Well, in that vein of micro-tone-affecting components, I had both of my knees replaced with titanium knees - one in June and the other a couple days ago.
Can't wait to see the enhanced tone I will get out of my lap steel!!!
The ultimate tone enhancer for lap steel
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David DeLoach
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- Location: Tennessee, USA
The ultimate tone enhancer for lap steel
I recall guitarist Eric Johnson saying he would set his amp on a wooden chair and could tell a difference in tone depending upon the type of screws that were used to hold the chair together.
Well, in that vein of micro-tone-affecting components, I had both of my knees replaced with titanium knees - one in June and the other a couple days ago.
Can't wait to see the enhanced tone I will get out of my lap steel!!!
Well, in that vein of micro-tone-affecting components, I had both of my knees replaced with titanium knees - one in June and the other a couple days ago.
Can't wait to see the enhanced tone I will get out of my lap steel!!!
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Glenn Wilde
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Brooks Montgomery
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Re: The ultimate tone enhancer for lap steel
I suppose playing highly constipated improves the resonance with the chair and it’s screws
A banjo, like a pet monkey, seems like a good idea at first.
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Chris Templeton
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Re: The ultimate tone enhancer for lap steel
I wonder if Eric can tell the difference between in chair tone using hide, Elmer's or crazy glue?
Excel 3/4 Pedal With An 8 String Hawaiian Neck, Sierra Tapper (10 string with a raised fretboard to fret with fingers), Single neck Fessenden 3/5
"The Tapper" : https://christophertempleton.bandcamp.c ... the-tapper
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Paul Seager
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Re: The ultimate tone enhancer for lap steel
I think you're heading for disappointment. It's no coincidence that, for so many years, wood was the preferred prosthetic material. I have no doubt in assuming that, had your knees been replaced with a well chosen, natural tone wood, your future lap-steel tone would be far warmer, possibly with better bass response and a little "je ne sais quoi" in the upper mids.
Can't imagine that happening with titanium. But as one says, YMMV!
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Can't imagine that happening with titanium. But as one says, YMMV!
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\paul
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Peter Jacobs
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Re: The ultimate tone enhancer for lap steel
For me, the ultimate tone enhancer would be someone else playing it.
Congrats on the new knees!
Congrats on the new knees!
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Mike Neer
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Re: The ultimate tone enhancer for lap steel
Best wishes for a speedy healing!
Chas Smith was a mastern of titanium. Did you ever see his steel guitar with the titanium rods? This is photo is from Fretboard Journal.
Chas Smith was a mastern of titanium. Did you ever see his steel guitar with the titanium rods? This is photo is from Fretboard Journal.
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Chris Templeton
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Re: The ultimate tone enhancer for lap steel
Chas was good friends with my steel pal, in San Francisco, David Phillips ,and used to hear about Chas from him.
I remember when Chas moved from LA, I don't remember exactly where, but I remember feeling for him having to deal with and move all of his past projects and raw materials..
I remember when Chas moved from LA, I don't remember exactly where, but I remember feeling for him having to deal with and move all of his past projects and raw materials..
Last edited by Chris Templeton on 3 Nov 2025 5:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
Excel 3/4 Pedal With An 8 String Hawaiian Neck, Sierra Tapper (10 string with a raised fretboard to fret with fingers), Single neck Fessenden 3/5
"The Tapper" : https://christophertempleton.bandcamp.c ... the-tapper
Soundcloud Playlist: https://soundcloud.com/bluespruce8:
"The Tapper" : https://christophertempleton.bandcamp.c ... the-tapper
Soundcloud Playlist: https://soundcloud.com/bluespruce8:
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David DeLoach
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- Location: Tennessee, USA
Re: The ultimate tone enhancer for lap steel
What am I looking at here??Mike Neer wrote: 30 Oct 2025 10:27 am Best wishes for a speedy healing!
Chas Smith was a mastern of titanium. Did you ever see his steel guitar with the titanium rods? This is photo is from Fretboard Journal.
IMG_9363.jpeg
Is this something under construction?