New 8 string - first build

Kim Turnbull · Post by **Kim Turnbull** » 29 Jul 2022 2:08 am

My first guitar build. All the wood is from a stash of off-cuts gathered over the years. Much new learning - now on to the next one! Comments and constructive criticism welcome.

Wayne Brown · Post by **Wayne Brown** » 29 Jul 2022 2:54 am

now that's cool...i like what you did with the frets
thanks
wayne

Samuel Phillippe · Post by **Samuel Phillippe** » 29 Jul 2022 6:42 am

Very nice, Looks great. How does it sound?

Greg Forsyth · Post by **Greg Forsyth** » 29 Jul 2022 11:42 am

Well done Kim, I like the copper fretwire as well. Please let us know about your tuning, scale length and also about the key head assembly and kind of PUP you're using.

Kim Turnbull · Post by **Kim Turnbull** » 30 Jul 2022 2:24 am

Thanks for the comments. Inlaying the 8 gauge copper into the teak fretboard was the first step in the process; picked a 24" scale - matching my pedal steels - based on my abiding respect for Eddy Fulawka. I modified the (Brisco) key head/roller assembly from a 10 string to 8 and used Grover mini's. The pickup is a Lollar Console Grande. Nice tone, good mid-range and sustains forever. Took it to a guitar heavy jam last week with 2 electrics, 3 acoustics and a drummer and it had no problem cutting through with it's own distinctive voice. I strung it with a 12 -36 gauge set to an E diatonic tuning - b e f# g# b c# e g# - mostly because it's what I know but I plan to experiment with other tunings.

John Sims · Post by **John Sims** » 30 Jul 2022 4:31 am

Beautiful! Awesome build!

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 30 Jul 2022 5:04 pm

Why the roller nut?

Kim Turnbull · Post by **Kim Turnbull** » 31 Jul 2022 8:52 am

John Sims wrote:Beautiful! Awesome build!

Thanks John.

Kim Turnbull · Post by **Kim Turnbull** » 31 Jul 2022 9:00 am

b0b wrote:Why the roller nut?

The design motivation was aesthetic - not technical. Chose the key head to somewhat emulate the tuner tray systems like the 50's Stringmaster's and others, and allow for a completely flat underside. I didn't see any downside to using the integrated roller system so kept it. I think it gives the instrument a bit of a pedal steel guitar vibe. Thanks for asking. Kim