Second lap steel

Lap steels, resonators, multi-neck consoles and acoustic steel guitars

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Paul Vassallo
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Second lap steel

Post by Paul Vassallo »

Not in a area where lap steels are available for me. Looking for a great sounding lap steel. My first is a Gibson BR-9, 50’s. In the thousands dollar range. If anyone has any insight it would be greatly appreciated.
Paul
Last edited by Paul Vassallo on 3 Jun 2020 7:32 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Keith Glendinning
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Post by Keith Glendinning »

Tod Clinesmith?

.
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Joe Rouse
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Post by Joe Rouse »

Sonny Jenkins
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Erv Niehaus
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Post by Erv Niehaus »

There are a lot of very nice used lap steels out there.
I'd look at some Rickenbachers, Fenders, Gibsons etc. :D
Erv
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Fred Treece
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Post by Fred Treece »

George has a pretty nice looking 8-string for sale.
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=350802
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John Rosett
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Post by John Rosett »

My neighbor, Ryan Rukavina, has a very nice 8 string for sale. I've played this one, and it's a screaming deal: https://reverb.com/item/33338200-rukavi ... ale-length
"it's not in bad taste, if it's funny." - john waters
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John Rosett
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Post by John Rosett »

Keith Glendinning wrote:Tod Clinesmith?

.
Todds guitars start at around $1700.
"it's not in bad taste, if it's funny." - john waters
Glenn Wilde
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Post by Glenn Wilde »

What is your first one?
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Lee Holliday
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Post by Lee Holliday »

Not knowing what you already have you are fortunate to be in the US where there is choice and supply of new and vintage. I would be looking to get a Valco, a rickenbacher, maybe an Epiphone Electar (Horseshoe powered, K&F Fender or Maybe an Gibson. Bill Asher as well as his modern builds has some interesting vintage stuff currently for sale also.

Lets us know where it ends.

Lee
Glenn Wilde
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Post by Glenn Wilde »

Since you have a BR9, you've got the Gibson P90 tone covered. With a budget of 1000.00 i would be looking at a nice old Fender or a Bakelite Ric myself, strongly leaning to the Ric ( i have a great Fender already) ;-)
Jim Pitman
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Post by Jim Pitman »

Gotta love those Ryan Rukavina lap steels. My partner in crime picked one up at the Dallas Steel guitar convention. Such quality/style at a great price.
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John Rosett
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Post by John Rosett »

Jim Pitman wrote:Gotta love those Ryan Rukavina lap steels. My partner in crime picked one up at the Dallas Steel guitar convention. Such quality/style at a great price.
I have a Tele style guitar and an electric mandola that Ryan built for me. Currently saving up for a lap steel to complete the set.
"it's not in bad taste, if it's funny." - john waters
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Allan Revich
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Post by Allan Revich »

You might want to check these out.
https://www.industrialguitar.com/produc ... -lapsteels

Mine should show up today!
Current Tunings:
6 String | D – D A D F# A D
7 String | D/f – f D A D F# A D
https://papadafoe.com/lap-steel-tuning-database
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Nic Neufeld
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Post by Nic Neufeld »

There's a lot of great guitars out there, new and vintage. I'd plug one or two of them but recommendations are kinda pointless without knowing a few things about what you want, eg:

* What style of music do you want to play on it? Not that certain guitars are only good for certain styles, but some guitars are better for other things.
* Would you benefit from / actually want 7, or 8 strings? Or keep at 6? The tunings you use might impact that question...
* What scale length do you want? BR-9s sound like they are shorter, 22". It'd be up to you if you wanted to try a longer scale guitar.

But overall I guess the question is, why do want another lap steel...cmon guys, stop laughing, I know that is a ridiculous question :D ....but seriously, if there's some driving reason you want another one (diversity of sound, unhappy with some aspect of your current steel, etc) that's gonna influence what you choose as well...

(Of course I said it was kinda futile to make blind recommendations but here's another vote for Clinesmith!)
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Glenn Wilde
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Post by Glenn Wilde »

How's bout a 7 or 8?
Jim Pitman
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Post by Jim Pitman »

Here's the Rukavina my friend picked up. It has tripod legs.
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Peter Jacobs
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Post by Peter Jacobs »

Sweet! That Rukavina is simple, yet elegant. How's it sound, Jim? And what styles do your friend play?
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Gene Tani
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Post by Gene Tani »

You folks have excellent taste in steels (Rukavina and one of Sonny's on top)


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- keyless Sonny Jenkins laps stay in tune forever!; Carter PSG
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Paul Vassallo
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Second Lap Steel

Post by Paul Vassallo »

Just want to thank everyone for your input this really helps. Stay Safe.
Jim Pitman
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Post by Jim Pitman »

Hi Peter. My friend bought it for his son and doesn't play lap steel himself. I never got the chance to play it through an amp myself. Sounded pretty good acoustically.
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Allan Revich
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Re: Second Lap Steel

Post by Allan Revich »

Paul Vassallo wrote:Just want to thank everyone for your input this really helps. Stay Safe.
I would suggest either a Rickenbacher with a horseshoe, or a Valco/Supro/National with a string through. The Valco should be under $500. Rick Bakelites are hard to find for under $1000 (but possible), you should have no trouble finding an all metal hollow body Rickenbacher within your budget though.

All of the other suggestions are good too though.
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Jeffery Mercer
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Here’s a pic of mine

Post by Jeffery Mercer »

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Jeff Hilton VP,
Boss Katana 2X12 100 water.
Peterson Tuner, Many Pedals, Beautiful Steelers Choice Seat! Also play Blues Harp, have many harps, and Vintage Mics. Too much to list...I am Blessed!
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