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Topic: Inexpensive lap steels for camp - Opinions please. |
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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John Burton
From:
Manassas, Va
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Posted 23 May 2010 7:03 am |
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Wish I was able to take the class! Lucky campers...
There is lots on the forum about both the SX and The Rogue.
I have both (and have modded both a bit). The main differences:
The Rogue is a really short scale (I forgot, but I think 20.50"??) where as the SX is 22.5".
The Rogue has legs (which are iffy.the threads stripped on mine..) and a soft shell carry bag. (which I use for my Dynalap).
The SX comes with a nice (real nice!) hardshell case.
Both need a string change when you get them. The Rogue is easier to do this on, as the SX has a cover.
Out of the box, I preferred the sound of the Rogue. Though maybe I had a bum SX. (I've redone the electronics in both of mine).
IMO..If I had to recommend one for a rank newbie..I'd say the Rogue. Though, both are playable instruments, and with a little tweaking, certainly nice enough instruments.
I say the Rogue, because I believe it is just more freindly to string changes and string adjustment and less buggy (quality wise) then the SX..
The SX, however lends itself to modifying/upgrading better. (but a rank beginner isn't going to want to modify) |
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George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 23 May 2010 9:56 am edit
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edit
Last edited by George Piburn on 23 Jun 2012 11:43 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 23 May 2010 9:57 am
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I'd probably have the opposite opinion of John and recommend the SX over the Rogue. It's a much more "professional" guitar for the money, although as he says, it's a bit harder to change strings on the SX. Either guitar would be just fine for a beginning student, though.
The Rogue lap steel is available on eBay under many names, both with and without legs. It's a perfectly usable lap steel, but the scale length is too short in my opinion.
For a bit more money they should investigate the very decent Recording King RG-31, the Rogue Jersey Lightning (a much better value than the Rogue EA-3 in my opinion), and the Morrell.
If somebody is really hard pressed for cash and has an electric guitar already, they could always just use an adapter nut to raise the strings.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 23 May 2010 10:32 am I'll second that!
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I'd have to give Mr. Board's comments a great BIG round of applause.
Not only would I have the class/students remove and reinstall the strings as he suggested.....but I'd dwell for a time, on the OPEN "E" Note, like Jeff Newman used to put on all of his instructional records. They've got to learn from the very start
WHERE to start.......and how to recognize and thus train their ears to HEAR "E". |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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seldomfed
From:
Colorado
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Posted 24 May 2010 12:38 pm
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Hi Gerald,
I have three students that have 'Artisan' steels, aka 'Rougue' - not sure who OEM's those?
They sound fine, work fine for student guitars. With the following exceptions:
1) I agree with George - must change strings. I had to do that on all guitars. The factory strings must be super slinkys or something - not even good for an E tuning.
2) You'll likely have to also have an intonation clinic and adjust the bridge - it's an adjustable 'tele' style bridge and not set right on all the guitars I've seen of this line. (see note *)
3) tuners suck - but for a student they will work ok. The guitars actually stay in tune fairly well.
4) the headstock is so thick none of the new little clip on style tuners will work easily - no place to clip
cheers,
Chris
* note: intonation adjust mnemonic = Three F's
- 'fret flat forward' - it's how I remember. Do the chime at 12, 'fret' with the bar (best you can), if that note is flat, move the adjustable bridge piece forward.
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Chris Kennison
Rhythm Cats - steel, guitar, banjo, dobro
Gold Canyon, AZ
www.rhythmcatsshow.com
www.seldomfed.com |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 24 May 2010 5:48 pm
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I have five of the SX model, which I've modified in various ways, such as fitting palm pedals. I also have four of the Rogue models, which were sold under different names a few years ago. I use them to give away to my friends to make them into potential steel players. 
There's absolutely no comparison between the two. The SX is far far far superior to the Rogue is so many ways, and is a real bargain at the price, especially if you get the fitted case.
It's just such a pity that such an expensive production set-up was wasted on a 6-string instrument, when an 8-string would have been much more versatile, but for economy they used standard parts from a 6-string electric guitar. 
By the way, I agree with everything George said. Pay attention to him: you're lucky to get the advice of one of the great builders of our time.  |
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Garry Vanderlinde
From:
CA
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Posted 24 May 2010 8:16 pm
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| Hi Gerald, well, if you want inexpensive...I think most people that would take a lap steel class probably already own an acoustic or even an electric 6-string or some sort. You could have them get one of those .99¢ nut raisers and an appropriate C6th gauge set of strings. They don't even need an amp if it's acoustic. |
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Michael Elzey
From:
Delaware, USA
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Posted 25 May 2010 5:21 am
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My Gretsch Electromatic was a pain when i first got it. The tuning machines had about a 1/4 " play in it from up to down. I replaced them with a set from WD parts and its been no problem since. IMO the gretsch is'nt worth the extra money.
The SX sounds like the deal to me. Even if you have to change pickups and tuners your still way ahead of the game compared to the Gretsch and you get a case to boot! yeah buddy!
_________________
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=907145&content=music |
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John Bushouse
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Posted 25 May 2010 6:38 pm
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| That Jersey Lightning is one pretty cool-looking guitar. |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 25 May 2010 9:06 pm
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Gerald, I would recommend using the nut extender on acoustic guitars, if at all possible. It would be great if everyone had little Martin Backpackers. The reason why is because is can get downright cacophonous with several beginners playing amplified steel at the same time; second, it is really a cheap alternative to spending over $100 on a steel. Don't forget, they are going to need bars and picks, too. Buy a few packs of C6 strings and you're good to go.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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