My first Lapsteel build

First, let me apologize to the folks following my Blackguard thread. I am waiting for some hardware to come in before I can continue.

Anyway, back to the regularly scheduled program.

I have wanted to build a lapsteel for years, and now I finally get to make one.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4605.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4606.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4607.jpg

Went out in the country and bought a very nice cherry plank.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4653.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4652.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4654.jpg

Planed that sucker down smooth

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4655.jpg

Did a little band sawing.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4656.jpg

and routed out the perimeter

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4657.jpg

Then its on to the fretboard.

I thought ebony would look nice against that cherry.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4658.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4659.jpg

Added the lapsteel frets ( .020" white binding)

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4660.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4661.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4663.jpg

Here is a good use for that low angle block plane.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4664.jpg

Then I ran it across my jointer and sanded smooth.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4665.jpg

Looking good! I want a lap steel too...but I need to first learn how to build guitars...LOL.

cool, gotta keep my eye on this one!

Then I started laying out the dimensions on the board.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4666.jpg

Neck templates serve as great straight edges for routing.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4667.jpg

I didn't want this guitar to be just a simple plank of wood with some standard guitar hardware. So I am going to inlay the fretboard.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4668.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4669.jpg

This is most likely unneccessary, but makes me feel better.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4670.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4672.jpg

does it not require a truss rod?

Alright, another build to follow!

ignore that last post, i was i asked when you were uploading the photo's

Then its time to add some slot heads.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4673.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4674.jpg

Oh yeah!

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4675.jpg


I like the idea of the slot heads because I can point the tuner buttons up.

I am sure some of yall are picking up on a few inconsistencies in the guitar. That is because I am building two of these. The first is the prototype that serves as my learning curve, and the second is the one I will present to its new owner, Mr. A.C. Wescott.

Back to the prototype.

I used my lapsteel and tele templates to do some routing of relief cuts and cavities.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120722_174133.jpg

Colt, where can I locate a lapsteel pdf?

i saw this a while back Glen Smith http://www.buildyourguitar.com/resources/lapsteel/

Looks great Colt
THANKS

Colt, where can I locate a lapsteel pdf?

IDK, I drew mine out on a piece of paper using a ruler and #2 pencil.

nice!

thanks for sharing.

Koolaide

Now back to the black guard :rolleyes:

Thanks guys. I also found a few pdf's through Google.

Love it Colt. Your always an inspiration. Nothing like building something of your own design. I believe a lap steel will be my next step after i finish the two gits I have in the works. Is West Virginia got your creative juices flowing?
Dutch

does it not require a truss rod?
Never seen a lapsteel with one yet :smile:, doesn't mean you can't add them :wink:



Fine looking build Colt! :smile:

? Colt, did you slide those frets in as tradition dictates or use the press:)... hmmm well I haven't got a grasp quite yet huh.

Laps are very keen, Don't start noticing GAS old ones, you can go very broke trying to even collect a 1/2 dozen good ones. I was presented with a list this wekend by a serious collector... like 3-4000 pieces. His list, 2 pages maybe 60-70 steels , he's looking for and he has hundreds. Oh well.

One of the prettiest is the New Yorkers, National and later Supro got the B&W deco thing down perfectly. Fender did a good job, my personal favorite is an 8 string Dlx. single neck. EZ to carry and very lappable.

IMHO the lap has such a strong backbone that a truss rod might not even move anything?

This one looks very balanced and I do very much like the routed portions giving it layers. That is classy and has just enough history to give it a touchstone.

I would like to hear the Cherry wood sing if possible later.

enjoy, nice one for sure.

Not all that unusual to add a static bar to lapsteel necks. Epoxying in a piece of aluminum, steel or CF can add some stiffness and 'ring' to them.

Nice build Colt, I like the classic-inspire shape.

Very nice with the inlaid fretboard. Is the control cavity routed from the bottom?

Love it Colt. Your always an inspiration. Nothing like building something of your own design. I believe a lap steel will be my next step after i finish the two gits I have in the works. Is West Virginia got your creative juices flowing?
Dutch

Always helps when you have a nIcely equipped woodworking shop.

