The Steel Guitar Forum

Hello,
I am an apprentice stringed instrument builder/designer and an aspiring lap steel player. I am interested to study many models of lap steel guitars in order to design and build a unique high quality instrument. My favorite in tone and play-ability, so far, is an Emmons 8 string lap steel that I use in a C6 variant tuning. Although, I'd like to design a lap steel with two setups in different tunings. I could use advice on hardware, woods, laminate tops, inlays, bindings. If you would like to post pics here that would be great. Any and all advice is welcome here. I would like to say thank you to all who have replied to the posts I've created before this. I am new to the forum and appreciate every one of you. I am really having a good time with my steel guitar, now. God Bless Yall!

also, i am currently amplifying through a VOX valvetronics and it cuts through the band's mix, very well. I am not opposed to advice in amplification either. this is all new to me.

Agood place for parts such as knobs tuning machines and pickups is Guitar Fettish .com.
I order from them all the time for electrics and various things:D

Norm In Waco tx

Have a look here, a search of the Forum will turn up similar pages of Lap Steels.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=134200

James.

Burney, where in Arkansas are you? I'm in Jonesboro, and am starting to build a couple of steels after a lot of research. I've found myself taking what I like most about different instruments, and working these details into my own designs. It depends a lot on what you like, or envision in a steel, and then what skills and tools you have to work with.
I think a single neck is much easier to design and build than a double. All sorts of ergonomic and mechanical complications are introduced when you add the second neck, especially if you intend to have on-deck volume or tone controls.
Or, you can just take a big chunk of wood, and carve away everything that doesn't look like part of a steel.

Steel Guitar Builder's Forum:
http://steelguitarbuilder.com/forum/index.php
Musical Instrument builder's forum:
http://www.mimf.com/phpbb/
Guitar Repair Bench:
http://www.mimf.com/phpbb/
Frets.com
http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/pagelist.html

This last one has shop tips and articles about building your own tools instead of buying them all, worth it's weight in... parts?
http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/hstpages.html

There is a book entitled "It's East To Build Your Own Lap Steel Guitar" by Martin Koch. It's available on Amazon.

I have never seen it, so this is not necessarily a recommendation. Perhaps someone here who has this book will comment.

There are a lot of things to consider, but one detail overlooked on a lot of guitars is the placement of the controls. The tone control can go anywhere not in the way of your picking hand, but the volume control should be in a position that is easy to reach with the 4th finger when doing volume swell and violin. Near the bridge, it can be quite close to the top string without getting in the way. Sometimes there is way too much strum room. I would say about one inch between the string and the center of the control.

The wood for the body should be dense; the softer it is the more vibration it will soak up. The bridge and the nut should be as close to integral as physically possible for maximum transfer and sustain.

Don, check pm. I am from Memphis, but I currently live in West Memphis. I would like to meet you if possible. I was referred to this site by Richard Ford. He plays with my brother in law in the band Big Barton. He has been a great help to me getting started on steel.