New Lap Steel, cast aluminum

[Neer]

I don't buy a lot of gear anymore, mostly because I am very satisfied with the instruments I own. When Todd Clinesmith told me he was going to make some cast aluminum steels, I flipped. I received this beautiful cast aluminum masterpiece in the mail 2 days ago. Cast in a foundry, polished by hand, pickup made by Todd using the wire he got from Paul Bigsby's shop (Todd bought parts and dies, etc. used by bigsby). And yes, this guitar is inspired by the design of Paul Bigsby.

I own two other Clinesmiths and have owned two in addition to that, but with regard to tone, nothing touches this guitar. It weighs 10 lbs.

Here it is in my hands:

And in the hands of the maker:

 

[Stevo57]

Congrats Mike! Post some Aloha please. I'll bet it sounds amazing.

 

[big mike]

Man that's awesome. I'm getting the jones to do some lap steel stuff. Wow

 

[Stevo57]

I have one I can loan you bro.

 

[Stringmaster]

Love it!

 

[Quarter]

Sweet ride Mike! If I didn't roll my own, one of Todd's wonderful instruments would be on my very short list for a new steel.

 

[scott]

Thats cool! Id love to see one all raw, not polished.

 

[plexigary]

(Todd bought parts and dies, etc. used by bigsby)

Wow, that's amazing. I wonder where this stuff has been all these years? Bigsby died in '68.

 

[derekd]

Very nice, Neer.

Would love to hear you playing it.

 

[Dana Olsen]

Wow Mike, pretty sweet ride indeed.

Congrats, you're STOKED, Dana O.

 

[rhp52]

very niiice....

 

[Neer]

I am so blown away by this instrument. My passion for playing music has been waning lately, but two things have revived it: this instrument and Thelonious Monk.

 

[rhp52]

It is a looker! Would very much like to hear this one, too. At any rate, congrats on one fine looking 8 string.

 

[Crazyquilt]

Dude. Seriously. I mean...dude.

I also want to join the Greek chorus of voices crying out for clips. It's really magical when an instrument can inspire you to the point that it brings you out of a funk.

 

[clemduolian]

Day-Um. Beautiful.

 

[shallbe]

Just gorgeous. Would love to hear it if you can record something.