How to build a 2x4 Lap Steel Guitar

[@ArkRed1]

Thanks so much for the plan for making a handle holder for a solid body guitar. I'll use it when I finish my Telecaster body. Keep up the good work.

[@StevenParente]

Thank you, and thanks for watching?

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Sounds really cool!

[@StevenParente]

Thank you!

[@StevenParente]

I really enjoy your channel.

[@ScrapwoodCity]

@@StevenParente thank you, nice to hear that

[@robholt54]

Are you married?

[@StevenParente]

@@robholt54 Yes! And she puts up with guitars, parts and tools lying around. Thanks for watching Robert:-)

[@sunn_bass]

I am using some of the design aspects for a piece of this build for a 2x4 piece of Limba that I have. I picked up some nice quartersawn Limba wood 2nds that have worm holes, and this is the perfect build for one of those. Mine will be a natural finish though. Nice build and inspiration. Thanks!

[@StevenParente]

That will look really good using the Limba wood. I'm looking for someone who can mill some local hardwoods for me. I'd like to offer a higher end model with a natural finish. Be sure to message me or post a video of your build when it's done. Thanks for watching!

[@WardWickford]

Very nice

[@StevenParente]

Thank you Ward! And thanks for watching. You've got a cool channel. Are those your songs and guitar playing? I subscribed.

[@WardWickford]

@@StevenParente Thanks for subscribing. Yes, those are my songs . I've been playing guitar for 25 years, and when COVID started, I started recording them and made vidoes. For Xmas I got a lap steel so I've been slowly learning to play that. Sometime soon I'll be posting a video of a lap steel song I've been working on.

[@StevenParente]

Very cool!

[@frankfarklesberry]

Hey @Steven Parente , you produced such a great video on how to upgrade a Squier Bullet, I'm hoping the same here. My future son-in-law just handed me yesterday a cheap Rogue RLS-1 that he gave up on trying to learn. I'm having a hell of a time trying to find any manuals or setup information before I get started learning. I'm famililar with most of the components from guitar playing, of course, but I don't know anything about SETUP - specifically string height and intonation method. You would think there's a Rogue manual onlihne for this, but can't find one anywhere?

[@StevenParente]

Hi Stan, I have one! I bought it to check out. They don't seem to have a manual, but works the same as most lapsteels. I started building my own laptseels after I bought it. I did upgraded the plastic nut to this chrome steel nut: amzn.to/3S7j2CK I wind pickups now and I might wind a better pickup for it... or I might just give it to one of my grandkids to get started. It's really a good starter lapsteel. There are some upgrade kits for a 22.5" scale length. See www.ebay.com/itm/125041810550 As far is playing the Rougue "as-is" the most important change is to buy proper lapsteel strings to match the tuning that you'd like to play, which are heavier than the floppy strings that rougue sends with them. The height of the strings are fine. I've found that there is a significant difference in strings for different tunings. For example, I've found that this set of strings: amzn.to/3CZGgGC are good for C6 tunings. And this set of strings are good for open E: amzn.to/3eEI7af (and so on). You can buy special sets and mix and match from Stringjoy.com. Buying a good tone bar that you feel comfortable is important. My favorite for most styles is a shubb-SP1: amzn.to/3g0MgFR It has a good grip for me and the weight is perfect for me. I also have a John Pearse Thermo-Cryonic tone bar that sounds beautiful, but I'm getting used to it. This is the slide the Cindy Cashdollar recommended and uses. It's a straight bar, so a little more advanced. Here's a link: www.steelguitarshopper.com/john-pearse-thermo-cryonic-tone-bar-small/ As for learning how to play, set-up Troy Brenningmeyer has an excellent KZbin channel (and podcast) for learning the lapsteel. You can start for free, but he also has very reasonably prices lessons with tabs. See: and kzbin.info/door/RDqZuzReFWUSuIYUGLCHpA and www.lessonswithtroy.com Another great small handbook to have around is: Slide Rules: Tunings for Lap Steel, Bottleneck, Resophonic, and Indian Slide Guitar, buy Andy Volk. amzn.to/3SeDzW8 That was also recommended by Cindy Cashdollar. You might be interested in the Rig Rundown: Asleep at the Wheel's Ray Benson & Cindy Cashdollar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHmzn2iwrbCKoNE I think I've given you enough to get started🙂I hope this helps and have fun!

[@StevenParente]

And thanks for watching my video!!!

[@frankfarklesberry]

@@StevenParente Super advice! Thanks!

[@shanemichaels8289]

Great build. What’s the measurement between the saddles and nut??

