Gronertone #5 - Done

James Hartman · Post by **James Hartman** » 2 Feb 2018 8:57 am

Ralph Czitrom wrote:Bill - Thatâ€™s a major league looking lap steel. Perhaps Jim can help you post a sound clip.

I think that can be arranged.

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 2 Feb 2018 9:00 am

James Hartman wrote:
Ralph Czitrom wrote:Bill - Thatâ€™s a major league looking lap steel. Perhaps Jim can help you post a sound clip.
I think that can be arranged.

I was really hoping to hear that answer Jim, but did not want to impose any more than I have already. However I do think you want to play it some more. Do you still have that smile on your face from last night? LOL

Stephen Abruzzo · Post by **Stephen Abruzzo** » 2 Feb 2018 9:15 am

Bill Groner wrote: It's a Lollar with a .047 cap. Jim came over last night and wired it up. I know my limitations. I can build them, but when it comes to wiring and playing I will, for now, leave that up to Jim. Hopefully after Jim's patience and knowledge last night I have learned a little more in the process of how to do a proper wire job. Jim is a great teacher.

That Lollar Supro is a wonderful pup......and in combination with a Lollar Gold Foil in the bridge, you have a Coodercaster steel.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 2 Feb 2018 9:45 am

Man, that's nice ...

Eric Gross · Post by **Eric Gross** » 5 Feb 2018 4:22 pm

I stopped by Bill's house yesterday and got a chance to play his steel guitars, I had a great time and was super impressed by the workmanship. The aluminum core model with Lollar string thru pickup really sounds sweet. He also has a turquoise wood model that is gorgeous, I thought it was MOTS. Plus Bill agreed to make me a tone bar to my specifications (polymer I think, with a metal core). Many thanks to Bill for letting me check out his builds, he is a true craftsman!

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 6 Feb 2018 10:50 am

Thanks guys for the nice comments. Since I have joined the forum I have been able to get a lot of information useful to my builds. I have also met in person, 3 members that live relatively close to me. Each one has been helpful in his own way helping me in my journey. At 68 years old, picking up this instrument for the first time, it is pretty overwhelming. I realize it would have been much better had I started 40 years ago, but I guess better late than never. So I will continue and hopefully keep making progress in the right direction.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 6 Feb 2018 4:30 pm

Nice workmanship Bill,
Is that CNC or old school milling machine shop work?
Enjoy seeing your work.
Best wishes,
Andy

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 6 Feb 2018 4:33 pm

Old School......good old Bridgeport.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 6 Feb 2018 4:41 pm

Nice, I learned on one of those years ago in night school.
Hope to get another some time in the not to distant future.
Best wishes,
Andy

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 6 Feb 2018 5:02 pm

The two in the shop have DRO's on them. Great for making the fretboard.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 6 Feb 2018 5:09 pm

DRO's, You got me. I don't remember ever knowing that term??

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 7 Feb 2018 1:03 am

Digital Read Out....very handy....hit a button and you have Standard or Metric.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 7 Feb 2018 1:34 am

Bill Groner wrote:Digital Read Out....very handy....hit a button and you have Standard or Metric.

Very cool, No more squinting?

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 9 Feb 2018 5:49 am

Eric Gross wrote: Bill agreed to make me a tone bar to my specifications (polymer I think, with a metal core).

I may, if I see there is enough interest make some "Melo-tone-n" bars. I will make them to your specs. Length, diameter (up to 1"), weight, color, (black or white) Price would be $75 plus whatever the price for a small flat rate box is to ship. USA orders only.....PM or email me if you are interested.

They will look similar to these, but without the dot in the end and they will have a full bullet nose.

Eric Gross · Post by **Eric Gross** » 27 Apr 2018 12:43 pm

Hi All, I just wanted to update this post, Bill made me a couple of bars that I really like, the polymer gives an interesting 'mellow' tone, obviously not as much sustain as metal, but not quite as mellow as the glass bars that I use -- it's kind of in between the two. He also made me a brass bar, I was curious if it sounded any different from chromed brass -- jury is still out on that one but it might be a bit grittier.

It took me a while to try them because right when I got them I slipped on ice and broke my wrist, so just now getting back to playing more.

Thanks Bill!

Kirk Francis · Post by **Kirk Francis** » 4 May 2018 8:47 am

i got one of bill's bars and it's da kine, brahs!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 4 May 2018 8:52 am

Nice work!

The Steel Guitar Forum

Gronertone #5 - Done

Nice workmanship

Nice.

DRO's ??

No more squinting?

Tone Bars

bill's bars