stand for lap steel?

Dave B Jones · From: Bend, OR

I've got a Recording King Mahogany Lap Steel RG-31-NA w/P 90 pickup. I'm an extreme newbie. Are there stands for these lap steel guitars?
Thanks.
-Dave

Joseph Lazo · From: Wisconsin, USA

If you want a stand that won't wobble around, and that has legs that extend so you can play standing up, there's only one option...and it's not cheap:

I dinked around with a toilet seat stand before I got one of these. It wobbled and, well, looked like something from a nursing home. I know there are also inexpensive X-brace keyboard stands (about $60), but I didn't care for the X-brace which limits your leg room when playing seated. Then there are the "Z" keyboard stands, which look much better than those X brace stands, but they're typically about $150 plus.

There are also table-like stands designed for DJs. These have adjustable legs, but they look pretty flimsy to me and I don't think they will raise up to the height you need to play standing up. Also, these table top type stands won't secure your lap steel in place so it won't slide around.

If you shop Amazon, you can browse through dozens of listings for keyboard stands and see if there's anything of interest.

If you think you'll stick with the lap steel and end up buying another one, or two or three (hey, it happens!), the Asher stand is well worth the price of admission. It's really well made and being able to stand while playing is great, even if you only do so once in awhile.

Jack Hanson · From: San Luis Valley, USA

I agree with Joe on the Asher (formerly Deluxe34) lap steel stands. They are versatile and can be adapted to fit most instruments, and are also capable of holding multiple instruments:

Glad I bought the five I have when I did, because the increased cost of doing business in CA over WI is reflected in the current pricing. I have one set up with a long body bracket for Weiss & resos, two set up for two separate electric lap steels, one "Universal" model that will accommodate almost anything, and another Universal in its roll-up bag stashed in my vehicle.

My only nit pick is that when Mark Roeder owned the operation, he was happy to fabricate custom brackets. The Asher Company, involved in building and importing their own instruments, has bigger fish to fry than these stands, and is not quite as flexible.

Terry VunCannon · From: Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

Yes, I have more than one Deluxe 34 stands...

Terry VunCannon · From: Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

Made one from a heavy duty music stand.

Joseph Lazo · From: Wisconsin, USA

Terry, judging by the "V" on the headstocks, I guess you built those lap steels. I like 'em!

Terry VunCannon · From: Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

Yes Joseph, I do here in NC. Mahogany body with custom hand wound P-90 soapbar by Brantley Rewinds.

Carey Hofer · From: South Dakota, USA

Just wondering, why not install brackets and screw in legs instead?

Joseph Lazo · From: Wisconsin, USA

Carey, I'd be interested in hearing how you'd go about this...and what type of "brackets" you had in mind. I looked into DIY approaches and then gave up on it.

If by "brackets" you mean "sockets", such as these below, well, you can see they're not cheap:

And, as for legs, this is the best deal I could find online (for high-quality stainless steel telescoping legs):

Just buying these parts puts the total at $300, same as the Asher. And then you have a stand that can only be used on one steel, versus a stand that can hold just about any steel (like the Asher). Plus, you have to rout the underside of the steel (or pay someone to do it) and install the sockets. That's ok for a cheap steel, but kinda dumb if you've got a vintage lap steel (or think you might get one).

I know SX make steels that come with legs, and they sell those legs separately...and I guess the "threaded receiver" (not shown) is the socket.

I really think SX is missing an opportunity to come up with an inexpensive, basic 3-leg lap steel stand that can hold a range of differently sized steels. They already have the legs for it!

The whole situation with lap steel stands is vexing. Other than vintage one-leg stands and the Asher stand, I don't think there are any lap steel-specific stands on the market. I know lap steel stands are a niche market, but there are plenty of manufacturers with the capability to make stands and, in all likelihood, price them less than the Asher.

Carey Hofer · From: South Dakota, USA

I see your point Joeph. A couple of years ago I had Melbert build me an 8 string and had him install the sockets so I could use it with or without them. I can see why in your situation, that wouldn't be practical.

Gerald K. Robbins · From: South Coast Oregon, USA

Here is an idea on how to build homemade sockets. For around $10, plus any wood for a frame.

Even though these are in the bottom of a console steel, the idea will work for a seperate stand.

