It's easy to Build Your Own Lap Steel Guitar
This book explains how to make a solid-body lap steel guitar. Because building a lap steel is relatively easy, it provides an excellent introduction into the art of guitarbuilding. With 225 photos and 40 line drawings, Martin Koch shows how to make two different lap steel guitars in simple, easy-to-follow steps. He even explains how to make your own guitar pickup using the world's simplest pickup winder. The author puts special emphasis on the use of hand tools.
Acompanying products: eBook | CD-ROM | Plan
American Lutherie review of Build Your Own Lap Steel Guitar and CD-ROM
"Your recent book on building lap steel guitars is very encouraging for novices who would like to try building an instrument. I used to think that I needed a big shop full of power tools to get started. I am now happily converting an extra bedroom to work in. Thanks for the inspiration!"
Richard Groomer, Seattle, WA USA, September 22, 2005
"Hi, I really like your book and your approach to building. I live on a boat, and am pretty limited to all hand tools. I am building the second project, but I am building it as an 8 string. I have decided to wind my own pickup as there do not seem to be many available, and the ones that are available are expensive."
Dale Denton, San Diego, California, August 25, 2005
"Hi Martin, just a short note to let you know the book arrived with no problems. I have not been able to put it down since it arrived it is absolutely wonderful and so informative and i cant wait to get started on the projects contained in the book. I wish you much luck with your future projects and thank you again"
Anthony Anderson ( a true lap steel fan ), Australia, April 9, 2005
"I'd been wanting to build a lap steel for the longest time, after seeing Ben Harper cover Jimi's "Manic Depression" live in concert on an old bakalite Rickenbacker lap steel - I found your book online and man is it great! your pictures are really good and descriptions accurate, as well as following a nice, logical order to the steps. I'm doing mine with a mahogany body and quarter-inch maple cap on top for brightness, and putting a seymour duncan humbucker in for some extra sustain and "punch" to the sound. Your book is the only one if its kind I could find on building lap steel guitars, you've written a greatly unique and helpful book, thank you!"
Joe Perloff, Maryland USA, joeguitar917AThotmail.com