Custom 2 pickup Clinesmith cast aluminum lap steel

David DeLoach · Post by **David DeLoach** » 3 Apr 2023 3:20 pm

I couldn't decide on a Bigsby or Horseshoe pickup on my cast aluminum Clinesmith, so I asked Todd build me a steel with both.

Each pickup has its own concentric volume/tone knob which allows me to use either pickup, or blend them together while tweaking each pickups tone.

It has short scale and the wide string spacing.

Haven't plugged it in yet - in a meeting for a couple more hours. Can't wait to see what tones come out of this instrument.

Thanks Todd!!!

Noah Miller · Post by **Noah Miller** » 3 Apr 2023 4:01 pm

Very cool! I imagine the horseshoe is way louder than the Bigsby; is there any issue with balance when both are on?

Jim Fogarty · Post by **Jim Fogarty** » 3 Apr 2023 6:59 pm

Noah Miller wrote:Very cool! I imagine the horseshoe is way louder than the Bigsby; is there any issue with balance when both are on?

I see he's got dual concentric pots, so shouldn't be a problem to run the horseshoe at the same volume as the Bigsby.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 3 Apr 2023 9:05 pm

Hi David,
You are gonna love it.
Nothing sustains line a Clinesmith aluminum lap steel. Wonderful tone also...
I've had the same 22.5" with just one Bigsby type PU for 5 years and it's a great guitar.
We made the custom Kool Cat inlay....
I also made the steel pick guard when I saw my picks were hitting where I played it.
Best wishes,
Andy

Allan Revich · Post by **Allan Revich** » 3 Apr 2023 10:19 pm

Very cool instrument! I absolutely love my Clinesmith. I have no doubt that you will love yours too. Congratulations.

Noah Miller · Post by **Noah Miller** » 4 Apr 2023 2:21 am

Jim Fogarty wrote:
Noah Miller wrote:Very cool! I imagine the horseshoe is way louder than the Bigsby; is there any issue with balance when both are on?
I see he's got dual concentric pots, so shouldn't be a problem to run the horseshoe at the same volume as the Bigsby.

Balancing pickups with pots is a tricky business - I really meant whether they could be balanced when the volumes are both up.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 4 Apr 2023 3:54 am

Beautiful!

Nick Fryer · Post by **Nick Fryer** » 4 Apr 2023 5:52 am

That is incredible! I bet you were really focused on work during that meeting waiting to plug that baby in! Ha!

Please give us the full report on all the sounds that you get out of that combination.

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 4 Apr 2023 1:26 pm

That's the guitar!

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 4 Apr 2023 2:41 pm

That's a serious steel guitar

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 5 Apr 2023 1:48 am

I have that model and I agonized over the choice of pickups, eventually deciding on the horseshoe. I never even considered getting both! Owning a Clinesmith is like driving a high-performance sportscar. Amazing instruments. Enjoy yours!

David DeLoach · Post by **David DeLoach** » 5 Apr 2023 3:43 am

I was a bit curious how the shorter scale would feel. But man, it just feels great!

Tim Toberer · Post by **Tim Toberer** » 5 Apr 2023 5:16 am

Gorgeous instrument! What is the string spacing and scale length? I have only played 22 1/2" guitars with 3/8" spacing. I really like that combo.

Mark Helm · Post by **Mark Helm** » 6 Apr 2023 2:29 am

WOW! You really went for it!

Been thinking about you, man! We need to get together again soon. Hope all's well in DeLoach Land!

Mark Helm · Post by **Mark Helm** » 6 Apr 2023 2:31 am

David DeLoach wrote:I was a bit curious how the shorter scale would feel. But man, it just feels great!

I'm a 22.5" man all the way. Slants are far easier!

David DeLoach · Post by **David DeLoach** » 6 Apr 2023 4:39 pm

Oh my gosh! I FINALLY got time to sit down with this steel and really play.

I don't know if I'll ever buy or play another steel. This Clinesmith sounds as good as it looks - and I'm just getting used to it.

And yes, Mark Helm, we are definitely overdue to hang out.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 6 Apr 2023 8:05 pm

I’m so glad you love the steel! It looks like it’s going to be fun getting comfortable on. I like having the horseshoe, which I don’t have on any Clinesmith yet, but then having Todd’s blade pickup in a sweet spot, that’s gonna be sweet.

A reason I’m considering my next steel to be a short scale is not for the slants, but because of the slight rubbery-ness of the strings with less tension. Even though I use custom gauges, for the short scale, if you have the standard gauge, the slight floppiness of the string is there. I’m kinding of falling in love with that right now. It makes me really have to rein in my heavy handedness.

Enjoy that guitar and let us know when you have some clips.

Mike Harris · Post by **Mike Harris** » 7 Apr 2023 7:23 am

I use 24.5 scale in order to have uniformity with my dobro, but I agree with what Mike says about short scale string tension and the way it feels. Maybe I need to re-think scale length on my electric. Or go to a lighter gauge string.

Joe Cook · Post by **Joe Cook** » 9 Apr 2023 3:32 pm

That is a dream guitar, David! I don't own one yet but one day... Enjoy and I agree that short scale guitars just feel better for me.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 10 Apr 2023 9:15 am

Told you David!
And now here you are in love again...

Mike Neer mentioned string gauges.
When I got my first Clinesmith aluminum lap steel like yours I'd asked Todd to set it up for A6th.
(The same strings work just as well for C6th by re-tuning 4 strings a 1/2 step each)
These were the gauges he used. At first glance I thought them too heavy, but I liked them, both the feel and tone. Todd knows his stuff.

Top Down
E .16
C# .18
A .22P
F# .28W
E .32
C# .36
A .46
F#/E .56

The only change I've made is I now prefer using Flat wound Strings rather than the Round wound.
Smoother to the touch and I like a good warm bottom.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Custom 2 pickup Clinesmith cast aluminum lap steel

Custom 2 pickup Clinesmith cast aluminum lap steel

Gonna love it.

!

David!!!

Yeah!

Told you David!