| Author |
Topic: Budget Options for 8 String Lap/Console steel |
John Larson
From:
Pennsyltucky, USA
|
Posted 15 Sep 2021 6:48 am |
|
There are several budget options for 6 string lap steels out there but it seems there is a drought for sub $500 new 8 string lap/console steels. The reason is probably down to import 6 string hardware being dirt cheap due to the spanish style electric guitar market being wide open.
Any recommends for a budget 8 string lap steel?
I really like the look of the Gold Tone Oahu clone but its a little past my budget.
_________________
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; praise is meet for the upright. Give praise to the Lord with the harp, chant unto Him with the ten-stringed psaltery. Sing unto Him a new song, chant well unto Him with jubilation. For the word of the Lord is true, and all His works are in faithfulness. The Lord loveth mercy and judgement; the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.
- Psalm 33:1-5 |
|
|
 |
Nic Neufeld
From:
Kansas City, Missouri
|
Posted 15 Sep 2021 7:01 am
|
|
Going to do my usual and say, SX 8 string. Comes with cheap but usable legs, a nice gigbag, and fairly good features (medium/long scale...correct non-adjustable style bridge).
The only thing I chose to change about it is the pickup...didn't like the 60 cycle hum and had string balance issues. Put in a Lace Alumitone bass bar which dropped right in, solved both of those issues, and sounds great.
_________________
Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me |
|
|
|
John Burton
From:
Manassas, Va
|
|
|
|
Joe Cook
From:
Lake Osoyoos, WA
|
Posted 15 Sep 2021 3:09 pm
|
|
I would agree with John Burton about the Hudson kits if your handy with a soldering iron. I have one of his Stringmaster kits and I put Jerry Sentell pickups in it. It sounds great and came together for about $500. There are also some excellent builders here on the forum who could help you. I have the SX eight string as well and it's not a bad guitar. Best of luck  |
|
|
|
Allan Revich
From:
Victoria, BC
|
|
|
|
G Strout
From:
Carabelle, Florida
|
Posted 15 Sep 2021 4:31 pm
|
|
Melbert has an 8 string.... brand new top quality 489.00
Handmade in Tennessee. George L's pickup
https://www.melbertguitars.com/
_________________
Melbert 8, Remington S8, Silk 6 string, Rick B6, Tremblay 6 lap steel, Marlen S-10 4&4, Prestige Guild M75 and Artist Award, Benedetto Bravo, Epiphone Century Electar (the real one) and a bunch of old lap steels.... mostly Ricks and Magnatones' |
|
|
|
Karl Paulsen
From:
Chicago
|
|
|
|
Paul DiMaggio
From:
Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
|
Posted 15 Sep 2021 5:43 pm
|
|
| Me three for the Melbert. Good wood , good pickup and good guy making them! |
|
|
|
Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
|
Posted 16 Sep 2021 8:34 am
|
|
-1 on the Morrell... I will say the piece of wood is nice... everything else on it has issues. Cannot recommend.
_________________
New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329 |
|
|
|
Nic Neufeld
From:
Kansas City, Missouri
|
Posted 16 Sep 2021 9:18 am
|
|
I had a cheap Morrell as my first steel...the scale length was 20"!!! That is much, much too short IMO.
I think their 8 string is at least the normal "short scale", eg 22.5:
https://www.morrellmusic.com/collections/lap-steels/products/joe-morrell-usa-pro-series-8-string-maple-body-lap-steel-guitar-natural-finish
That said, they advertise that the pickup is a Kent Armstrong "Stinger 7", a pickup designed for 7 string guitars. It's epoxy filled but they refer to "alnico magnets", plural, in the copy, so I wonder...is that a 7 string pickup with individual polepieces, and the polepieces are just between each of the 8 strings? Seems sure to have string balance issues (outer strings adjacent to one polepiece, inner strings adjacent to two polepieces). If its a rail, and its long enough, might be fine.
_________________
Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me |
|
|
|
David Becker
From:
California, USA
|
Posted 16 Sep 2021 11:09 am
|
|
| Yet another vote for Melbert. High quality build, great sound, and as others have said, a terrific guy. |
|
|
|
John Burton
From:
Manassas, Va
|
Posted 16 Sep 2021 7:37 pm
|
|
| Nic Neufeld wrote: |
I had a cheap Morrell as my first steel...the scale length was 20"!!! That is much, much too short IMO.
