Sierra 8 Lap Steel Opinions ?

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 9 Oct 2001 4:04 pm

Hi

I know bob is in love with his

Anyone else own one, played one?

thx

bob

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 9 Oct 2001 4:10 pm

My Bakelite, Frypan, Dual professional etc. became mere conversation pieces after I got my Sierra Laptop 8.

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 9 Oct 2001 5:05 pm

Wow, that's impressive.

How much are they?

Are there any mp3 sound samples anywhere?

How would *you* describe the tone?

thx

bob

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 9 Oct 2001 5:22 pm

I got mine new from Herby Wallace for under $1000 with case. They list for $1195. They have a NEW woodgrain model with a 5 position variable pickup (I'm droolin' as I write) but I don't know that price. My dream is to get one of these then build a stand to have a Doubleneck Sierra.

As far as tone - I have to defer to a quote on their website - SOUNDS LIKE A PREWAR RICK BAKELITE ON STEROIDS.

Check with Herby... http://www.herbywallace.com/

or Sierra.... http://www.sierrasteelguitar.com/laptop.html

A fellow forumite has one for sale now in Buy and Sell. http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum3/HTML/008425.html

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 09 October 2001 at 06:29 PM.]

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 9 Oct 2001 7:09 pm

I'll agree that if not the best sounding 8 string lap, then at least one of the best sounding. Very nice comfortable string spacing. A very heavy hunk of guitar also.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 9 Oct 2001 10:02 pm

And I'll chime in with my praises... I have #003 and I really love it. they are heavy, but not only do they sound good, they have the elusive user-friendly "feel" that makes you just want to sit and play for hours. Many other lap steels feel like they're fighting you , IMHO. Can't say enough good about the Sierra.

------------------
Mark van Allen-"Blueground Undergrass" Pedal, Non-Pedal, Lap, and Dobro

Brandin · Post by **Brandin** » 9 Oct 2001 10:14 pm

If Rick Aiello says it sounds good, it does.
He sounds great on his.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 10 Oct 2001 7:23 am

Gary, thanks for the nice compliment. I thought my 16 month old daughter, Ellie was my only fan

. Now if you could get SpongeBob to endorse the Sierra they might carry them at Target

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 10 Oct 2001 10:51 am

I have serial #002. It's the best sounding steel guitar I've ever played.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 11 Oct 2001 6:49 pm

No, that would be Gary Brandin... With just about every kid in America nuts for SpongeBob, Gary has to be the MOST HEARD steel player today.

As far as the doubleneck goes - I would want it made like the Laptop - a slab of aluminum sandwiched between two slabs of "composite material"- I believe it is the same stuff they make soundboards for Grand Pianos out of. Maybe when my wife pays back all her med school loans

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 11 October 2001 at 07:50 PM.]

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 12 Oct 2001 10:01 am

I played one at a NAMM show and it played and sounded great and those aren't 'labratory' conditions.

Are there any mp3 sound samples anywhere?

MP3 does not sound good and wouldn't be an accurate representation.[This message was edited by chas smith on 12 October 2001 at 11:03 AM.]

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 12 Oct 2001 10:06 am

The only real problem I have with the Sierra is that I can't switch to it from another steel on a gig. It sounds too good! I used to bring it and a pedal steel, but when I switch back to the pedals the tone sound weak by comparison. It's frustrating to have this killer sound for just one tune, and then go back to "acceptable" on the next.

------------------
<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (E7, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 12 Oct 2001 11:27 am

How high off the fretboard are the Sierra's strings compared to a Bakelite Rick?

David Stehman · Post by **David Stehman** » 13 Oct 2001 11:00 am

I'm interested. Anybody have words to
describe the 5 position tone switch and
what/how it works or changes the sound?
Varying resistance or EQ or?
Thanks Dave Stehman
Melobar 8 ,Melobro, Reed, Oahu

oj hicks · Post by **oj hicks** » 15 Oct 2001 11:44 pm

Hey bOb.

I share your enthusiasm for the Sierra lap steel. I purchased one a little over a year ago from Herby Wallace. Does your have the multi-position (tone?) pickup? I can't imagine it sounding any better than the one that came on mine. Also, what amp do you play your lap steel through?

oj hicks

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 26 Apr 2002 8:38 am

Hey Guys,
I recently posted for a friend, a Sierra Lap Steel "for sale" in the Buy and Sell forum.

Check it out... http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum3/HTML/013220.html