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Author
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Topic: Converting a strandard acoustic to lap steel
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Malcolm Leonard
Member From: Rhode Island, USA
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posted 09 January 2006 05:32 AM
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In days gone by,converting a spanish guitar into a more or less "poor man's Dobro"was often done by placing a higher,accessory not atop the stock nut and retuning the guitar to (I guess) G major.
Two questions please:
Does this conversion place extra,undesirable stresses on the neck or bridge,or whatever of a guitar designed to use light gauge strings only?
And,is it customary to installl a higher bridge saddle when doing this conversion?
Thanks,
Malcolm |
Malcolm Leonard
Member From: Rhode Island, USA
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posted 09 January 2006 05:36 AM
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Oops!Did not mean "strandard" guitar;meant standard!Gotta give up those all night picking sessions and get some sleep!Gettin to old for that stuff!
Malcolm |
Keith Cordell
Member From: Atlanta
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posted 09 January 2006 06:07 AM
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You might want to check out Kelly Joe Phelps video, or any of the articles written about his setup. He uses a Gibson J-45 with a riser nut and makes some great music with it |
Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
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posted 09 January 2006 07:03 AM
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A higher saddle couldn't hurt but yes, it does produce extra strain on a roundneck instrument that could eventually warp the neck. That's why squarenecks were invented. People have been using nut extenders for 100 years so, depending on the specific instrument, I wouldn't advise you not to try it. But I wouldn't put a nut extender on a high-end guitar. You can still find cheap acoustic squarenecks - Bernunzio just sold a nice Oahu for under $200. Personally, that's the tack I'd take. |
Steinar Gregertsen
Member From: Arendal, Norway
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posted 09 January 2006 07:25 AM
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Malcolm, I have a '30s May Bell parlor guitar set up with extension nut and tuned to open-D, and never had any problem with it,- it sounds sweet.  Steinar ------------------
www.gregertsen.com
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Fred Kinbom
Member From: Brighton, UK
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posted 09 January 2006 07:37 AM
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Malcolm,I bought a round-neck Oahu acoustic lap slide from the 1930s on eBay for only $81 - it has an extension nut and aluminium bridge by default and sounds great! The neck is warped and the top too, and it could never be used as a standard guitar, but as a "poor man's dobro" it is great value for money. Fred[This message was edited by Fred Kinbom on 09 January 2006 at 07:39 AM.] |
Malcolm Leonard
Member From: Rhode Island, USA
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posted 11 January 2006 12:15 AM
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Just wanted to thank all who answered this post.
Malcolm |
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