I did't know that.  I'll do some internet research on those.

LOL...yea...I didn't want to destroy my artwork by cutting a hole in the guitar.  So on the top it went.  It could be prettier though.  I could even mount a commercially made single coil or humbucker like that.

I will Ben. I'm going to upload some soundfiles today or tomorrow of the pup. Really well defined sound out of it. I have a new found respect for underpowered pups.

Ben...I took your advice and tried the RS mag wire.  I actually used a ceramic magnet from RS and glued a top and bottom plastic piece to it essentially making a thin bobbin out of the magnet.  The resistance and inductance was pretty low, even with 200 feet of mag wire.  The thin pickup will just fit under the strings as the action is pretty high anyway.  I've  yet to hook it up and will try that in the next few days.  I have a tube screamer that might make a good preamp for the pickup.  I've got some stronger neo magnets on order and will try the same wire with those...maybe the inductance will be greater.  Thanks again for the advice.

Ben:

 

I saw where you had used Radio Shack magnetic wire for making a pickup.  Can you spare me some details.  I'm a ham radio operator and have used Radio Shack magnetic wire to wind inductors for radio use.  What gauge, how much wire, magnets, etc??

 

Thanks,

 

Bill

Hey, Ben.  I want to hear your version of Pallet.  I like Doc, but don't recall his version.  Wait a few days an post it.

 

Faves of mine with Doc are Milk Cow Blues and I Am A Pilgrim.

  John

I got a simple percussion loop worked out. Want me to email it to you?

Sound advice! Thanks! I've actually had my eye on a splurge-buy for some time: the Robert Johnson Slide Bar...

http://www.amazon.com/BigHeart-Robert-Johnson-Legacy-Bronze/dp/B0002GL4VQ

Howdy, Ben. Got any good tips for making a lap steel build? I've been researching them and the build seems pretty straight forward, but I always like to ask if other people have any suggestions that they learned early on in their own builds...

Thank you Ben for responding. Yes, definitely each tuning offers it own unique voice too. Currently, I am working with a system of movable chords based on a 513 interval, but there are five other possibilities too, that can be used as a basis for building a moveable chord system: 531, 315, 351, 135, 153. Talk about options! Enjoy.

Thank you Ben for your comment. I believe you are totally correct in regards to traditonal tenor tuning. Notice the traditional is only in front of the word "banjo". My approach of tuning a tenor banjo / guitar to open G Dgbd comes from appying my knowledge to the instrument. My point is simply that it is not necessary to learn all new fingerings to play a wide variety of instruments. If you restring an instrument, and retune it to a tuning that you have a working knowledge of, you can get the unique tone the instrument offers. A ukulele can be open tuned too. Enjoy.

Thanks Ben. I bought that resonator for $120 at a little music store in NC. It sounded ok at first. Then I took it apart, cleaned it, sanded the ledge that the cone rests on, adjusted the spider, etc. Mostly followed the Stewmac setup guide.

After the setup, the tone was *fantastic*. Has the volume and dynamics of a reso, but more of an open woody sound, closer to an acoustic guitar. This reso has no sound well, I think that is a lot of the reason for that tone. So far, haven't been able to capture the tone well in a recording. Don't have a condenser mic.

While I had the reso apart, decided to refinish the back, which was badly chipped paint. Sanded off the paint down to the wood (laminate, which is easy to accidentally sand through the first layer). Then just put on tung oil finish, no stain. Maybe one day I'll do something like that with the rest of the guitar.

Maybe we can meet one Saturday at Archie Edward's Barbershop jam. I'll bring the reso. I've only made it there once, trying to get back some time. Won't be able to make it this Saturday, maybe next.

Hey Ben. I know you've been organizing some kind of CBG building for your students. Just ran across a related article -- B. B. King with a Cigar Box Guitar. They worked with C. B. Gitty for parts.

Thank you Ben. Yes, it is basically the 513 (Dgb) triad that makes moveable chords easy and possible. The series I am working on now is essentially the same thing, but focused on 3 string CBG tuned ADF# (513) Same intervals, different key. My presentation is going to be easy and clear. A book will be on the CD providing an introduction to musical theory. I am attempting to make the essential guide to playing 3 string CBG. Stay tuned. Enjoy.

Thanks for the advice!

I left a comment, but I forgot to suggest, try a capo on the second fret. Also try using heavier strings and tune down a whole step. Enjoy.

Thank you Ben for your comment. I do not cut down my thumbpicks. I like to use Golden Gate extra heavy. I wear it on my thumb pad. I have seen many players wear them higher up like a thumb ring. I have a very wide thumb, so this brand fits best. Plastic picks stay on better than metal. Also, metal picks can be slightly noisey in a recording situation. I prefer the old style thick plastic Gibson fingerpicks. www.elderly.com carries a wide selection. Considering they are relatively inexpensive, experimenting with different brands is a good way to go. Enjoy.

Thank you Ben for your comment. You know how it is...the camera is never around when you really need it. LOL Enjoy.

I'm on that video for about 3 seconds about 1/2 through it. I go from 1 to 3 times a month. More in the winter :-).