The Steel Guitar Forum

I like certain things on all guitars, old and new. I traced the body from a Rogue I bought. It sat nicely on my lap and I liked that. I didn't however care for the head so I modified that to suit me. I was about 90% done when it hit me. This one would have been a great candidate for a 22.5" scale with 7 strings......maybe next time. This is the first one I built out of maple with a Lace pickup. Very pleased with the sound, sustain and color.

wow I wish I had your skill! The steel sure looks right to me.

Wow Bill
Joe Elk Central Ohio

Looks great Bill......and I get your thoughts regarding the 7 string and the headstock design!

Very nice!! Bill. Of course your previous ones have all been beauties too.
LaVern

That’s a Cool lap

Unique and beautiful !

Terrific as always, Bill. Looks like that Alumitone pickup would easily handle a seventh string on your next build. Did you make the fretboard? I need a similar one for a Rickenbacker project.

This is a picture of the same lap steel. I changed my mind half way through the build after seeing several members blonde colored lap steels. It was a lot of sanding to get the turquoise off, but I'm happier with the Almond Pearl color. Bill, this is also a fret board made from pick guard material.

Thanks for sharing, Bill. I would like to build a lap steel at some point. Nice work!

Nice job, Bill. I see you were going for the classic Chevy vibe before you changed your mind on color. I like the Almond Pearl, but don't completely forget about the Belair. Never know when you might be playing some retro '50s diner.

First of all, thank you guys for your positive comments. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

David, I saw a '57 Chevy Belair convertible at a car show with the top down and in the back seat was a turquoise and white Fender Strat to match the interior and the paint.

When I started to build this one I thought maybe a car guy would see it, and want to buy it for a wall hanger in his garage, (climate controlled of course!) or a prop in the backseat of his Chevy? However, after going through all the trials with this one, then hearing the finished product, I'm afraid I won't be selling it.

As far as playing it in a 50's Retro diner, that won't happen. In 3 years I have improved my playing a good amount, however I am a builder, not a player. I wish I would be able to do both, but at my age, I can't realistically see that happening. I build 'em better then I play 'em. The building and playing both make me happy, so it's all good in my book. It's a very enjoyable hobby.

That's pretty nice Bill -- when can I come over and take it for a test drive?

Bill Groner wrote:I like certain things on all guitars, old and new. I traced the body from a Rogue I bought. It sat nicely on my lap and I liked that. I didn't however care for the head so I modified that to suit me. I was about 90% done when it hit me. This one would have been a great candidate for a 22.5" scale with 7 strings......maybe next time. This is the first one I built out of maple with a Lace pickup. Very pleased with the sound, sustain and color.

Very nice, Bill. I like the head design and tuner arrangement, and also the strings
anchoring through the body.

C. E. Jackson

Eric Gross wrote:That's pretty nice Bill -- when can I come over and take it for a test drive?

Sent you a PM Eric.......see you next week?

Very Nice. Mine look like they were roughed out with an axe and chain saw.

another "Beauty by BIll." Great stuff, as always.