A Few Questions Before I Order A New Lap Steel

Ron Housley · From: Iowa, USA

Hi There -
New guy here, and I'm about ready to order a new Lap Steel Guitar.
Over the last week I've been reading many threads on this forum, and gotten most of my questions answered. Great resource!

But, I still need a little help with some things that I haven't quite figured out yet. If someone could find the time to steer me in the right direction, that would be much appreciated.

From researching this forum and reading many websites, I finally narrowed the instrument choices down to three -
Fern's Guitars 'Slide King'
Clinesmith 'Joaquin Model'
Rukavina 'Ripple Lapsteel'

I want to play Ry Cooder type music in Open D, so I'm interested in a 25" (or 24.5") scale.
I've contacted Fern's Guitars and he said that he would be willing to build a 25" model. He normally makes only 22.5" Lap Steels. He mentioned February as "when he could take [my] commission".So, this may be the one that I will be purchasing in a few months.

OK, now for the questions -

1. This guitar comes with a Lollar P90 Soap Bar pickup, bridge position.
I'm thinking of adding a second P.U. Either a Lollar 'Gold
Foil' or Lollar 'Imperial Humbucker'.
Good idea or bad idea?

2. Not yet sure what string gauges to get for this guitar in Open D at 25"
scale. I noticed that the Duesenberg, with a 25.5" scale comes with the
following - H to L - .016 .018 .026 .036 .046 .056
Would these string gauges work well for playing the kind of music that I've mentioned? Or, should I change a few to another size?

3. Not a question, but an example of the tone that I would like to get close
to. I know it takes more than just the guitar to achieve a particular sound,
but that's where I have to start. I have a list of the equipment that this
artist is using. Some of which will have to wait for a later day.
The guitar player is - Jeremy James. The YouTube video is 2:14 long and is
titled - "Ry Cooder's Feelin' Bad Blues (Crossroads Movie Version) | Play
Through".
This is just plain beautiful! The tone, incredible!
(Sorry, but I haven't figured out how to include the link to the video.)

Sooo, I know, this was kinda long for a first post! And I may not be done yet! : )

Thanks much,
Ron

Joe A. Roberts · From: Seoul, South Korea

The Magnatone G-65 or G-70 is a cool vintage 24.5” scale length option that can sometimes be found at a good price thats also worth considering.

Paul Seager · From: Augsburg, Germany

Hello Ron. With the exception of my acoustic National, all of my lap steels are 22.5". I keep one tuned to open D and use the string gauges you mention. Works out fine for my needs but I'm not a big user of open D.

Good resource for gauges is on Jon Ely's site: https://www.hawaiiansteel.com/learning/gauges.php

The challenge of a second pick-up is the size of your right hand playing area and clearance above the p'up. It would drive me nuts if I was constantly tapping against a p'up with a metal pick!
_________________
\paul

Bayern Hawaiians: https://www.youtube.com/@diebayernhawaiians3062
Other stuff: https://www.youtube.com/@paulseager3796/videos

Ron Housley · From: Iowa, USA

Joe - I just did a quick search on those Magnatone Lap Steels, and I'm impressed. ( Those Maganatone amps are impressive also.)
If, for some reason, this Fern's Lap Steel purchase does not work out, I will look into the Magnatone steels more thoroughly.

Paul - That John Ely site is very helpful. I think I can find what I need using his String Gauge Chart and the Stringjoy String Tension Calculator.
I might get a couple of different sets to experiment with.

And, your advice about installation of a second pickup is helpful also. Your concern is valid. I hadn't thought of a clearance issue. I'll go with the one pickup and avoid a potential problem.

Thanks so much guys for the assistance!

Ron

Bill McCloskey · Posted 26 Dec 2023 8:32 am

Couple of thoughts: The first thing that jumps out is that Ry Cooder plays bottle neck, not steel guitar (as far as I'm aware). For inspiration on steel, you might want to look into the playing of David Lindley. You also may want to listen to the Sacred Steel players if you like that rocking blues type sound. I noticed the other player you mentioned is also a bottle neck player.

