Old Fender Lap Steel

Fred Vanderhoek · Post by **Fred Vanderhoek** » 4 May 2016 10:17 am

I just traded some odds and ins for this Old Fender Lap Steel. I need to replace the tuning machines, or find part to fix them. I am not sure about the electronics yet, I don't know if those huge capacitors are dried up or not. The little lap steel looks like it was always stored in the case. It was well used by the looks of the wear on the wood.
If any of you expert guys know anything about this particular Fender lap steel, I need to be educated about the year it was made etc. I would like to get her up and running.

Cartwright Thompson · Post by **Cartwright Thompson** » 4 May 2016 10:40 am

That guitar is known as an "Organ Button" Fender. They were the first Fender lap steels, made around 1946. They were similar to the first K+F lap steels.
You can get replacement tuner buttons from Stewart MacDonald.
Sometimes the pickup bobbin on those guitars caved-in, there are several people who can rewind/repai them.

Fred Vanderhoek · Post by **Fred Vanderhoek** » 4 May 2016 11:56 am

Thank You Sir. So what actually dose the little "red button" do. It looks like it switches to another circuit. I really appreciate the repair info too. Hopefully she will light off and make some music here in the near future.
CHEERS!

Jonathan Mitguard · Post by **Jonathan Mitguard** » 4 May 2016 12:26 pm

The red button is a cut switch so when it is pushed the signal is supposed to be cut. Perhaps an interesting effect.

Fred Vanderhoek · Post by **Fred Vanderhoek** » 4 May 2016 1:17 pm

OK, Stewart MacDonald had a reasonable facsimile of the above referenced 3 on a plate tuners, I ordered them. The mounting holes will have to be reworked, no biggie.
I would like to know off hand who can re-work the pickup if it needs to be done. I may just replace all the old electronics in this guy. I want to make it a trust worthy lap steel.

John Rosett · Post by **John Rosett** » 4 May 2016 1:30 pm

If the tuners themselves still function, you can buy just the plastic buttons. If you change the tuners and the holes in the peghead, you'll devalue the instrument.
http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Par ... Knobs.html

Cartwright Thompson · Post by **Cartwright Thompson** » 4 May 2016 1:30 pm

Do not replace the tuners. Just put a new button on the one that fell apart, no big deal.
The ones that are on there probably work fine, those buttons just deteriorate over the years. If you try to replace the whole strip, you'll have to booger the whole thing.
You might not need to replace any electronics either. Plug it in and see if it works.

Brian Bauhs · Post by **Brian Bauhs** » 4 May 2016 2:50 pm

These buttons from Bernunzio are closer in shape and color than the ones Stew Mac sells. I've used them for an old Gibson lap steel I have that had klusons with decayed buttons.
http://bernunzio.com/product/reproducti ... buttons-1/

Fred Vanderhoek · Post by **Fred Vanderhoek** » 4 May 2016 4:07 pm

Thank You Guys! I really appreciate the great advice. The button replacement sound's like the hot tip. I am guessing epoxy is used to hold them in place. Who ever broke off the original must have used "vise grips" on the shaft. They rest are not bad. one is bent, I may try and straighten it out.
Attached is a photo showing the condition of the electronics. They look really good. OK. Plugged it in to my amp... everything seems to be fine. the tone knob when turning is making just a little scratchy sound, but not really bad. the volume works and no noise. So, just glue on the button, re-string it, and she will be race ready.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 4 May 2016 5:28 pm

It looks extremely clean and all original inside. I've never seen the inside of the organ button... very interesting.

I would Not try to straighten the tuner shaft. It's very likely to snap off if you do. The best thing is to leave it alone if it turns okay. I would oil the tuners and put a replacement button on the one tuner or replace all of the buttons. I think the usual method is to heat the shaft and press fit the buttons. You may have to drill out the hole a little bit on the new button. I think StewMac has instructions on their web site. Or any good guitar repair shop can do the job.

Steve Green · Post by **Steve Green** » 4 May 2016 6:04 pm

Click here for a really simple, step-by-step guide to replacing the buttons:

http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Re ... knobs.html

Basically, it's:
1. Remove any remaining rotted plastic from the shaft.
2. Clean the shaft with naptha and a wire brush.
3. Heat the shaft with a soldering iron.
4. Press on the new tuner button
5. Add a drop of glue for insurance.

