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Post new topic Two new 8 string Lap Steels
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Author Topic:  Two new 8 string Lap Steels
Dom Franco


From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2006 1:04 am    
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Hello Fellow Forumites,
I have just finished building two more 8 string lap steels. I have been refining the design with each new one I make. These both play and sound great. Have a look.
Sincerely;

Dom Franco
http://www.freewebs.com/steelman777/newlapsteels.htm
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Mark Vinbury

 

From:
N. Kingstown, Rhode Island, USA
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2006 1:47 am    
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Very nice work.
I've thought about ganging up six string pickups like this but was hesitant.
Are the strings with 2 poles under them noticably louder than the ones with only 1 pole?
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Keith Cordell


From:
San Diego
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2006 3:44 am    
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Nice work. Makes me wonder if I shouldn't give it a go soon... and I had the same question as Mark about the pickups.
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Dom Franco


From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2006 5:07 am    
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With Strat type pickups, there is no noticable change in tone, or volume from all eight strings. It's amazing, kinda like they join together to form one magnetic field not two. I have to align them so that they attract not oppose.

I have done quite a bit of experimenting with other pickups. The tele type pu's are a bit tricky to combine like this, and can cancel out each other if not placed just right and in phase.

Bass pickups also work but are somewhat lower in output and punch.

Try it out sometime!

Dom Franco
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Larry Phleger

 

From:
DuBois, PA
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2006 7:13 am    
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Could you please share a drawing of how these are wired?
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Mike D

 

From:
Phx, Az
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2006 7:21 am    
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Nice work Dom, I'll bet those sound great!

------------------
Half-assed bottleneck and lap slide player. Full-assed Builder of resonator instruments.
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Michael Aspinwall

 

From:
Arizona, USA
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2006 8:49 am    
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Cool steels!! What do you make your fretboards out of??
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Jesse Pearson

 

From:
San Diego , CA
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2006 9:41 am    
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Nice work. I would of put the jack out of the way on the side in case your ever at a gig and can't find your special chord and have to use one form the guitar/bass player?
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Dom Franco


From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2006 9:55 am    
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I make the fretboards out of Poster board and carefully apply auto detail Pinstripe tape. Then I have them photo duplicated and laminated at Kinkos. I have standardized the scale dimensions at 24" but I am considering other scales. I made a cute little travel lap six string that I gave to a friend. about 22" scale.
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Dom Franco


From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2006 9:59 am    
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I just wire the Pickups in parallel I test out the phase compatabillity by first just twisting the wires together. Then I solder when I get it right. (These are mostly two wire PU's) so it's easy.

Dom
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Wayne Carver

 

From:
Martinez, Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2006 6:06 pm    
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Dom, Which bridge do you like best, the round or angle one?
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Dom Franco


From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2006 9:37 pm    
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I like the way the round bridge looks better, but I haven't figured outa way to make a matching round nut. (making the grooves clean and straight in stainless or hardened steel is going to be a challenge)

I'm still working on it!

Dom
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Mike McBride


From:
Indiana
Post  Posted 21 Feb 2006 6:27 pm    
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When is the next one due?
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Dom Franco


From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
Post  Posted 21 Feb 2006 8:26 pm    
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I am working on the next four now, They will be painted various colors, and I will be experimenting with my air brush. I am having way too much fun! Look for them in about two or three weeks.

Dom Franco
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Randy Reeves


From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
Post  Posted 22 Feb 2006 5:51 am    
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Dom. nice work. Ive made two laps with plans to make at least two more.

I like your fretboard. heck, I like your work. keep it up.
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