Lap Steel?

[Jermo3178]

Hello forum bros... I'm thinking about buying a lap steel. I don't now how to play, and don't even know that I'd like it... but for some reason, I've been toying with this idea for about a year. I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions on one "to start" with? I say one on MF on sale for around $100... thinking about making the plunge... What should I consider? Do they require certain strings? Upgradable like a regular guitar? Any suggestions, and experience welcomed..

Late nights, brew, and MF make you consider odd things lol.

 

[hydro]

Re: Lap Steel?

I know nothing about them - but depending on what kind of music you are into, there was a cat named Glenn Campbell - not the Rhinestone Cowboy guy, but a guy who was in a 60s psych band called The Misunderstood. If you are interested in seeing how versatile and amazing this instrument can be outside of the traditional Western country music context, check him (and the Misunderstood) out. Supposedly they influenced a lot of early British psychedelia, Pink Floyd, etc. after they came to England from California.

 

[B2D]

Re: Lap Steel?

As far as upgrades, Lace makes Alumitone series pickups that are for, and will work with Lap Steels. Robert Randolph uses them.

 

[Jermo3178]

Re: Lap Steel?

cool, thanks for the info guys! I appreciate it!

 

[Matt42]

Re: Lap Steel?

I started on that Rogue lap steel from MF. It was a good starter lap steel. I've moved up to a Peavey Powerslide, which I like well enough. You'll have to find the gauge string you prefer, but most of them can be strung with regular guitar strings.

As far as technique goes, my best suggestion is to play with a tuner pedal turned on all the time for the first 4-6 months to make sure you are getting your intonation right. It's very easy to get off by just a couple of mm, which makes the notes sound sour if you are playing with other people.

 

[synzzzer]

Re: Lap Steel?

I know Bill Lawrence (Wilde Pickups) makes a 10 string lap steel pickup. I've heard nothing but good things about it. Of course, if you are just starting out, I figure you might go with a 6 string lap steel instead of the much bigger 10 string one. But it's something to think about in the far, far future.

 

[Matt42]

Re: Lap Steel?

I've been learning 10-string E9 Pedal Steel lately. It's extremely difficult. I thought being a decent lap steel player would give me an edge. I was wrong.

 

[Jermo3178]

Re: Lap Steel?

It was a good starter lap steel.

Glad you said that... It's on sale right now for $79. Been thinking about buying one, and upgrading if/what need be.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: Lap Steel?

The other guitarist in my band made his own lap steel. He used a chunk of scrap wood, an extra Tele bridge and pickup, and other parts from Home Depot. For the nut he used an angled metal bracket and just filed slots. It actually looks really good and you wouldn't know it was home made until you start handling it. Anyway they're really simple and you don't need to spend much for a great tone.

 

[Jermo3178]

Re: Lap Steel?

The other guitarist in my band made his own lap steel. He used a chunk of scrap wood, an extra Tele bridge and pickup, and other parts from Home Depot. For the nut he used an angled metal bracket and just filed slots. It actually looks really good and you wouldn't know it was home made until you start handling it. Anyway they're really simple and you don't need to spend much for a great tone.

I was actually considering this... but I don't have a the items on hand to build one. And with my work schedule right now, I wouldn't ever get it put together before I lost interest in playing one...lol.

 

[Grenade]

Re: Lap Steel?

I love playing the lap steel. I found an old Oahu in an antique mall. Make sure the neck tapers towards the nut, Shubb makes a great capo. They also have one of the best bars on the market, the GS-1. It's a fun instrument, I highly recommend getting one.

 

[Jermo3178]

Re: Lap Steel?

I love playing the lap steel. I found an old Oahu in an antique mall. Make sure the neck tapers towards the nut, Shubb makes a great capo. They also have one of the best bars on the market, the GS-1. It's a fun instrument, I highly recommend getting one.

Thanks for the info! I appreciate it... I'd love to go to a shop to try and find one that would take a full size bucker if need be, or an older one, but I'm in the middle of Mayberry and the closest guitar shops or pawn shops are like an hour to hour an a half away.

 

[Grenade]

Re: Lap Steel?

Mine was unplayable when I got it so it didn't bother me to route the body and install a Seth Lover in the neck position. Check on ebay, I'm sure you can find something.

 

[Matt42]

Re: Lap Steel?

The Peavey Powerslide takes a full sized humbucker. I've been thinking about dropping something else in it at some point, but upgrading my lap steel is pretty low on my priority list right now. I need to do my Tele, Strat and Gretsch first.