Steve Green · Post by **Steve Green** » 4 May 2016 6:06 pm

On the off chance that you need to drill out the holes in the new buttons, here's a nice video from Stew-Mac on how to do it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB3RVVye-gw

Fred Vanderhoek · Post by **Fred Vanderhoek** » 4 May 2016 7:18 pm

Once again, I am really appreciating the good advise! As far as the bent tuner shaft goes, actually it was just bent about an 1/8" at the end. I went and straightened it before your post. There was no problem, the metal seemed malleable enough. I went ahead and ordered the button, I had trouble, I wanted to get a couple more. Something wouldn't let me at the site. So I only got one. The scale looks to be 22-1/2" on the little Fender. What tuning would be appropriate for the short scale? As you can see I am a rank beginner on the lap steels. I have only ventured into lap steel about a month ago. I am real close to having "Sleepwalk" up to speed, with C6 and I am also working on "Your Cheatin' Heart" with E13. More fun than I have had in years with my six strings. I will post a photo the Fender when I get her all back together. IT looks good with the worn spots all over the wood body, it's like a badge of honor, being it's my age...69 years old.

Nathan Laudenbach · Post by **Nathan Laudenbach** » 4 May 2016 7:49 pm

Score! That is awesome man! I have always wondered what the organ button did. That is an incredible piece of Fender history and a great looking lap steel in my opinion.

Steve Green · Post by **Steve Green** » 4 May 2016 7:54 pm

I know most steelers get sick of it, but Sleepwalk is one of my favorite songs ever.

Here's a couple of my renditions:
On a Melobar, with a Shadow's backing track
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp51z3wE58M

On a Melbert, with Doug Beaumier's backing track
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IXmSYqrbE8

On an acoustic guitar, with a live band, before I ever took up lap steel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDGDgCSU0Tw

As far as being a Newbie getting started, I HIGHLY recommend Doug Beaumier's books / cds. I have both the "25 Songs for C6" and also the "25 MORE Songs for C6". They're not instruction books, per se, but SONG books. I've really learned a lot from them, and continue to use them at least once a week. They come with 2 cd's, one where Doug is playing the steel melody, and one with just the play-along tracks.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 4 May 2016 10:11 pm

Steve, thanks for mentioning my lap steel song books. You did a great job on SleepWalk!

Fred Vanderhoek · Post by **Fred Vanderhoek** » 5 May 2016 5:30 am

I am starting to see this SGF is a great forum with a lot of really nice folks. I am constantly working on six string type guitars for people, mostly set ups and fret leveling, re-crowning,& polishing the frets. I do work on replacing dead electronic etc.
Anyway, I got hold of David Jones at "Jonseyblues" I have been buying real nice wiring harnesses from him for a couple years now. I asked Dave if he would do electronics work on Old dead lap steels. He told me no problem. just send in the cover plate with the old stuff still mounted and he world replace/fix everything to work like it was supposed to. So just FYI "Jonseyblues" dose top notch vintage and new electronics for any type guitar. Everything is still working on my little Fender so no need to send it to him. It is just nice to know he will do the work if needed. http://jonesyblues.com/
Thank You for the music book recommendations. I will most likely be getting a book or two from Doug. I really enjoyed the recordings of "Sleepwalk" I think in a week or two I will make my own little recording of "Sleepwalk" for my family and friends on FB. They are all asking me to record some of my music for them. Well, photos of the Fender completed will be posted soon. It is a cool looking little Lap Steel.

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 5 May 2016 6:53 am

Welcome to the forums Fred, and cool old steel

Fred Vanderhoek wrote:...
I would like to know off hand who can re-work the pickup if it needs to be done. ...

Forum member Rick Aiello and Jason Lollar would both be great choices should you ever need.

Fred Vanderhoek · Post by **Fred Vanderhoek** » 6 May 2016 5:18 pm

Well, I have one more question for you people with experience with these old Fenders: So how good are these old Fenders for tone and sustain?

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 6 May 2016 8:15 pm

In general, Fenders have a brighter, thinner tone than most steel guitars. Not sure about this early Organ Button though.

Fred Vanderhoek · Post by **Fred Vanderhoek** » 10 May 2016 2:44 pm

Ok, I didn't want to de-value the Old Fender. I found these replacement tuners for the Fender. One hole would not line up with the original hole pattern so I elongated the hole on the new tuners to match the Fender. Now I can use newer tuners and still go back to the originals if need be.

Ok, Got the old Fender all ready to play. Set it up for C-6 tuning. Plugged her in to my amp. Sound's not too bad. The Organ button still works too. When the little red button is pushed it gets louder and has a softer tone. I played Sleepwalk on it for about and hour. (it's all I know for now). I cant believe this 70 year old Lap Steel still sound's as good as it dose. Really fun to play!