Want to build a new steel

Frank Rotella · Post by **Frank Rotella** » 23 Apr 2005 4:53 am

Several years ago I built an E9th Shobud style and posted several pictures. Now that my 30 year stint with Uncle Same is over, I would like to build another but am torn between a double neck or universal. I got a lot of help from the forum and especially Bobby Seymour and the late Ed Naylor If anyone could post a picture of the underside of both guitars I would be most grateful. Unfortunately no one in my neck of the woods has a U12 to peek at. Also looking for a source for changer fingers and end plate castingss..the rest I machine

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 23 Apr 2005 7:57 am

Frank, if you want to build your own steel as a hobby, then that's a very laudable time-filler.
If you want to build a steel because you need a steel to play, then from my own steel-building experience, don't build one, buy one.
I made the mistake of building my own steels, and it was a steep learning curve.
I was on my third attempt before I got it anywhere near right.
The reason I made my own steel was that I didn't know if I was going to be able to play the thing, and didn't want to spend a lot of money to find that I couldn't get a tune out of it.
If I had been reasoning correctly, I would have realised that I could have got most of the purchase money back on resale. (Doh!)
Therefore I wasted many years designing and making pedal steels, time which would have been better spent playing them.
Just an opinion from my perspective.
R B

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 23 Apr 2005 9:44 am

Frank, richard is telling you the truth.i have build several,nothing pro. but if you just need a player,watch the forum my friend. different ones come along,it is so time consuming to build yourself. i do understand the idea of building,i am a machinist also. fun but very time consuming.

I'd buy one first,then play with building.

i just sold a pro1 sho-bud, and bought a LDG
Email me if you have any questions i will be glad to help all i can. farris

Ernie Pollock · Post by **Ernie Pollock** » 25 Apr 2005 5:23 am

the 'late Ed Naylor', I did not see anything on here of his passing?

Ernie

Don Poland · Post by **Don Poland** » 25 Apr 2005 6:14 am

Ernie, check this post http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum14/HTML/002380.html

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1974 MSA D10 7+4
If you ain't steelin' it, you ain't feelin' it !!

www.steelin4fun.com

Steven Black · Post by **Steven Black** » 30 Apr 2005 8:37 am

I feel if you are good at building a pedal steel guitar yourself, go ahead and do it, or if you are just starting out to build a steel guitar, I recommend building a single 10 or single 12 string if you have a shop to do it in and you are good at woodwork, eventually in the future we might have to do this because the master builders may not be around, But at least Carter, GFI, Desertrose guitars, Fessenden guitars, are doing their best to keep the instrument going, but we may all have to learn to have to build them or teach our children who might be interested.

Frank Rotella · Post by **Frank Rotella** » 1 May 2005 5:18 am

Gents,
I am playing the single E9th that I built. I'm still quite the beginner but have been making steady progress..I've been bulding or repairing instruments for over 20 years..I know the time factor..being retired now should help in that area..Again just looking for a picture of the undersides of the universal to start the thought process going. Thats How I built the E9th. Thanks for all the insights
Frank

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 1 May 2005 5:34 am

Ron

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Nikaro Steel Guitars
Nikaro SD10 4x6-Nikaro SD10 4x5-2Peavey 112 Ultra Tube.
 nikarosteelguitars@planet.nl 
European Steel Guitar Forum

Kurt Kowalski · Post by **Kurt Kowalski** » 1 May 2005 5:52 am

Guys and Gals,
I have seen the steel that Frank built. (When Frank used to travel to Rochester Airport for work)
It is truly a piece of Artwork. Frank does a great job and certainly has the capabilities to build another one.

I haven't seen Frank in a while (Frank how are you?) and I'm glad to see that he is now retired from Uncle Sam and can spend more time building and playing.

Frank,
I have the following that you might want:

1 - 12 string 2 raise/ 2 lower changer complete (fingers and all) can be made into 10 string.
5 - Sho-Bud Wide Pedals
1 - Sho-Bud Baldwin Pedal Bar
5 - Sho-Bud Pedal Rods w/ swivals

Call me or email me. Let's have a coffee.

Kurt

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 1 May 2005 6:48 am

Kurt,

if Frank doesn't want that changer I sure will.Just name a price.I am looking for a 12 string 2x2.

let me know Kurt.

thanks

Ron

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Nikaro Steel Guitars
Nikaro SD10 4x6-Nikaro SD10 4x5-2Peavey 112 Ultra Tube.
 nikarosteelguitars@planet.nl 
European Steel Guitar Forum