Another lap steel with a lever!

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 17 Nov 2003 8:38 pm

I posted a thread in late July about a 6 string lap steel that a student of mine had that had a lever on it that changed the tuning. It was a Tone Master and the lever had "Rowe Industries Products" on it. I was at a friend's house today, a Rock and Roller who collects various guitars and amps, and lo and behold, he had a Tone Master just like the one my student had, except this one was in tune and the lever worked. John Bechtel showed a lot of interest in this and one of the tuning configurations he thought it would be was exactley what this steel had on it. As follows: The lever straight up and down (middle position) Low to High: An E chord, (E B E G# B E). Lever in foreward position, toward headstock of steel: An A chord, (E A E A C# E). Lever in backward position: An E6 or C# minor 7 chord,
(E B E G# C# E). I never was sure how the first one I saw, the one my student had, was tuned so I didn't follow up on that thread. I really appreciated John Bechtel's input, it turns out that he was right on the money. This steel also has 3 legs, and it sounds great. I was buying a guitar off of my friend and I told him to call me if he ever decides to sell this steel, but unfortunately he sounded like he wants to keep this one. [This message was edited by Bob Watson on 17 November 2003 at 08:44 PM.][This message was edited by Bob Watson on 18 November 2003 at 10:00 PM.]

jay thompson · Post by **jay thompson** » 18 Nov 2003 1:57 pm

During the late 50's or early 60's, Carvin Guitar Co. catalogue had such a three position tunable bridge shown. This was an add on for any lap steel. Apparently designed to compete with the multi-neck guitars of the day.
regards, Jay Thompson[This message was edited by jay thompson on 18 November 2003 at 01:59 PM.]

jim flynn · Post by **jim flynn** » 19 Nov 2003 5:45 pm

Check out www.lonestarsteelguitar.com pg.5

Mike Harmon · Post by **Mike Harmon** » 24 Nov 2003 1:29 pm

Bob,

I just posted a message about a lap steel I found in a pawn shop which is exactly like the one you describe. Take a look at my post and let me know if my description matches yours.

I'm trying to find out how much to offer the pawn shop guys for it. It's marked $500, and has been there for 15 months (no surprise there!). He offered it to me for $200 today, but I want to make sure it's not a junker before I hand over the 2 bills.

Thanks,
Mike

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Mike Harmon
Fulawka S10 3 & 5, Several 6-string guitars, Several basses
Peavey Amps

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 24 Nov 2003 3:58 pm

Mike, I am no expert on the value of old lap steels so I can't tell you officially what I think it would be worth. The guy who had the one I mentioned in this post didn't remember what he had paid for it. If the changer works
(check out the tunings that I mentioned in this post) then I would pay the $200. First, I would counter his offer at $150, then $175 and then walk out if he didn't take it. I would then walk back in about an hour later and give him $200. You could also use this strategy but go in at the end of the day just before they close, and then if he doesn't come down go in the first thing the next morning and buy it. The one I played sounded great and was fun to play, and the one you describe sounds like the same lap steel. Good Luck!