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Hubcap Guitar


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#1 Pict

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Posted 13 November 2013 - 11:59 am

Seasick Steve has helped revive interest in the pòor man's blues guitar, traditionally made of "two old hubcaps and a broomstick", so I thought I'd make one as exercise for brain and fingers. I'm partway atm, having incorporated various ideas and a crappy temporary piezo pickup, and I've a way to go yet (shorten neck, change to blade type magnetic pickup etc. ), but it seems to be going OK.

Interim picture below. (Click thumbnail to enlarge).

Anybody else had a go?

Attached Files


Edited by Pict, 13 November 2013 - 12:25 pm.

Dinotrike.jpg "It's a TDM, Jim, but not as we know it"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAHmEWim3to

 

Diamond black TDM 900A TRIKE, 2006 ABS model converted by Trike Design (Caerphilly, South Wales) prior to first registration in March 2007.


#2 Robodene

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Posted 13 November 2013 - 04:02 pm

How about a round cake tin for the body? l:)


1940s Ariel 350 (ex-military) Khaki > Black & White '56' Kymco Venox 250 Metallic Grey '56' TDM 900/A (ABS) Silver[b] '56' Yamaha MT-03 White <p>[b] '14' Yamaha MT-07 Matt Grey[b] '17' Honda Rebel 500 

#3 charlietbird

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Posted 13 November 2013 - 04:17 pm

That's great! I might have a go as one too!

Charlie

#4 Pict

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Posted 13 November 2013 - 05:48 pm

https://www.youtube....be_gdata_player

Choose hubcaps carefully - not too domed.
I used Morris Minors like SS did - this makes the action way high already (OK for slide -see video above) but still lower than some.

Edited by Pict, 13 November 2013 - 05:54 pm.

Dinotrike.jpg "It's a TDM, Jim, but not as we know it"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAHmEWim3to

 

Diamond black TDM 900A TRIKE, 2006 ABS model converted by Trike Design (Caerphilly, South Wales) prior to first registration in March 2007.


#5 Pict

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Posted 13 November 2013 - 05:56 pm

How about a round cake tin for the body? l:)

Sure - that could take the biscuit..... :)

Oil cans have been used, and of course other containers such as cigars boxes.

Edited by Pict, 13 November 2013 - 11:39 pm.

Dinotrike.jpg "It's a TDM, Jim, but not as we know it"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAHmEWim3to

 

Diamond black TDM 900A TRIKE, 2006 ABS model converted by Trike Design (Caerphilly, South Wales) prior to first registration in March 2007.


#6 stu

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Posted 13 November 2013 - 10:14 pm

I can hear TeDeum's blood pressure boiling from here :hide:


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#7 Pict

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Posted 13 November 2013 - 11:23 pm


I can hear TeDeum's blood pressure boiling from here :hide:


Nah - he'll be cool. Garden spades have a place alongside precision tools.

Edited by Pict, 13 November 2013 - 11:32 pm.

Dinotrike.jpg "It's a TDM, Jim, but not as we know it"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAHmEWim3to

 

Diamond black TDM 900A TRIKE, 2006 ABS model converted by Trike Design (Caerphilly, South Wales) prior to first registration in March 2007.


#8 butcher650

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Posted 14 November 2013 - 08:51 am

I'm sure Trevini will be along soon! Although I don't think he has made guitars before, he does make bloody good amps!!



#9 Pict

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Posted 15 November 2013 - 09:46 am

Time to decide string length. Traditionally the hubcaps were placed at whatever suited available materials etc. This would be mine slid to 25" nut to bridge, with a new tailpiece to take ball-ended guitar strings rather than the previous loop-ended banjo ones. The black lines are the beginnings of a "fret" pattern using cable ties.

http://s101.photobuc...html?sort=3&o=0

It now sounds a bit muddy so I have some sorting out to do. But a delay is on the cards - the missus is getting grumpy about neglected domestic stuff.

Dinotrike.jpg "It's a TDM, Jim, but not as we know it"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAHmEWim3to

 

Diamond black TDM 900A TRIKE, 2006 ABS model converted by Trike Design (Caerphilly, South Wales) prior to first registration in March 2007.


#10 RSRocket

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Posted 15 November 2013 - 08:43 pm

Liking it. Crack on.
24 Hours in a Day, 24 beers in a tray !

"I think the firing orders wrong! : ) "
"I do it with Twins"

Lone Wolf Rider

#11 Pict

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Posted 17 November 2013 - 02:42 pm

Running out of domestic tolerance, so except for adding a few more "frets" this will be as far as it goes .....till Mk 2.... :)

Click thumbnail to enlarge

Attached Files


Edited by Pict, 17 November 2013 - 02:47 pm.

Dinotrike.jpg "It's a TDM, Jim, but not as we know it"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAHmEWim3to

 

Diamond black TDM 900A TRIKE, 2006 ABS model converted by Trike Design (Caerphilly, South Wales) prior to first registration in March 2007.


#12 apw99

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Posted 18 November 2013 - 08:04 am

Lovely job Ian. Would love to hear what it sounds like, any chance of a recording?

APW


Edited by apw99, 18 November 2013 - 08:17 am.

Have you ever lent someone 20 quid and never seen it again? It was probably worth it.