? Colt, did you slide those frets in as tradition dictates or use the press:)... hmmm well I haven't got a grasp quite yet huh.

Have to press these, if hi went in from the side, the glue would setup quicker than you could slide the binding through.

Very nice with the inlaid fretboard. Is the control cavity routed from the bottom?


Yes it is, and it's different than my drawing. I had a friend of mine look it over and make suggestions. I also chopped a few inches off the back.

The controls will be a chicken head blend knob, ebony dome volume and ebony dome tone.

Very cool project Colt . A while back I picked up a Rondo Lap Steel , just to play around with , one of these days I'll get to making one and this thread will come in handy :)

Very nice, Colt -- I keep trying to talk myself into building one (but do I really need another lap steel?). I like the design a lot -- retro but not old fashioned. Can't wait to hear how it sounds with Tele pickups.

Dang

DW

Colt...what's the scale...standard Tele??

25"

That is really sweet. I'd build one but I don't know how to play em. What am I saying? I can't play the guitar either and that never stopped me from building them. OK, I'll add it to the list.

Looking good! :grin:

Looking good! :grin:

Thank you sir. Looking at all your works of art lapsteels is keeping me on my toes.

Colt, Do you have any posts that show how you go from your drawing to a template that you can use as a guide for the router? I have a detailed drawing that I did that I like a lot and a nice piece of ash that I'm hesitant to risk cutting out freehand...

Any particular reason why you are going for a skinny string spacing like a tele at the bridge end?

Colt, Do you have any posts that show how you go from your drawing to a template that you can use as a guide for the router? I have a detailed drawing that I did that I like a lot and a nice piece of ash that I'm hesitant to risk cutting out freehand...

Yes I do. (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/260249-making-templates-custom-build.html)

Any particular reason why you are going for a skinny string spacing like a tele at the bridge end?

2 Reasons.

1. The string spacing and scale are going to be close to the new owners Dobro.

2. I am using a tele bridge.

Got some more done on the actual guitar tonight.

Drilled the string through holes and bridge mount holes using my guide block I had made several years ago. Its a very handy tool.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4680.jpg


Then I can use those holes and my centerline to index my pickup template to mark the location of the pickups,

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4681.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4683.jpg

Then I can route those out.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4684.jpg

* I did use my 3/4" mdf template to do the routing. Just didn't get a pic.

Then I went over to the drill press and drilled out the mounting holes for control pots.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4685.jpg

Then I laid out where my relief cuts go and where the fretboard goes.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4686.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4687.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4688.jpg


Didn't get a lot done on the lapsteel today because I was working on carving this top

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/Brian%20guitar/20120724_135612.jpg

That's Purdy!

Colt, the picture isn't doing justice. Are you sort of "pillowing" the top on the Tele?

Looks sweet.

Colt, the picture isn't doing justice. Are you sort of "pillowing" the top on the Tele?

Looks sweet.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/Brian%20guitar/20120724_125024.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/Brian%20guitar/20120724_133044.jpg

hey Colt, sure would like to see how you carved the steps if possible.

As always thanks for sharing.

Koolaide

Fantastic! Looking forward to seeing what pickups you put in it.

Got the main guitar fretboard installed today. Then it was on to routing all the relief cuts.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120725_192431.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120725_192541.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120725_194011.jpg

Add some abalone.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120725_204439.jpg

control cavity routes

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120725_213241.jpg

Then I applied some a coat of Tru Oil to get the finishing process started. I hope to install all the hardware and wire it up tomorrow.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120725_214749.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120725_215723.jpg

Wow, this is taking shape very quickly!

hey Colt, sure would like to see how you carved the steps if possible.

As always thanks for sharing.

Koolaide

Sorry, I don't have any progressive pictures for this step.

What I would do is take my tele perimeter template, and carve the outside down 3/8" at a time using a rabitting bit and flush trim bit. Then I would repeat the process till I had a series of templates 3/8" smaller than the next and so on. All the templates were indexed, and I routed the outermost carve 1/4" and each successive route about 1/16" lower. Then I took my horse shoeing rasp and softened the steps. Then I just smoothed it all up using my 1/4 sheet sander.

