Which Lap gets the best Jazz tone?

[Ryan Barwin]

I've got a '60s National Dynamic...not a guitar known for its mellow jazz tone, and it's only got one pickup, but with the tone pot rolled back, I can get a really nice jazz tone through my Fender Deluxe amp. The difference in tone is huge, even with just a slight turn of the tone knob.

As for flatwound strings, I put chrome flats on my Gretsch lap steel, to try and get a mellower tone, but it's still fairly bright, but with less sustain.

I don't know what kind of bar you're using, but there's probably a bar that could at least contribute to the kind of tone you're looking for.

[Mark Bracewell]

...it's only got one pickup, but with the tone pot rolled back, I can get a really nice jazz tone ... [t]he difference in tone is huge, even with just a slight turn of the tone knob.

I think this statement is immensely valuable and I would like to draw attention to it.

[Edward Meisse]

I'm amazed that nobody has mentioned the Remington. That big, heavy plank of wood and the E66 pu make an unbeatable combination in my view. But it's reall a console guitar. Rather heavy for lap play, I think.

[Stephen Seitz]

...you know, you guys are great to re-read!
..AND I've got a deep curiosity about jazz tunings and which lap does the trick!!
Any current insight would be great !!
Thanks!

[AJ Azure]

I wonder why no on 'known' ever actually used an archtop for lap playing prior to solid bodies. becoming prevelant

[Roman Sonnleitner]

Lack of sustain, probably - archtops usually don't have a lot of sustain, compared to solidbodies...

[Leroy Beal]

I'm surprised that no one mentioned Cole Clark's Violap. Semi hollow body with multiple pickups. Here is a link to Jerry Douglas demonstrating one.

http://www.premierguitar.com/Video/2009 ... l_Jam.aspx

[AJ Azure]

I'm surprised that no one mentioned Cole Clark's Violap. Semi hollow body with multiple pickups. Here is a link to Jerry Douglas demonstrating one.

http://www.premierguitar.com/Video/2009 ... l_Jam.aspx

mainly

it doesn't sound like an archtop just masquerading as one due to the f-holes. there's absolutely no jazz tone there. At least not on that video.

[AJ Azure]

Lack of sustain, probably - archtops usually don't have a lot of sustain, compared to solidbodies...

true but, jazz guitarists don't sustain so we need to define jazz tone

[Dave Sky]

Hi Mike,
Here is the topic where I asked about using a jazz box as a lap steel. Check out Andy Volk's post.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... t=jazz+box