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Topic: Need advice on what to buy... |
Micah Zumar
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 26 Jan 2011 8:59 pm |
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Hey all. I'm new to this forum, and to the world of lap steel guitars in general. Been researching the topic as much as possible online, and am more confused thyan ever.
My style of music is basically rock: a cross between soundgarden, muse, radiohead, coldplay, evanescence and tool. I think the right lap steel could add some cool sounds to my music - and the wrong one would be aweful.
Does ANYONE have some advice what i should look for? I don't wanna spend a ton on it, and it has to be electronic obviously. Any advice is greatly appreciated!! |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 26 Jan 2011 9:22 pm
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Micah, I think an Asher Electro Hawaiian Jr. might be a good instrument for the type of music you play, and it is also pretty reasonably priced. I would suggest something with a humbucking pickup (or 2, like the Asher), because if you're playing with gain, the noise will be a factor.
http://www.asherguitars.com/lap_steel_electro_h_jr.php
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Frank James Pracher
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 26 Jan 2011 9:38 pm
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Supro/Valco/Oahu can be good for a heavier sound. You can find them on ebay cheap sometimes.
My personal favorite for rock is my 71 Electro.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2mI88xyXSo
There is a similar one on the ebay right now.
The Rouge Jersey lighting,Rondo,or a Peavey Powerslide might be a good choice also. I've only played the Powerslide a few times. I am still trying to decide if I like it.
Someone on the forum was selling some Melobars. They looked like they had potential to be good for rock
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"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one" |
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Christopher Lippincott
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 26 Jan 2011 10:14 pm
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| I own a rogue jersey lightning and it has done me well for about a year now. I got it off of musicians friend for $150 on sale and it turned out to be a good value. It won't give you what an asher or other medium priced model will, though it takes gain decently well and it will furthermore give you something to start out on to make a decision if you want to go forth with the steel in your group. |
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William Lake
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 26 Jan 2011 10:23 pm
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For rock, the Peavey Powerslide would work well. You can play it standing up. Google it and you will find a few demos. Not expensive either. About $200 with bag.
Edited .. I just noticed you're from Canada. Al Brisco at Steel Guitars Canada has the Powerslide for $175Cdn.
He is a good guy to deal with. Always fair.
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Bill |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 27 Jan 2011 6:27 am
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| Mike Neer wrote: |
Micah, I think an Asher Electro Hawaiian Jr. might be a good instrument for the type of music you play, and it is also pretty reasonably priced. I would suggest something with a humbucking pickup (or 2, like the Asher), because if you're playing with gain, the noise will be a factor.
http://www.asherguitars.com/lap_steel_electro_h_jr.php |
Bills Jr is a fine steel and two pickups can open up a lot of possibilities for the music style you play.
With a pair of humbuckers you can always do some modification / extended wiring for even more tones.
A 4 pole 5 or 6 position switch can give you the regular 3 positions plus the opportunity to split coils and mix them up, in / out of phase / parallel / series combos and still remain humbucking.
I use a 4 pole 6 position rotary switch on my FPS model to give
1) bridge
2) bridge split
3) outer coils neck / bridge
4) neck / bridge together
5) inner coils neck / bridge
6) neck
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On the cheaper end, the Powerslide and Jersey Lightning are solid recommendations. Both have humbuckers and mod potential if your so inclined. Peavy's panning split coil setup is pretty neat and useful and fairly easy to do on most any 4 wire humbucker. Here is a basic diagram from Seymour Duncan
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Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
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Mike Harris
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 27 Jan 2011 8:01 am
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With rock music we typically have to make that humbucker/single coil decision. With a a PowerSlide you can go either way, or any point in between with the graduated tone knob.
I have to admit, though, those Ashers look like formidable rock guitars. |
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Micah Zumar
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Former Member
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Chris Tweed
From:
Cardiff, Wales, UK
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Posted 29 Jan 2011 12:48 pm
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'Fraid not, Ron. I got one of these last year. I'm still alive 
Go on, how can one more hurt 
Chris |
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Bill Leff
From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 29 Jan 2011 1:18 pm
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That seems like a really good BIN price. Anyone know if the black could be the original finish? |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 29 Jan 2011 3:17 pm
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Well,,, I'm a National/Supro/Valco kinda guy. 20 guitars, and not a humbucker amongst them! Here's a sample of a recording I did with my friend Neil Zaza;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzYBR0a-cw4
And another with a friend of Neil's. It starts out with a flattop with a raised nut, in a rather odd tuning that combines D Tuning with G tuning. After the song picks up. I switched to my Monkey Ward's Rocket. That's the somewhat ominous-sounding rhythm guitar, although Neil and I alternate on some fills;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ100pj82Po |
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