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Topic: Need lap steel advice! |
Charley Wilder
From:
Dover, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2007 5:40 am |
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I'm going to be traveling this summer and need a lap steel to take along. I want the best 6 string steel I can get for the cheapest price. It must be a good solid instrument-no junk. A case would be nice but not essiential. Just think BEST/CHEAP! Thanks!  |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2007 7:22 am
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A while back I bought a Washburn "Rover". It is a small acoustic travel guitar with a 24" scale. It cost me $99 and came with a real nice case. I put a nut raiser on it to play lap style and also a Fishman bridge pickup with combination input jack/strap button. Excellent bang for the buck!  |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2007 7:25 am
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PS: I see they're up to $149.99 now.  |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2007 7:49 am
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That's for the case, how much for the guitar?  |
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Michael Papenburg
From:
Oakland, CA
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Posted 21 Jun 2007 8:01 am
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| I bet that you could find a Magnatone for a good price. It would take a bit of searching around but I'm sure there are deals to be had. My first lap steel was a Magnatone and I still enjoy playing it. |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 21 Jun 2007 8:11 am
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The Chandler RH-2 lap steel is available online and at Guitar Center stores for $349 USD. That's without a case.
If you're looking for something cheaper, there are about 150 lap steel auctions on eBay, some of which are still pretty affordable.
The cheapest lap steels I see currently are the Morrell MLS six stringers. Remember, though, you usually get what you pay for.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Charley Wilder
From:
Dover, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2007 9:46 am
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Thanks, guys!
First of all I'm not much of a modifier so it has to come ready to play.And it has to be electric.Brad, the tone,etc. isn't a big problem. I'll be doing some fun basement jams with friends and the guitar will go in the closet when I get back. I just want something that is fairly sturdy and durable ie., decent tuners, string nut,etc.,etc.. I've seen the Morrell on line; have you or anyone played one? I should have put a price range up as "cheap" means different things to different people. I was thinking no more than $200 without case. I can do with a gig bag which I already have. |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2007 10:15 am
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| Oops, sorry! Thought the Chandler case came with a guitar in it (that would be a good deadl!). I like the old Magnatones, too. Used to be you could find one at any yard sale, back in the day. Now they're getting scarcer and pricier. |
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Jude Reinhardt
From:
Weaverville, NC
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Posted 21 Jun 2007 11:01 am
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I've had two Morrels and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. The little MLS-6 has a Kent Armstrong pickup and volume control, painted fingerboard, no frills. It should do what you're wanting an inexpensive steel to do.
Jude
_________________
"If we live in fear of banjos, then the banjos have won".
"Man cannot live by bread alone, he must have Peanut Butter". - Kruger Bear |
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Chuck Fisher
From:
Santa Cruz, California, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 21 Jun 2007 4:27 pm
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Hi,
just some input,the Artesian lapsteels are as cheap and have like a 22.5 scale, or close to it which is pretty standard. The Morrell cheapie is like 19" scale, its too short for tone and I think its not good for coordination, and the bass strings sound wimpy, its fast though. Their pro 6 model is better but kinda heavy and big for your travel. Dunno what headless travel guitars from "We need the money guitars" website cost but its perfect for your needs and has TruTone pickup which rocks! |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2007 9:03 pm
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| I would also recommend AGAINST the Morrells. Mine sounds terrible, won't stay tuned and has unequal string spacing. I got it to take on worst case scenario trips. If it gets trashed, it gets trashed. |
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Jude Reinhardt
From:
Weaverville, NC
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Posted 22 Jun 2007 1:27 am
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| Edward Meisse wrote: |
| I would also recommend AGAINST the Morrells. Mine sounds terrible, won't stay tuned and has unequal string spacing. I got it to take on worst case scenario trips. If it gets trashed, it gets trashed. |
Wow, maybe I got lucky with mine. String spacing isn't too hard to fix and if you're tuning up to the note even the lowest quality tuners should stay in tune. Wanna trade it for something? I like challenges and I think I could fix it.
Jude
_________________
"If we live in fear of banjos, then the banjos have won".
"Man cannot live by bread alone, he must have Peanut Butter". - Kruger Bear |
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Charley Wilder
From:
Dover, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 22 Jun 2007 5:53 am
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| Again, thanks everybody. I'm taking all this in and checking around! |
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