|
Author
|
Topic: How many frets do we really need on a lapsteel?
|
Malcolm Leonard
Member From: Rhode Island, USA
|
posted 28 August 2005 02:18 AM
profile send email edit
I am making a replacement mahogany fretboard for a lap steel that came from the factory with a cheap looking painted-on board.
If I settle for two and one half octaves worth of frets,(as opposed to a full three)I will have enough free space up at the "business end" of the neck to mount two pickups and thus be able to experiment with pickup switching and various tone control circuits.
How many of you actually ever play up above two and one half octaves?
Thanks,
Malcolm |
Rick Alexander
Member From: Florida, USA
|
posted 28 August 2005 03:31 AM
profile send email edit
My Supros have 28 frets, and my Ricky BD6 has only 24.
I'm okay with that. 
RA
|
Billy Gilbert
Member From: Texas, USA
|
posted 28 August 2005 03:40 AM
profile send email edit
Grandpa Jones said he played the banjo for 50 years and never got past the 5th fret, so you should be able to get by with two and a half octaves. You are mostly guessing up that high anyway.  |
Richard Brandt
Member From: Waymart, Pennsylvania, USA
|
posted 28 August 2005 06:57 AM
profile send email edit
It's not usual to play up as high as the 24 th.fret but it's nice to have it if you need it |
Stephan Miller
Member From: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
|
posted 28 August 2005 07:58 AM
profile send email edit
Malcolm-- with 2 1/2 octaves, you're talking about 30 frets? That's more than enough IMO (24 frets is usually plenty). Leave yourself enough room for the 2 pickups and make sure the design maintains right hand comfort for the way you play...and share the result! |
Rick Aiello
Member From: Berryville, VA USA
|
posted 28 August 2005 08:57 AM
profile send email edit
I sounded a note at the 19th fret ... Once  ------------------
Aiello's House of Gauss
My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield
|
Dan Sawyer
Member From: Studio City, California, USA
|
posted 28 August 2005 11:21 AM
profile edit
I like having more than 24 position markers. Not for playing with the bar, but for chiming harmonics. It's much easier to see where they lie. |
Chuck Fisher
Member From: Santa Cruz, California, USA
|
posted 30 August 2005 11:23 PM
profile send email edit
I agree with Dan. Frets for harmonic pulling.BTW, 2 mini-strat hunbucking pickups mounted near bridge gives a lotta combinations in a small space. |
The Steel Guitar Forum
