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Topic: newbie, which lap ? |
Kevin Brown
From:
England
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Posted 20 Sep 2005 6:24 am |
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Ho folks being playing slide guitar 40 years
and after being very inspired by some old Howard White tracks I heard recently (Cowboy Copas) I have decided to take the plunge.
I notice theres a bunch of new steels around at affordable prices, the Gretch electromatic, the Goldtone oahu lookalike and the new Fender.
Do any of you have any experience of these.
Have my amp ready and waiting, a cracking 70's Traynor 1X12 guitarmate 11
, fantastic reverb and on board vibrato
Totally inspired by this website, many thanks |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 20 Sep 2005 6:59 am
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Hi, and welcome Kevin! 
Based on my own experience, taste, and reports I've read I would rate the three you mention in this order;
1 - Gold Tone
2 - Gretch
3 - 'New' Fender (the vintage ones are a totally different matter, can't go much wrong there...).
I have tried the Gretch, and was pleasently surprised by how well it sounded, but I didn't care much for the very low action and close string spacing. But that's just my personal taste....
Never played a Gold Tone, but I've owned a few of the original Oahu Tonemasters, and they're very nice. As far as I understand the Gold Tone is a very good copy that does justice to the original.
The new Fender seem to have disappointed those who have played it, check Rick Alexander's review on this page.
Then, of course, there are many nice vintage ones to be had relatively cheap on eBay, plus many new builders around. Seems like we have entered a new 'golden age' for lap steels.
Steinar
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www.gregertsen.com
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Bill McCloskey
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Posted 20 Sep 2005 8:10 am
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| At the lower end of the spectrum I used to have a Gretch but was not very happy with it. In that price range I found the Industrial Guitar lap steel to be great. At around $300 it is hard to beat. |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 20 Sep 2005 8:51 am
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Welcome Kevin,
Like Steinar said, the FS52 was a disappointment. The Goldtone is okay, but it's not a Tonemaster. I haven't tried the new Gretsch Electromatic, but my 50s model is not bad.
If I were looking to buy my first lap steel and I had a $300 budget, I would get a Supro. They smoke everything in that price range.
RA |
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Rick Garrett
From:
Tyler, Texas
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Posted 20 Sep 2005 3:48 pm
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Don't know about the lap steels you mentioned BUT, I do know about the MSA Super Slide and it is one fine guitar. Great sustain and tone. Good luck in your quest.
Rick |
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Kevin Brown
From:
England
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Posted 21 Sep 2005 3:29 am
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Many thanks all, well after reading the posts
and seeing the oahu tonemaster on a nearby thread, I think I'll save my bucks and wait for one to come up, how much should I expect to pay for the tonemaster ? http://www.kevinbrownmusic.com/
Thanks |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 21 Sep 2005 12:41 pm
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I'm kinda partial to my Tonemaster. It's got a very nice sweet tone to it.
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55' Fender Stringmaster T8, 54' Fender Champion, Carter D-10, two Oahu laps, two National laps, and two Resonators
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Richard Shatz
From:
St. Louis
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Posted 21 Sep 2005 2:39 pm
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| The Tonemasters in nice condition have been going for $450-$550 lately. |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 21 Sep 2005 3:09 pm
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The guitars that you have mentioned here are often sold at the Hawaiian steel guitar conventions in Joliet in October(Hawaiian Steel Guitar Assn.) and Winchester in July(Aloha International Steel Guitar Club). Here the guitars are sold at much cheaper prices than the quotes you are hearing on the Forum.
These guitars are on display and can be played and tried out testing them for tone quality. Here you don't have to take chances on E-bay and the like.
Besides you can also enjoy good music at these conventions at the same time.
Aloha,
Don[This message was edited by Don Kona Woods on 21 September 2005 at 04:15 PM.] [This message was edited by Don Kona Woods on 21 September 2005 at 04:16 PM.] |
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Terry Farmer
From:
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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Posted 21 Sep 2005 4:51 pm
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| For something truly unique, you should check out Aiello's Dustpans. You can have any configuration you can dream up. Consider "keeping it in the family" when on a quest for your dream guitar! |
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Kevin Brown
From:
England
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Posted 23 Sep 2005 3:38 pm
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Don, you know I would just die to be there,
one day just one day maybe
My good friend Ken Emerson has invited me over
many times so you never know
Yours KB |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Paul Arntson
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 23 Sep 2005 9:43 pm
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Basil's epiphone is a good deal.
Plus a vintage guitar may appreciate over time.
If you can't connect with Basil's guitar, then you may want to also check out Supros as Rick said. Another one worthy of consideration is the silvertone or harmony or gibson with the soapdish style pickup arrangment.
Happy Hunting![This message was edited by Paul Arntson on 23 September 2005 at 10:53 PM.] |
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Kevin Brown
From:
England
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Posted 24 Sep 2005 6:35 am
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Hi Basil, that sounds interesting, Im coming up to Sutton on Wed to see Steve James and Del Ray, I'll give you a call, Im hungry as hell for lap steel at the moment, I have a whole list of 50's hits I want to learn
Yours Kev
PS Am I the only guy here to rave about Howard White, cant beleive Iv never heard him mentioned, or am I missing the plot
His Steel Guitar Dove almost stops the hands of time !
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