New Build Done

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 31 Oct 2019 11:20 am

I like certain things on all guitars, old and new. I traced the body from a Rogue I bought. It sat nicely on my lap and I liked that. I didn't however care for the head so I modified that to suit me. I was about 90% done when it hit me. This one would have been a great candidate for a 22.5" scale with 7 strings......maybe next time. This is the first one I built out of maple with a Lace pickup. Very pleased with the sound, sustain and color.

Michael Deering · Post by **Michael Deering** » 31 Oct 2019 11:26 am

wow I wish I had your skill! The steel sure looks right to me.

Joe Elk · Post by **Joe Elk** » 31 Oct 2019 11:38 am

Wow Bill
Joe Elk Central Ohio

Mike A Holland · Post by **Mike A Holland** » 31 Oct 2019 12:36 pm

Looks great Bill......and I get your thoughts regarding the 7 string and the headstock design!

LaVern Skarzenski · Post by **LaVern Skarzenski** » 31 Oct 2019 2:29 pm

Very nice!! Bill. Of course your previous ones have all been beauties too.
LaVern

Johnie King · Post by **Johnie King** » 31 Oct 2019 5:20 pm

Thatâ€™s a Cool lap

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 1 Nov 2019 4:04 am

Unique and beautiful !

Bill Sinclair · Post by **Bill Sinclair** » 1 Nov 2019 4:50 am

Terrific as always, Bill. Looks like that Alumitone pickup would easily handle a seventh string on your next build. Did you make the fretboard? I need a similar one for a Rickenbacker project.

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 1 Nov 2019 5:33 am

I did make the fret board. I used a sheet of laminated pick guard material. I think I got it off of eBay. I milled through the first layer about .015 deep to expose the white layer and that was my fret. Frets are .040 wide. The markers I got off of eBay as well. They are stickers made to look like mother of pearl. I believe you can get about 3 or 4 fret boards from one sheet.

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 1 Nov 2019 5:38 am

This is a picture of the same lap steel. I changed my mind half way through the build after seeing several members blonde colored lap steels. It was a lot of sanding to get the turquoise off, but I'm happier with the Almond Pearl color. Bill, this is also a fret board made from pick guard material.

Kris Youngsteadt · Post by **Kris Youngsteadt** » 1 Nov 2019 6:07 am

Thanks for sharing, Bill. I would like to build a lap steel at some point. Nice work!

David Knutson · Post by **David Knutson** » 1 Nov 2019 12:40 pm

Nice job, Bill. I see you were going for the classic Chevy vibe before you changed your mind on color. I like the Almond Pearl, but don't completely forget about the Belair. Never know when you might be playing some retro '50s diner.

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 2 Nov 2019 1:52 am

First of all, thank you guys for your positive comments. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

David, I saw a '57 Chevy Belair convertible at a car show with the top down and in the back seat was a turquoise and white Fender Strat to match the interior and the paint.

When I started to build this one I thought maybe a car guy would see it, and want to buy it for a wall hanger in his garage, (climate controlled of course!) or a prop in the backseat of his Chevy? However, after going through all the trials with this one, then hearing the finished product, I'm afraid I won't be selling it.

As far as playing it in a 50's Retro diner, that won't happen. In 3 years I have improved my playing a good amount, however I am a builder, not a player. I wish I would be able to do both, but at my age, I can't realistically see that happening. I build 'em better then I play 'em. The building and playing both make me happy, so it's all good in my book. It's a very enjoyable hobby.

Eric Gross · Post by **Eric Gross** » 2 Nov 2019 5:30 am

That's pretty nice Bill -- when can I come over and take it for a test drive?

C. E. Jackson · Post by **C. E. Jackson** » 2 Nov 2019 5:51 am

Bill Groner wrote:I like certain things on all guitars, old and new. I traced the body from a Rogue I bought. It sat nicely on my lap and I liked that. I didn't however care for the head so I modified that to suit me. I was about 90% done when it hit me. This one would have been a great candidate for a 22.5" scale with 7 strings......maybe next time. This is the first one I built out of maple with a Lace pickup. Very pleased with the sound, sustain and color.

Very nice, Bill. I like the head design and tuner arrangement, and also the strings
anchoring through the body.

C. E. Jackson

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 2 Nov 2019 6:25 am

Eric Gross wrote:That's pretty nice Bill -- when can I come over and take it for a test drive?

Sent you a PM Eric.......see you next week?

Billy Gilbert · Post by **Billy Gilbert** » 6 Nov 2019 8:06 am

Very Nice. Mine look like they were roughed out with an axe and chain saw.

David Becker · Post by **David Becker** » 6 Nov 2019 11:33 am

another "Beauty by BIll." Great stuff, as always.

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