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Topic: Opinions needed |
Bob Thomason
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 4 May 2015 1:10 pm |
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Like some opinions . I am building a run of lapsteels and would like to know how you all feel about felt on the back. I am using nice hardwoods so I sort of hate to cover them up with felt. All opinions appreciated. 
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Got time to breathe,got time for music
Brisco Darling |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 4 May 2015 2:13 pm
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If they don't have legs they need something... Bed liner, felt, something.
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Too much junk to list... always getting more. |
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Bob Thomason
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 4 May 2015 2:34 pm
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Thanks ,
Iam a dulcimer maker and player and I guess I have learned to handle a wild dulcimer on my lap . 
_________________
Got time to breathe,got time for music
Brisco Darling |
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Allen Hutchison
From:
Kilcoy, Qld, Australia
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Posted 4 May 2015 3:32 pm
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| I agree with Stephen 100% |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 4 May 2015 3:51 pm
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I like it bare nekkid. But I also don't like poly or high gloss, either.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Robert Allen
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 4 May 2015 4:03 pm
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| My customers seem to prefer no felt with beautiful woods. Out of more than 300 lap steels only one person ever said it was slippery. I sent him some peel and stick felt which he put on himself. I've never had a problem with my own lap steels which don't have any felt, but us hillbillies wear cotton jeans instead of polyester suits. --Melbert Steels |
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Bob Thomason
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 4 May 2015 4:56 pm
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Thanks to all. I use satin laquer for finishing and tend to lean toward letting the user solve the slippery
side.
_________________
Got time to breathe,got time for music
Brisco Darling |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 4 May 2015 5:14 pm
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I do super glossy mirror finishes and don't use any felt or other. Though, I've recently had a hankering on doing one with a nice piece of soft suede leather on the back. Other than that, I hate covering up a nice chunk of wood.
If you are just doing a simple satin finish, then I doubt you will have any trouble.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here |
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David Matzenik
From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
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Posted 4 May 2015 5:31 pm
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Opinions? I got opinions to spare. My guitar has no finish. The back has Polynesian carving. The combination provides plenty of traction. Never had a problem. There are some pictures in this thread:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=243740
I never had any trouble with my Nickel plated National Style One either.
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Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother. |
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Bob Thomason
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 4 May 2015 6:12 pm
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Having built instruments for the public since 82 I would never have work leave my shop with no finish .
1200 dulcimer buyers can't be wrong. Working on #2 and three lap steel.
_________________
Got time to breathe,got time for music
Brisco Darling |
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Roger Shackelton
From:
MINNESOTA (deceased)
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Posted 4 May 2015 10:14 pm
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HELLO BOB,
How About some pics of your lap guitars. 
Roger |
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Roger Palmer
From:
Rossendale, UK
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Posted 4 May 2015 11:18 pm
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I would leave them bare wood......all the ones I've made have nothing on the back and don't have any problems with slippage.
You could always offer a felt back option.... |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 5 May 2015 3:36 am
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I associate felt with old, cheap lap steel and plain wood with higher-end, better instruments. Even MOS doesn't slip off one's lap so I don't see the need for felt.
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Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com |
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Robert Allen
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 5 May 2015 4:55 am
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| Bob Thomason wrote: |
| I would never have work leave my shop with no finish. |
I've made some with no finish. While I may have my own preferences, the customer's wallet determines how it leaves here. |
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Bob Thomason
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 5 May 2015 5:07 am
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Here my prototype poplar, figured maple fretboard with frets, Walnut markers, maple PH overlay.Grover minis, Allparts vintage hb. stop tailpiece 22.5 scale ,relic finish. I took lessons a while from Steve Cunningham and he really liked this guitar. I am working on another with a P90 poplar curly maple body overlay, Rosewood FB My work wil be a chance for the working stiff to have a nice steel <400.00 .
_________________
Got time to breathe,got time for music
Brisco Darling |
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Bob Thomason
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 5 May 2015 5:10 am
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Robert , you are right of course. When I build for stock I always finish the wood. Thanks
_________________
Got time to breathe,got time for music
Brisco Darling |
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Bob Thomason
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 5 May 2015 7:54 am
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Well??? need feedback from the pros on #1 , Bear in mind it is my prototype Thanks
_________________
Got time to breathe,got time for music
Brisco Darling |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 5 May 2015 8:51 am
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i'd leave the back natural. if someone doesn't like the slip n slide, they can put a rubber mat on their lap.
or better yet, wear rubber pants! |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 5 May 2015 10:58 am
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I recently had one of Johnnie King's laps and it had a sort of serrated cutout for the left leg going at an angle through (across) the bottom of the neck. It was in the "right" place and a really great idea for the "traction" issue. I've owned a bunch of Melobars and others with inlaid pieces of felt or rubber, and invariably at least some of it was worn off looking pretty tacky.
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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com
www.musicfarmstudio.com |
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