8 string lap for less than say...350?

Brian Hunter · Post by **Brian Hunter** » 27 Sep 2011 6:03 am

Any ideas? Other than that one that the pickup doesn't cover all the strings.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 27 Sep 2011 6:58 am

Unless you luck into a used instrument, there are no eight string guitars in that price range. The Morrell 8 string lap steels are the least expensive ones I know of, and they suffer from the pickup issue you describe. The next cheapest would be the Gold Tone LS-8, which is a very nice lap steel, but around $550 USD.
There's a Teisco 8 string lap steel on eBay which might be a good choice.

Brian Hunter · Post by **Brian Hunter** » 27 Sep 2011 7:55 am

What I figured as far as a new one. That Teisco looks sweet!

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 27 Sep 2011 10:02 am

Bob Allen is the master of the lap steel that should cost double, but doesn't: Search for Melbert on the forum and you will be swamped by praise for him....

http://www.musonmt.com/5.html

and then click on his "Discounted Items" for one of these at $100 off! - right in your ballpark! I got a discounted one a while ago, and it is just him trying to clear out his shop, no difference between that and the regular ones....

Brian Hunter · Post by **Brian Hunter** » 27 Sep 2011 10:22 am

Well, that might be the ticket. I don't know bout any of those pickups though so I'll do some reading after work. Thank you!

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 27 Sep 2011 10:38 am

Those pickups are the ones everyone wants....some single coil, some humbucker.....call Bob and he will be happy to explain the difference and help you choose. Or just post it here, say what kind of music you play, what kind of sound you are going for, and I'm sure people will chime in...

One very general guideline I've sort of figured out (IMHO, YMMV) is that the classic style is a single coil pickup into a tube amp (all they had back then), more modern sound is humbucker into a solid-state amp....

Brian Hunter · Post by **Brian Hunter** » 27 Sep 2011 10:47 am

I like what I am reading about the Jerry Wallace pup.

Thomas Temple · Post by **Thomas Temple** » 27 Sep 2011 6:17 pm

Brian, I just received my Melbert Pro 6 todfay and as previously mentioned can not heap enough praise on Bob Allen. He helped me pick the right pickup for the sound that I told him I wanted, came up with the right stain for the co0lor that I desired and I did did a discount by picking a pre-cut curly maple body. The only draw back is that he does such a good job that he has a lot of business and mione took 9 weeks to complete, but all good things are worth the wait.
Tom

Brian Hunter · Post by **Brian Hunter** » 27 Sep 2011 6:24 pm

Thomas Temple wrote:Brian, I just received my Melbert Pro 6 todfay and as previously mentioned can not heap enough praise on Bob Allen. He helped me pick the right pickup for the sound that I told him I wanted, came up with the right stain for the co0lor that I desired and I did did a discount by picking a pre-cut curly maple body. The only draw back is that he does such a good job that he has a lot of business and mione took 9 weeks to complete, but all good things are worth the wait.
Tom

Funny thing is, after I got home from work and re-read the thread, I called Bob. Mine is in the works and will take 10 weeks. And I am only paying a little bit more than what I had originally wanted to pay. Ten weeks is nothing to wait on what is going to be a great instrument.

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 27 Sep 2011 8:39 pm

Congrats, you'll love it!

Tom Mnich · Post by **Tom Mnich** » 28 Sep 2011 6:09 am

Glad you found what you were looking for.

FYI for those interested - I replaced the stock lipstick pkup in my Morrell 8 string (LRW model) with an 8 string stringmaster replacement pkup from Lollar. It drops right in to the existing hole and the bolt holes line up and everything. A simple replacement.

Thomas Temple · Post by **Thomas Temple** » 28 Sep 2011 6:21 am

Brian,
There is no doubt in my mind that you will be extremely pleased with your new Melbert. I know that I could not be happier and as will most things you do indeed get what you pay for. Good luck and keep us posted.
Tom

Steve Lipsey · Post by **Steve Lipsey** » 28 Sep 2011 8:48 am

Thomas -
I disagree....as many have said, with a Melbert, you DON'T get what you pay for, you get TWICE what you paid for....(yes, I'm a fan, both of the Melbert and of Bob Allen)

Brian Hunter · Post by **Brian Hunter** » 28 Sep 2011 8:56 am

Thanks all. I am going with the Ambrosia Maple.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 28 Sep 2011 9:15 am

checked out the melberts...cant say that i like the string angles at the headstock over the nut to the gear post. prefer less severe angles.

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 28 Sep 2011 9:59 am

Brian
Here is my Ambrosia Maple that I received a few months ago...
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... highlight=

I am sure you will like your choice of wood!

David Eastwood · Post by **David Eastwood** » 28 Sep 2011 2:28 pm

Brian Hunter wrote:Thanks all. I am going with the Ambrosia Maple.

I'm sure you'll be delighted with it - I'm very happy with mine!

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=197029

The Steel Guitar Forum

8 string lap for less than say...350?

8 string lap for less than say...350?

Here it is....

Melbert

Re: Melbert

just one thing more...

Congrats