Definitive list of lap steel luthiers

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 21 Sep 2018 6:06 am

Folks,

I'd love to put a list together of all the builders of lap steels currently building today. I'll start with the ones I can think of:

I'll update his list as people add their suggestions:

Clinesmith
Sonny Jenkins
Christopher Fouke
Duesenberg
MSA
Bill Asher
Robert Allen (Melbert Guitar)
Ron Mielzynski (Ram Guitars)
Ryan Ruckavina
Bill Hardin
Creston Lee
Jimmie Hudson
Tom Burton (Chatsworth guitars)
Mike Dotson (Mariposa Guitars)
Jason DuMont (Lap King)
Honest Ron's Guitars
Johnny King
Herb Remington
Dan Campbell (Caladesi Guitars)
Jackson Steel Guitar Company
Bob Littleton (West Coast Steel Guitar)
Scott Walker Guitars
V-Muse (Terry Vuncannon)
Wayne Johnson (Innovative Guitars)
Bill Hatcher
Crystal Forest, (Terry)
Joe Yanuziello
Jason Bowerman

who else?

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 21 Sep 2018 6:20 am

Some just messaged me that George is retired. so subtract GeorgeBoards.

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 21 Sep 2018 6:29 am

Add Robert Allen .....Melbert Guitar

I build for myself, but I have limit of 5. When I reach that number and want to build another one, I will sell one. I am not in business so to speak, but if the planets all line up, I will part with one on occasion. Right now there are 4 in my stable. I am planning on building another one over the winter. I have 5 Grandkids so that is why I have my limit at 5. If something happens to me, there will be one for each of them.

Charles Stange · Post by **Charles Stange** » 21 Sep 2018 6:34 am

Ron Mielzensky - Ram Guitars

Ryan Ruckavina

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 21 Sep 2018 6:46 am

Bill Asher
Bill Hardin
Creston Lee

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 21 Sep 2018 7:02 am

How could I forget Bill Asher

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 21 Sep 2018 7:18 am

Chris Foulke
Jimmie Hudson
Tom Burton / Chatsworth guitars

A number more .... check out the lap steel lunatics facebook group

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 21 Sep 2018 7:22 am

I think it is Fouke, not Foulke and I already had him in the original post. adding Hudson and Burton.

Kirk Francis · Post by **Kirk Francis** » 21 Sep 2018 8:21 am

Mike Dotson of Mariposa Guitars built a couple of very nice wooden fry pans for me.

Jim Newberry · Post by **Jim Newberry** » 21 Sep 2018 11:31 am

Are Cruz Tone guitars still being made?

Robert Sands · Post by **Robert Sands** » 21 Sep 2018 3:29 pm

Jason DuMont-Lap King

Nic Sanford · Post by **Nic Sanford** » 21 Sep 2018 3:37 pm

Honest Ron in OKC.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 21 Sep 2018 3:46 pm

Jim Newberry wrote:Are Cruz Tone guitars still being made?

Not sure, but right off I would say no. Colin Alder left the Santa Cruz area and now lives on The Big Island of Hawaii.

Speaking of Santa Cruz, though standard electric guitars are his main gig, Scott Walker has built some amazing lap steels.

Also:

Herb Remington

West Coast Steel Guitars - Bobby Black has played a 12 string version for years.

Robert Allen · Post by **Robert Allen** » 21 Sep 2018 3:56 pm

Johnny King in Tennessee?

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 21 Sep 2018 4:49 pm

Mark is Herb still actively making steels?

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 21 Sep 2018 5:35 pm

I believe Herb is still building guitars Bill. Pretty amazing.

I was reading a post from a member earlier today re a fairly recent guitar that Herb built for him.

Herb must have discovered the fountain of youth.

George Piburn · Post by **George Piburn** » 21 Sep 2018 5:48 pm

Dan Campbell near Tampa Florida --- Caladesi Guitars Great Person and builder.

Jackson of Nashville.

Steve Hotra · Post by **Steve Hotra** » 21 Sep 2018 5:53 pm

West Coast Steels here in Camas, WA.
Bob Littleton..
I own one of his 8 strings .. its an wonderful sounding guitar.

Jonathan Scherer · Post by **Jonathan Scherer** » 21 Sep 2018 9:36 pm

W. Johnson Innovative Guitars

Loni Specter · Post by **Loni Specter** » 21 Sep 2018 9:41 pm

Just saw this post. Letting you know that at present, I am only making the RedNeck, Tele & Strat lapsteel conversion necks. Also available are my "SlipperySlides" solid glass bars with the Sitar effect. www.lapdancerguitars.com

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 22 Sep 2018 1:34 am

In my mind, the builder of all builders! Scott Walker Guitars. His work is incredible. http://scottwalkerguitars.com/gallery/

check out the video

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 22 Sep 2018 6:26 am

V-Muse (Terry Vuncannon)

JB Bobbitt · Post by **JB Bobbitt** » 22 Sep 2018 9:13 am

Crystal Forest, "Terry":

http://crystalforestmandolins.com/CFLapSteelV2sold.html

Steve Atwood · Post by **Steve Atwood** » 22 Sep 2018 4:15 pm

Bill Hatcher. I don't know how many he makes in a year, but they're built solid and sound great. More people should try 12-strings. They open up many possibilities.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 22 Sep 2018 5:54 pm

Jason Bowerman: http://www.bowermanguitars.com/glasssteel.htm

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