[@StevenParente]

Aloha Shane, the scale length for my 2x4 lapsteels are 22.5" (where the strings make contact on the nut, (not the nut flange), to the average contact on the bridge, (which is adjustable). If you buy or create the neck markers, it will also be in ratio to a 22.5" scale. I bought several templates and modified in Adobe Illustrator. I intend to make laptseels with other scale lengths. I bought my templates from Lap Steel Builder: lapsteel-builder.weebly.com/fretboards.html Also check out: www.georgeboards.com/parts.html. Thanks for watching!

[@Robutube09]

From the U.K. From where did you get the fretboard?

[@StevenParente]

I downloaded several sizes from the following link: lapsteel-builder.weebly.com/fretboards.html Then I modified with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and printed out adhesive Floor Decals from VistaPrint, which are very durable. Thanks for watching!

[@blueykoala2687]

Do you sell them? If so how much? (I'm in the USA)

[@StevenParente]

Thanks for asking. I was making and selling a few, but I need to find a place, or affordable monthly rent for a shop. where I can make a lot of noise and set up a little production line. I live in a condo. If I do, I'll message you. Thanks for watching. If you have any questions on making one yourself, ask anytime and links to most of the components are in the description, you just have to click the more link.

[@blueykoala2687]

@@StevenParente Thanks for your prompt reply, I'm 73 and always love the steel guitar but could never afford one

[@StevenParente]

@@blueykoala2687 Search online for this very affordable Rogue RLS-1 Lap Steel guitar. It has a good sound, with legs that screw into the body if you want it to sand alone instead of in your lap. And it comes with a case. They range from around $149 - $169. This was the first lap steel I owned. I upgraded it a little by adding a metal nut, which was really easy to do. You can find kits online to increase the scale if you want. I just sold mine in December. If you buy one of these, and you want to learn Hawaiian style steel, you'll need heavier strings for C6 open tuning, which is one of the popular tunings for Hawaiian steel. Something like these strings amzn.to/49H5E0N For other open tunings, a medium set would be good, like this: amzn.to/3UpunlW I found the Shubb - SP1 tone bar, to be the easiest one for me to learn with: amzn.to/4d6vqyE. Here's a great KZbin channel by Troy Brenningmeyer, to start learning. www.youtube.com/@LessonsWithTroy Pick up a good little practice amp and I think you'll have fun. Aloha!

[@blueykoala2687]

@@StevenParente Thank you so much, I will look for it.

[@blueykoala2687]

@@StevenParente I just look up the Rogue Steel guitar I bought one, thank you so much for you trouble doing that for me. You are a true gentlemen in helping an old man

[@DavidMorales008]

What nut did you use?

[@StevenParente]

I used a chrome L shaped nut. I'm experimenting with solid extruded aluminum. If you look under the comments, you'll see a fairly complete list of parts and tools I used. Here's the link for the nut I used on these two guitars. Yibuy Chrome L Shape Steel Guitar Nut - amzn.to/39M6TD9. Thanks for watching!

[@DavidMorales008]

@@StevenParente thank you so much

[@MrSlipknotsoulfly]

You’re using a 23” scale? Why is the nut at 22.5”? I’m about to do this but thought the nut had to be at 23”.

[@StevenParente]

Aloha Ryan, the scale length for my 2x4 lapsteels are 22.5" (where the strings make contact on the nut, not the nut flange, to the average contact on the bridge, which is adjustable). If you buy or create the neck markers, it will also be in ratio to a 22.5" scale. I bought several templates and modified in Adobe Illustrator. Intend to make laptseels with other scale lengths. I bought my templates from Lap Steel Builder: lapsteel-builder.weebly.com/fretboards.htmlCheck Also check out: www.georgeboards.com/parts.html Best wishes on your build and thanks for watching!

[@MrSlipknotsoulfly]

Steven, thank you! I got a wild idea to build one and just started buying parts based off a different guitar I saw with a different style bridge but I saw yours and bought that style. I bought a template for 23” so I just assumed they were all the same. I’m making mine from a slab of oak that I milled down to 2x4 actual inches and have already cut my frets and done the routing down the neck. I filled the cracks with different colored epoxy as well. I was thinking I’d stain the oak black but now that I’ve sanded down to 600 grit I’m really digging the natural color of the oak. It’s gotta be the right color to help the look of this thing. One thing I botched was drilling the tuners. I made the too close and had to file them down to make the fit. So not I’m thinking I’ll just make my own from fancy bolts instead…

[@StevenParente]

@@MrSlipknotsoulfly That's amazing Ryan, you've got to send a photo. An oak lap-steel! And a video of how it sounds if you can.

[@philhugill8458]

C'mon Pal, let's have some real music like Hank Williams Senior !!!

[@StevenParente]

Ha!😆 Thanks for watching Phil!