Ideas for a new steel company

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 31 Mar 2005 9:31 am

I aim to please

well, I aim to avoid missing!

Casey Lowmiller · Post by **Casey Lowmiller** » 31 Mar 2005 10:03 am

I aim to avoid missing too!!! What can I say, I usually don't miss. HaHaHa!!!

------------------
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan"

Fender Pedal 800, Fender Champion & a Homemade Double-neck!

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 31 Mar 2005 10:26 am

Casey, your listed E address ain't working.

If you send an 8 string example of your efforts I'll be happy to share it with the local Oahu steel community. You can have it back at anytime.

Yes, this is also a blatant attempt at enjoying a new steel, free of charge.

If interested, let me know.

Dwayne Martineau · Post by **Dwayne Martineau** » 31 Mar 2005 10:50 am

I have a 50-year-old T8 National (single pickup). It sounds... 50 years old. And good.

Think of the slightly red-lined, ribbon-mic-recorded sound of the "Walkin' After Midnight" intro. That what it sounds like.

If I were to be swayed by a new, middle-end steel, it would have to be:

- 8-string
- single or double-neck
- short scale
- tone and setup similar to a Fender Stringmaster or a Bigsby... especially similar tone knob placement & style
- option of adding 2-3 pedals

Ideally, it would be a half-price version of a Fender 400, Stringmaster, or this totally hot Bigsby:
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum9/HTML/001242.html

The price/performance barrier is really starting to crumble (look at home recording). I don't doubt that a great instrument could be made for half the price. The easiest way to prove it is by doing it.

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 31 Mar 2005 12:12 pm

Just make something that sounds like a 25" scale Rick Bakelite.

D Schubert · Post by **D Schubert** » 31 Mar 2005 12:31 pm

There are lots of used 6-strings out there (Supro, Oahu, and their cousins) in the $250-300 range, and it's fairly easy to convert a cheap round-neck electric guitar into a 6-string slider as well.

But it would sure be nice to be able to buy a 7- or 8-string steel w/ legs for a reasonable price, even it was more than $300.

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 31 Mar 2005 2:47 pm

I have built a few steels, and I'm glad I didn't plan on making money at it. It's just a hobby, and I figure I am lucky to come out even.

Gregg McKenna · Post by **Gregg McKenna** » 31 Mar 2005 5:51 pm

Not going to get rich building guitars. Make sure you have a good cash reserve to buy parts and materials. I would recommend doing it part time while retaining a reliable income. You can then start small and build experience in business as well as in your craft. You can test the market while you do this and build a good name for yourself if your guitars are built well. [This message was edited by Gregg McKenna on 01 April 2005 at 09:05 AM.]

db · Post by db » 31 Mar 2005 6:57 pm

Let me know when you are ready to accept orders . . .
I know of at least a dozen guys that are ready to place an order
for a 6 or 8 string with 7.5" space behind the bridge.
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Dan Balde
U-12/8&5, S-7/D 3&1, S-6/E,A & G3[This message was edited by db on 04 April 2005 at 10:04 AM.]

Casey Lowmiller · Post by **Casey Lowmiller** » 1 Apr 2005 7:10 am

Dan,

I'll definitely have to build one with the 7.5" space behind the bridge for some palm pedals! Are palm pedals pretty good to use & pretty cool to have...I've never messed with them & as far as I know, I've never heard anyone use them.

Production of steels will start in a few months...I have to work out the design issues. What style of steels do you prefer...Stringmaster, Early Gibson, Rick or some other classic design?

Casey

------------------
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan"

Fender Pedal 800, Fender Champion & a Homemade Double-neck![This message was edited by Casey Lowmiller on 01 April 2005 at 07:24 AM.]

Gregg McKenna · Post by **Gregg McKenna** » 1 Apr 2005 9:11 am

I would consider having a website done. You will need to advertise your product outside just the SGF. You can put up a very informative 1 or 2 page site very reasonably and have it hosted for about $25.00/month

Casey Lowmiller · Post by **Casey Lowmiller** » 1 Apr 2005 9:35 am

I have a buddy that has is own server & does website hosting...I can get a website for next to nothing. These days you should definitely have a presence on the web. I'm always surprised when a company doesn't have a website...and I hate crappy websites!!! If you have a website it should be informative, straightforward and user friendly!!!

Does anyone know if Goodrich has a website???
I've never found one and was always surprised!!!

Casey

------------------
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan"

Fender Pedal 800, Fender Champion & a Homemade Double-neck!

Casey Lowmiller · Post by **Casey Lowmiller** » 2 Apr 2005 7:36 pm

OK guys & gals....here's the part where I really need your help!!!

Is there anyway that I can talk ya'll into tracing the bodies of your favorite steels so I can accurately get the proper dimensions to design some new steels that are reminiscient of old ones. Also detailed photos and descriptions of the steel and the wiring involved that would be handy.
Heck, if you had measurements or pictures of the routing that would be handy too!!!

Let me know if you're interested in helping out...I'll find someway to repay you for your help. You can email me or post your response here and I'll contact you.

I'm interested in Fender steel designs, Older Gibson designs, Rick designs, and some of the neat lesser know steels that are still cool looking!

Thanks for your help!!!

Casey

------------------
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan"

Fender Pedal 800, Fender Champion & a Homemade Double-neck!

db · Post by db » 4 Apr 2005 5:55 am

I would just be interested in a simple board. (Like the Marrs "CatCan").
But, with a short 22.25" scale length !
So that I could have a pulled G# on top that would not break.
------------------
Dan Balde
U-12/8&5, S-7/D 3&1, S-6/E,A & G3[This message was edited by db on 04 April 2005 at 06:59 AM.]

Casey Lowmiller · Post by **Casey Lowmiller** » 4 Apr 2005 8:11 am

I plan on making the things short scale...I'm a big fan of short scale guitars. I have a Fender Duo-Sonic guitar that is just awesome...the scale length of my steels will be a copy of the Duo-Sonic's.

I really need people to trace their beloved steels and send some pictures or measurements so that I can come up with some comfortable feeling models to offer.

I'm thinkin' of making the pickup and electronics much like a Fender Stringmaster.

Casey

------------------
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan"

Fender Pedal 800, Fender Champion & a Homemade Double-neck!

Casey Lowmiller · Post by **Casey Lowmiller** » 4 Apr 2005 3:12 pm

Hey db & The Rest of The Guys,

Is a 22.5" scale short enough for ya'll. I think I might make some that are longer scaled too!

Will the 22.5" be good???

Casey

------------------
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan"

Fender Pedal 800, Fender Champion & a Homemade Double-neck!

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 5 Apr 2005 9:02 am

I'll make you a tracing of my favorite six stringer, my Gibson Royaltone, if you are interested.