Clinesmith Plank Model Steel

John Herb · Post by **John Herb** » 27 Dec 2020 10:50 am

I've had this steel for quite a few months now but just now got home to be able to mess around with it. I can say the excitement and wait was worth it Todd does some magnificent work.

David Ball · Post by **David Ball** » 27 Dec 2020 2:00 pm

I have had two Clinesmith planks--an 8 and a 10 string. Both were great guitars. I got one of Todd's first cast aluminum 8 stringers and couldn't keep them all, but I wish I could have!

Dave

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 27 Dec 2020 3:28 pm

Does that steel have legs or do you play it on your lap?

John Herb · Post by **John Herb** » 27 Dec 2020 4:29 pm

Bill Groner wrote:Does that steel have legs or do you play it on your lap?

Its played on the lap just like Billy Robinson had his way back when. Its pretty comfortable feels better than the other lap steels I have.

David Ball · Post by **David Ball** » 27 Dec 2020 5:21 pm

On the two I had, the ten string had leg sockets built in for three legs and I had a Deluxe 34 stand for the eight string. Todd built the ten string just a bit thicker to accommodate the leg sockets. Both guitars were equally comfortable just in the lap though.

Dave

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 27 Dec 2020 5:22 pm

I have a D-10 in this style that Todd calls â€œLeo Meets Paul A.â€

Cartwright Thompson · Post by **Cartwright Thompson** » 28 Dec 2020 7:08 am

[quote="David Ball"]I have had two Clinesmith planks--an 8 and a 10 string. Both were great guitars. I got one of Todd's first cast aluminum 8 stringers and couldn't keep them all, but I wish I could have!

Dave[/quote]

How would you describe the sonic differences between the plank and the cast aluminum, if any?

David Ball · Post by **David Ball** » 28 Dec 2020 7:17 am

Cartwright Thompson wrote:
David Ball wrote:I have had two Clinesmith planks--an 8 and a 10 string. Both were great guitars. I got one of Todd's first cast aluminum 8 stringers and couldn't keep them all, but I wish I could have!

Dave
How would you describe the sonic differences between the plank and the cast aluminum, if any?

It's hard to describe, especially since my cast aluminum guitar has the horseshoe pickup instead of the Bigsby/Clinesmith. But in general (and ignoring the differences in pickups), I think the cast aluminum guitar has more sustain and is a little punchier going up the neck. The plank style guitars both sounded very much like you'd expect a Bigsby to sound. Very nice.

Dave