The Steel Guitar Forum

I scored the same geetar off eBay recently, sounds great. Mine has colored fret markers, assuming that was earlier, but the blue ones have fallen off. Any ideas about repairing this issue which is purely cosmetic? Cannot help you there. Working on these old original guitars takes a lot of considera...

Answering my own questions here. Removed entire wiring harness with pots and caps. There is no more writing on the pots than what I've already seen. "VC 16289" is probably a product code/part number. "IRC 214" identifies the manufacturer by name and manufacturer code: 214 is the ...

So I have a new CTS EP 0686 a long shaft split post 500K audio taper pot from AllParts to check to see if it fits, but it is too short. The original pot has a reach of 1 ⅜" from the mounting shoulder- the CTS reach is 1 ⅛". Overall height is also ¼" taller on the original. I also pref...

Thanks Jack for the great info. You mentioned mahogany bodies. But mine (1948 BR-1) is maple... right? It's pretty heavy at 7 lbs, 10 oz. I'm starting to search for a set of pots for this guy. Since I'm not sure whether or not it's important to find reverse audio taper pots, I'm looking for RAT. So ...

What are the main differences in the early ultratones vs the others? without having to consult *the book*...mainly concerned about tonality differences than simple mechanical differences. Ya- the Ultratone/BR-1/Century model history has go me still confused. Check out: https://www.lespaulforum.com/...

Jack: So my 1948 Gibson Ultratone arrived, and it's way better than I thought. By far best condition compared to others currently on Reverb. Don't know why I hesitated. Of course, there is the issue of no plastic pickup cover and one faded plastic tone knob. The wiring looks original- and rather tha...

Jack:

Good info- didn't know needed to be long shaft. You did not use audio taper?

I'm gonna order one just to have on hand if I decide to replace it.

Killer, i had one a long time ago, traded it away for a Bakelite that i traded away for a '50 Fender Deluxe 8 that i still have, whew! I never did figure out why it had three knobs... Ya. Plus, vendor says the middle pot needs some work, so I guess I'll be educating myself. I found some info and di...

You'll be glad you opted for an Ultratone instead of a Skylark. The fragile hinged covers look ultra cool, but are a nuisance. Many if not most have broken off over the course of 70 years. Some of those old knobs discolor, and some do not. Originals sometimes show up, but nice ones are spendy. Enjo...

Arriving next Monday is Blanche DuQuesne (pronounced "DuKane"), born 1948. Distant relative of Sir Dystic D'Arcy. After a very boring and demeaning stint posing for pictures on Reverb, she will be hanging out chez moi on the West Coast. Although grew up during the '50s, has never been know...

That is a very pretty guitar. Nice find. And be careful, they're addicting. I used to have just one. Have no idea where there rest of them came from........ :roll: Weird.... in my email inbox, I got a message about this being delivered next Monday via UPS. https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/userpix202...

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=359531&highlight=melody+maker https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=329859&highlight=skylark Thanks for the links. I've seen some of them over last week as I'm educating my self on all this. Aggressive rock-n-rolly guitar riffs aren'...

I would concur that any perceived shortcomings in the Skylark's sound are less on account of its pickup than on its method of string mounting.

Where the string barrels hook into the plate? Should go thru the body like a Tele or beefier plate?

John Burton wrote:[quote=

I love the old Vegas. You got a good deal on that one.
Enjoy!

Ya...the price I paid does not reflect its value. The more I'm learning about lap steels, my opinion of my Vega keeps improving. Really rings.

Minor issue: the tone knob seems like it's placed where my palm would be resting.

Allan Revich wrote:That Vega looks really nice! Good find.

I can tell from your posts that you’re already in too deep to escape. I hope you have an understanding partner at home!

Flyin solo! No joint discussions about allotment of finances.....

Jack Hanson wrote:The John Anthony Guitars (JAG) plans may be available on the Esty site:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4873560 ... e_89&frs=1

That worked. Thanks....

Allan Revich wrote: Might be fun to buy yourself a Skylark, and then use it as a template for your build?

Exactly. If I like it- keep it. If I'm not wild about it, try to clone the body and sell.

I really like the look of the Gibson Skylarks- and I'm considering buying one. But the consensus seems to be that they don't have the same quality sound as the Ultratones, Centurys and others. So I'm starting a build project for an Gibson Ultratone, Fender DeLuxe, or Skylark body clone (or whatever ...

That pot dates to either 1946 or 1956; unfortunately, this model looked the same in both those years. Your steel's wiring has been redone; Vega used wire with insulation that often falls off over the years, so this is not uncommon. The tuners have been replaced as well. Do know what wood is used? S...

That pot dates to either 1946 or 1956; unfortunately, this model looked the same in both those years. Your steel's wiring has been redone; Vega used wire with insulation that often falls off over the years, so this is not uncommon. The tuners have been replaced as well. Thanks very much for this ex...

Larry Carlson wrote:That is a very pretty guitar.
Nice find.
And be careful, they're addicting.
I used to have just one.
Have no idea where there rest of them came from........

Ya- I really wanted to do the steel sound, but really got humbled by the pedal steel. This is manageable.

Didn't know much about lap steel, but figured I couldn't go wrong when I bought this 1940's Vega lap steel at the Orange County Fairgrounds guitar show last Saturday for $325 with OHSC. Since then, I realized I really like lap steel, and I have been doing a lot of research. I have a 1974 Shobud Pro ...

Jim Palenscar wrote:The other Goodrich pedals do utilize a spring return but are not as adjustable as the OMNI and the off point can be adjusted by adding washers to the heel stop of the pedal.

Thanks much......

I think I understand what you are looking for. I had the same problems when I was starting. I think you are giving yourself a handicap by looking for a volume pedal that will make up for your currently temporary deficiencies. Your problem with a volume pedal will disappear forever after around 100 ...

There is a return spring on the OMNI and from the factory is adjusted to keep the volume the same if you lift your foot off but it is adjustable. It does have an adjustable off level as well however it is recommended that the user contact Goodrich before doing so. Thanks Jim- other Goodrich pedals ...