The Steel Guitar Forum

I have had this idea for along time, that is to make a Steel out of this 1x3x30 aluminum channel. I was curious about the tonal effects of the aluminum. It is a continous piece so I thought it would add to the sustain. It has a ton of treble like an old fender. I put on three legs to add to the old style look. The name is a tribute to two of my inspirations, I couldn't figure a way to work


Fender into it. It was fairly inexpensive to make if I leave out my time.

Awesome job. I can't begin to imagine how you did that.

Very cool Mark ... well thought out and nicely executed!

Thanks Mike
Its a floating channel of aluminum set into the maple body. I can remove the channel and play it on my lap as well. I have to say if my brother-in-law didn't own great woodworking equipment I'd be outa luck.

Thanks Tom
Compliments from talented craftsmen are great affirmations.

Duuude!!! NICE MACHINING Mark!!!
She looks gorgeous.

That is extraordinarily cool. Or cooly extraordinary. Not sure which.

How did you mark out the fretboard?

I think you've got yourself a product and a great Brand Name. I believe you could sell a good number of these if they sound as great as they look and they don't cost an arm and a leg.

Wow. Can you post an MP3 of how it sounds.

Please post some sound clips with various tone settings, ...and when you'll be taking orders!

This is a really cool and modern design. Great! Especially the two knobs.

Kind regards

Peter

Yes! a very nice blend of retro and modern! I'd love to hear how it sounds.

Wow...if a cer-tain Forumite (rhymes with Spaniel NickLee) gets wind of this...

I believe this is the nicest design that I've seen so far! Perhaps you should consider building a D-8 or even a T-8! I could go for a T-8 like this!

Wow.......

Beautiful design and craftsmanship. Very impressive.

Rob

I heard and checked out the Gibsby tonight in Madison. It is a very cool and great sounding instrument. Mark was playing some very cool stuff on it also.

That's a great looking guitar, with a real mix of modern and vintage looks. If you start making these for sale, let me know.

Real nice design and craftsmanship there Mark.
Great job !
Todd

That's gorgeous, Mark! Great job!!

Wow, response is overwhelming. So many complimehts from an A list of steelers. Sorry I haven't responded sooner, I just got up. We had a gig last night, so I gave it a field test. I think it needs some experimenting in the PUs. Bob Hoffnar (I'll put a post in players about meeting Bob) and I had the start of what could have been a long conversation about PUs that I need to continue. Over all it has a interesting sound. I'll try to post some clips this weekend.

As for selling them, its a great compliment, but way different to make something for myself than to make something for sale. There are so many wonderful builders out there already. If anyone wants to try this design I'd be happy to assist. I did make a 100 of those volume/tone knobs thinking someone may like them. They are drilled for solid shaft pots.

One thing that I like about this design is the fretboard. I just marked out the spacing and cut in grooves with a band saw right on the channel. And drilled holes through it for dots. My thought was to make it as simply as possible.

Again thanks for all the compliments and I'll try to post some sound clips.

Mark

f***ing great design! well executed. if that thing will stay in tune and with a pickup that compliments it, you've got a million dollar idea. patent it quick and let someone else make you money off of it! nice!

Chris
Your right on finding the right pick up and it does stay in tune!

Mark
That THANG has got the THANG. I instantly wanted one. That combination of metal and wood looks just right to me.

Mark, you wrote

Its a floating channel of aluminum set into the maple body. I can remove the channel and play it on my lap as well.

Does it sound different, and if so in what way, when you take it out of the wood and play it on your lap?

Richard

Hi Richard
Tonal it sounds about the same in or out of the wood body. The Gibsby isn't set up to remove the channel easily, the jack is on the end of the guitar. I'm going to make another with that idea in mind, so the jack will be on the channel.