking good.

Hi Peter It was $250. Price seemed to be dictated by how large the tank is. Mine is 6L/1.58 gallons and 13x8x4", which was the largest affordable one I could find. It did a good job but, you can see in one of the photos above, the gunk on my hand was picked out of the bridge. So some elbow grea...

Ultrasonic Cleaning. Went well. Loosened grime and allowed easier cleaning of the fine parts. Still used all my fine cleaning tools and tricks but a great help. Before: http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix1504/12195_IMG_9608_1.jpg http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix1504/12195_IMG_9609_1.jpg Dur...

First chromed items back from plating.

Hi Ned Sorry to have a bit of a delay posting photos but I've been running items to the plating company, waiting for some proper aluminum polish to be delivered and trying to spend time with my kids during the last couple of weeks before school starts. The Ultrasonic cleaner was returned to sender b...

Bought an Ultrasonic Parts Cleaner today. Should arrive before the end of the week. Thanks for the suggestion Ned. All screws and bolts visible from the top of the instrument are off being replated. Fretboards being removed shortly. Likely with hair dryer and seam separation knife (or guitar string)...

Naptha is one of my go to cleaners, so using plenty of it.
The ultrasonic-bath sounds like another item to check out.
I absolutely could have used one while doing many guitar rebuilds in the past.
Thanks Ned.

Thanks for the tips.
Rolling along.

How were these "wheels" installed? Press fit?
Do I lubricate these with anything or anything special after I clean them?

Here is the issue with the actual machine heads.
Looks like string tension caused the split shafts to collapse and on a couple, actually break.

Machine heads are pooched, waiting for replacements. The cleaning begins. http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix1504/12195_IMG_9429_1.jpg http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix1504/12195_IMG_9433_1.jpg http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix1504/12195_IMG_9431_2.jpg http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/use...

Ned McIntosh. Can't tell you how much your photos and words are helping me understand the Marlen pull-release. It's amazing what can be done and you've done it! So inspiring. I'm flying home today from tour and my steel should be arriving by the weekend. I'll absolutely be in the shop next week to s...

Ned, thanks for the pictures and info.
That Marlen looks gorgeous.
Love the approach and I'll take some of your tips to heart and see where I can incorporate upgrades or mods to get my steel playing as well as possible.

Donny, I get what you're saying.
I need to start somewhere and this steel made a timely appearance.
Everything happens for a reason.
I'll roll with the punches.
Thanks for giving your opinion, seriously.

Thanks Richard, Mule & Bobby.
More good info.

Thanks for your candor Donny.
I understand all the things you've mentioned and I'll be sure to address any perceived "weakness" as I work on this steel.
It may not be a first choice for most steel players but I'll get it to where I can make music with it.
That's really all it needs to do.
T

Thanks Edward, great tips.
I repair regular guitars and, yes, oil can be quite evil.
I'll give you a shout, for sure.
All the best.

Beautiful steel Scott...
and plenty of good info as well.
Thanks for sharing.

Here is the LKL lever.

Nice one Edward.
Thanks for this. Adding more clarity to the Marlen picture for me.
I plan to keep the stock pickups...all I hear is how good these steels sound.
Love how these Marlen's seem to have character.