Lap Tapguitar

[Bearguitars]

Hi guys,

actually I`m worinking on a 8 String Lap (!) Tapguitar . It have a 25" scale lenght, and active electronics/ tone control.

As a service for my customer do I take pics of my worx on my site. - `boud every week. Cause they have wait ´bout 3-4 months `till he/she can touch and hug this new baby. Cold be very long for people who have to wait.
These Laptap Guitar should be ready at mid december.

The site is open for the public:

http://www.geocities.com/bearguitars/work_in_progress.html


all the best SIGGI

[rjgoos]

Hey Siggi,

Where does one get an 8-string guitar pickup, as shown in the pictures?

Also, great work!!


Jay

[Bearguitars]

Hi Jay,

It`s an MEC Bass PU. MEC provides the Electronics for Warwick basses, you know. They brings clean the frequencies to the amp
who comes from the wood and the strings. - Great for a tapping instrument.
But if you think in those categories like 59er Humbucker, 50` tele you`ve on the wrong bus with it. You know what I mean?
Similar PUs worx fine in Wolfgans 17 str. Monster.

all the best SIGGI

[Bearguitars]

Hi guys,

the lap tap project is finished.
I´ve placed some additional pics on my work in progress site:

http://www.geocities.com/bearguitars/work_in_progress4.html
http://www.geocities.com/bearguitars/work_in_progress5.html

- and on my new lap tap site:

http://www.geocities.com/bearguitars/laptap.html

happy new year!

[rjgoos]

Congratulations Siggi on another interesting and unique design!! I think a lap tap would require a different technique....another step in the evolution of the tap guitar universe.

Regarding the pickup (active MEC Soap Bar), you have such a wide range of pitches and string gauges over a single pickup. Is the volume even across all of the strings? I would be afraid that the bass strings would be too loud and the highest strings too quiet.

The reason I ask is that I am planning on using a similar single pickup design for my next tap guitar (also an 8-string).

Thanks,

R. Jay Goos

[Bearguitars]

Regarding the pickup (active MEC Soap Bar), you have such a wide range of pitches and string gauges over a single pickup. Is the volume even across all of the strings? I would be afraid that the bass strings would be too loud and the highest strings too quiet.
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There is no problem with it.
I´ve put the soabbars on the " daiss bear" 17 stringer/ 29 frets, for an xample. A set of two pus , with a group of 8 and 9 Strings. The pus brings a very even hi fi sound over the whole tone range. On the treble side is the pu a bit closer on the strings, thats all...
On the lap tap is an active treble and bass control also from mec added. There are settings from glassy treble to boomy bass possible. Not bad!
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The reason I ask is that I am planning on using a similar single pickup design for my next tap guitar (also an 8-string).
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If you want those pu, or have special questions `boud your project, drop me a mail. Prophably could I help you:

de_sign@gmx.de

happy new year!

[rjgoos]

Siggi,

My next tap guitar prototype will have 8-strings, tuned something like a Stick, only omitting the lowest bass string and the highest melody string. I am hoping to use a single "soap bar" pickup. Does the company you use for pickups have a passive soap bar pickup? I was hoping for a passive pickup, due to other design constraints (a very minimalistic design...there really isn't a place for a battery or active electronics).

Again, congratulations on your newest instrument.


Jay

[Bearguitars]

I am hoping to use a single "soap bar" pickup. Does the company you use for pickups have a passive soap bar pickup? I was hoping for a passive pickup, due to other design constraints (a very minimalistic design...there really isn't a place for a battery or active electronics).

Hi Jay,

the passive pus are designed for max.74mm string space... That`s
not not enough for an 8 stringer. On the other hand, on the back side is normally a hidden space for 9V battery. The active pu brings the desired high frequencies to the amp.

yours,

[rockola]

Originally posted by Bearguitars
the passive pus are designed for max.74mm string space... That`s
not not enough for an 8 stringer.

What's the string spacing on your Blueberry? I haven't strung up mine yet, but it'll have 70 mm string spacing. The 8-string offering of a well-known manufacturer seems to have 10.41 mm between strings = 73 mm spacing. Looking at the website, it seems the spacing was originally even less than that (.400" between strings = 71 mm).

[Fredrik]

Is mec electronics on the web?

Fredrik

[James]

http://www.mec-pickups.de/

[Fredrik]

Thanx James!

Fredrik

[Bearguitars]

hi ola!

>>>>
What's the string spacing on your Blueberry? I haven't strung up mine yet, but it'll have 70 mm string spacing. The 8-string offering of a well-known manufacturer seems to have 10.41 mm between strings = 73 mm spacing.
>>>



That`s right, but there is probhably a too small "magnetic window" for the outer strings. I know this problem from Fender Mustang basses. For so much time investment it`s always better to go on the safer side...

greetings

[Fredrik]

Check out www.bassculture.de for custom made pickups for any string number and spacing.

[rjgoos]

Wow...those are some MASSIVE magnets on those pickups. I would imagine that a bass guitar equipped with those could shake a molar or two.

For those not needed such a massive pickup....Would a lap steel guitar pickup work for an 8-string tap instrument (lap or otherwise)? Jason Lollar offers them: www.lollarguitars.com


Also, Siggi....any comments on playing tap in a "lap" position?

I made a tap instrument prototype (6 strings, 24 inch scale), and play it in a lap-type of position on the work bench. I think to play a tap guitar in a lap position would require totally different techniques than in an upright position, as with a Stick.


Jay

[Bearguitars]

For those not needed such a massive pickup....Would a lap steel guitar pickup work for an 8-string tap instrument (lap or otherwise)? Jason Lollar offers them: www.lollarguitars.com

Hi,

sorry for delay. The jason lollars worx fine on steel guitars (did you heard robert randolph?!), why not on tapguitars?
If some experiences with it, let me know.

Also, Siggi....any comments on playing tap in a "lap" position?

I made a tap instrument prototype (6 strings, 24 inch scale), and play it in a lap-type of position on the work bench. I think to play a tap guitar in a lap position would require totally different techniques than in an upright position, as with a Stick.

For me was it a bit like keyboard playin`. It is at 1th touch not too comfortable for a guitar/bass players. That`s why I´ve added a thumbrest on the lap tap... Probhably a good instrument for open minded musicians.