The Steel Guitar Forum

My first attempt at building a steel. It has sustain out the wing wang, sounds incredible.It sounds so much better than my GFI SM10. What do you think?











Rocky

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It seem I fixed it.


Rocky

Nice job Rocky

Rocky,

I like that heavy bridge insert Ill bet it has a lot of sustainnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!! Looks good!!

Jim

Hey Rocky,

That's awesome. What did you use for the control plate and how did you make it?

Dave Bader wrote:Hey Rocky,

That's awesome. What did you use for the control plate and how did you make it?

All the parts I made by hand in my shop. The plate is made out of 14ga #4 brushed stainless,I made the cutout by drilling holes in the ends and cutting with a dremel tool. The 90deg part I formed with miniature press brake dies that fit in my vise, and the bridge is made out of 1" stainless bar.

The nut is made out of the same 14ga stainless, I formed and polished. The body is made out of rock Hard Maple, and the neck is made out of Red Oak.

Rocky

Nice work Rocky! Looks like you put some spirit in that guitar. Your attention to detail is evident. I can only imagine what a joy it is to play

Rocky says,

My first attempt at building a steel.

That is not the work of an amateur, Rocky.
You have attained the professional luthier level with your first attempt.
That is a beautiful guitar.
You made your mother proud.
Now let's hear how it sounds? The tone, OK? We know that it has sustain.

Aloha,
Don

Very nice. now you are hooked!! You wont be happy with building just one guitar.

So what string spacing and scale did you use?
Beautifully done!!!!!
Danny

Don,

The tone is is better than I could of ever hoped for on my first attempt,If I had to compare it to another guitar, it sounds just like the Fender that Cindy Cashdollar plays on her DVD.

Danny,

The string spacing is 3/8 and scale length is 24"


Rocky

Simple and elegant! A great looking steel Rocky!

Beautiful steel Rocky. Nice bridgework.

Tom Pettingill - Took a look at your pictures. Incredible works of art. I've always liked the combo of light and dark wood. I can tell you have a bit of an eye for design.

Check out my new posting - not quite up to snuff with you guys I must admit.

Jim P.

Very nice job Really adds to the number of quality builders there are on the Forum

Rocky, that is one gorgeous steel. Simple, elegant, innovative design with a look of fine furniture. My wife wouldn't complain about me leaving a steel like that sitting out on the coffee table for a quick play during commercials. Very nice, it must be a joy to play.
D

Gorgeous, beautiful, and envy-inspiring!

Thank you all for the complements. I researched a lot of guitars, and guitar parts before I built this. Lets say coming up with a workable, but simplistic bridge system, that was esthetically pleasing to my eye was a challenge. It didn't need to be complicated, just placed in the correct spot.

I had a lot of trial and error with what would be considered the tail piece, before I decided to go with the through the body string system, you don't realize how hard it is to work with stainless steel until you start trying to machine holes and slots with limited home type machines.

Thanks again for all the kind words of encouragement. It was all the talented folks and builders here that gave me the inspiration to build it. I am starting to gather materials for a second one.


Rocky