Saturday, February 16, 2013

Lap Steel from start to finish

My dear hubby with try anything once.
He loves to create and build things.  And over the past couple of years he's discovered an interest in building musical instruments.  He has bought several guitars, a drum set, a keyboard, a harmonica, and a few other things.  But recently, he has discovered Lap Steel Guitars.  

Before Christmas, he decided to build one, just to see if he could. 
He didn't bother being fancy with the first one, in fact it was never even coated, just raw wood.
But, it plays pretty music, so he decided to build another one.


Here is the glued up blank, walnut center, maple white strips, and 
cherry outer wood.
I didn't get photos of the 
cutting process. 
But here
it is before it was strung, beside the original one, 
notice the markings, to show the fret numbers on the prototype.

Drilling to secure the pegs, so he can string it.

And the finished product being tested.
After the strings set for awhile, and stretched,
he retuned it, and it sounds much better.




3 comments:

Jettie said...

And if you wonder, no that isn't his best shirt, lol, he has some with many more holes.

Patty Patterson said...

So cool! My son is musically inclined and would love one of those.

NanaDiana said...

That is really quite a process, Jettie. He does beautiful work and I do hope you can get Stephen to play it so we can hear it- xo Diana