The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to share some pics of an "experiment" I have been working on. I hollowed out quite a bit of a Rodeo body, leaving a 3" center section to still be able to do the string through contruction I like. You can see the template I used to get an idea of what was milled out

I capped it with a really nice quilt top I had for a while and added the F hole.
It's so hard to describe tone but I would describe it as "thicker". I really love Don Helm's playing and sound which of course is from a Gibson Grand Console. The hollowed out body really sounds more in the spirit of that to my ears.
The scale is 23" and the string spacing at the bridge is 2.5 inches rather than the more common
2 5/8.

I'm going to be putting her on ebay a little later because she wasn't something I had an order for & I'm leaving for vacation to the Outer Banks of N. Carolina next week (cannot wait!!!)

Beautiful!!



Steinar

That looks great Jason!

Fred

Thanks guys! I'm really pleased with her. A bit more work than I thought it would be to hollow her out nice and clean. Now if I could play like either one of you two.....well I probably would make em' !!

Jason: It looks like you did an exceptional job. Congrats. The binding and finish look like factory quality. I'd be proud to own something like that. Lee

That's just plain BEAUTIFUL
Excellent workmanship.

BILL

Thanks guys,
Lee, thanks for the compliment on the binding, it was a pain in the butt! The nitro lacquer really shrinks quite a bit and shows every seam. With the multiple strips of binding and purfling it took a bit of work to level the finish and not have any gaps between the layers showing. I'm sure in time it will shrink some more and look like most of the vintage guitars I've seen and that in my opinion is NOT a bad thing at all!
I've tried some of the new urethanes and they are clearer and harder and shrink a lot less but they
just don't have have that vibe I like.

I like!!!

Ohhhh. . .that is purty!

That's a dream machine--semi hollow, thicker tone, beautiful wood & finish. . .can't say as I'd know what to do with the extra 2 strings, though!

Jason: I've admired your guitars since well before I even joined the forum. It's great to see your success & that you're continuing to experiment with new ideas.

Nice going,
Vince

p.s. Being ignorant on all things electric, I've wondered about slanted pickups--why do some axes have them that way and some have them at a right angle to the strings?

I have to agree with other posts. That's a beauty. I think it would look good on my lap.

Thanks Vince! Thanks a lot!
In my opinion the slanted pick up has two things going for it.
1st The treble side of the pick up brought down closer to the bridge accentuates the highs. just like how the bridge pick up on electric guitars sound brighter & sharper. This is really desirable in a lap steel. The bass side of the pick up being further up gives a nice rounder/warmer sound to the bass. Of course tastes in tone vary, great results and tones are gotten all sorts of ways.
Plus, in this case I angled her a bit more to get the pole pieces at the 2.5" spacing I prefer.

I also saw it on a Gibson once or twice
That's my take on it anyway.

Jason, that's an absolutely gorgeous guitar. I just spent the better part of an hour drooling over all the models on your site. You really do some classy work, man. When my playing evolves enough to warrant a piece of craftsmanship like that, I'll be knocking on your door.

Good luck with the auction!

-Bruce

I agree. You've done a wonderful job, Jason. Even though I need another lap steel like I need a hole in the head, I look forward to bidding on it when it becomes available.

Wow. Just wow. That is gorgeous, Jason.

I've often thought about ahving a steel made with a chambered body -- every guitar I've heard with that design sounds tremendous -- big, full, airy, yet with lots of clarity. Someday...

beautiful craftsmanship.
amen.

Here it is on eBay......

Auction on eBay.

I approve. I kindaa like the opposite tilt on pickups too. Very pretty work.

cf

Jason, superb, your fretboard design at the body end is VERY reminiscent of the early EH-150 EH-185, classy whilst your volume and tone control positions are optimal.
A classic overall design with a twist, the F hole is a nice cosmetic touch.

I think you've incorporated all of the wants of the Hawaiian player in this model.

E-Mail me some literature and we'll run an advert in the next issue of our magazine GRATIS..
Our mag. is A4 full colour and we'll GIVE you half a page, just send us all the relevant data.

THANKS Basil!
I sure will do that I'll email you a little later in the day (It's 5 am right now....must...have.....coffee)