The Steel Guitar Forum

Nope ... not an "optical illusion" ...

My Dustpans have "straight necks" ... meaning they are as wide at the pan ... as they are at the nut.

What you are seein' ... is the 7/16" string spacing at the intergrated bridge ... tapering to ... 3/8" string spacing at the integrated nut.

The 1st and 6th strings ... when built with this spacing ... depart the fretboard at about the 14th fret.

If the owner requests ... "straight 3/8 spacing" ... the strings would stay within the fretboard.

Its only really noticable on these "strictly 6 stringers" ... the "wide neck" Dustpans have fretboard to spare ...

But personally, I like these 6-ers better ...

I like looking down at "nuttin' but strings" ... much more so than seein' "extra fretboard" ...

Thats why I commisioned Terry Farmer to make these "6 string Mothers" ... because I didn't want to put 6 strings on an 8+ string instrument.

I'm a 6 string player ... who enjoys the 7/16" at the bridge ...

I don't play up past the 15th fret much anyway ... and when I do get up there ...

It's more of an "ear thang" than an "eye thang" ... when I'm fishin' for those notes ...



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<font size=1>Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels</font>

<SMALL>My Dustpans have "straight necks" ... meaning they are as wide at the pan ... as they are at the nut.</SMALL>

I should clarify ... the "New Style" ones have this feature ...

The original prototype & all the "Snake Heads" ... have a tapering neck.

So far ... only (2) of these 6-ers have been made ...

This 22.5" scale one and a 25.5" scale-er that now lives in Guam.

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<font size=1>Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels</font>

Let me add my admiration. I'd be in a real pickle if I were ordering one and had to choose between that fretboard and a smooth aluminum one. They each have their major charms.

That RickenTucker is BEAUTIFUL! I like the way you're machining the heads now and leaving more mass in the pickup area. I just know that pickup has got to sound good. Wow! I've got to agree with George Keoki Lake, you've surpassed the original Rickenbacher Frypan in design and quality. Your guitars are like a beautiful old Kustom with modern suspension and powerplant.

Amazing stuff, Rick. You're a true artist.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

Thanks, Rick. Even without hearing a note, this one is my favorite Dustpan.

Beautiful guitar, Rick! And so is the bamboo tree.

looks really fine solid too. You could keep it under the bed and retire the Louisville Slugger

Thanks again y'all ... for all the kind words.

I played her last nite for about an hour ... and I'm very pleased with it ... !!!

Don't take my word for it though ... come to CityFolk Festival ... and try it ...

They are giving me an "area" in the Metal Art Tent ... and I will have all my casting stuff there ... and ...

The Boobpan w/ dual MRI pickups ... The Bronzepan w/ H-Shoe pickup ... and my original Prototype w/ the prototype MRI pickup ...

My wife was goin' ... but she can't go now ... so please come on by and keep me company ... ...

I'll have a Microcube ... and the International Beer Garden ... is right next door ...




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<font size=1>Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels</font>

Hi Rick. Your dustpan is indeed a beauty. I am going to try and stop by your Dayton gig on Sunday. I look forward to meeting you and seeing your beautiful instruments.

<SMALL>I'll have a Microcube ... and the International Beer Garden ... is right next door </SMALL>

Dang! That pi$$es me off!...

Absolutely stunning. You're truly an inspiration.

"Bump" for the road ...

See ya'll in Dayton ...

Here's the Schedule

Sunday at 6 pm ... looks promising

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<font size=1>Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels</font>

Beautiful, Rick!

How much does it weigh? (In kilos, if possible, me being a metric Swede with difficulties in appreciating pounds, ounces, inches, yards, pinches, handfuls...)

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www.frockmusic.com
www.myspace.com/ilikerecords

The Rick & Tucker is 6.8 kg ...

The Boobpan is 14.5 kg ...

The Bronzepan is 19 kg ...


Time to clean 'em up, pack 'em up ... and get ready to roll ...

Gotta remove the "patina" from the Bronzepan ... it may be pleasing to some folks on statues, etc ... but I like it "shiney" ...

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<font size=1>Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels</font>



<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 29 June 2006 at 08:57 AM.]</p></FONT>

Those things are heavy!

Hey Rick, I'm paddling down the Delaware River right now.....see you tomorrow....

Okie Dokie Howie... just pullin' out now.

Howard, Doug Smith, Barb Kuhns, Floyd Alexander, Bobby Ingano ... and a Beer Garden.



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<font size=1>Hawaiian Steel Stuff
The Casteels</font>