Guitar stand for Gretsch Electromatic lap steel

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Paul Spafford
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Guitar stand for Gretsch Electromatic lap steel

Post by Paul Spafford »

I have the Gretsch Electromatic (picture at link for reference).

https://gretschguitars.com/gear/build/s ... 2515902552

I keep it on a foldable A-frame floor stand for a guitar when I’m not playing it. However, since the lowest point is at an edge, instead of the centre, I can’t just set it on the stand or it might fall over. So I make the stand just wide enough or the guitar to fit through it. The guitar s the floor, and the stand pinches tight to both sides holding it up, while its back leans against the back of the stand.

This holds it up fine, but I have to step on the feet of the stand and pull quite hard to extract the guitar from its clutches. It’s not super hard, but kind of a pain.

Anyone know of a stand that works better? I’d like to just set it on the stand, and then just pick it up with one hand.

Thanks, y’all.
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Bob Womack
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Post by Bob Womack »

I've got the black sparkle version of that guitar (G5715) that has served me well but it just seems designed to foil stands, doesn't it? After more than ten years I've never found a decent stand for it. Sorry I'm not more help!

Bob
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "
Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring


THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (My Little Website)
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Paul Spafford
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Post by Paul Spafford »

Your commiseration at least lets me know that I may not be missing something totally obvious. Thanks, Bob!
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Bill Groner
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Post by Bill Groner »

Get a piece of insulation foam....you know the pink stuff used on houses. Cut 2 "V" notches where your normal guitar would sit. Trace the shape of the bottom of your lapsteel on to it, making sure that it will be sitting straight when vertical and cut the shape on a bandsaw.......you can cover the foam with felt if you don't care for pink foam.
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40
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Don Barnhill
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Post by Don Barnhill »

If you’re a woodworker, with the appropriate tools, stencil a pattern around the headstock, including the tuners in wood. Route the pattern deep enough to accommodate the headstock, with an open outlet on the bottom for the neck. Attach to your stand and hang the guitar. Good luck!
Current Lap Steels: 1953 Supro
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Paul Spafford
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Post by Paul Spafford »

Those are great suggestions, but you folk are greatly overestimating my handy skills. I’m always impressed when I see people measure something, and then cut a piece of wood to actually fit in the space they measured; that right there is one of the wonders of the world!
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Nicholas Cox
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Post by Nicholas Cox »

Wall mount?
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Bill Sinclair
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Post by Bill Sinclair »

I cut a piece from an old scarf and stitched it to make a little hammock on a Fender folding guitar stand. I don't know if that would work with the gumby shape at the base of your Gretsch but worth a try.

Image

Image
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Joe Elk
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Post by Joe Elk »

That is one fantastic Steel!!!!!!!
Joe Elk Central Ohio
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Paul Spafford
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Post by Paul Spafford »

I've been assuming that it wouldn't fit in any of my hangers - it is pretty wide at the headstock - but it's worth a try. Thanks!

I'll talk to my girlfriend and see if there is some sort of a home-stitching project that would work for this. That hadn't occurred to me.

And Bill, you can't just show us a partial picture of that eye candy and then leave the room. Let's see the rest of that steel!

(and Gumby is a very accurate description of the base of my Gretsch!)
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Paul Spafford
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Post by Paul Spafford »

Update: It doesn't fit any of my hangers. Even if I found one wide enough, there's not much of a flare out at the headstock, so it might rest on the tuning keys.

I suppose I might be able to come up with some sort of diagonal way of hanging it on multiple hooks. I used to hang an old fiddle like that.
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Bill Sinclair
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Post by Bill Sinclair »

Paul Spafford wrote:
And Bill, you can't just show us a partial picture of that eye candy and then leave the room. Let's see the rest of that steel!
Okay, here she is. :) Appears to have at one time been a Rickenbacker model 100 from the 50's or 60's that the previous owner (a very talented custom guitar artist) had played in bands in the 70's and decided to add these attractive ladies to it in the Art Nouveau style of Alphonse Mucha. Carved and burnt wood designs with brass and mother of pearl inlays. The artist's name is Michael Chapman.

Image

Image

Image
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Paul Spafford
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Post by Paul Spafford »

That's fantastic, Bill!
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