The Steel Guitar Forum

I've built a couple cigar box lap steels. They are very liberating to build and sound great. Here is my first one. http://www.leroybeal.net/guitars/lap/gurkalap/gurkha6stringlapsteel03.jpg More images: http://www.leroybeal.net/guitars/lap/gurkalap/index.html This one is a double neck convertible CBG...

I've used laser etched fret boards on 3 of my instruments, but not using the 2 tone material. I've only used mirrored acrylic that was etched, then painted. Very stunning to look at. Check out these photo albums. http://www.leroybeal.net/guitars/acoustic/WLS/index.html http://www.leroybeal.net/guita...

Well done! I really like the color scheme and the wooden pick guards(?). If it looks good, plays good, sounds good, then it is good.

Very nice. Keep up the good work.

Brad Bechtel wrote:Nice job, Leroy. How does it sound?

I added a video to my original post.

Thanks guys.

This is something I finished recently. I'm very pleased with the resulting guitar. For those people who would like an inexpensive, ready-at-a-moments-notice, fun, knock-about acoustic lap guitar, something like this is worth considering. No fancy tools or jigs needed to build. http://www.leroybeal.n...

Very nice.

Did the original "New Yorker" have the so called "Chicken Head" knobs? I believe they did. I have some chicken head knobs I was going to use, but liked the look of these Radio Shack knobs better. Again, I wasn't trying to make a faithful copy, just get the essence of the original.

Jonathan Lam wrote:Wow! Any stories on the build?

Thanks guys. I added some photos, and comments, taken during the construction process.

http://www.leroybeal.net/guitars/lap/BA ... index.html

I thought I'd show off a recently completed instrument. I've always liked the classic good looks of the National New Yorker , so decided to make my homage to that great design. It plays and sounds superb. Here's a link to some beauty shots. http://www.leroybeal.net/guitars/lap/BA/index.html http://w...

Me



More pictures:

http://www.leroybeal.net/guitars/acoustic/HN/index.html

Gorgeous! I bet it really sings.

Thanks for the beautiful song. I was wondering how those pickups sound. Excellent tone.

I'm surprised that no one mentioned Cole Clark's Violap. Semi hollow body with multiple pickups. Here is a link to Jerry Douglas demonstrating one.

http://www.premierguitar.com/Video/2009 ... l_Jam.aspx

I, too, am curious about those pickups. Ryan Rukavina has offered to make me some split pickups similar to those for a those for a 10 string. If wired like the two coils of a standard humbucking PU, it could cancel out a lot of the noise usually associated with single coils. I've wondered, however,...

I am just putting the finishing touches on my T8 modular console center. I'm not sure what to call it exactly, because it is more than just a T8 console. It incorporates a mixing console, laptop, DVD player, effects, and a breakout box. I wanted something that would be as versatile as possible. As a...

That is stunning!

This thing is huge! I kind of wish they would have left off the label though.

I was perusing the August copy of Premier Guitar and I spied this photo. It looks to be one of Tom Pettingill's own creations. Nice!

I'm fortunate to have Mark as a friend and lutherie cohort. He knows stuff!

Superb job! Clean and elegant!

Sweet! You did a beautiful job getting that retro feel.

Very nice! very simple, elegant design. I've often thought of making one using pretty much the same construction method. Is the head stock strong enough for the string tension? Would you add a stiffener to it next time or is it a non-issue? So the P-Bass pup sounds good? I'd love to hear some sound...

These two items seem to be of interest to an increasing number of players these days. I noted these were BOTH absent from your fine lil' g'tar. What price range is it in. How much does it weigh? It wouldn't take much of an effort to fabricate those two things, but I like to keep things simple if po...

I just put the finishing touches on a new 8 string prototype. Just wanted to try out a few ideas I've been mulling over for awhile. It turned out quite nicely and sounds great. It has killer sustain. http://www.leroybeal.net/guitars/lap/lap02/stringlapsteelguitar11.jpg Construction pictures and beau...