Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: FELINEGUITARS on December 14, 2011, 10:27:38 PM

Title: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on December 14, 2011, 10:27:38 PM
No - don't worry - not any risk of standards sliding - more a slight departure from our usual fretted wonders

A Lapsteel !
We've had this done for a while but since things got a bit hectic I neglected photographing it till now
We went for the hourglass shape - not unlike the ones you see Ben Harper playing
Colour-wise I thought it would be fun to get a Denim/blue jeans vibe going

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/LAPCAT/LAPCAT4.jpg)

It's made from solid alder and currently has a bit of a tele vibe to it .
We originally had a pair of Yardbirds in it but felt after trying it that we wanted more poke- hence we are trying her with some hotrails.
I am now thinking that Lapsteels sound best with P90s and I have a Nantucket P90 ready to go in the neck - may still experiment with the bridge - might try a Piledriver....

Here you can see the massive amount of alder going throughout the guitar
Typically the neck is huge and square in profile

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/LAPCAT/LAPCAT2.jpg)

The board is lined and we went for some bigger dots to help guide our way.
My colleague Graham has built a few more for fun for himself and has taken a more Les Paul vibe with mahogany and flame maple construction, and a p[air of Mississippi Queens. (my god - what a sound that makes)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/LAPCAT/LAPCAT5.jpg)

Couldn't resist getting an extra logo on the front of the neck - so the audience can see what it is too!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/LAPCAT/LAPCAT1.jpg)

The pearloid binding works nicely with the blue................and there is a certain womanly shape to the body :)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/LAPCAT/LAPCAT3.jpg)
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: Twinfan on December 14, 2011, 10:42:53 PM
That looks superb Jon - nice work!
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: 38thBeatle on December 14, 2011, 10:50:08 PM
Yep, I like that. Never played one and wouldn't know where to start but I like it anyway.
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: Philly Q on December 14, 2011, 10:59:09 PM
Yep, I like that. Never played one and wouldn't know where to start but I like it anyway.

Likewise!
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: Andrew W on December 14, 2011, 11:15:37 PM
Ooh that's a very pretty guitar. I reckon a Pilediver might do the trick, lap steels sound good to my ears with a thick, slightly compressed tone. Nice one.

I keep being tempted to try and make a lapsteel, not to your standard Jonathan, obviously, more a piece of 2x4 with some hardware. Like a posh Didleybow. Hmmm.
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: Kiichi on December 15, 2011, 12:01:31 AM
God, I wish I had more money...I really really do. Those design details and the look are amazing.

P-90s are a great idea, I definetly find them best for lapsteels too. I have a Gretsch with p-90 lying around (lot more collecting dust than getting played currently), though I want to switch the stock PU for something more compressed and ballsy. Thinking Pig-90 or  Supermassive. I can really see them working in a lapsteel for some reason. Especially the Supermassive.
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: Telerocker on December 15, 2011, 12:31:15 AM
Very nice guitar. The colour gives it a modern twist. I can't play slide very well though and probably never will, but admire people who can. Love Ry Cooders slidesolo on John Hiatts Lipstick Sunset.
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: WezV on December 15, 2011, 07:30:30 AM
nice - always liked the curves on a asher/solid weissenborn style of lapsteel - just haven't got around to making one yet


i put a 10k piledriver in one of mine.   iirc it was tims suggestion to get close to the original fender lap steel/broadcaster pickups

for those who dont think they could play one - lapsteel is much easier than playing slide on a normal guitar
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: James C on December 15, 2011, 08:42:06 AM
for those who dont think they could play one - lapsteel is much easier than playing slide on a normal guitar

I've only dabbled in slide playing, but i have to agree with this, kind of feels more natural IMO

Beautiful guitar Jon!
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: Philly Q on December 15, 2011, 09:43:23 AM
for those who dont think they could play one - lapsteel is much easier than playing slide on a normal guitar

I can see how it might be.... that said (of course) I can't play normal slide either!  :roll:  :lol:  

I have had a go, and quite enjoy it actually, but never bothered to go the whole hog of raising the nut/action and using heavier strings.
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: darkbluemurder on December 15, 2011, 10:20:32 AM
As a former dobro player in a bluegrass band and a big David Lindley fan for his work with Jackson Browne I love lap steels. Great stuff!

Cheers Stephan
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: Mr. Air on December 15, 2011, 12:56:50 PM
I know nothing of lapsteel guitars, but I must say that this one looks mighty fine. I love the colour as well!  :D
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: tomjackson on December 15, 2011, 02:20:34 PM


Ooh, that's lovely.

Nearly as nice as the lap steel I made!

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=21212.0
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: 38thBeatle on December 15, 2011, 07:23:37 PM
Hmmm- well that is encouraging Wez. I do play slide in the band and without wishing to sound immodest, have made a reasonable hash of it so maybe I should consider this as an option ( though not right now given the recent Taylor episode!).
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: dave_mc on December 15, 2011, 09:10:44 PM
ahahaha very nice :D
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: gwEm on December 16, 2011, 09:22:05 AM
that finish is lovely, would look great on one of your lions too!
Title: Re: LAPCAT - LETTING THINGS SLIDE AT FELINE GUITARS
Post by: AndyR on December 21, 2011, 08:50:17 AM
Just got round to viewing this - I was at work when you first posted it, and then I forgot all about it.

Wow! It looks even better than I'd been imagining! :D