The Steel Guitar Forum

Some time back I posted a few messages about
buliding my own Dobro/Regal style squareneck
reso. I finally finished it and strung it
up tonight.. Made a couple minor adjustments
couple more tomorrow and its complete.

For those of you who want a quality reso but can't justify the expense of a quality name
brand instrument and do not want to compromise on an Asian import,,,I strongly
recommend making your own.

$500 and 100 Hours later I've got a unique,
great sounding instrument with Quarterman
cone, all Amurrican hardware..Ebony peghead overlay, bridge and ebony tipped maple bridge,hand applied Black cherry to yellow
sunburst,mahogany neck...

Very loud and great tone..

Roll yer own..smokes mo betta

Jeff

PS..Thanks to Paul Beard at Resophonic
Outfitters.

Jeff,

Did you bend all the body wood yourself? How about fretting the neck? Did you buy a kit guitar that required finishing and assembly? I'd appreciate knowing more about the details of your project. Maybe other folks would as well, so either post more or just email me.

TIA,

Cliff

any pics...?

Congrats Jeff. Feels good doesn't it. I'm waiting for a body to get back from the platers (a full month now) to finish up a RN tricone. I'll second the picture request.
Cliff, check out Stewart-MacDonald Guitar Supply's website and get a catalog. Their new one had pre-made tops backs and sides, plus carved necks and all the goodies for making resonators. Great stuff for curious beginners.

On the general subject of making acoustic guitars, anyone who is interested would benefit from a reading of William Cupiano's wonderful book called Guitarmaking: Tradition and Technology. It takes you through each step, in detail, of making your own steel string or classical guitar, from boards to beautiful! The side bending instructions, as well as all of the bracing information and binding information, would be applicable to wooden-body resonator guitars as well, I imagine. In any event, great book for all acoustic guitar lovers.

Colin

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Sorry for the delayed response...having fun learning..
Couple pro players have played and commented on my rig...couple minor suggestions but
very complimentary on the playability, tone and workmanship..not trying to be immodest..but this does not look like any homebilt...nor sound or play like one..
Completed project including case and some other bits..$600

First..
I bought a kit from Paul Beard...
Folks..this is no "kit" in the traditional sense..the top and back were cut ..top of course with holes..the sides were bent..but
there were some fractures and not bent to form..neck was cut to rough shape..fingerboard was slotted..from here you are on your own because the instructions are
vague and presume you know what you are doing..luckily I have built other instruments.
Second.. you must build workboards a bender and molds to do a "pro" job..
Third...As was recommended get the Cumpiano
book...and the Beard set up video is an absolute must.

This project is not for the faint...
I doubt I will ever use plywood again...
tone is great but it is a tricky material..
hard to bend,,does not take a finish well..
outer veneer is extremely thin..good thing I decided to do a sunburst...all by hand with
little jars of dye..and hours of blending..
no spray gun here..

If anyone wants some advice or observations or a photo of the finished project or the construction photos step by step I'd be happy to oblige..I will in the next few weeks write a more complete instruction guide for the kit..

Paul did a great job of putting this together and he promised I would have a pro instrument if I took my time..he was right..thanks Paul.

I am definitely going to build another..
Though I am no threat to Scheerhorn..Mista Johnson..I got yo numbah.....
Debating on choice of woods..luckily I have a stash..most of it 20 years old from previous building days..

But by all means try it...if you screw some-
thing up..you can always call someone for help and spend a few dollars to replace a piece.
and if its a miserable mess. strip out the parts and start over...parts is parts..

Jeffs Sonic Productions Ltd.

manhild@internetcds.com