That said, they advertise that the pickup is a Kent Armstrong "Stinger 7", a pickup designed for 7 string guitars. It's epoxy filled but they refer to "alnico magnets", plural, in the copy, so I wonder...is that a 7 string pickup with individual polepieces, and the polepieces are just between each of the 8 strings? Seems sure to have string balance issues (outer strings adjacent to one polepiece, inner strings adjacent to two polepieces). If its a rail, and its long enough, might be fine. |
Both my Morrells are weirdly 22.75" scale or just under 23" scale. Kinda wonder why they didn't just go 22.5" like most manufacturers. True, their most affordable model (I don't think they make them any more) was a real short scale like a Rogue.
The pickup in their six string "pro" is really good, IMO. The old lipstick tube they used to have in the eight string was indeed designed for a 7 string, which did indeed make strings 1 and 8 too low in volume.
The stringmaster pickup I put in mine has poles and they are wider spaced then the strings. Like I said, the Morrell 8 string has narrow string spacing. But, still the stringmaster pickup works great in it. Sounds balanced. You really can't hear that the strings aren't lined up with the pole magnets at all.
I could easily recommend a maple Morrell 6....but the 8...ummm... not so much. I do like mine, but I just eventually got used to the spacing and I like the sound of the new pickup.
Once you factor in the price of a pickup swap...the morrell may not be such a good deal. |
|
|
|
David Irving
From:
South Australia, Australia
|
Posted 16 Sep 2021 8:02 pm
|
|
I also have an 8 string Morell with a 7 string pickup, and the top string sounds a little weak.(The bottom one isn't so bad.)
It's a nice instrument aside from that. |
|
|
|
Mike Auman
From:
North Texas, USA
|
Posted 18 Sep 2021 6:32 am
|
|
There's a used Melbert 8 currently posted in "For Sale: Steel Guitars."
_________________
Long-time guitar player, now wrestling with lap steel. |
|
|
|
Karl Paulsen
From:
Chicago
|
Posted 20 Sep 2021 11:56 am
|
|
| Mike Auman wrote: |
| There's a used Melbert 8 currently posted in "For Sale: Steel Guitars." |
That's an interesting choice. If you wanted a Fender style single coil sound it's certainly a good option that would save nearly a hundred bucks and get you a case. Rio Grande makes great pickups.
Personally, I'd happily pay the difference for a new one with my choice of wood, a George L pickup and a heavier Bridge.
_________________
Nickel and Steel. Sad Songs and Steel Guitar.
https://www.facebook.com/NickelandSteel
Chicago Valley Railroad. Trainspotting and Bargain Hunting...
https://chicagovalleyrailroad.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
Mike Christensen
From:
Cook Minnesota
|
Posted 20 Sep 2021 5:26 pm
|
|
| Another vote for Melbert. Tuners work well,George L's pickup is real fine,string spacing is good,(for me) no gripes at all. Nothing to fix. Just play it. Happy Trails |
|
|
|
Tommy Martin Young
From:
Sacramento-California, USA
|
|
|
|
Robert Barleen
From:
Iowa, USA
|
Posted 31 Oct 2021 8:03 am
|
|
I'm with the SX8 group. Im gigging with one and have had zero issues with it. (The 60 cycle p-90 hum adds to it's nostalgic charm. 😆) You can't go wrong for the price, considering everything that comes with it.
I'd advise losing the stock strings as soon as possible and putting on a balanced tension set, set up for your favorite key. I found that an Ernie Ball E9 PSG set fits perfectly to my C6/Am7 tuning (a,c,e,g,a,c,e,g) and gives the the tone a nice happy kick in the nards. Once you're comfy with it, move up to a Melbert or a Hudson kit if you'd like something more of a Fender Deluxe or a SM feel.(That's my next step in the works. I'm working with Jimmie Hudson on a custom D8 SM kit.)
_________________
Bob "Cowpunk Bob" Barleen
-1959 Fender 1000 D8 Custom Console
-Rondo SX Lap, Single coil, E9
-Rondo SX8 Lap, P-90, C6
-Regal Resonator Roundneck
-Marshall CODE-100 Combo Amp w/Marshall MX212 Extension Cabinet |
|
|
|
