| Author |
Topic: A Beautiful Teardrop In Mahogany and Flame Maple |
Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 17 Apr 2009 9:49 am |
|
As many of you know, I very much enjoy building my guitars and this one was no exception.
I was commissioned by fellow forum member Rick Barnhart to build him one of my Teardrobs in a mahogany / flame maple combo and here it is.
I'm very happy how it came out, not only is it easy on the eyes, but has a beautiful big lush tone.
It was my pleasure to work with Rick and its good to know its going to a good home.
Some basic specs
African mahogany / khaya and flame maple body
figured mahogany bridge cover and control plates
25" scale
string through body
bone nut
strait pull tilt back headstock with volute
Grover tuners
MOP / maple fret and position markers
Wallace True Tone pickup with custom maple topper
hand rubbed Tru Oil gloss finish
.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here
Last edited by Tom Pettingill on 17 Apr 2009 10:28 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
|
Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2009 10:21 am Mmmmm..., 25 inch scale
|
|
Tom, is this the first steel you've made with this long scale?
I've always been curious to hear a lap steel with this long a scale. The console's always sound great.
As usual, it's another beaut! |
|
|
|
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
|
Posted 17 Apr 2009 10:32 am
|
|
That's really nice work, Tom. I am also a big fan of the longer scale steels. My walnut Fry Pan is
25 1/2" scale and it's only difficult to slant down on the first few frets, but the tone and sustain are great. I also like the tautness of the strings when I use the pre-packaged sets.
Tom, one observation--the bridge cover. While it looks very nice cosmetically, have you ever given thought to opening it up at the tail end to allow for right hand damping? To me, this is a very important factor.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
|
|
|
Fred Kinbom
From:
Berlin, Germany, via Stockholm, Sweden.
|
|
|
|
Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 17 Apr 2009 11:23 am
|
|
Thanks guys 
Ron ... actually quite a few of my steels have been 25" scale and my personal favorite. Long scale on a lap or console is basically the same.
I've been wanting to do an even longer baritone scale for a while.
Mike ... The actual bridge is close to the front of the cover, 1/2" in from the leading edge. The tolerances are tight, so its actually easy to roll off the cover a bit for some muting. Though, your suggestion gives me a cool idea for a lower profile cover / surround with the front opened up to expose the bridge a bit.
Fred, Thanks ... I find the carved volute transition at the headstock to greatly stiffen and strengthen the headstock. Not only is it more durable, but the stiffness helps the sustain of the guitar.
It takes more time to do it, but I think its well worth the effort.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here |
|
|
|
Doug Freeman
From:
Los Angeles, CA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2009 1:17 pm
|
|
| Tom, that is just beautiful work and design. Still looking forward to working with you on a guitar one of these days. A thought about the bridge cover: how about one that you can slide backward or forward maybe an inch in either direction to suit the player's taste or mood? Have some kind of track on either side of the bridge, or slots on either side of the cover, with thumb screws or something. When I first started on lap steel (granted still not that long ago) I immediately removed covers to allow for palm dampening because that's what I was used to with regular guitar. But now I'm comfortable either way and actually sometimes like the cover for at least partial palm support when blocking with picks & fingers. Might be nice to have it both ways. |
|
|
|
Steve Branscom
From:
Pacific NW
|
Posted 17 Apr 2009 2:02 pm
|
|
Tom,
I love your work. The lines are so clean that it just makes the whole project very tasteful. I especially liked the headstock and the arrangement of the tuning machines so there's a straight pull for all 6 strings. Very nicely done.
_________________
Steve |
|
|
|
Lee Gillespie
From:
Cheyenne, Wy. USA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2009 2:21 pm Lap Steel
|
|
| MMMMmmmMMm MITY FINE... I can feel and see the LOVE OF LABOR from your pictures. Your attention to detail is outstanding. Thanks for showing. Lee |
|
|
|
Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2009 2:43 pm Beautiful Teardrop In Mahogany And Flame Maple
|
|
Just gorgeous. Almost too pretty to play!  |
|
|
|
Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
|
Posted 17 Apr 2009 3:44 pm
|
|
Sigh....... even the pickup look gorgeous...
Beautiful work, as always!
_________________
"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube |
|
|
|
Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 17 Apr 2009 6:03 pm
|
|
Thanks again all ... I just checked tracking and it will be out for delivery tomorrow. Wish I could be there when Rick opens it up!
Doug ... thats an interesting idea and definitely food for thought. I'm always up for a challenge and trying something new.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here |
|
|
|
Jason Dumont
From:
Bristol, Connecticut, USA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2009 6:48 pm
|
|
| Really gorgeous design Tom. The volute really is a great touch! |
|
|
|
Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2009 6:53 pm
|
|
| Very pretty, Tom. Beautifully executed and well thought out. |
|
|
|
Gary Stevenson
From:
Northern New York,USA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2009 7:47 pm
|
|
| As always just damn fine work.Your work is like my fathers when he made violins. Like you he had a great touch with his hands on wood. |
|
|
|
chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
|
Posted 17 Apr 2009 9:37 pm
|
|
| Wow!! I truly admire the guys who have the touch for wood. -- chas |
|
|
|
Ronald Smith
From:
LA (Lower Alabama), USA
|
Posted 18 Apr 2009 6:53 am guitar
|
|
Tom!
As always, I drool when I see one in your posts. Makes me think that it might be mine, but no, many differences. Boy that does a job on the eye. Can't see it all in the pictures I'm sure. Just wait, I say, till I can put my hands on one.
Great job for a great craftsman.
Thanks and God bless you and yours,
Ronald Smith |
|
|
|
Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
|
|
|
|
Roy Thomson
From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
|
Posted 18 Apr 2009 10:46 am
|
|
Stunning 
_________________
Custom Tabs Various Tunings
Courses Lap Steel, Pedal Steel |
|
|
|
Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
|
Posted 18 Apr 2009 12:45 pm
|
|
Wooooo Hooooo Tom, this guitar is gorgeous. That Tru Oil finish is stunning. I don't have all the right adjectives to adequately describe this beauty, I just feel soooo lucky to have it.
Tom's work is completely flawless. Every detail is perfectly crafted. If you have the chance you should seriously consider having Tom Pettingill build your next guitar. You'd be surprized at how affordable they are. They'd be a bargain at 5 times what he charges. Tom's an artist with wood, a regular sculptor. Thanks Tom, I'm making plans for my next guitar and you can bet it's gonna be a Pettingill.
_________________
Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
|
|
|
Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
|
|
|
|
Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
|
Posted 28 Apr 2009 10:27 am
|
|
Top floor, please. There's been some recent discussion about whether steel builders should be classified as home builders, custom builders, boutique, etc. basilh probably defined them best, however, there was a catagory that was left out. "TOP NOTCH" That's definately the category that best describes Tom Pettingill's work. The photos are great, but they don't compare at all to seeing one, or better yet, playing one. Thanks Tom. Rick
_________________
Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
|
|
|
