Learning to Play a Six String Lap Steel

[Taylorplayer]

Please see next post

[Taylorplayer]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

Did you take the old '50s Gretsch Electromatic as your body shape model? It looks that way, right down to the headstock. I happen to like it, by the way.

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

Bob

Bob - thanks for the nice compliment! The instrument is very "Gretsch like". I actually purchased a set of plans here http://http://crystalforestmandolins...teelplans.html

I was very satisfied with the plans and the correspondence with regard to them. I highly recommend them.

The top is one piece of 3/4" spalted Hard Red Michigan Maple. The bottom section is two 3/4" pieces of Black Walnut that I (hand) joined together.



I've been "trying my hand" at instrument building for a couple of years now. One thing I can say for sure: I have learned a lot in the process.

Thanks again -
Will

[Bob Womack]

Here's the modern Gretsch take on the '50s Gretsch:



You can see where I got the idea...

Bob

[Taylorplayer]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

Here's the modern Gretsch take on the '50s Gretsch:



You can see where I got the idea...

Bob

Absolutely! Thanks for sharing the information and the pics.

[tdq]

Originally Posted by syrynx

Here's a lesson which, once you've fully absorbed it (which might take minutes or months, depending upon your grasp of harmony theory), will take you a long way into being able to play. Eddie Rivers is tuned to A6, but the principles and the bar movements work in C6 or any other sixth tuning.



This clip shows just a fraction of the power of a sixth tuning. That power stems from the fact that it includes both major and minor triads at every fret, and a minor triad is the top three notes of both a major seventh chord and a ninth chord. Additionally, easy bar slants make available both augmented and diminished triads.

Good luck! And welcome to the slippery slope...

Wow what a revelation. I have a weissenborn and usually play in D or G. I'd dabbled with C6 but decided that yet another tuning was too much. This video has made me reconsider, I just might have to try it again!

[mstuartev]

on my weissenborns I play in D and G (C and B on the baritone). Although I do play with a sound hole PU at times, my hammer on/off style works great in these tunings. One Weiss I had came with a Steve Dawson C6 Weissenborn DVD. Dabbled a bit but Open D really called me. I think the electric steel sustain lends itself to the steel staying on the strings, hence C6 preference. Plus on the Weiss, my low string is heavy ( 58 - 64).