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Topic: Lap Steel Advice |
John Morris
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 14 Feb 2014 5:35 am |
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Hello all. I am basically an acoustic guitarist (Collings OM2H, Blanchard Tamarack). I play a lot of fingerstyle and just bought a used Beard Model R Dobro with pickup and Aura system. I want to purchase a lap steel, preferably used, but need advice on type, # of strings, etc.
I've seen great You Tube vids of Larry Hutcherson playing Little Wing on a Fender Deluxe 8. Read and watched demos of Duesenberg Pamona 6 and Sierra models and Asher, as well as old Supros and Magnatones.
I play mostly rock (Clapton,Springsteen, The Band, Van Morrison, Petty, Wallflowers) and some Texas Americana/Rock (Band of Heathens, Robert Earl Keen, Reckless Kelly) and Southern Rock. Probably interested in Humbucker or Double Humbucker model to use for recording and to play with my band (loud tele and loud Les Paul). I feel like Lap Steel may have possibilities here that are underutilized.
Also not sure how hard it is to learn 8 string if already playing acoustic 6 string dobro. Any help greatly appreciated. |
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James Hartman
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 14 Feb 2014 6:35 am
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Hi John. I expect you'll find transitioning to lapsteel a lot of fun. I'd suggest starting with 6 strings. For rock repertoire you won't need 8, and you're likely to find the extra strings slightly more confounding. With 6 strings in an E tuning you'd be in fairly familiar territory as to fretboard topology - an easy place to start.
As to "type", you should visit some stores and try some to see what gives you a sound appropriate to your taste. Personally I prefer an old bakelite Rick for rock. Nationals or Gibsons with P-90 pickups also work for me. The pickups are the significant factor. Not to suggest that you need to begin with a pricey vintage instrument - plenty of options among current production laps as well. Try some before you buy. |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 14 Feb 2014 6:47 am
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For your music, and in the used and humbucking category, you might enjoy something with the Valco made string through pickup. Valco was a jobber and made instruments for a lot of different brands. Their string through pickup was used on tons of instruments that they made for Supro, National, Airline, Gretsch, and others.
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Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 14 Feb 2014 6:49 am
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I agree, start with 6 strings. If you're playing mostly rock and blues you may want go with an E tuning. It's good for power chords, but there is no full (3-note) minor chord. If you want full minor chords (as well as full major chords) go with a 6th tuning, A6, C6, etc. As far as the instrument, the main question is New or Vintage? Like John said, there are plenty of new ones out there. Some considerations would be: humbucker or single coil pickup? String spacing? You need to try some lap steels and see how they feel and sound to you. If you buy Vintage be sure to check on the electronics and the tuners. Those are the main problem areas with old lap steels. Weak pickups, low output, and worn or broken tuners. And most important: have Fun with it!
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My Site / My YouTube Channel
25 Songs C6 Lap Steel / 25 MORE Songs C6 Lap Steel / 16 Songs, C6, A6, B11 / 60 Popular Melodies E9 Pedal Steel |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Rob Munn
From:
British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 14 Feb 2014 6:58 am
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HI John,
Sounds like music that I like to play. I have a Rick Bakelite from 1935-37 and it is great for rock and blues. My other slide is a National Chicagoan 1954. This one has the PU known colloquially as the "Coodercaster" for its rootsy blues buzz, and I love to play it. We play some Allman Brothers, early Fleetwood Mac, Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Ry Cooder, Canned Heat, Paul Butterfied Blues Band, Junior Wells, Etta James (my wife is the singer in our band for most of our stuff) and I find the National is the easier one to use for me right now, although the sound of the Rick adds another dimension and when I get better, it will likely move into top spot. The Nat is so easy to see in a dark club, with black notes on a white fretboard easy to see and a longer scale than the Rick. I only paid only 300 odd for this one. Here is one on Ebay. Not sure of its condition and the amphenol adapter is easy to get, about 15 bucks for it. There is another one in prime shape but the asking price is steep, around 800.
Good luck and have fun!
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vintage-1954-National-Lap-Steel-/271386459386?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f2fe4bcfa&_uhb=1 |
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John Morris
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 14 Feb 2014 8:30 am Lap Steel Advice
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| Thanks for the suggestions, advice, links, and pics. All other input welcome, particularly as to specific models. |
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Peter Jacobs
From:
Northern Virginia
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Jim Williams
From:
Meridian, Mississippi, USA - Home of Peavey!
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Posted 14 Feb 2014 9:55 am
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I have not actually seen one in person, but the Vorson steel guitars look very nice and I've watched some youtube videos that sound pretty good. They have a semi hollow f hole model that is really pretty, and also a more standard design lap steel around the $300 range. Most of the dealers offering these have a good exchange policy so it might be worth a look. They do have active pickup systems, meaning they will require a battery, 9V I think.
GeorgeBoards has nice lap steels for the $800 range.
There's also the Peavey guitar with the three point harness to play standing up for around $200.
If you want something cheap, it would be hard to beat a Rondo SX. The new ones are $119 and have legs. I have an older SX1 without the legs that is my most played guitar.
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GFI SM10 3/4, 1937 Gibson EH-150, 2 - Rondo SX Lap Steels and a Guyatone 6 String C6. Peavey 400 and a Roland 40 Amps. Behringer Reverb Pedal. |
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Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 14 Feb 2014 2:27 pm
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I had the same model Supro in Tom's submission above. It was stolen unfortunately.
I can vouch for them being a good rock machine.
BTW - Anyone know how they got that finish? |
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John Morris
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 15 Feb 2014 4:46 am Lap Steel Advice
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| Any more thoughts for my weekend reading? No NFL and I've OD'ed on figure skating. |
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