The Steel Guitar Forum

Here's a few pics of some of my fingertip building adventures. This is a very early keyhead we made, that appeared on the first run fingertips. It has NOT been polished yet, as the machining marks testify. We were able to get a very nice tight tolerance of the rollers--enough to move freely, not so much that you have sideways movement. And they roll perfectly--like bearings!! Stainless steel axle, too. Notice the tiny brass rollers--they are string ball ends. How many fingertip keyhead rollers have you thrown away, everytime you change your strings X how many years of changing strings? LOL!!

For another very informative thread on Shobud Fingertips, see this link:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=127037

Enjoy:

Here's the tail piece that belongs with this style keyhead(early fingertip):





and underneath the tail piece:

Here's new (unfinished) endplates for a SINGLE-NECK fingertip, and our new cabinet.

The endplates , keyheads, and tailpieces are courtesy of my pal, Marty Neer, who came across a singleneck fingertip a couple of years ago, and allowed us to replicate the large metal and cabinet, while his guitar is in our shop for restoration. A big HUGE thankyou to you, Marty! Marty had the only known singleneck fingertip known, until another one popped up on ebay about a year ago. Bob Muller proudly added it to his fine collection--good score, Bob!!

There are a few who have stated that there were quite a few of the fingertips sold in the singleneck configuration, but a quest and a challenge for anyone to produce even a picture of one has failed to produce one of these unique guitars. I have seen one fuzzy picture which is likely one. Right, John B.?? So this is the reason that compelled me to build one, as well as being requested to build replacement parts for another great project--the Lightening Bolt guitar. But that's another story better told by Lloyd via Ricky Davis.

Here's some pics:






Couldn't resist putting the new handles on--classic permanant and fingertip hardware!!



Here's the new cabinet with Marty's original cabinet behind it. Marty's cabinet was refinished courtesy of Jim Clark of Clark Guitars in Tulsa, OK:

Nice looking parts James, and going onto the most famous fingertip ever made. What a great project to be working on.

Beauty!

String ball ends!!??!! What, did Sherman set the Wayback Machine for Nashville, 1963? Take me back to Tulsa - I'm too young to marry!!

James! When you go retro/direct replacement you do it all the way!

Kinda like Todd Clinesmith and the guy that makes Pro-Mat guitars.

And God bless you guys for doing so!

Great project, impeccable finish and sensible ideas...
Strings ball ends (whoever would have guessed)...

James, this is incredible!

Well it has been a long and sometimes frustrating process but I believe we can see the final product in sight. Thanks to James, he has been patient and diligent with me thru his trials of making sure we get it right. I have to give a shout out to Jim Clark. I told him what I wanted as far as a color scheme for this particular guitar and he absolutely nailed it! Can't wait to see some under belly pics in the future.

James, that is some great machining in both the metal and wood. Those great dinosaurs are coming to life in your hands!

Are you guys crazy? Your destroying the value of that guitar! Seriously, this is some great restoration work. Great job guys. James, can I have an apple?

Greate job Jamester.

pretty stuff, james.

James is right on about the rarity of single-necks. I've looked for a couple of years. Saw one picture! Keep up the great work James!

So many people rave over the Pro series Buds but the Permanent and Fingertip were and still are the tone masters of steel guitar. I just bought another permanent James and it only has three knee levers. I will be contacting you for some parts. Absolutely beautiful work.

Thanx everyone for the kind words--it's a labor of love.

Judging by the fruit bowl, you have some pretty healthy guitars there. Beautiful work, James. Get the burnisher out for those razor sharp corners

Updates?

Yo James, how u doin homey? Great lookin parts ,nice machine work ps; the cabs look look mondo awesome too. Glad things are gettin worked out buddy....Stormy

Yeah, fellas, workin' on catching up on back log.

You and me both

James has helped me with parts on 2 Sho Bud Projects.
His parts are absolutely the finest!! He also spent time helping me with tips on a multitude of Sho Bud topics. We are all lucky to have his experience and resources.

It's a thing called "Customer Support", and he's not in some foreign country helping you with an American product. I am working on 2 'Buds myself

Here's the "after" pics of the parts shown in the above pics. These parts are destined for the "Lightening Bolt". Kinda think they came out nice.

Awesome!