New DIY Lap Steel build

John Sims · Post by **John Sims** » 13 Aug 2021 9:37 am

Hey guys, just wanted to share my new build, DIY Homemade Lap Steel Guitar - 'Blondie'

Solid Maple body - 25" scale
Maple fretboard
Bone nut
Fender Telecaster saddle bridge with chrome 'Ashtray' cover
Fender chrome neck pickup mounting ring
Fender chrome output jack
Stewart Macdonald medium frets
Stewart Macdonald pearl fret dots
Stewart Macdonald chrome string ferrules
Gotoh chrome tuning machines
Gotoh chrome volume, tone and switch control knobs
Seymour Duncan STL-2 'Hot for Tele' bridge pickup
Seymour Duncan STR-2 'Hot for Tele' neck pickup with chrome cover
Alpha 'make before break' 3 pole, 4 position pickup switch
Pos. 1 - Bridge pickup only
Pos. 2 - Bridge and neck pickups in series
Pos. 3 - Bridge and neck pickups in parallel
Pos. 4 - Neck pickup only
A-250K dual volume and tone control pot, w/.047 uf tone capacitor
D'Addario Nickel Steel custom string set from Troy Brenningmeyer

Tuned to Open 'D' - D A D F# A D

I made this lap steel based on the design by Martin Koch
using his book "Build you own Lap Steel" at
http://www.BuildYourGuitar.com/lapsteel

This is a hand rubbed Tru Oil finish. I was going to put a cream or pearloid binding on the fretboard edge but decided not to in the end. Ultimately, it was a very rewarding and beautiful project, and overall I'm very happy with how my first lap steel build turned out. And, it has unbelievable sustain and sounds fantastic!

I did a video on it at https://youtu.be/_4wT47G_hi0

Joe Elk · Post by **Joe Elk** » 13 Aug 2021 11:42 am

Nice Looking Steel!
Joe Elk Central Ohio

John Sims · Post by **John Sims** » 13 Aug 2021 12:08 pm

Thank you Joe!

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 13 Aug 2021 12:14 pm

Great job. She looks very professional.

John Sims · Post by **John Sims** » 13 Aug 2021 12:17 pm

David Matzenik wrote:Great job. She looks very professional.

Thank you David! First lap steel guitar I've made. I have made some decent cigar box guitars though... http://www.mojohandguitars.com/mojopics.htm

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 13 Aug 2021 4:14 pm

Very nice looking build John. You can be proud of your first LS. It sounds great as well. Enjoy it.

John Sims · Post by **John Sims** » 13 Aug 2021 4:53 pm

Thank you Bill! I hope to do a video of me playin it soon. The Open D tuning is not familiar but I like it! Very bluesy!

JB Bobbitt · Post by **JB Bobbitt** » 14 Aug 2021 1:06 pm

Great fun. Nice job.

John Sims · Post by **John Sims** » 15 Aug 2021 7:22 am

Thank you JB!

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 15 Aug 2021 8:38 am

John Sims wrote:
David Matzenik wrote:Great job. She looks very professional.
Thank you David! First lap steel guitar I've made. I have made some decent cigar box guitars though... http://www.mojohandguitars.com/mojopics.htm

Looks like you and I arrived at the same place. I started out making CBG's, but it just wasn't for me. I always loved the sound of a steel guitar, and by accident stumbled across lap steels.....so that is where I wound up and am very happy I discovered them and this forum.

John Sims · Post by **John Sims** » 15 Aug 2021 8:43 am

Wow Bill! Those are awesome! Yes, this forum is amazing! I'm sure they sound just as good as they look! I haven't made any in a few years, but I still have plenty of cigar boxes in the garage and plenty of parts. What did you use for the cones? Did you make the cover plates? They are really nice sir! I was going to make a resonator but ended up buying a Gretsch Bobtail and I love it.

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 15 Aug 2021 1:23 pm

I got the cones from a guy on the CBG forum. I forget his name, he is in Tx and sells stuff on the forum. The cover plates I also purchased from him. To tell you the truth, I hate to use the frets, I like to use a slide much better. Just sounds better to me.

John Sims · Post by **John Sims** » 15 Aug 2021 1:40 pm

I agree. thanks! I think I know who you are referring to.

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 16 Aug 2021 7:04 am

Thanks John. I couldn't find a cigar box deep enough to house the cone so I made my own box from maple I bought at Lowes. Here is the link to the place I bought the cones and cover plates. I also put one in a hollow body aluminum lap steel.
https://picclick.com/Cigar-Box-Guitar-O ... 42985.html

John Sims · Post by **John Sims** » 16 Aug 2021 7:21 am

Thank you Bill!

Mark Mansueto · Post by **Mark Mansueto** » 18 Aug 2021 5:22 am

This is your first build? Looks absolutely beautiful.

John Sims · Post by **John Sims** » 18 Aug 2021 6:04 am

Mark Mansueto wrote:This is your first build? Looks absolutely beautiful.

Yes Mark. I am very happy with it! Thank you for the compliment!

Mark Mansueto · Post by **Mark Mansueto** » 18 Aug 2021 7:53 am

John Sims wrote:
Mark Mansueto wrote:This is your first build? Looks absolutely beautiful.
Yes Mark. I am very happy with it! Thank you for the compliment!

You're welcome. Also, your tru-oil finish reminds me of the finishes that Tom Pettingill used on his guitars.

John Sims · Post by **John Sims** » 18 Aug 2021 8:16 am

Yes, I did a ton of research on the Tru Oil finish and I loved it when I saw Tom's. In fact, I followed each word of his advice on different forums and I am very pleased with the results.

Xavier Baron · Post by **Xavier Baron** » 18 Aug 2021 11:48 am

Nice look, nice sound, nice playing

Great job!!

John Sims · Post by **John Sims** » 18 Aug 2021 12:00 pm

Thank you Xavier!