lap steel choices

Jack Carpenter · From: Cedar City, Utah USA

I am looking at three laps from Elderly's:
New Fender 52 (made in China)
Gretsch 6 string
Gold Tone 6 string

All are about $300 to $375

Any thoughts on these as a starter? Or maybe there are better ones out there? Thanks, Jack

Ron Bednar · From: Rancho Cordova, California, USA

Hi Jack,
My thoughts are if you must buy a new guitar, maybe the Goldtone...but I couldn't say for sure. But I would look for a Supro or Magnatone on Ebay and get a set of Rick's new mags for the pickup. It will blow away any of the three you mentioned.

Bill McCloskey · Posted 6 Feb 2006 9:55 pm

In that price range I would check out Industrial Steel. I had a Gretsch (it was my first steel) but I sold it. I kept the Industrial Steel. It has a great sound and good string spacing.

Rick Alexander · From: Florida, USA, R.I.P.

Jack, listen to these guys - they know what they're talking about. None of the guitars you mention are that great imo, especially stay away from the Chinese Fender. I have one and it sucks. The new Gretsches are not as good as the old ones, and they cost about the same. I had a Goldtone but I sold it because I didn't care for the long scale. It's the best one of the three you're looking at.

Supros, Oahus etc with the string through pickup are great little guitars. You can often find them for $200 or less, and like Ron says - pop some Aiello NIBros in there and you'll be happening!

Rick Garrett · From: Tyler, Texas

Not a cheapo starter guitar but you may want to check out an MSA Super Slide once you get your feet wet. Great guitar with incredible playability and sustain.

Rick

Bernard Beck · From: Paris France

I tried out a gretsch, made in china.
The fret board was totally false, meaning that the octave was somewhere between fret 11 and twelve.
I really wonder how they can put that out for sale. A shame for a great name in guitar making.
Bernard

Jack Carpenter · From: Cedar City, Utah USA

Thanks, everyone, its nice to have someone knowledgeable to give direction before one jumps in the water. Jack

Jack Carpenter · From: Cedar City, Utah USA

I should have asked this while I was at it. What is the Aiello NIBros? and Ricks new mag? and where would you get them if I can find a good Supro, Industrial or Magnatone? Thanks again. Jack

Ben Jones · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

arent there any vintage laps in that price range? are vintage laps not that desirable compared to the new ones?

I got my 60's or maybe 50's fender champ lap for $200. No case. I guess that is a good deal? But given that it is the only lap steel I have ever touched in my life I cant say if it is a good guitar or not. It certainly does the job for me.

Terry VunCannon · From: Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

Jack...go with the Goldtone lap steel out of the 3 that you mentioned. I have owned all 3 & still have the Goldtone...it is a good player.

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'49 & '51 National Dynamics, Harmos Model One, Lazy River Weissenborn, Mesa Boogie DC-3, SRV Strat.
http://community.webshots.com/user/keefriff

Jesse Pearson · From: San Diego , CA

Jack, I would consider the measurements real close before I bought any thing. Jerry Byrd and Don Helms both used 22-1/2 inch scales with a 3/8" spacing between the strings, it makes the slants easy to make and their steels sounded great. Something to consider because alot of those steels out there have their measurements all over the place?

Craig Prior · From: National City, California, USA

Jack, I bought one of those GoldTones and it's an extremely well-made, beautiful guitar. For the price it's a bargain.

My complaint with the GoldTone is that the fretboard only extends to the (17th?) fret, not 24 frets or more like most other lap steels. Steeling past that fret becomes a matter of guesswork, although you'd be surprised how quick you get used to it. But a longer fretboard would have been nice.

Having said that, GoldTone modeled its lap steel after the Oahu Diana which, although I've never owned one, I presume has the shortened fretboard.

Craig.

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

I'd also consider the Chandler RH-2; it's around that price and usually available at Guitar Center.

Mark Eaton · Posted 7 Feb 2006 9:13 am

Ben-the Supros and Oahus that Rick wrote of ARE vintage lap steels. They've been out of business since when guys-mid to late 60's?

Jack-I concur with Brad on the Chandler, for the money-it's a pretty respectable lap steel. I was checking one out at the Guitar Center in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago and I wouldn't mind having one.

