Getting back in the saddle

[WineRider]

Hi everyone,
Just getting back playing after a long spell of back, arms and neck trouble. So now I'm a bit more mobile, I am making an 8 string lap steel. Using Merisier (Cherry) with a Noyer (walnut) fretboard, my version of a nutt and a solid steel bridge. I also had a friend turn me some brass tone bars of various diameters and a couple of stainless steel ones. The difference in tone is quite a surprise!!!
I have been able to take notice of all that's lap steel and although I love my 6 string C6th I now fancy joining the big boys with the added strings. I'll still use the C6th tuning as I have started to get real used to it. Still rubbish, but I enjoy the challenge.

WineRider

[nevada150]

Hello Winerider,
You mentioned the differences in tone from the bars your friend had fabricated. Could you expand on this and let us know the various qualities?
I have a C6 6 string and a C6 8 string, but play mostly on the 6 string. No doubt as I become more proficient I'll be able to explore the 8 string more. I have already realised there are much less "dashes up the neck" with the 8 string.
Regards.
Keith

[WineRider]

Hi Nevada,

I have suffered like most of us as we get older from all my accidents while racing motorcycles for a living and I have had trouble getting slides to suit me. So here goes:

18mm X 80mm High quality Brass hand polished using jewelers rouge. Tone is quite deep with nice sustain on the lower notes but not so good on strings 1 & 2. I find this one just a smidgin to narrow and my thumb gets in the way of the strings...its me not the slide.

20mm X 80mm High quality Brass with the same hand polishing. Tone is just a tad deeper than the 18mm and sustain is pretty well level across the whole strings. I like playing with this one.

18mm X 80mm Stainless steel again hand polished using jewelers rouge. Tone is far brighter with even more sustain across the all strings, but it does have a scratchier sound on the wound strings which isn't as noticable with the Brass slides. I have the same problem with this one as the 18mm Brass.

20mm X 80mm Stainless steel again with the hand polishing. Tone is even brighter and again for the 2mm extra dia. the sustain is increased not by much, but you can tell the difference. I also like using this one.

Now all this is my interpretation and evaluation...right or wrong, it's how I find it, but of course it isn't written in stone and others might use the same slides and come to different conclusions. As I have said on many occassions sound is personal and how you percieve it, I like the noise I make and I have to say many don't, but then again many do. I dare say the sound might change again when I finish the 8 string version since I going away from convention and using a Danelectro style lipstick pickup...this will raise a few eyebrows...tee hee hee!!!

WineRider