Long Loved TDM is no longer with me...


#13 Pict

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Posted 18 November 2013 - 10:27 pm

Ta. I'd.like to hear it played too - properly, not just my random wanderings. Will see if a trike-mate will oblige.


Edited by Pict, 24 November 2013 - 09:29 am.

Dinotrike.jpg "It's a TDM, Jim, but not as we know it"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAHmEWim3to

 

Diamond black TDM 900A TRIKE, 2006 ABS model converted by Trike Design (Caerphilly, South Wales) prior to first registration in March 2007.


#14 Pict

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Posted 24 November 2013 - 09:54 am

Just for the record, here are a few hurried seconds of the first trial, with a bit of "ambience" on one clip, to make up for crappy strings and contact mic
(aiming to replace with rail-type magnetic).

 

http://s101.photobuc...3ae94b.mp4.html

 

http://s101.photobuc...08d70b.mp4.html

 

Sorry about the quality. Will do better later and post on YouTube for better sound.


Edited by Pict, 24 November 2013 - 10:13 am.

Dinotrike.jpg "It's a TDM, Jim, but not as we know it"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAHmEWim3to

 

Diamond black TDM 900A TRIKE, 2006 ABS model converted by Trike Design (Caerphilly, South Wales) prior to first registration in March 2007.


#15 Pict

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Posted 24 December 2013 - 08:59 am

Just to update those who've shown interest - for which, many  thanks.

 

Yesterday in the course of shopping for bottlenecks,I  met another local  guy  who is into a bit of slide plaing,,although on 6-string Dobros etc so the 3-string format was a bit  limiting. Anyhoo, he took it for a trot.

 

https://docs.google....E05WEx0dVU/edit

 

The videois in 4 sections, the first 3 about a minute each if  you want to skip.

1   Unamplified

2   With a contact mike stuck to  the body, played through a small Peavey amp.

3   Magnetic twin blade pickup taped at the junction between neck and body, using glass bottleneck then metal slide. Amped as a bove.
4   It had to happen :) ....unamplified

 

NB In #3 most of the guts are still on the external breadboard so the shielding is bad

Time to strip it all down and tidu things up - disc alignment, pickup(s), control(s), fret markers, handrest etc.

 

Comments good and bad welcome.
 

Happ Christmas and alll the best for 2014.


Edited by Pict, 24 December 2013 - 09:37 am.

Dinotrike.jpg "It's a TDM, Jim, but not as we know it"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAHmEWim3to

 

Diamond black TDM 900A TRIKE, 2006 ABS model converted by Trike Design (Caerphilly, South Wales) prior to first registration in March 2007.


#16 Pict

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Posted 24 December 2013 - 01:51 pm

Sorry, I gather there's an access problem with the video. Watch this space.

Dinotrike.jpg "It's a TDM, Jim, but not as we know it"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAHmEWim3to

 

Diamond black TDM 900A TRIKE, 2006 ABS model converted by Trike Design (Caerphilly, South Wales) prior to first registration in March 2007.


#17 Pict

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Posted 25 December 2013 - 11:22 am

Currently uploading MP4 to YouTube - will hopefully be accessible at

Not quite as good audiio as original, but good enough to summarise things for you - see a couple of postings earlier for key to compilation.

 

Happy Christmas and all the best for 2014.


Dinotrike.jpg "It's a TDM, Jim, but not as we know it"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAHmEWim3to

 

Diamond black TDM 900A TRIKE, 2006 ABS model converted by Trike Design (Caerphilly, South Wales) prior to first registration in March 2007.


#18 Pict

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Posted 22 January 2014 - 08:19 pm

quote name="Robodene" post="285426" timestamp="1384358533"]How about a round cake tin for the body? l:)[/quote]

QED - see eBay item 251426995884 :)

FWIW my beastie is now essentially complete with pickup & controls

http://s101.photobuc...6f07dd.jpg.html


Enough - end of story.

Edited by Pict, 22 January 2014 - 08:50 pm.

Dinotrike.jpg "It's a TDM, Jim, but not as we know it"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAHmEWim3to

 

Diamond black TDM 900A TRIKE, 2006 ABS model converted by Trike Design (Caerphilly, South Wales) prior to first registration in March 2007.


#19 Robodene

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Posted 22 January 2014 - 11:01 pm

Fancy that! :P


Edited by Robodene, 22 January 2014 - 11:06 pm.

1940s Ariel 350 (ex-military) Khaki > Black & White '56' Kymco Venox 250 Metallic Grey '56' TDM 900/A (ABS) Silver[b] '56' Yamaha MT-03 White <p>[b] '14' Yamaha MT-07 Matt Grey[b] '17' Honda Rebel 500 

#20 Robodene

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Posted 22 January 2014 - 11:07 pm

Just BTW, my Dad used to make banjoleles to earn a bit extra.

And my instrument is a 12 string which I bought in America - sweet as a nut!


1940s Ariel 350 (ex-military) Khaki > Black & White '56' Kymco Venox 250 Metallic Grey '56' TDM 900/A (ABS) Silver[b] '56' Yamaha MT-03 White <p>[b] '14' Yamaha MT-07 Matt Grey[b] '17' Honda Rebel 500 


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