Carving the top didn't take all that long. Creating the templates was very time consuming.

Sorry, I don't have any progressive pictures for this step.

What I would do is take my tele perimeter template, and carve the outside down 3/8" at a time using a rabitting bit and flush trim bit. Then I would repeat the process till I had a series of templates 3/8" smaller than the next and so on. All the templates were indexed, and I routed the outermost carve 1/4" and each successive route about 1/16" lower. Then I took my horse shoeing rasp and softened the steps. Then I just smoothed it all up using my 1/4 sheet sander.

Carving the top didn't take all that long. Creating the templates was very time consuming.

Thanks Colt
Koolaide

Finished drilling all the holes for my tuners and electronics. Then put on a few more coats of Tru Oil. This thing is looking slick. Ill post some more pics tomorrow when I get it all together.

Here is the jig I have setup to drill the tuner holes straight.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120726_151851.jpg

Then I marked out the mounting holes and pretapped them.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120726_152332.jpg

Those are Grover tuners, and they are extremely well made. Very happy I went with them over the more expensive Schallers.

Those Grovers just exude quality. Solid and no-nonsense looking!

Those Grovers just exude quality. Solid and no-nonsense looking!

Id like to test them side by side with the Waverlys. The grovers are 40$, and the Waverlys are 150$. Hard to imagine the Waverlys actually being 110$ better, but they could be.

Id like to test them side by side with the Waverlys. The grovers are 40$, and the Waverlys are 150$. Hard to imagine the Waverlys actually being 110$ better, but they could be.


I guess they could be. Waverlys advertised that they're hand made, aren't they? That's gotta add cost, but I wonder how much quality/precision. If the machine is smooth, has no discernable backlash, and holds tune, what else do you need:confused: The Grovers you have on your lapsteel look like they are very well machined and would be very smooth.

** EDIT, I just thought of one thing more--appearance. The Waverlys all have engraved plates, I think, but that's not worth $110 to me. Nothing at all wrong with the way the Grovers look, either.

No, plane Waverlys are 150$. The engraved ones and the ones with fancy buttons are more.

They are used on all the high end dreadnaughts, so I suspect they aren't just a frivolous expense.

I think I got everything buttoned up on this thing now except for a tone capacitor. I had one ceramic cap laying around that I tried throwing in there, but it didn't work. When I tried to take it out, it crumbled.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120727_172200.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120727_172254.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120727_172239.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120727_172215.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120727_172303.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120727_145431.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/20120727_145423.jpg

The finish is pretty simple. I wiped it down twice with Tru Oil. Once that dried, I applied a thin coat of paste wax and buffed it with a towel.

It has a very nice natural sheen, but the tru oil and wax will provide good protection.

It may be just an optical illusion but the brass nut seems very high, making for high action. Can you post a side shot?

7/16" action.

Looks great Colt!!!!!!!! Can't wait to hear it can you get Hook to make a video and the 3 of you sign the bottom
THANKS!
A.C.

That turned out nice!

7/16" action.
That will serve you fine, anywhere between 3/8" and 1/2" is a good playable target. You can go lower, but too low and your picks can start hitting the deck and depending on the pickup, much higher can max out the pickups adjustment height.

Wow, you finished that fast! Looks great, you have some amazing skills.

I know nothing about lap steels (except that they look good) but is the high action because of the lack of frets?

Looks great Colt!!!!!!!! Can't wait to hear it can you get Hook to make a video and the 3 of you sign the bottom
THANKS!
A.C.

Your welcome. This was a fun project.

That turned out nice!


That will serve you fine, anywhere between 3/8" and 1/2" is a good playable target. You can go lower, but too low and your picks can start hitting the deck and depending on the pickup, much higher can max out the pickups adjustment height.

Thanks Tom. I just about ran out of adjustment on the bridge. Makes me feel better that I'm in range on the string height.

Wow, you finished that fast! Looks great, you have some amazing skills.

Thank you sir.

I know nothing about lap steels (except that they look good) but is the high action because of the lack of frets?

