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Author Topic:  New Lap Steel player needs direction
Frank De Vincenzo

 

From:
The Garden State
Post  Posted 25 Sep 2016 11:43 am    
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Hello all,
My son told me today that he has an interest in learning and performing with a lap steel prior to making the commitment to full on pedal steel guitar.
He is a formidable guitar, mandolin, banjo, and acoustic and electric bass player. Berklee School of Music alum and all around good guy.

Can some one point him in the right direction of good quality lap steels and teachers/ instructors in Boston or close surrounding area ?

Thank you all in advance,
Frank DeVincenzo
Old Bridge, NJ
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Frank Agliata


From:
Jersey Shore, USA
Post  Posted 25 Sep 2016 12:05 pm     Re: New Lap Steel player needs direction
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Hi, and welcome from one Jersey Frank to another . . Wink

Frank De Vincenzo wrote:
Hello all,
He is a formidable guitar, mandolin, banjo, and acoustic and electric bass player. Berklee School of Music alum and all around good guy.


Sounds to me he could teach himself pretty easily . . Just need to get the hang of using a bar instead of his fingers . . Plenty of online instruction available as well . . Cool
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Jim Cohen


From:
Philadelphia, PA
Post  Posted 25 Sep 2016 12:28 pm    
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Well, Mike Ihde teaches lap and pedal steel at Berklee... have they met yet? Must have...
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David Matzenik


From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
Post  Posted 25 Sep 2016 12:33 pm    
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Just to be clear about steel guitar. The Pedal guitar is not a kind of natural progression from Non-Pedal steel guitar. The techniques are quite different.
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Frank De Vincenzo

 

From:
The Garden State
Post  Posted 25 Sep 2016 1:35 pm    
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Hi Jim,
I will pass that on about Mike Ihde over at Berklee. I wonder if they have crossed paths before.
Hey Frankie,
Thanks for chiming in. I think his thought pattern is to speak to and watch some one who is skilled on the lap steel and observe the basic skill set and rig set up.
Hello David,
I think it is all about hand/bar position. It was I that inserted moving from one instrument to the other, not him. That statement was fully based on cost and portability.

BTW-I told him today to become a member of the forum now, today, and start building relationships with the folks on here. I wouldn't know anything about pedal steel if not for all you wonderful and generous members!

Frank
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Frank De Vincenzo

 

From:
The Garden State
Post  Posted 25 Sep 2016 3:40 pm    
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As an aside, who are the builders or should I say what are the go to brands of lap steel guitars to look into?

Thanks again,
Frank
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Frank Agliata


From:
Jersey Shore, USA
Post  Posted 25 Sep 2016 5:01 pm    
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Sure Frank, I can only speak from my experience, but both these gentlemen make really fine lap steels. Prices are very reasonable for the basic models. But like anything else, the more elaborate or ornate you go, the higher the price.

Ryan Rukavina at:

http://www.rukavinaguitars.com/

Robert Allen at:

http://www.melbert.guitars/home.html

They may or may not have models on hand available for immediate purchase. A custom built guitar may take a month or two turn around time, depending on how busy they are. However, the quality is well worth the wait.
There are other fine builders on the forum as well who do amazing work. A quick search my be worth the effort.

Georgeboards currently has a thread on the For Sale section of the board offering some really nice guitars . .

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=306888

Of course there are imported mass produced models available on eBay and Amazon, which are decent value for the money, if you want something right away. Or maybe just something to play with while you're waiting for a custom build.
If you like a vintage instrument, I've seen them come up for sale here on the forum and on eBay. They can be pretty pricey though depending on their rarity.
But then again a good deal can happen if your at the right place and time.
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Frank De Vincenzo

 

From:
The Garden State
Post  Posted 25 Sep 2016 6:11 pm    
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Thank you Frank. There is a young fella named King on the forum who has put some lap steel up for sale here. But for the life of me I can remember his first name.
Those GeorgeBoards are way pricey. Way out of the kids league right now with college loans and all to pay back.
Thank you for listing the other sites.

Frank D.
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Nathan Laudenbach

 

From:
Montana
Post  Posted 25 Sep 2016 6:49 pm    
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I would recommend a Gold Tone LS8. It is a great value for the money. I would be happy to share some advice about technique and tunings via Skype if he would be interested. No charge of course, I'm not a professional but I take lessons with John Ely so you can be sure I will point him in the right direction.
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Frank Agliata


From:
Jersey Shore, USA
Post  Posted 25 Sep 2016 7:52 pm    
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Johnie King?

He currently has a nice guitar for sale or trade . .

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=306692
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Stephen Abruzzo

 

From:
Philly, PA
Post  Posted 25 Sep 2016 8:37 pm    
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Frank,

I think Forumite Doug Beaumier is up in the Boston-ish area. He is an outstanding player and teacher.
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Frank De Vincenzo

 

From:
The Garden State
Post  Posted 26 Sep 2016 8:21 am    
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Thanks Stephen for the info on Doug. I will definitely look into that. Maybe they are close to one another. You never know.

Offering your time Nathan is a very, very generous offer. I hope my son takes you up on it!

Frank, yes, that's the fella I was thinking of. He seems to sell a lot of lap steels on the forum. I will touch base with him and see if he has something at reasonable prices.

Thank you all for your very informative and timely responses

Frank DeVincenzo
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Steve Green


From:
Gulfport, MS, USA
Post  Posted 26 Sep 2016 12:18 pm    
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Frank Agliata wrote:

. . . Robert Allen at:

http://www.melbert.guitars/home.html

. . .


I can not recommend Bob Allen at Melbert Guitars highly enough. Excellent quality instruments at amazingly low prices.

I own 2 Melbert lap steels, a 6 string and an 8 string. I love them both. I have actually sold all the other lap steels I owned, save for a 1939 Supro 60 steel / amp combo.





Stephen Abruzzo wrote:
Frank,

I think Forumite Doug Beaumier is up in the Boston-ish area. He is an outstanding player and teacher.


+1 for Doug Beaumier. I've never dealt with him in person, but I've purchased both of his C6 lap steel books/cd's and am really impressed.

Check out his Youtube channel to see what an excellent player he is.

This video in particular is the one that made me purchase my first lap steel.

Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO2Tf8KLJ14

(He makes this $99 Asian import lap steel sound amazing).
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G Strout


From:
Carabelle, Florida
Post  Posted 3 Oct 2016 4:35 pm    
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I second what Steve Green said. The Melbert steels are an excellent quality for a reasonable price. I bought a 6 string model used, and it is my "go to" 6 string lap.
Also Doug Beaumier is an excellent player.
I have purchased one his books and also purchased a D8 Guyatone from him back a few years ago. I regretted selling the Guyatone a year or so later. The guitar had excellent tone and his description was spot on.
I now play a D8 Jerry Byrd Excel but still miss that Guyatone a little. Rolling Eyes
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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 3 Oct 2016 5:55 pm    
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Thanks for the mention guys. I regretted selling that Guyatone too! A couple of years later a very generous friend gave me one just like it! It's in beautiful condition. I've played it in a couple of my videos and on the audio for my third song book. There's magic in those old Japanese gold foil pickups!

Frank, I'm about 100 miles west of Boston. I teach guitar and lap steel guitar, mostly local, weekly students. But I've also taught a number of steel guitar students from the Boston area and CT who come here monthly or every third week for lessons. If you're interested send me an email. Link below.
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