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Mark

Bill McCloskey · Posted 7 Feb 2006 10:05 am

"arent there any vintage laps in that price range"

My personal opinion based on my experience is avoid vintage. You can get a great modern lap steel for $300 (chandler, Industrial Guitars, etc) with modern pickups, tuning pegs, and nothing to worry about.

Ron Bednar · From: Rancho Cordova, California, USA

IMO the Chandler is a decent guitar for the price, I have one. But the tuners need to be changed, comes with cheapies. The pickup is no big deal but the basic sound is good. Very nice looking guitar too. BUT, I still say one of the old Supro/Magnatone/Oahus with the Supro strings through the pickup will blow it away. Matter of fact I am adapting one of those pickups to my Chandler now...

Mark Eaton · Posted 7 Feb 2006 10:27 am

Yeah-as Bakelites continue to escalate, along with nice old 6-string fender laps-Supro/Magnatone/Oahu are still a bargain. At some point, and I don't know how soon-that'll change and they will start climbing in price as well.

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Mark

Ben Jones · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

hmm...good to know Mark and Bill, thanks.

John Drury · From: Gallatin, Tn USA

The Gold Tone would be my pick of that litter. I think the 50's Diana's are a sweet lap steel.

I had a 36 Bakelite with the big ass magnets, sorry, but I don't get it.
I figured out quickly why Jerry quit playing his.

The Sierras are nice.

For my money though, the SuperSlide is the "King Kong" guitar, to quote Bobbe Seymour.

22 1/2" scale, Sperzels, and the pickup to die for. These are the highest quality steels I have ever seen! Lots of options too. Number of strings, spacing of strings, colors, fret markers, etc..

Costly, yes but you only live once.....

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John Drury
NTSGA #3

Steinar Gregertsen · From: Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.

I'm sure the Superslides are great instruments, just like my $3,000 Asher, but isn't Jack asking about lap steels in the $300-350 range?

For a new one, I'd second the Chandler RH-2. I had one of those and my only complaint was that it lacked a bit of body to the tone and the tuners were bad. But they offer a lot of quality for the money.

For a vintage, I'd definitely go for a well preserved Supro/Oahu/National with the string through pickup.

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

John Drury · From: Gallatin, Tn USA

"I am looking at three laps from Elderly's:
New Fender 52 (made in China)
Gretsch 6 string
Gold Tone 6 string
All are about $300 to $375

Any thoughts on these as a starter? Or maybe there are better ones out there? Thanks, Jack"

Steinar,

That is the message that was on my screen, he mentions three laps that he saw priced from $300- to $375- at Elderly's, wanted our thoughts on them, and asked if there were better ones out there.

According to my calculator if he tried each one, and didn't like any, he would be out well over a grand, and would be the owner of three canoe paddles when he could have cut right to the chase and bought a modern steel such as a Sierra, Gibson, or a SuperSlide, and been done with it. I didn't see a word about him being on a budget.

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John Drury
NTSGA #3

Steinar Gregertsen · From: Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.

Nah, but someone who's ready to spend ~$1,500 or so on an instrument usually don't bother asking about $300 instruments, so I kinda assumed that was his budget... And I didn't get the impression he was planning to buy all three, but nevermind.....

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

Bill McCloskey · Posted 7 Feb 2006 2:49 pm

Yeah, I think the reason for asking about which is better is that he planned on only buying one and was hoping he wouldn't get stuck with a lemon.

But I agree with you that the Superslide is one of a kind and amazing and that nothing in the $300 range is going to come close.

[This message was edited by Bill McCloskey on 07 February 2006 at 02:49 PM.]

John Bushouse · Posted 7 Feb 2006 3:27 pm

You're probably right, Bill, but can a Superslide duplicate the pops, crackle and volume drops my National can produce?

Then again, maybe that's a good thing... too bad those noises are about the only thing I have going for my "signature" sound...

Mark Eaton · Posted 7 Feb 2006 4:31 pm

Jack-a stretch for your stated budget-but only halfway to a SuperSlide: You should check out the Playboy model from Herb Remington at about $750, then you will have a lifetime instrument that you won't have an itch in a year to upgrade.
http://www.remingtonsteelguitars.com/playboy.html

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Mark

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