Steel Guitar Builder

Pat. I would recommend you get a robust little "Mill -Drill type of mill. Even a free-standing regular mill doesn't take up any more space than a regular drill press. Then you get yourself a rotary table. It will do the work of a lathe, for the few lathe operations needed in steel building. Amen to...

The Carter site has some handy rodding charts that you might be able to use to get close with those Blanton-style bellcranks

http://www.steelguitarinfo.com/rodding/ ... ystem.html

http://www.steelguitarinfo.com/rodding/roddinge9c6.html

Heck, you'll be able to change that copedant in no time at all. Maybe Zane King's ideas'll take root and become the new standard. Then you won't have to lift a finger! Reading his ideas next door have me wondering if I want to re-engineer the changer and keyless head I'm working on. 'Course then I h...

Well, seems to me that it'd simply be a 12-string steel. 4 & 5 is fairly common. You could offer buyer's choice of setup -- Universal 12, Extended E9, E6/9, etc -- if you ever decide to sell.

Stewart-MacDonald has layered pickguard material.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Pickguards/ ... erial.html

You could also extend the top plates (decks) above the level of the end plates, like a 'Bud round front.

edit -- Oops, never mind. Should always completely read the first post before I reply!!!

Yes, once it's set, you're golden.

From a fabricator's perspective, it certainly seems a lot easier -- cut some round stock; drill a hole offset; bolt it to whatever you're holding your cross shaft to your body with; Viola, you got yourself a stop adjuster!

What the hell, I might use it on mine!

Scott -- I'm currently playing a Sierra S-10 with those style stops. I personally hate 'em. Quite fiddly to get the allen wrench up in there and get things set where I want them. I find it much easier with the old setscrew/locknut configuration.

Scott -- I do a lot of electrical work for a local powdercoater and he does work for me gratis.

Unfortunately that chrome powdercoat doesn't look much like chrome. Sure as hell looks good in the ads, though!!!

David -- I have all this that I don't think I'm going to use. Still needs a bit of fabrication. I could do that for you if you're interested. Send me a PM if you are.