Best quality lap steel guitar manufacturers

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

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Jim Sliff
Posts: 7059
Joined: 22 Jun 2005 12:01 am
Location: Lawndale California, USA

Post by Jim Sliff »

1930's Rickenbacher model 59 - hollow, stuffed with cotton t-shirts, horseshoe pickup. Never heard anything better or more versatile.

1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional. IMO the "tube" pickups sound sweeter than Stringmasters or anything else.

Rickenbacher Electro Dual Eight. Two horseshoes and blistering blues and rock monster.

I don't get buying MORE expensive boutique guitars when these and Stringmasters are available for far less!
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional
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Christopher Blood
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Joined: 17 Sep 2019 9:24 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Post by Christopher Blood »

I have a chinese Asher electro Hawaiian jr. Good enough for me.
Wish i could afford a real Asher but I really enjoy mine. Only problem was the zipper broke on the case.
Roland Mathew
Posts: 6
Joined: 20 Aug 2022 4:12 pm
Location: North Carolina, USA

My Limited Opinion...

Post by Roland Mathew »

Between the 3 Lap Steels I have, Asher (Gold Top), Gold Tone 6 String and an Eastwood Airline, without and doubt (IMHO) the Asher is in a totally different league.
You Can "NEVER" have too many Hobbies...
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Jack Hanson
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Joined: 19 Jun 2012 3:42 pm
Location: San Luis Valley, USA

Post by Jack Hanson »

I am partial to restoring the plethora of American lap steel husks from the premier manufacturers of the golden era that are widely available, mostly because they have been relieved of their fittings by members of the Lap Steel Guitar Strippers Guild for fun and profit.

If I were to consider the purchase of a brand-new instrument, it would be from either Todd Clinesmith or Ron Mielzynski.
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Doug Beaumier
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Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Northampton, MA
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Post by Doug Beaumier »

I'm in the vintage camp. After many years of buying-selling-swapping, my keepers are a Gibson Century 6, Fender Deluxe 8, Airline (w/valco pickup), Rick bakelite 7-string.
If I were in the market for a modern lap steel I'd probably go with a Clinesmith, as Jack said.
Jim Peter
Posts: 157
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Mendon,Mich USA

Post by Jim Peter »

Rukavina

Image

You can get exactly what you want. Number of strings, scale length, finish etc.
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Terry Wood
Posts: 5240
Joined: 2 Mar 2000 1:01 am
Location: Marshfield, MO

Post by Terry Wood »

Hey Bill McCloskey,

Do you wanta sell one of those 12 stringers?

Asking for a Friend. Text my number if you do 417-241-9455.


Thanks!

Terry Wood
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Mark Mansueto
Posts: 635
Joined: 21 Dec 2007 9:30 am
Location: Michigan, USA

Post by Mark Mansueto »

I would love to try a Jason Dumont lapteel and the Rayco's look nice too.
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