Advice for Buying 1st Lap Steel

Andrew Mayrs · Post by **Andrew Mayrs** » 25 Aug 2000 8:02 am

I've been playing guitar for about 10 years now, but not steel guitar. I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice as to what to look for when checking out used lap steels or any recommendations for a beginner.

As an alternative to finding a used lap steel, the local music store has a Korean made Gretsch lap steel in stock (Synchromatic Model G1700). Any comments on these?

Thanks,
Andrew.

Sur Singh · Post by **Sur Singh** » 25 Aug 2000 8:47 am

I went through this excersice in the last two months. I am not an expert on lap steels by any means, but this is what I did:

I checked out the local stores and played their guitars. Asked people on this forum (and others) about what they thought of many of those guitars. I finally found a guitar through yahoo auctions (Gibson Ultratone). That was a little risky as you cannot tell how the guitar sounded, but it turned out OK. I am expecting my second guitar (Oahu) any time soon. This one I bought from someone who plays lap steel himself. I made an informal rating of guitar models for myself, I can share it with you, email me if you like. The list is based on input of many people. (Also, to get an idea of price I kept a tab on how much guitars models were sold for on eBay and Yahoo.) You may also check out old threads on this forum (some started by me asking questions) which will give an idea as to how others rate lap guitars. Brad's page of steel was the most helpful site to know about guitars. Unfortunately, his site does not rate guitars or, by and large, does not give an opinion on models/makers.

-Surinder[This message was edited by Surinder Singh on 25 August 2000 at 09:48 AM.]

Tele · Post by **Tele** » 25 Aug 2000 11:57 am

depends on what you'd like to spend...I'd recommend a Fender.
There are several for sale here, just browse through "Buy and sell"
If you like I could send you an email address of someone who has a lot of old Fenders and maybe a couple of Gibson for sale(at reasonable prices)....

Good luck

Andy

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..want to learn more about this stupid fella ??
http://hometown.aol.com/altec639/page1.html

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 25 Aug 2000 6:48 pm

A friend of mine by the name of Elva West, who lives in Anaheim, CA. builds very nice steel guitars at VERY reasonable cost. I don't wish to throw names around, but I feel Ian McLatchie won't mind and will agree that Elva does indeed build a nice guitar. Ian played mine when he visited me recently. Unfortunately, Elva is still on snail so you would either have to snail him or phone him. He's a very nice guy and wants to please. Ask him about the 8 string guitar he made for me which I cannot brag about enough. (It's a blonde model). You can write to him at: 5201 E Crescent Dr., Anaheim, CA., 92807. He will make whatever you want...6-8-or double neck models, his design or yours. His phone number is: (714) 637-4084
The brand name for his guitars is TRADEWIND.
All you'll lose from phoning him will be the cost of the long distance call...so give him a call and you might be in for a very pleasant surprise.

David Pennybaker · Post by **David Pennybaker** » 25 Aug 2000 6:56 pm

Let me recommend the Rattler by Smith Family Music (Melobar).
http://www.melobar.com/lapsteels_ratt.htm

You can get a factory "second" for $199 (see his HotSheet http://www.melobar.com/specials/specials.doc )

Note: this page takes a while to load

Also, he has the following special in the HotSheet:

Stock 2nd Rattler Lap Steel with Sure Grip Bar, Golden Gate Thumb Pick, Split wrap Pro-Piks, and the new Arlen Roth Video ($67 in accessories). Reg Price $416
Special $ 339

Give Ted a call at (800) 942-6509

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The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons
http://members.xoom.com/dpennybaker/index.htm

Andy Alford · Post by **Andy Alford** » 25 Aug 2000 7:02 pm

See the best site at Brad's Page Of Steel.Brad's site has helped many people with making that decision.

Lew Collins · Post by **Lew Collins** » 26 Aug 2000 6:36 am

My advice:

1) Get a Bakelite Rickenbacker with the horseshoe pickup & don't spend more than $400.

2) Get a Fender Champ...but know ahead of time that it might be a bright sounding guitar as opposed to the warmer, richer sounding Rick...don't spend more than $350.

3) Get a Supro with the adjustable polepieces on the pickup...three at the top, three at the bottem. Don't pay more than $200.

