| Author |
Topic: Headstock building - 10 String Lapsteel |
Eldon Cangas
From:
Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 30 Sep 2008 7:25 am |
|
| Pedal steel headstocks are usually made from aluminum (correct??. I can make one out of aluminum but.... in the early history of the instrument were they ever made out of wood. I'm picking up my tuning machines today and I was wondering before I start. Warmest Regards & Thanks! Eldon |
|
|
|
Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
|
Posted 30 Sep 2008 7:47 am
|
|
We've been discussing the Gibson 10 string EH-150 in another thread. It has a slotted wooden headstock. Is that what you're asking about?
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
|
|
|
Eldon Cangas
From:
Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 30 Sep 2008 8:01 am Slotted Headstock
|
|
| Thanks for the quick reply Brad. I was thinking of one that is identical to the one on Carter pedal steels (it's the only make I'm a bit familiar with). I don't like the idea of of the strings going off on a angle once they leave the nut. I was thinking of making one out of wood and then fastening it from the top down with screws through a similar shaped plate to give it more strength. I'd be using white birch that has been in my shed since I was a kid. Does this description help? Thanks! Eldon |
|
|
|
Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 30 Sep 2008 8:08 am
|
|
A slotted design can make for a good and very strong headstock.
Flat or tilt back are possible too, but regardless of design, you need to carefully select your wood to avoid cross grain and grain run out situations.
The use of headcaps, volutes, and backstraps can add greatly to a headstocks strength and stability too.
Edit: I posted before you posted that you wanted to do a pedal style headstock.
George covers that well and of those examples, the Dynalap style would be probably the easyest to do without a milling machine or custom router template.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here
Last edited by Tom Pettingill on 30 Sep 2008 8:20 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
|
