| Author |
Topic: Rookie Steel Builder Needs Advice |
John Swindle
From:
Oregon, USA
|
Posted 30 Mar 2009 10:54 am |
|
I'm gathering parts for a project, and I sure could use some advice. I want to build a non-pedal, console-style steel. I'm okay with the woodworking part of the project, but I have a couple of problems in other areas.
I'd like to be able to use a .079 as the tenth string, but none of the tuners I've seen online are described in terms of string size. I emailed Stewart-MacDonald, and they suggested I use bass guitar tuners. I prefer not to do that, if I can avoid it. Can anyone here suggest a place to look?
Another thing I'd like to hear about from you folks concerns scale length. I've read that longer-scaled instruments can have better sustain, compared to shorter ones. Is there a down-side to using a really long scale - say, 27 inches?
Any suggestions at all would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! John |
|
|
|
George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
|
Posted 30 Mar 2009 12:42 pm edit
|
|
edit
Last edited by George Piburn on 22 Jun 2012 6:36 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
|
John Swindle
From:
Oregon, USA
|
Posted 30 Mar 2009 1:59 pm
|
|
"Carefully" is right! I'll see if I can come up with something to practice on, before sacrificing a tuner. Sounds like a good idea - thanks.
As I recall, Georgeboards are generally shorter than that, and I don't remember anyone complaining about their sustain. Still, if nobody can show me a reason not to try it, it'll be an interesting experiment. |
|
|
|
George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
|
Posted 30 Mar 2009 5:48 pm edit
|
|
edit
Last edited by George Piburn on 22 Jun 2012 6:37 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
|
John Swindle
From:
Oregon, USA
|
Posted 30 Mar 2009 10:44 pm
|
|
Now see, there's two pretty good sounding ideas that I might never have thought of. So even if I don't get pointed toward someone who sells appropriately sized tuners, I won't have to abandon this project.
Your second suggestion, George, - about trimming the winding and inserting the core - sounds way better than using bass guitar tuners. I just can't imagine that looking right on an instrument like this.
Thanks again |
|
|
|
Mark Roeder
From:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
|
Posted 2 Apr 2009 11:35 am
|
|
Howdy
When you consider scale length you have to consider what tuning you want to use. What I have begun to understand (others with more experience should chime in on this) is that notes above a high E become harder to get on longer scales. There are reasons a standard guitar at 25" scale only goes up to E. So if you like C6 with a G on top, you need a shorter scale or lighter gauge string and even with lighter strings I think its hard to go past 24" with a high G. If you like the fatter feel find a tuning that ends in high E like A6 or C6 without the G. Thats my two cents, I'm no expert but I have been experimenting with some of these aspects.
Mark |
|
|
|
John Swindle
From:
Oregon, USA
|
Posted 2 Apr 2009 1:23 pm
|
|
Mark, thanks for the input. If you've experimented even a little, you know a few things I don't.
What I envision here, is a steel that relates to my other instruments the way a baritone guitar relates to a standard guitar. I hope to get a booming, low-in-the-throat kind of sound.
I certainly agree the tuning is an important choice. I'm glad you pointed that out. I'm thinking I may use some standard string set and tune it down about two frets' worth. That would enable me to use about the same string tension that manufacturers recommend with the shorter scales of most guitars in mind. It may turn out that my idea to use a really fat string at the bottom- .070 or .079 - just aint practical.
Mostly, this project is just an attempt to see what a really long-scale steel would be like.
Another thing that interests me is the weight/sound question. I've read that sometimes instrument builders sacrifice sound quality (maybe just a little) in order to keep the weight reasonable. I'd like to see what you'd get if weight didn't matter. But to get a really definitive answer to that, I'd need to be a much more skillful luthier. So far I haven't built a steel that I'm totally satisfied with. Sure is fun, though. |
|
|
|
Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 3 Apr 2009 10:21 am
|
|
| A friend with a 26" scale Stringmaster used a #60 string on the bottom position. It had a really nice bass sound. Don't remember what the tuning was. |
|
|
|
Ulric Utsi-Åhlin
From:
Sweden
|
Posted 5 Apr 2009 2:05 am
|
|
The "Un-winding" procedure could be completed w/
Cyano-sealing of the last turns before the bare
section.McUtsi |
|
|
|
John Swindle
From:
Oregon, USA
|
Posted 5 Apr 2009 12:51 pm
|
|
I knew if I hung out here for a while, some answers would pop up. I now have a much clearer idea of how to proceed, because of your help. Thanks, guys!
John |
|
|
|
