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Topic: advice to a new no-peddler |
Kristina Jacobsen
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 6 Apr 2006 4:34 pm |
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Hi All,
This is my first time posting to this listserv, and I have a few questions about upgrading instruments.
I currently play a 6-string Artisan lapsteel, have been playing intensively for about 1 year, and am ready to upgrade my instrument. I've been playing in open A tuning thus far, although I may start on A6 soon. I can only afford to buy one new instrument (in the $300-400 range)
My question is: would you recommend I upgrade to another 6-string (and if so, any thoughts on a vintage model versus a new one?), or would it be advisable to get an 8-string so that I can use a 6th (or another relevant) tuning? And if so, about how long does it usually take to learn to play comfortably in a new tuning on a guitar with additional strings?
I play and sing mostly early honky tonk, hard country stuff.
thanks,
Kristina Jacobsen
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 6 Apr 2006 7:26 pm
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| Welcome Kristina,I would go with ten string,nothing less than an eight.I like the ten because I love the BIG FAT chords. |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 6 Apr 2006 7:29 pm
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| P.s. It will take no time to get used to the extry strings.And you will have a big full sound. |
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 7 Apr 2006 2:10 am
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| An 8 would get into your budget most likely, most tens are a little to steep I think. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 7 Apr 2006 6:50 am
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I would suggest moving up to an 8 string lap. You really need the extra strings for the 6th tunings. I am not really into 10 string lap guitars.
There are some new 8 string laps on the market but they do not get very good reviews and it seems like the older vintage models go for a good piece of change.
I just picked up a rather unusual lap steel, it is an 8 string Fulawka lap steel w/legs but I had to give 6 bills for it. The old Fenders are going for more than that, though.
Erv[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 07 April 2006 at 07:51 AM.] |
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Ben Jones
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 7 Apr 2006 8:56 am
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of the vintage 8 string models, are there any to stay away from? any to seek out for those on a budget?
I too would like to get an 8 string lap.
I love the look of vintage laps, but dont have much dough. Thanks- |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 7 Apr 2006 3:38 pm
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There aren't a lot of eight string lap steels available under $500. The ones to watch out for are all the standard names (Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Supro, National). One site I've found helpful is the Gbase web site. Go to "Advanced Search" and select "Guitars-lap, pedal, table" to see a wide variety of steels being sold by vintage dealers across the USA and Canada.
Then call them up and haggle! 
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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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Michael Winslow
From:
San Francisco, California, USA
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Posted 8 Apr 2006 7:14 pm
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My advice....forget about getting a single neck 8-string. From what I've read on the Forum, new ones probably aren't that great and the vintage ones cost a heck of a lot of $$$$$. The availability of single neck 8-string lap steels is very low...so when they appear, the prices tend to be very high....in fact, I've seen them sell in the $800-1,000 range...for Fenders, Nationals...
For between $400-600 you could purchase a National D-8 Console on ebay....or elsewhere.... They come in two colors....cream & brown...and black & white....
I've been watching this market for a while....in my opinion...The black & white ones are usually in better condition and sell for less (because they are less in demand). The cream and brown models sell for more money and are usually in poorer condition.
I'd suggest going for a black and white National D-8 and you will probably get a reasonably priced double neck 8 string lap steel. Make sure it has legs....and always do your research. If in doubt - post on the forum and ask questions.....As always, there are exceptions and you could purchase a great cream and brown model in great conditon at a reasonable price....this is only my opinion, which is rarely humble... |
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Travis Bernhardt
From:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 8 Apr 2006 10:38 pm
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If your budget is $300-400, go ahead get a decent vintage six string; there's nothing wrong with six strings, and you're not sacrificing anything by having less strings. Sixth tunings work fine with six strings.
The Valco instruments (Supro especially) are pretty widely available, and sound good, but anything that you can try out for yourself in person before buying is probably best.
How long it takes to adjust to the new tuning is more a question of style than the tuning itself. If you've been playing your A tuning in open positions in a kind of blues/bluegrass style you'll probably have to work to adjust to learning the closed style usually used with sixth tunings. Not to say that there's no adjustment period, or that new tunings can't be confusing, but the bigger hurdle in opinion is just learning how to play "closed" out of any key.
-Travis |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 9 Apr 2006 4:16 am
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I have to agree with Mr. Bernhardt here, too. I have a Triple 8 and Double 8 Fender Stringmasters, and as much as I love them for that particular and wonderful sound they have, I've been playing my old six-string Epi lapsteel a lot more these days, for many reasons (portability being a big one), but the biggest being it's juicy, old-fashioned tone. I also have found that I pretty much can do harmonically what I can do with 8 strings, and don't miss those other two strings.
If we were playing westernswing, I would use the Stringmasters, both for the fatter chords and Fender tone, but since we don't, a sixer is workin' jes' fine for me!
Eight stringers are great, but six will get you there. The main thing is to play, play and play some more...
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Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, A6, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Regal resonator (C6); 1938 Epiphone Electar (A6); assorted ukuleles; upright bass
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John McGann
From:
Boston, Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 9 Apr 2006 4:19 am
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| Quote: |
| you're not sacrificing anything by having less strings. |
Travis, i have to respectfully disagree (somewhat) with that one. If it were true, everyone (outside of the rock field) would be playing 6 stringers. When I think of Leon, Joaquin (who IS pictured playing a 6 stringer on the cover of the book I did with Andy Volk...), Noel Boggs, Herb Remington, etc. I think 8 string all the way. I can't think of too many players who were/are full-time 6 string players. I am pretty sure Jerry Byrd spent most of his time on 7 and 8 string guitars...
While 6 strings would get you by for two string harmonies, if you want more options for extended chord voicings (not 8 string voicings, but 3 string "grips" within the tuning) I believe 8 strings is the way to go...personally, I like having the extra low range for comping (chord playing) and also for growly soloing notes, although the commercial bread-and-butter stuff can certainly be done on a 6 string.
When I think "honky tonk and hard core country" I hear 8 string tunings. I also have an Epi 6 string that I use on occasion, but really prefer the Dual Pro 8 string for anything that wants a late '40's- early '50's vibe.
YMMV and just a personal opinion.
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http://www.johnmcgann.com
Info for musicians, transcribers, technique tips and fun stuff. Joaquin Murphey transcription book, Rhythm Tuneup DVD and more...
[This message was edited by John McGann on 09 April 2006 at 05:21 AM.] [This message was edited by John McGann on 09 April 2006 at 05:23 AM.] [This message was edited by John McGann on 09 April 2006 at 05:28 AM.] |
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