Grandma’s homebrew straight steel

[dukewellington]

A coworker’s grandma passed away a few weeks ago and she was selling her old instruments. A lot of workhorse stuff, well worn, as grandma played country out here on the plains for a long time. I was impressed with how earnest it all was, even if it wasn’t under-the-bed nocaster caliber. She was a working musician, evidently, and used what worked.

I bought this straight steel for $50. What say you, TDPRI? I was excited. That’s turquoise metal flake paint on a piece or worked particle board, with a melamine fretboard print. The dots are hand drawn and the whole thing is a mystery. My stable is filled with quirky, weird junk that sounds great. This is no exception.

What’s the deal with the pickup? Zero experience with DeArmonds here.

 

[davo8411]

That is cool. Hope someone can give you some info on it.

 

[Shango66]

Pickup alone is worth the $$.
I’m part of FB group , lap steel lunatics.
There’s a lot of knowledge on that page to help give you some info on it.

 

[dukewellington]

Pickup alone is worth the $$.
I’m part of FB group , lap steel lunatics.
There’s a lot of knowledge on that page to help give you some info on it.

Right on. I’ve got four lap steels so probably qualify… I’ll join up.

See if my $5 membership on the Steel Guitar Forum is still good, too.

From what she told me, the guitar body is homemade and the whole was cobbled together from parts of a few different guitars. Makes me wonder what instrument got robbed of its DeArmond back in the day?

 

[Shango66]

@dukewellington
Lapsteels tend to gather at my place too, all the different tunings need another steel!
Well Grandmas fret stickers are just crying out for an E tuning
Enjoy

 

[Smokin OP]

Wow! That's beautiful!!!

 

[crazydave911]

Fabulous , I mostly play in C6 tuning and am itching to play that! I love it, AS is

 

[dukewellington]

Fabulous , I mostly play in C6 tuning and am itching to play that! I love it, AS is

I’m partial to dobro tuning in G but is all sweet. I’ve got a Silvertone maybe by Valco that I tune to C6.

 

[crazydave911]

I’m partial to dobro tuning in G but is all sweet. I’ve got a Silvertone maybe by Valco that I tune to C6.

SaWEET!