It uses long nuts, or "coupler" nuts, sold at the local hardware store for just under $2.50 each.
1/2 " X 13 TPI. That's standard coarse 1/2 " thread, and standard for the legs Sill Music Supply sells.
These are about 2" long, and hex shaped on the outside.

By drilling a 5/8 " hole into a piece of hardwood, at the required angle, the long nut will fit in snugly enough
to require a small hammer to drive them home. By setting them in wood glue, they will be permanent.

I have ordered a set of legs from Sill Music, but until they get here i made a set of temporary legs from 2x2s and
1/2 - 13 bolts.
These temp legs don't look great, but are strong enough and prove out the use of the homemade sockets.

Joseph Lazo · From: Wisconsin, USA

Gerald, thanks for posting that info on the size of socket needed for the legs. Two questions: Do you think setting the sockets in the wood with wood glue will be secure enough to keep them from loosening after repeated screwing in and tightening of the legs? And, do you think the legs splay outward enough to make the lap steel stable? From your photo, it looks like there isn't quite enough outward splay of the legs to create a stable stand.

Bill Groner · From: QUAKERTOWN, PA

I made mine from a scrap piece of Bosch rail. It had a bend in it and they were going to throw it out. The bend was at the end, so I cut it off and had a length long enough for my project. If I remember I put the leg holes in at 15* angles. The legs are straight (Perpendicular) to the center line axis. I have no wobble. I toyed with the idea of maybe going with a 5* angle to increase the footprint, but I didn't need to do that, mine was plenty stable. I used studio 34 legs I bought from Mark years ago. The adjustable brackets will fit almost any shape steel up to about 8" Wide. The black and white steel is the one with the oddest profile I built, but the stand holds it nice and snug.

_________________
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40

Jack Hanson · From: San Luis Valley, USA

Joe Cook · From: Lake Osoyoos, WA

Wow, Bill! Very nice stand.

Joseph Lazo · From: Wisconsin, USA

Bill, that looks even better than the Asher stand! Want to go into business?

Bill Groner · From: QUAKERTOWN, PA

I made that long before I retired from my machinist job a year ago. I looked at the Deluxe 34 stand and wanted to make it more universal. Any of the 13 laps I built fit on it.
I miss my job. I was spoiled with good equipment. I have no equipment at home to make them.
_________________
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40

Bill Sinclair · From: Waynesboro, PA, USA

I used one of these table-style keyboard/DJ stands for a few gigs before I bought a Fender Stringmaster that had its own legs. As I recall, I just extended it to the length I needed and cut out a piece of thin plywood to attach to the top. Makes it non-adjustable but the legs will still fold up under it. I liked the look (and stability) better than the X brace or Z style keyboard stands.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PlatformStdJS--ultimate-support-js-mps1-jamstans-multi-purpose-mixer-keyboard-stand?mrkgadid=&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=gpla&mrkgbflag=1&mrkgcat=drums&percussion&acctid=21

Gerald K. Robbins · From: South Coast Oregon, USA

Hi Joseph,

The hex shape of the long nuts is a tight fit in a 5/8 " hole.
In truth it took a mid sized hammer and hard swings to force those in.
They might have stayed in place with no glue, but i tend to go for overkill.

The strength of the sockets will depend on the size of and the type of wood chosen. That will be the foundation, not just the nuts.
I used hard rock maple that also had some curly, very strong for it's size.

I used the 12 degree angle spoken of in a description of some cabinets. To do again I might use 13 or 14,
but this console is plenty stable front to back.
With the legs set straight the is a bit of movement side to side. Does not interfere with playing.

These temporary legs are set at 44" and the Sill Music legs will stretch out only to 42".

Just wanted to try out the taller ones.

I hope to use the long nut idea on a chunk of butcher block I have that is just right for a lap steel table,
and plan to use those temp legs for that as an outdoor or shop table.

I would reccoment buying the $300 adjustable table posted above if the money is available.
That is not really overpriced for what is there.

If no $ or just enjoy DIY i have made a lap steel table with a pine 1x12 and recycled tent poles for around $12.
Those "sockets" were short pieces of bicycle handle bar welded to large washers and screwed to the underside.
Very light but those sockets are not flush. The aluminum tubes fit over the steel pipe. Then a 10- 24 machine screw to hold in place.

gkentr

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