4) DO NOT get a Gibson BR 9...lousy pickup and not a P-90...tho it looks like a P-90 pickup, the pickup is low output and has mediocre tone. You see lots of these ivory colored laps for sale on ebay...don't buy one.

5) DO NOT get a gray painted hollowbody Rickenbacker, especially if the pickup cannot be adjusted for height. These are student guitars and feedback at any kind of real volume. The exception would be a Silver Hawaiian...these feedback too but at least they're beautiful to look at, sound good and are collectable.

6) Get George Gruhn's book on Electric Guitars...not the price guide tho. It's a large, full color book on the history of the Electric guitar. Great chapters on Gibson, Supro, Fender and Rickenbacher lap steels ...I learned alot.

Ian McLatchie · Post by **Ian McLatchie** » 29 Aug 2000 6:35 pm

Andrew:
I can certainly second what George says. I was extremely impressed with the sound of the Tradewind. At $395 U.S. (no case), it is a
very good bargain. As David says, Melobar instruments are also absolutely first-rate, with great sound and superb workmanship. The SLS models I've played have had a sound on a par with fine vintage instruments, and I'm confident the Supersteel I have on order will match or exceed the Fender Stringmasters on which it's based.

Curt Langston · Post by **Curt Langston** » 30 Aug 2000 5:50 am

By all means, buy a Melobar TD-8. This is an exceptional value 8 string, that you will not out grow. Ted Smith at Smith Family Music will do you right on this....I know, I have one..............

Lynn Kasdorf · Post by **Lynn Kasdorf** » 30 Aug 2000 11:47 am

I'd say, try to get an 8 string. They are MUCH more flexible than a 6.

Also, I find that the type of steel where the strings go through the pickup sounds great, but are harder to play, especially on upper frets. I say this because the pickup gets in the way of your right hand. At least on pedal steel, "proper" hand position is to have the heel of your right hand over the pickup.

That being said, I play a Fender Custom which has the pickups in the way of my hand. I just love the sound, though!

Fortunately, a lap steel guitar is a pretty simple thing, and even the cheap ones work fine. One thing I have seen many guitar players do is put light strings on a steel. This is a real mistake, and will make it much harder to get a decent tone. See Bobby's chart (somewhere on this site) for gauges.

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"You call that thing a guitar?"

David Stehman · Post by **David Stehman** » 19 Sep 2000 10:45 pm

Andrew - I've had just a great time with an older used, bargain priced ($190) 8 string
Melobar from Ted Smith. It makes a great tone at any volume, and is very responsive to
where you pick it relative to the pickup for a lot of expressiveness. He's been a great intro to laps for me, and I plan to order a supersteel when the new transmission on the van is paid off. Let us know.........
Dave Stehman
8 String CC8
88 Reed reso
Melobro 2000 reso
Oahu 6 Diana

John Borchard · Post by **John Borchard** » 21 Sep 2000 12:13 pm

Andrew, a friend of mine has an old ('50s) 6-string Supro that I just spruced up(added a 1/4" jack, replaced tuner buttons, cleaned volume & tone controls). He'd sell it for $200 plus shipping. I have several of these and absolutely love them. And this is one of the most resonant ones I've played. It sounds great! If you're interested, e-mail me.

John B.[This message was edited by John Borchard on 21 September 2000 at 01:14 PM.]

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 22 Sep 2000 12:13 pm

Andrew, if you've still not found one yet, let me know if I can help. I've always got some good laps and pedal guitars for sale, I can give you great prices on a Melobar Rattler or 8 string single, Morrell 8 string, or others. The Melobars are really great guitars...

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Mark van Allen-"Blueground Undergrass" Pedal, Non-Pedal, Lap, and Dobro[This message was edited by Mark van Allen on 22 September 2000 at 01:14 PM.]

Andrew Mayrs · Post by **Andrew Mayrs** » 23 Sep 2000 7:57 am

I want to thank everyone for their advice. I ended up buying a single neck 8 string Fender Stringmaster from a forum member who lives in my area. (Many thanks to Lawrence). It has a beige finish which matches my "regular" 6 string Fender guitar quite nicely. I checked the date codes on the pots so the guitar appears to have been made around 1966. (It is has the shorter neck ~ 22.5" I think). I have put a new set of strings to tune it to C6 so now I'm just trying to figure out how to play it.
Thanks again to all,
Andrew.