23" scale model fretboard for lapsteel

[harry sibum]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum, and I made a drawing plan for my first 6-string lapsteel; hope I can attach a few pics. Now what really is a problem for me is the 2-octave fretboard, I have not got a clue how to work this out. Anyone out there willing to help me with a good drawing or something similar? All suggestions are welcome!

Thanks a lot in advance!
Harry Sibum, BOSKOOP, The Netherlands

[harry sibum]

more pics

[harry sibum]

more pics 2

[harry sibum]

I forgot to add: I am planning to make the body out of 7/8" flamed maple, and add a fretboard of approx. 1/4" out of rosewood. Art deco style machineheads, and a tele pu and control console. What do you all think?

Greetings, Harry

[Allan]

Hello Harry,

Have a look HERE and let me know if this would help...
I have drawings for a range of scale lengths. I will need an email address if you want the drawings as I can not send attachments through the forum...

Regards, Allan.....

[Allan]

Harry, you may want to take another look at your machine head. The strings come off of the tuners at a tangent, not from the center of the post as you have drawn them. I don't know which tuners you intend to use but it would be a good idea to allow for that on your drawing before you start cutting and drilling.

[harry sibum]

Hi Allan,

Yes, I noticed that today! I made a new headstock drawing today, allowing each tuner on either side 3 mms more space (diameter axis = 6 mm). Wonderful eagles eyes you have! Thanks a lot!

Best wishes,
Harry.

ASA I finished the project I'll show up with some pics though it might last a few weeks. I take it easy, thinking it all over and over again.

[azureskys]

Real sharp eyed Allen , i didnt notice till you mentioned it . Russ

[Allan]

Nah, sharp memory if anything. I have made every possible mistake in the book so I only have to remember them.....

[harry sibum]

Hello everyone,

My lapsteel, Canal House, is finished. I would like to show you all some pics. I made it out of laminated hardwood just for a try, inexperienced as I am. Did not want to waste some precious maple the first time, you never know. Anyway, I am very proud of the result: lots of sustain, nice mellow sound, this inspite of having used a Tele pu.
Fretboard out of a piece of 3 mm oak veneer which tended to crumble as soon as I tried to drill holes in it. For that reason, no abalone inlays but just some brass furniture nails. Simple but it serves the purpose.

Allan, thanks again for your immediate spontaneous help!
And, next time i shall build a lapsteel out of the real wood, with proper inlays aso.

All the best,
Harry Sibum
The Hofner House