If you only had $450 to buy a new lap steel...

[Alejandro Slinin]

What would it be?

[Tom Wolverton]

Depends on what kind of music you wanted to play and the # of strings you wanted. For basic stuff, I'd probably try to find an old Supro or National 6-string lap steel. I think you can find them for that price.

[Alejandro Slinin]

That would be ideal, but where I live (atlanta) you hardly see any in town. I'm a bit hesitant to just buy something online without seeing, touching and playing it first.

[Tom Wolverton]

Check out the Ricky SW for sale here on the forum. Just came up. Prob a real nice steel.

[Rickey Mitchell]

Check out ebay. Better yet check this link. It's a nice Oha.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :MEBIDX:IT
I've purchased off ebay over 40 time now and I haven't been sorry.


I'm not bidding over 160 for it, I'm saving for an Asher.
Good luck.

[Peter Lindelauf]

With that $450, I'd make a major deposit on the GeorgeBoards Stealth, which is a great price at $625 and then save up the rest. While you're waiting, I'd restring the Melobar so that you could start playing in C6, as mentioned in your other post.

In the past year or so, I've spent about $1500 on several late 50s lap steels and two new ones, neither of which was expensive. The one I play pretty well all the time was made by a small shop in Quebec. Think I got it for $250 on eBay, but it sounds way better than the vintage guitars. Glad to have them but, in retrospect, almost wish I'd bought *one* high quality new lap steel like the Stealth. Maybe next year...Have fun playing, whatever you come up with.

[Mark Lavelle]

For a 6-string, I'd save up another $50 and buy a Bluestem (http://www.bluestemstrings.com/page4.html). Personally, I spent a little more for 8 strings and a custom color (http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=190412) and I'm happy as can be.

P.S.: Anybody in the market for a practically new Martin D-16GT? Mine is feeling neglected: http://www.resohangout.com/classified/2045

[Orville Johnson]

I'd get a cheap Artisan or rogue or whatever and buy a Jason Lollar pickup and some decent tuning pegs and bridge and make a killer steel, probably for less than 450.

[Andrew Roblin]

There was a Rick B6 on eBay recently that went for $375 or so...

But that was a rare event.

Personally, I'd go for a Chandler RH-2. Great sustain and tone. The tone control has a fast taper that allows me to do those nice Jerry Byrd wah-wah effects. They seem to sell for $300-$400 used.

[Ray Montee]

Have you googled WEST COAST Guitars of Camas, Wash.?

Mr. Littleton is a great musician to work with.

[Rickey Mitchell]

You have ten minutes on this it's 169 right now
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 3434wt_933

[Travis Hillis]

I'd get a 8 string made by Allen Melbert(I hope this is spelled right!) right here in the good ol' USA. Then with the money I would save I'd get a new JB CD.

[Bill Creller]

That's really a loaded question to ask here!! Everyone has a favorite brand

[Alejandro Slinin]

Thanks for all the replies. Those Allen Melbert 8 strings are very tempting. Does anybody have any audio or video clips? Of course, I 'll keep an eye out on eBay for anything interesting popping up.

[Edward Meisse]

The Chandler 6 string is another good possibility. But saving up more money is the best suggestion I've seen here.

[Tom Wolverton]

The great nugget of truth to take from this thread is how lucky we are to have all of these great options in this price range. Pretty cool, don't you think?

[Charley Wilder]

The great nugget of truth to take from this thread is how lucky we are to have all of these great options in this price range. Pretty cool, don't you think?

I agree! I paid $250 for my mint condition Loney! A vintage instrument no less. Other stringed instrument players envy non pedalers. I know, I've been told that many times!

[Tony Rincon]

[Bob Hoffnar]

I would call Jim Palenscar at Steel Guitars of North County and see what he has available.