Found my first LS!

[Bob McElroy]

Got a deal on a used SX; hard case, upgraded PUP and pots, and Stevens bar for $85 shipped.

It does need strings though. I have a GC relatively close by; if they do not stock LS strings, I guess I'll go with heavy electric strings. Thoughts?

BTW, I am planning on using open D to start.

[Brad Bechtel]

If by "LS" you mean "Lap Steel" then there is no difference between electric guitar strings and electric lap steel strings. For open D tuning I would go with a good set of regular or heavy gauge electric guitar strings. Usually the heaviest gauges they have available at Guitar Center are in the range of .013 to .056. D'Addario, GHS and Ernie Ball (and many others) make sets in this range. Here are some sets shown on the Guitar Center website.
These are perfectly acceptable for open D tuning, although some would like to use even heavier strings.
I would not recommend using flatwound strings to start.

Have fun!

[Bob McElroy]

May I ask if you thinhk 013s are too light for G?

[Brad Bechtel]

I don't think it is, for a lap steel. Some dobro players want their acoustic resophonic guitar to have a higher tension, which a .016 first string certainly provides.

It's all a matter of striking a balance between heavy strings that give you that higher tension and heavy strings that cut out the tone you seek.

John Ely has a great string chart on his website.