More Mahogany and Maple

Chris Drew · Post by **Chris Drew** » 13 Nov 2007 12:48 am

Dang it Tom! Now I have to mop the drool from all over my keyboard!

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 13 Nov 2007 6:13 am

Beautiful work!!!

Only one thing I would like to ask you about. I have found that in cutting the back section of the neck in order to make a headstock thickness that will allow the machine heads to fit will actually weaken the head and cause flexing and decreased sustain. If you plug into a tuner and play an open note and reach up at the headstock press down on the end, does the pitch of the note change????

If you see no change of pitch then that would be remarkable.

If you do see a pitch change then the headstock strength might benefit from either a brace attached from the end of the back of the head to the body or just rout a "ledge" on either side for the machine heads instead of cutting all the meat of the wood on the back of the headstock. With the ledge on both sides, there would be a continuation of the thickness of the neck all the way through under the nut and into the headstock.

Let me know what you find and what you think about leaving the headstock area as thick as possible. Again, beautiful work.

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 13 Nov 2007 9:19 am

Thanks Chris and Bill

On headstock stiffness.

Anytime you thin out a piece of wood its going to be less stiff than in its full thickness form, just the nature of the beast.
Though, there are some things you can do to minimize the effect and add rigidity back.
Adding a head cap and or back strap can greatly add to the headstocks stiffness. Also things like a rear volute or routing tuner ledges like you mentioned are another good option.
Another way to add / maximize stiffness is in the use of laminate designs such as you see from custom bass builders..

On this one, the headstock is very stiff. It gets its stiffness from a couple things.
The overall thickness is just shy of 5/8", thicker is better.
The overall headstock length is only 6 1/2", but the farthest tuner is only 5 1/2" out. Shorter = less leverage = less deflection.
The under cut / bottom transition carrys a little further into the headstock leaving only about 4 1/2" of minimum thickness to farthest tuner.
And finally, the laminate effect adds greatly.
The center mahogany section is two pieces and the hard rock maple outer ears stiffen it even further.

As you may have guessed, I spent a lot of time thinking it out

Terry Sneed · Post by **Terry Sneed** » 13 Nov 2007 10:03 am

That is one beautiful piece of work!! You are very talented for sure!

Terry

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 17 Nov 2007 4:02 pm

Tom,
Not bad...Do you have any pic's of your nicer work ?....

....Just kidding !!....WOW !!...This is a fine looking lap steel !!....The wood combo and the great craftsmanship is totally off the wall !!.....SHHHHWEEEEEET !!!....Jim

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 18 Nov 2007 7:53 am

Thanks Terry

James ... LoL ... it is going to be a challenge to top this one, but I love a good challenge and am up to the task.
Was just pricing out some 8/4 rosewood billets and got my eye on some nice birdseye to go with it

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 18 Nov 2007 8:56 am

Tom,
You'ld really be doing something to top this one !!...Jim

BTW...What does the bridge look like under the cover ?...Is this a string thru design ?..

John Ficken · Post by **John Ficken** » 18 Nov 2007 12:39 pm

See? And I get to claim him as my wife's cousin!

And I heard he built it in an emergency shelter while running from the wild fires last month!

Just beautiful, Tom! (although I notice you haven't sent me one yet

)

Say--I'll trade you straight across for two obnoxious children--whatcha think?

...they're house broken...mostly...

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 18 Nov 2007 1:47 pm

An attractive design and good workmanship. What else could anyone want ? Well done.

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 18 Nov 2007 8:58 pm

Thanks James and Alan

Hey John ... how ya been. Haven't seen you swing by the forum in a while.
You ever get started on that 8 string?

Got lucky when the fires rolled through, crazy stuff.

John Ficken · Post by **John Ficken** » 21 Nov 2007 12:53 am

Hey, Tom!

Naw...the next one will be a six, just by virtue of the fact that I have enough six string parts around here to build about two new lap steel guitars.

