Well…this steel guitar is not actually TSA Certified, but at a length of 20-3/4 inches it does fit diagonally in a carry-on suitcase. I had built the first incarnation of this steel guitar a few years back when I had to go on a business trip and wanted an instrument to take along. I was only taking a carry-on so it had to be small enough to fit inside—it turned out to be a perfect fit.
Follow this link to the official project page for additional photos and build notes:
Thanks,
So…parts wise, I used an well worn level that I believe was used in conjunction with pouring concrete, since I spent a lot of time chiseling chunks of cement out its small nooks and crannies.
The strap is made from 41″ hook bungee. I cut the hooks off, drilled holes in the plastic ends of the bungee and each end of the level, and then attached it with zip-ties. It’s easily removed—just cut the ties and then zip-tie it back on when desired.
Another quick and dirty for your listening pleasure:
All in all this four-string steel guitar turned out pretty decent, though it could benefit from higher action for better playability. I recently entered it in a local build contest at the St. Louis MO Cigar Box Guitar Club and won a Boss RC-50 Loop Station that was formerly owned by cigar box guitar virtuoso Justin Johnson-very cool.
A couple months ago, I built lap steel guitars with six students at a local elementary school. One of my professors had invited me out to guest speak for her gifted and enrichment class; so I discussed how pickups work, showed them my baseball bat guitar, and then we built some rockin’ guitars.
I had drilled and finished seven boards, and then outfitted them with a 1/4 inch jack and my very own 9 volt adapter pickup. The rustic finish was the result of a mixture of vinegar and steel wool that had been corroding in a jar for the past couple of years. It brushed on fast and then turned out like this over night.
The students chose their lumber and then we got started. First, they screwed in four eyebolts and inserted two bolts that would serve as the bridge and the nut.
Then, the they screwed down the slotted angular piece that would later hold the eyebolt tuners.
Next, they screwed in the six screws that would hold three strings tight over the nut.
Each student added the three eyebolts and nuts that would tune the guitar.
Each guitar was personalized with artwork and some even earned a name.
The students added the strings and I tuned them up.
I had two amps set up and they all took turns playing their steel guitars with their
Cu63 copper slides.
That’s it—a few hours spent building guitars with a bunch of fun and creative students.
Thanks,
Hi,
I’m here at Orlando Airport waiting for a flight back to St. Louis. I was at a management seminar over the past few days and had originally designed this guitar for the trip, so that I would have an instrument to play during the down time.
I call it a carry-on electric slide guitar because it is 20 inches in length and designed to fit diagonally across a carry-on sized suitcase. It worked well and though I brought a distortion pedal and mini amp, I really only needed my iPhone, the GarageBand app, an iRig interface, and a pair of headphones.
The bench image is early, as I have since moved the strings closer together and added a 1/4″ jack, but I will likely install three strings on the on the finalized model.
There will be more to come.
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Junk Shop Audio 