| Author |
Topic: Your comments on the newer lap steel guitars |
George Rout
From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 12 Jan 2009 12:50 pm |
|
I know I've seen some comments over the last couple of years on the new Fender, Gretsch, Rondo SX-10, Artisian, Morrell, etc. the latest generation of lap steels all made in China. I did a search on the Forum, and can't find anything particular.
Without getting into detail, what general comments would you make about their playability, quality etc. I'm not trying to highlight the best, just general comments about the current economy models on the market these days. I've mentioned the above brands just to give you the idea of the lesser expensive models to which I refer. Thanks folks.
Geo
_________________
http://georgerout.com
"I play in the A Major tuning. It's fun to learn and so easy to play. It's as old as the hills....like me" |
|
|
 |
Les Anderson
From:
The Great White North
|
Posted 12 Jan 2009 1:22 pm
|
|
George, you are going to get 50 different opinions on all the newer models. Most of the opinions will be based on personal preferences such as neck length, tuning possibilities, tone, pick ups, weight, looks and of course, trade names.
Good luck in with your inquiry. |
|
|
|
Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 13 Jan 2009 1:09 pm
|
|
One thing that I'd watch out for on many of the cheap steels is the very short scales on some, less than 22.5".
You can change pickups, electronics, bridges, nuts, etc but changing the scale length is a much more involved task.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here |
|
|
|
Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
|
Posted 13 Jan 2009 1:16 pm
|
|
| Sometimes your better off buying an old Supro or something similar for about the same price. |
|
|
|
Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
|
Posted 13 Jan 2009 1:42 pm
|
|
| Yeah..., but how many of them look like what Tom here is building?! |
|
|
|
Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
|
Posted 13 Jan 2009 2:02 pm
|
|
| My comment was in reference to the guitars mentioned in the original post. |
|
|
|
John Drury
From:
Gallatin, Tn USA
|
Posted 13 Jan 2009 2:02 pm
|
|
The Bal D'Or Fouffe' of Hawaiian Steel Guitars. If you have the means, I highly recommend one.
_________________
John Drury
NTSGA #3
"Practice cures most tone issues" ~ John Suhr |
|
|
|
John Burton
From:
Manassas, Va
|
Posted 13 Jan 2009 2:05 pm
|
|
Well, opinions are free and everyone has one..sooo here's a few 'o mine.
This is based on steels I currently own and play:
Rogue/Artisan Not a bad steel. But, as others have said a real short scale. Yes it comes with legs, but the sockets are cheap quality and so are the legs. One of mine had stripped threads after two uses.
The nut on mine was a hollow plastic thing. I changed it for a steel one with wider spaceing. Much better. The stock pickup was microphonic and weak. I changed mine for a much better one. Again, not a bad steel with some mods considering price. Here is a sound click of me playing "Bubbles in my Beer" (and not great playing, to be sure, but this is what my Rogue sounds like)
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7207710
Morrell Pro 6 string
Good pick up. Good scale, IMO, 23". I had some alignment issues and ended up putting a steel nut on mine. Other than that, I like the big old slab of Maple.
Morrell 8 string
Good single coil Pickup. Sounds good! Again, 23" scale. Again a 'lil alignment issues, but not bad. Required a little rework. Tuners are a little cheap, but not a bad deal. I really like mine. Probally my favorite steel.
Rondo SX Nice Case!! I got the stand..and it's nice! I like this one. It's a little more "brighter" or "Brittle" sounding then I would like (I have it strung E6, soooo....yeah.) But nothing a 'lil EQ won't fix. Probally hands down the best bang for buck lap steel out there. Oh, and a steel nut! So far I haven't found a need to mod a thing on it.
Tennessee (Ebay)
Well I got this one cheap as it was sold "as is" with "electrical problems"..It's kinda' neat, because it's a D6. Out of the box...JUNK...but I ended up replacing the nuts, bridges, pots, pups, wiring, jack..etc..essentially just kept the double necked body. AFTER all the mods...It's not a bad player and actually sounds good. But, again a real short scale.
Heres' a pic..
 |
|
|
|
George Rout
From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 13 Jan 2009 2:22 pm
|
|
Thanks guys, that's exactly the kind of response I was looking for. It's not for me, but for a buddy who was asking me. I have too many guitars (old Supros, National, Fender, Gibson Console Grande, and Rickenbacker) as it is. I've played a few of the newbies in the local music stores, didn't think too much of them, but a person starting out might think they're great. The Rondo SX impresed me as a better one.
I didn't want to offer my comments to my friend as I couldn't substantiate them. Thanks again for your reviews.
Geo
_________________
http://georgerout.com
"I play in the A Major tuning. It's fun to learn and so easy to play. It's as old as the hills....like me" |
|
|
|
Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
|
Posted 13 Jan 2009 4:19 pm
|
|
| For Chinese made laps, the Asher electro Hawaiian Jr. is really sweet. Still needs some tweaking, but a whole level of magnitude up in tone and playability from most of these. |
|
|
|
Josh Cho
From:
New York, NY (orig. Honolulu, HI)
|
Posted 13 Jan 2009 4:30 pm
|
|
Since the Chinese Asher (@$700) was mentioned I would just like to throw in my $.02 and suggest that for around 2 bills more you get a Georgeboards: made in USA, 8 string (take off two strings if you wanna 6er) , super high quality, needs nothing, lasts forever...and you're really getting a custom instrument when all's said and done. 