StringJoy's String tension page is great for deciding on which gauges to get depending on scale length https://tension.stringjoy.com/

While all the guitars you've shown are great, a lot of folks playing that gritty blues stuff look for old supro's. The other thought is to use something like a Emerald Solace, which sounds great plugged in and is really designed for D tuning. Check out Justine Johnson playing his in D tuning, which is probably something you would like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlnVAI47U5k

Ron Housley · From: Iowa, USA

Bill - Yeah, I like David Lindley also. Cooder & Lindley type of music is what I'm interested in playing. (Also a lot of improvising.) I got the idea to play this slide 'bluesy' stuff on a Lap Steel instead of a regular guitar when I saw another video of a guy playing the following - Timbo H. - "Feelin' Bad Blues Lap Steel". He's got two examples.

Took a look at that Emerald 'Solace' guitar. Nice instrument, but outa my price range.

Thanks much,
Ron

Tony Oresteen · From: Georgia, USA

Before you decide, spend some time understanding the differences in a 6,7, or 8 string lapsteel. You may find a 6 string too limiting a year from now. You don't have to put 8 strings on an 8 string lap steel. You can put 6 or 7 and as you develop you can add a string when you are ready. But if you start with a 6 string you would need to buy a whole new guitar to get 7 or 8 strings.

Take a look at Fouke Indstrial Guitars:

https://industrialguitar.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW87EG0KU2Q
_________________
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster Quad black
PedalMaster D8

Ron Housley · From: Iowa, USA

Hey Tony - Fern's Guitars makes an 8 string 'Slide King'model. I'll research this a bit more and decide if I should make a change. He indicated that the guitar would be 'commissioned' in February 2024, so I have a little time if I want anything changed.

I checked out those Fouke 'Industrial' Guitars and I like the way they look. A little different, but I kinda like different sometimes.
If, for some reason this Fern's deal doesn't work out, I'm going to be in the market for another guitar, and those Fouke models are now on the list.

Thanks for the information,
Ron

HowardR · From: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville

Here are my thoughts for your endeavor.....

I don't have any experience with Fern guitars but they look nice & well built....they are built in NL which could make things difficult if there is an issue....

Clinesmith is an excellent guitar.....check on the time frame.....

Rukavina is a quality maker but it's not clear to me what he's doing in terms of production & availability....his site says that he's not taking orders (or custom orders) but is or will be producing his Ripple model lap steel only.....if he has them (or 1) in stock and it fits your criteria, that's fine.....if not, it may be a healthy wait....

All 3 of the above guitars are more suited (IMO) for a lap steel style sound like rock, Hawaiian, country, & western swing although you can certainly tweak them towards the sound that you're looking for.....

For the Ry Cooder type blues/rock/electric roots sound & music......my vote is for Fouke guitars (I own 3)..I think the aluminum guitars are best suited to what you want to do and the sound yo are looking for.....Chris Fouke is very knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with....and he'll build just about anything you want....if you want 2 pick ups wired just about any way you want, it's no problem for him.....I would suggest visiting his facebook page as there are a fair amount of videos of the various models....and also visit his website.....

And lastly.....while lap steels are played with a bar, you can also get a glass slide and use it as a bar to get closer to your desired sound.....even play without muting or damping to get a more gritty sound as opposed to a more polished sound......

Bill Groner · From: QUAKERTOWN, PA

Whatcha think of Cliff's rendition? Pretty darn good in my book!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo41x4dg1n8
_________________
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40

Jim Peter · From: Mendon,Mich USA

I have one of Ryan's Ripple lap steels that I got about 5-6 years ago which I would highly recommend. I don't know if he still does it but I was able to order it to my specs. (# of strings, scale length, finish etc.) Besides playing well it is a beautiful guitar.
I would also consider an 8 string guitar if possible. The reason I ended up buying an new guitar is because I felt limited with my 6 string lap steel.

Derrick Simon · From: Ontario, Canada

Ron Housley · From: Iowa, USA

Hey guys, thanks for all the advice and ideas!

As it stands right now, I'm committed to getting the Fern's Guitar 'Slide King'. There are several things that I really like about it, plus I've already got the process started.

I am seriously considering purchasing one of those Fouke Industrial Guitars next year. I have been convinced! I would like to have a second one set up differently. A six & an eight string. Also, I like some of the features that he offers.

And that "Jam Roll" that he plays on YouTube is awesome!

So, with all of the help and information you guys have given, I believe that I'm ready to begin my journey to Lap Steel stardom! (That's a joke!)

I truly appreciate all of your guidance . It has helped!

Talk to ya later,
Ron

Forum Index > Steel Without Pedals		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: