![Steel Steel](/uploads/1/2/5/6/125626041/444855428.jpg)
I'm in the process of building a Champion-style lap steel (the thread is around here somewhere.) i couldn't, for the life of me, find any PDF's or templates for any Fender lap steels online. I ended up finding a large, high-quality front-on photo of a Fender Champion and enlarged it in GIMP until it was the correct size. I kept track of known measurements that i WAS able to find (or already knew), like tuner post diameter, scale length, body width and length, etc. Once they all seemed to match up, i was able to get the rest of the measurements off of it. I used a pretty large hi-res photo, and i think i ended up blowing it up to about 127%. The quality didn't need to be super-clear, since i was just using it for measurements.
DIY Router Template S6 Lap Steel w/Palm Pedals 25' scale (click images for closeups.) There have many requests for a 6 String Lap Steel set up for the Palm Pedal units available for sale on the internet. This is a 1/4' thick Plexi Template for your pattern follow bit, you simply use 2 sided tape and get to work. Working on a 2X4 lap steel project for a young lady. This will be my new project for a printable steel guitar fret board!
The only measurement that's different on mine is that i believe the original necks on the Champions were 3' wide, whereas i made mine 2.75' wide. I just thought it looked better. I drew out a template, but ended up just making a bunch of layout lines on my wood and redrawing it by hand directly onto the wood to tweak a few little things here and there. It won't be an exact copy, but i wasn't going for total accuracy either. Search the Tele Home Depot forum for a thread titled 'Fender Champion-inspired Lap Steel' for build photos and details. I've taken a break from it for a week or two to catch up on some other things in life, but i'll be picking up the build again in the next few days.
Lap Steel Fretplate (fretboard Template) Plans - The Steel Guitar Forum Lap Steel Fretplate (fretboard Template) Plans Author Topic: Lap Steel Fretplate (fretboard Template) Plans THE FRETBOARD MEISTER unregistered posted 14 November 1999 07:39 PM I produce templates for GBDGBD resophonics in 6 scales G major,C major,D major,G blues, E blues, and chromatic.Check out my concept and products at www.fretplates.com. With some encouragement form Ted Smith @ Melobar I am begining production of some short scale Lap Steel Fretplates,initially in EBEG#BE tuning. I plan to start with Emajor,E blues,A major and Chromatic. B major, C# Blues would make sense since all the open string notes are availabe, but I wonder if most steel players could relate to the patterns.
I also would consider some other tunings if the demand is there. Let me know what you think the most common tunnings and scales would be needed.
This message was edited by THE FRETBOARD MEISTER on 11-15-99 Brad Bechtel Moderator From: San Francisco, CA posted 15 November 1999 08:45 AM This sounds like it could be a very good learning tool, especially if it can be applied and removed without harming the instrument. I'd suggest beside open G and open E tunings, that you consider C6/Am7, which is bass to treble C E G A C E. Brad's Page of Steel: A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars THE FRETBOARD MEISTER unregistered posted 15 November 1999 07:57 PM Thanks for the input Brad. The Fretplates are easily placed without harming the fretboard. I will considere the C6 tuning. What scales would be the most desirable in E and C6 tunings. Also how common is GBDGBD for steel players as opposed to resophonic pickers?
I use DADF#AD on my Weissenborn and am producing some fretplates for those in the full length size(24.5 in.). How likely are lapsteel players to use that tuning?
- Brad Bechtel Moderator From: San Francisco, CA posted 16 November 1999 08:48 AM Well, I use open D, open E, open G and C6/Am7 tunings on different lap steels, so I think if it doesn't cost you that much, it won't hurt to have them available in all tunings. Since open E and open D are the same tuning but one whole step apart, couldn't you just create a template that references the scale steps (1-8) rather than the notes (E-e or D-d)? - Brad's Page of Steel: A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars Bill Leff Member From: Santa Cruz, CA, USA posted 16 November 1999 09:42 AM In response to Brad's comment, I would respectfully disagree. I think it's far more useful to have the actual notes rather than the scale steps (for a given tuning) as it enables you to find other chords and scales for all keys in that tuning (rather than just the major scale notes for the tuning).
![String String](http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/ww18/nad-100/Lap%20Steel/Fretboard.jpg)
I also agree with Brad about the need for a C E G A C E (C6) tuning template. Sidebar: In the early days of the Java language, there was a freeware application available that showed the fretboard of a guitar. The app allowed you to specify the number of strings and the notes for each given string (a virtual steel guitar!). You could then tell it to display any scale for you and markers with the note numbers would appear on the fretboard over the appropriate string and fret position. You could also display chord forms for a very large number of types of chords (maj,min,7th,9th,11th etc).
This was a fantastic application and I wish I had a copy of it now (it's long gone). I can't find it anymore on the web. Anybody know what I'm talking about and have a copy? I'd be eternally grateful to you for sharing it with me. Thanks -Bill Bob Kagy Member From: Lafayette, CO USA posted 16 November 1999 01:43 PM This is something I've been looking for, and have resigned myself to trying a crude do-it-yourself project.
Right now, I'm learning notes on differently tuned fretboards using ClicTab output on paper. If you fulfilled all my needs, you'd be making one each for a C6th 10 string, E9th 10 string, 3 tunings on a 24 1/2' triple 8 string, and another 24 1/2' 8 string with different string spacing. I'm guessing your cost & trouble to meet all kinds of specific individual needs might tend to drive you a bit towards insanity.
So, assuming that's out of the question, could I talk you into selling me a blank to try out? No notes printed on it; I'll use grease pencil or something.
What are the dimensions if you're interested? THE FRETBOARD MEISTER unregistered posted 16 November 1999 08:58 PM It seems from Brad and Bill's observations that C6/Am7 fretplates are needed. I have so far finished getting the CAD work done on a blank for a 6 string fretplate that fits the scale length of the short Melobar lap steel. I have done the graphics for E major tuning. I can adapt the blank to other tunings but it is not economical to program the the commputer cutter to make less than 500 of any blank size.
I need about the same number of any given tuning and about 100 of any given scale overprint to justifiy the printing setup. So Bob I would be happy to provide blanks for you to play with if they have the dimensions of the two standards I currently am making. I would be willing to work on other sizes (and tunings) but I need to start with the most common. I need precise dimensions of any other fretboards that might be candidates for templates.I dont really know what the needs are in relative or absolute numbers of various formats for slide players. Incidently Bill, I would love to find that Java 'virtual steel guitar' program as well. Thanks for the input guys, Deloy Oberlin. This message was edited by THE FRETBOARD MEISTER on 11-16-99 This message was edited by THE FRETBOARD MEISTER on 11-16-99 bigmar unregistered posted 17 November 1999 05:31 PM Hey guys, I seem to remember that software (Virtual Steel Guitar).
But I'll be damned if I can find it. I use a similar software called Easyscale.
You can find it at Harmony Central. Just go to their homepage, click on 'Software', then 'Guitar'.
You can copy it to your wordprocessor and then edit it to your liking. I have assembled a template that pretty much matches my fretboard. Hope I was of some help. This message was edited by bigmar on 11-17-99 All times are Pacific (US) Administrative Options: Hop to.