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Topic: New Guy |
David OMalley Keyes
From:
Alaska, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2011 11:18 am |
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Hi folks,
I'm new here, first post. I've done a little research here but needless to say I'm a bit lost yet.
I'm a guitarist/keyboard player in a regular gigging band.
I want to make a move into electrified lap steel.
I'd just like your advice on differing lap steels that might fit my needs. I'm in a blues based band (traditional and harder blues)and some classic rocking stuff.
What would you suggest for a lap steel begginner?
I was thinking maybe one with a humbucker AND a single coil pickup for differring tonal availibilites.
If you think I'm jumping the gun and should maybe start out a little slower, equipment wise, please say so.
I can't afford the $3000.00 + plus lap steels but would be willing to spend $1000 to $1500 and have no problem buying used.
I like nice looking equipment but it is way secondary as to getting more tone for my money.
Any info and your thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thanks, and this looks like a great online community. |
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J Fletcher
From:
London,Ont,Canada
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Posted 8 Jun 2011 11:35 am
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Hi David
I think a '50's or '60's Supro or National, with the string through type pickup, would be a good choice. Six strings. Seem to sell for around $300 or so depending on the model...Jerry |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Twayn Williams
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 8 Jun 2011 11:52 am
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+1 
_________________
Primitive Utility Steel |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 8 Jun 2011 1:45 pm
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I'd agree the Asher Electro Hawaiian Junior is an excellent choice for your needs.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Paul Arntson
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 11 Jun 2011 9:01 am
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Hi David,
I was going to agree strictly with Jerry until I listened to Steinar's tone on those demos. Amazing!
I agree the Asher is a pretty safe bet at a very reasonable price.
Enjoy. And Welcome!
It's hard just to have one of these instruments...
-Paul |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 11 Jun 2011 10:49 am
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Welcome to the forums David! There is nothing wrong with getting a good instrument that plays well and suits your goals.
I've built quite a few 2 pickup steels and they are a lot of fun. Two pickups definitely can add a lot of tonal possibilities to your sonic palate. I've done a couple with a mix of a humbucker and a P90 single coil and it makes for a great combination.
The recommended Asher is definitely a nice instrument and rather than the 2 stock humbuckers you could easily swap out one for a humbucker sized P90 style single coil. With the use of some push / pull pots and or a multiple pole switch, you can do some neat wiring schemes too.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here |
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David OMalley Keyes
From:
Alaska, USA
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Posted 11 Jun 2011 11:14 pm
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Tom,
From your experience, getting the best tones available with a P-90 and Humbucker combination, which one goes in the neck position and which goes in the bridge position?
On most of my guitars (save one) it's always been a hum in the neck and the single coil at the bridge. The same for a Lap steel? |
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John Allison
From:
Austin, Texas, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2011 7:10 am
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David, there are lots of good possibilities for 6-string steels and pickups. When you get into 8-string, the pickin's get a lot thinner.
Generally you'll want a higher output pickup in the bridge and that would be the humbucker in most cases. Look into a 2 humbucker system that'll allow you to split the coils so that you can get either sort of tone out of each pickup. You'll probably want something besides PAF-style (relatively low output) humbuckers to be able to get a good strong tone in the single-coil, tapped positions. There are wiring schemes with a couple of 3-position mini switches that will allow you a dozen different combinations.
That being said, P-90's are mighty righteous pickups and you sure couldn't go wrong with a good one in a lap steel.
Good luck!
J A
_________________
John Allison
Allison Stringed Instruments
Austin, Texas
www.allisonguitars.com |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 12 Jun 2011 7:43 am
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| David OMalley Keyes wrote: |
Tom,
From your experience, getting the best tones available with a P-90 and Humbucker combination, which one goes in the neck position and which goes in the bridge position?
On most of my guitars (save one) it's always been a hum in the neck and the single coil at the bridge. The same for a Lap steel? |
Its really more of a personal preference with no "right" answer. An awful lot depends too on the pickups your using as not all humbuckers and 90's are built / sound alike. I think more important is having a good complimentary match between the two with balanced electronics and switching tailored to deliver your desired sonic goals.
That said, my personal preference is to have something big and fat in the bridge with something smooth and buttery in the neck. Depending on woods and pickup characteristics, that can be accomplished several different ways.
Back to your original question, if you generally prefer single coils in the bridge and humbuckers in the neck, then you will probably enjoy that combination in a steel. After all, it is a guitar, just played lap style.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here |
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Steve Lipsey
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2011 10:15 am
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Check out www.musonmt.com, Bob can build you a steel to your specs (choose your wood, pickup, etc.), for under $500...I just got one with a Lawrence 705 bucker, they are way hotter than any guitar pickup you have ever seen, I'll be adding coil taps to it and getting some other tones that way, two pickups in one...
I went with a new one just to not have to worry about aging tuners, old pickups (that sometimes get weak), etc. Bob's steels generally get reviewed as being comparable to ones that cost twice as much... |
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Curt Langston
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Posted 13 Jun 2011 4:21 am
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Strongly agree with Steve! Bob will make you the lap steel that will last your lifetime. Excellent quality!
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| Bob's steels generally get reviewed as being comparable to ones that cost twice as much... |
Yes, at least twice as much.
I'd definately go with one of his 8 string models. If you are just wanting to start on 6 string, that's ok too. Just leave off a couple of strings!
Sooner or later (most likely sooner) you'll want those other 2 strings!
IMHO, best quality and value in lap steels. Bar none.
You can spend a lot more money, but you will not get more guitar.
Seriously, check out his work................
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