Lately, I've also taken to shopping for parts and making Frankenstrats and Parts-O'-Teles....keeps me off the streets during the day!

I've got oak and maple laying around as stock, as well as Fender pick-ups and parts, so it seems the choice of builing materials has been made as well!

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 21 Nov 2007 7:44 am

John Ficken wrote:... Lately, I've also taken to shopping for parts and making Frankenstrats and Parts-O'-Teles....

You might have fun making a conversion square neck for one of your Strats or Teles

Carroll Hale · Post by **Carroll Hale** » 21 Nov 2007 8:47 am

very nice piece of work...
wish I could do that stuff..
have a great turkey day weekend..
ch

John Ficken · Post by **John Ficken** » 21 Nov 2007 7:05 pm

You might have fun making a conversion square neck for one of your Strats or Teles

Actually, the thought has crossed my mind--more than once. I'm sure that kind of a deal will come to pass!

Jude Reinhardt · Post by **Jude Reinhardt** » 26 Nov 2007 2:19 am

Christmas came early to southern Ohio this year. The "Pettingill" should arrive today. Thanks again Tom.

Jude

Therman Jones · Post by **Therman Jones** » 26 Nov 2007 8:57 am

What a great present. You must have been a very good boy for Ol' Santa to bring that.

In the true spirit of Christmas, think about 'sharing your gift' by posting a sound sample for the rest of us.

Congratulations,

Therman

Stephan Miller · Post by **Stephan Miller** » 26 Nov 2007 11:20 am

Just gorgeous, Tom, don't know how you managed to part with it. Jude, you've gotta be counting the minutes 'til that baby shows up at the door...

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 26 Nov 2007 11:22 am

Nice avatar Jude

Thanks Stephan ... Knowing I can build another helps

I'm off to buy some more lumber today, maybe a nice big chunk of rosewood too

Jude Reinhardt · Post by **Jude Reinhardt** » 27 Nov 2007 8:23 am

I'm in love! This guitar sounds better than it looks, Tom knows how to select a pickup. Sorry I can't post a sound clip but I can't do this guitar justice. It'll take me a little while to get used to the offset position marks, I hope you all can feel my pain.

I lifted the plate off that has the tone and volume control and found a neat brass label fastened to the bottom of the shielded cavity- Tom Pettingill 11-2007 TD-001. I was pleased to find the makers name on the guitar. Very neat, good clean solder connections, same quality workmanship as is found on the outside of the guitar. The wooden plate on the other side? Only Tom and I know what's under it. Sorry. I had thought at first that since the guitar was shaped like a banjo the Tom had made an armrest for it. Not so, it's has another function entirely. If you're wondering about the bone nut, I'm convinced that's the way to go. This puppy sustains forever. No brass nut needed. If you're wondering what's under the bridge cover, which is also a perfect hand rest if you're used to playing a dobro or something like the Oahu/Goldtone Tonemaster here's a picture of the bridge.

Jude

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 27 Nov 2007 1:15 pm

It feels good to know it has a home where it will be loved

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 29 Nov 2007 12:44 am

Schön
hermoso
beau
bello
Mooi
красивый
vakker

Aloha,

Don

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 29 Jan 2009 5:59 am

This Pettingill deserves a trip to the top. She's Beautiful Tom!

Ronald Smith · Post by **Ronald Smith** » 29 Jan 2009 6:27 am

Tom,
That is an exibit of a great craftsman. If you beat this one????----I just don't know. You might want to show room this one, it being a very very great job.

Thanks for sharing it with up and God bless you and yours and also your talent.

Ron

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 29 Jan 2009 10:32 am

Wow ... a blast from the past

... Thanks Rick and Ronald

The Steel Guitar Forum

More Mahogany and Maple

Great job!

Where's that mailman?

swankiest "teardrop" ever!

First impressions

beautiful

New One "Tom P. Baby"