_________________
Lap-n-Console Steel Guitar Lessons |
|
|
|
Greg Cutshaw
From:
Corry, PA, USA
|
Posted 13 Jan 2009 4:41 pm
|
|
You can't beat a Rondo SX if you jsut want to try something out! It's not a great guitar but totally playable. And you can re-sell it at no loss.
The MSA superslide is not a vintage sounding instrument but cool looking and very clean sounding. Not cheap but good resell value down the road.
You can see a few reviews and hear more on them at these pages:
Rondo Review
MSA SuperSlide Review
Rondo SX Sounds
MSA SuperSlide sounds
Greg |
|
|
|
Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
|
Posted 13 Jan 2009 4:58 pm
|
|
| As always..., I'll say the best bang for the $ new/starter steel is the www.dynalap.com Simply nothing under $300 (or more) sounds as good. |
|
|
|
John Burton
From:
Manassas, Va
|
Posted 14 Jan 2009 3:42 am Re: Your comments on the newer lap steel guitars
|
|
| George Rout wrote: |
....the latest generation of lap steels all made in China.
... just general comments about the current economy models on the market these days.... I've mentioned the above brands just to give you the idea of the lesser expensive models to which I refer. Thanks folks.
Geo |
To my mind this would exclude the Asher (700 bucks) though that would be a great steel choice.
It would also exclude George Board's wonderful creations (much higher price, and NOT made in China). And as an aside, I would LOVE to someday own a George Board.
It would also exclude the MSA Superslide, as again it's in a higher class (and price bracket).
As for the Dynalap...well in my previous post I said the SX was the best bang for your buck..I stand corrected, The Dynalap is clearly the better deal...and will probably be my next lap steel purchase.
However, looking at the original post, it's not made in China.
I guess tems like "cheap" "inexpensive" and "economy models" are subjective terms..  |
|
|
|
George Rout
From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 14 Jan 2009 9:45 am
|
|
Again, thanks to all. It is great.
Geo
_________________
http://georgerout.com
"I play in the A Major tuning. It's fun to learn and so easy to play. It's as old as the hills....like me" |
|
|
|
Stephen Calhoun
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 15 Jan 2009 12:06 pm
|
|
I'm just a hobbyist, but I'd like to put in a good word for the Allen Melbert lap steels made by Robert Allen in Tennessee.
They cost $300; I bought a second with a minor flaw on eBay from Bob for $119. It's just as solid as my IndyRail. I can't offer any kind of expert qualification, yet it's a very rock solid, solid body. Handmade. I guess Melbert's are off the radar screen too.
_________________
slide avant-gardist, experimentalist, echo surfer
two 1970-ish Fender 400, Fouke Industrial Rail, Allen Melbert 6, Rondo SX -- everything one way or the other through Guitar Rig/Logic/Apple/synthesizers/iPAD. ...sometimes out to a Tech 21 Trademark 60 1x12
recording as Kamelmauz.bandcamp.com |
|
|
|
John Drury
From:
Gallatin, Tn USA
|
Posted 15 Jan 2009 4:11 pm
|
|
Greg,
Wow! That doesn't sound at all like mine, I wonder what amp he is using?
_________________
John Drury
NTSGA #3
"Practice cures most tone issues" ~ John Suhr |
|
|
|
Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
|
Posted 16 Jan 2009 9:22 am
|
|
I have an old (Made in Chicago) six string as well as a '52 National D-8 but when I need a lapsteel to take to a gig I always seem to opt for my Chandler six string. I bought it used at Guitar Center for $229 and it looked brand new. They usually go for $359 for a new one. I also looked at the new Gretsch lapsteel and I think the Chandler is much better.
I have mine tuned to B6th and a pair of Keith/Scruggs banjo tuners on the D# strings to raise them to E for a nice open E tuning. The chandler is a very nice looking guitar with a pearl like fretboard and the pickup resembles an old Gibson pup. I also like the shape of it very much as it's in the Weissenborn vein........Here's a shot of it.......JH in Va.
_________________
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!! |
|
|
|
Paul Arntson
From:
Washington, USA
|
Posted 16 Jan 2009 10:43 am
|
|
I'll jump in and add a little info.
I tried the new Gretsch a year or so ago. My impression was not favorable. The pickup sounded nice and bright but the alignment of the strings was poor and overall the one I tried felt tinny. Strings were very close together. Not much lo end.
I also tried the new Fender lap. Again, my impression was that the guitar was not carefully made. It would need a new pickup right away. The pickup cover is just for show. Not much lo end.
The Chandler on the other hand is a nice guitar. I have tried several over the years and it seems like a lot of tone for the money. Seems more solid and the tone has a nice midrangey "girth" to it. String spacing is very comfortable.
That said, vintage lap steels can often be found for the same money. Some are great, some are not.
Hope this helps some. |
|
|
|