I think Tom's explanation fits. You have room for your picks.

Damn! Now I HAVE to start on one for myself! Awesome work Colt!

You should patent and sell your design.It's a real nice looking lapsteel.Super workmanship,like always

Thanks everyone.

Just wanted to add some more info on those Grover open gear tuners.

1. They are awesome.
2. They are really easy to string up. Never thought I would say that about a slothead. I just cut the string 2 tuner post long, put a kink in the end, stuff it in the hole, and wind like normal. The string don't slip and slide, and as much as I have been fooling with this thing today, I can tell they stay in tune really well.
3. The gear ratio and smoothness are second to none. I am really impressed. Even with the sideways deviation and extreme break angle, they work amazingly well. After I fine tuned the nut slots, there is no binding or jumping in the fine tuning at all.

I am thinking about building myself a guitar just so I can use some more of these tuners.

Sweet build Colt :smile:, makes me want to hide mine :lol:

That's a true work of art Colt. Very nice design. Great work like always. I'd like to hear it. I just might have to build one. I'd like to learn to play one. While we're at it, I'd like to win the lottery too.

Beautiful Colt , very cool , how's it sound ?

Eyeballing, maybe? add a small piece of black guard around the front PU, something deco looking? Some had very fine tough felt on the back, not saying do that just noting the way iit was done sometimes.

Would enjoy hearing it if possible. Nice build came out very well.

Dave we don't care if you hide yours, but please no BIG pics of yours... we all have one too ya' know:twisted: sheesh.

Nice Lap there Colt!

Beautiful Colt , very cool , how's it sound ?

Took it over to my buddy Hook Moore last night to try out. He picked around with it a bit, and I think it sounded very nice. He took it home with him, and I am going to ask him to help with a demo video.

That's a true work of art Colt. Very nice design. Great work like always. I'd like to hear it. I just might have to build one. I'd like to learn to play one. While we're at it, I'd like to win the lottery too.

Video should be coming soon.

Sweet build Colt :smile:, makes me want to hide mine :lol:

No need to hide.

Eyeballing, maybe? add a small piece of black guard around the front PU, something deco looking? Some had very fine tough felt on the back, not saying do that just noting the way iit was done sometimes.

Would enjoy hearing it if possible. Nice build came out very well.

Dave we don't care if you hide yours, but please no BIG pics of yours... we all have one too ya' know:twisted: sheesh.

I thought about doing some bakelite guards, but I didn't like any of my mock ups.

Nice Lap there Colt!

Thanks

Came out great, Colt. Nice work. Glad to read your comment on stringing it up -- I've never like slot heads because I find them hard to deal with. Sounds like the Govers make it simple.

Thanks for showing this build -- very impressive work.

Cool design... great workmanship... very nice.

Well done Colt.

That is cool!

Okay, my buddy Hook Moore posted a sound clip for the lapsteel. (http://soundcloud.com/hook-moore/tracks)

I especially like the tone on the second half of the recording.

Sounds great! That's such a simple instrument too! A plank of wood with some pickups, and a bridge and nut and some tuners. And the optional pot or two! Reminds me of the old diddly bo's I used to build with scrap 2x4

Looks great and sounds fantastic, Colt.

Took some good pictures before I sent it off.

Had to make a case for the lapsteel. I bought a nice Ar-15 case at Cabelas, carved out some relief cuts, and glued in some nice fabric.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4804.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4801.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4800.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4795.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4808.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4797.jpg

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm308/coltwknight/AC%20Wescott/100_4796.jpg

Very nice build Colt!!

Clean, simple, and gorgeous! :lol:

Awesome! Do you have a test-drive video?

Very nice. Do you think there will be any problem with the lacquer reacting with the foam in the case?

Very nice. Do you think there will be any problem with the lacquer reacting with the foam in the case?

No problem at all because there is no lacquer.

Awesome! Do you have a test-drive video?

Nope, just the sound clip I posted earlier.

D'oh....me don't can read so good.

Colt: That sounds excellent. I did not notice you'd posted a sound clip, but I played it and that lapsteel sounds sweet and mellow. Great job, sir.