Backpacker lap?

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 12 Apr 2005 5:04 am

Always on the search for a cheap acoustic to convert to lap steel, I have received a gui like this listing that I'll be converting for lap play.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=621&item=7314431621&rd=1

50 available on this listing. (All such listings can be found in two eBay searches: 'Hawaii backpacker' and 'Hawaiian backpacker.' Why Hawaii? I don't know. No country of origin appears, no labels.)
Range for these is $.99 to $4.99 from several distributors. I paid $5.50 + shipping for mine. The nut is cut too high for a standard guitar; the string spacing at the bridge is too narrow, and I'll have to build a bridge. But it's sturdy and fairly resonant; I've tuned it up to a G tuning and it's still together. Next will be heavy strings and a pickup; it's cheap enough to see what happens.
A great toy for the tinkerer; I'll be using mine to evaluate the possibility of building a trapezoidal kit out of some spruce top blanks I have. I'll let you know what happens. But I'll never be able to build a body this cheap.
Charlie

Loni Specter · Post by **Loni Specter** » 12 Apr 2005 6:34 am

I spoted a .99 too. The shipping was the money maker for them. I didn't know China had invaded Hawaii!

Jaime Miller · Post by **Jaime Miller** » 12 Apr 2005 7:12 am

Don't forget the $4.99 insurance required for your .99 cent guitar.

Jaime

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 12 Apr 2005 7:30 am

Forgot to add: 23" scale. Octave fret marker at the 11th fret. Why they had to unload them.

Ok, 18.49 total. Buy from globalqualifier for 4.99 and forget the insurance; quick shipped, 30 day warranty.

But I guess I better string it up with SIT strings before I sing its praises. I tell ya, it's gonna work.
More later, and I'll make a song file.
Charlie

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 12 Apr 2005 9:00 am

Ok Charlie you talked me into it...I'm on the list for one.

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55" Fender Stringmaster T8, 54" Fender Champion, Carter D-10, two Oahu laps, two National laps, and two Resonators

Jaime Miller · Post by **Jaime Miller** » 12 Apr 2005 10:13 am

Talked me into it as well. Can't wait to get the free harmonica!

Jaime

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 12 Apr 2005 11:07 am

It'll look impressive on your list of equipment, Andy.
You, Jaime, and I can form the Backpacker Lap Steel Forum.
Hope these things don't break. Loss of face can be bad.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 12 Apr 2005 1:21 pm

That's what I'm thinkin Charlie

Are you familiar with the ones made by Martin? A friend of mine bought one and they're not a bad playin guitar for what they are.

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55" Fender Stringmaster T8, 54" Fender Champion, Carter D-10, two Oahu laps, two National laps, and two Resonators

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Andy Sandoval on 12 April 2005 at 02:22 PM.]</p></FONT>

Larry Phleger · Post by **Larry Phleger** » 4 May 2005 11:28 am

I just got my $.99 masterpiece complete with free harmonica. I wanted to ask Charlie how his modifications turned out. I planned on trying some of the same things, and hope to end up with a lap steel to keep in my camper/ So Charlie, how did it work out.