Sierra SL-8 Lap Steel

Brian Beebe · Post by **Brian Beebe** » 24 Nov 2003 7:11 pm

I have a chance to trade into a Sierra lap steel, I think an SL-8, that a friend of mine has. I searched for previous posts and learned that they are quite well regarded. I was wondering what these things are worth, how many were made and how they sound. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Brian

Al Terhune · Post by **Al Terhune** » 24 Nov 2003 8:25 pm

...well, I wish I had one...

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 24 Nov 2003 8:40 pm

I love mine. They cost about $1k, and they sound wonderful. I don't know how many were made - mine is #002!

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

Brian Beebe · Post by **Brian Beebe** » 25 Nov 2003 3:23 pm

Thanks for the info guys. This one is number 0018. I have not seen it yet but hope it sounds as good as people say.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 25 Nov 2003 5:43 pm

I have #015....(0018?)....bought it at the 1999 St. Louis Convention.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 25 Nov 2003 6:41 pm

Mine is #041 ...

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www.horseshoemagnets.com

Brian Beebe · Post by **Brian Beebe** » 25 Nov 2003 7:22 pm

Howard or Rick, do you know how many were made total and if they are readily available still? It may help me decide whether to jump on this one. Figuratively speaking of course. LOL

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 25 Nov 2003 8:10 pm

I don't know how many were made. I don't think that it was a massive amount. It's not known at this time if production will resume. They are one of the best modern lap steels (I can say lap steel, right?)made.

Since they rarely come up for sale, and if you have a fair price, I don't see how you could go wrong.

Let's take the butt test......

If you woke up tomorrow morning and learned that someone else had jumped on this Sierra, would you feel like kicking yourself in the butt?......If you answered YES!, then just do it......

Heck, I love those guitars so much, I just grabbed 3 Sierra lap cases off ebay, and the guitars ain't even in them....

.[This message was edited by HowardR on 25 November 2003 at 08:14 PM.]

oj hicks · Post by **oj hicks** » 25 Nov 2003 11:20 pm

Brian,

Mine is 035. I vote with bOb. It is the best sounding and best playing lap steel I have ever played. About a year after they came on the market I read some testimonials that grabbed my attention. One owner said "it sounds like a Rick Bakelite on Steroids." I thought, WOW! Must be some guitar. I own a postwar Bakelite (second only in sound according to many Forumites to the prewar Bakelite). So I took the plunge...and as bOb says...it cost me about $1K. Purchased it new from a dealer. I was not disappointed. It comes with a George L pickup that I like, although Rick Aiello (my 'JB' friend, natural entrepreneur and scientific genius) has retrofitted his with his Rickenbacker-type horse shoe magnet that he and Jason Lollar have developed. I have heard some sound recordings of Rick's unit and it is a "killer!" Either pickup will knock your hat in the creek. Although I own a Rickenbacker postwar Bakelite, and Excel replica of the Rickenbacker Frypan...if I had to pair down to one lap steel it would be the Sierra 8-string lap steel. Of course this is my opinion...but one that seems to be shared by many, many others who have heard this guitar. I don't believe you will ever regret owning a Sierra SL-8. Mine is simply not for sale. Period.

oj hicks

Brian Beebe · Post by **Brian Beebe** » 26 Nov 2003 7:34 am

Thanks oj....and everybody else. I can't wait to play this guitar and see what it sounds like. It probably won't be until the weekend or next before I do but I will let you know. I have a guitar I am trading for the Sierra which I am reluctant to part with. It's a solid aluminum frypan, milled not cast, made to Rickenbacker specs. It's an 8 string long scale with all Rick parts including the horseshoe pickup and was made in the late 60's by a machinist who worked for Rickenbacker. He only made 2 or 3 of these but it sounds amazing.

Al Terhune · Post by **Al Terhune** » 26 Nov 2003 8:16 am

Brain -- wait. There's no doubt you should get the Sierra 8 stringer, but, maybe you should take the butt test Howard suggested -- on whether you want to trade such a rare guitar for the Sierra. I would not. We've all sold or traded guitars in the past we wish we still had, and I would bet this guitar made by a prior Rickenbacker machinist is something you will kick yourself in the buff for letting go.

If you want the Sierra, scrap and buy it.

Al[This message was edited by Al Terhune on 26 November 2003 at 08:17 AM.]

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 26 Nov 2003 8:48 am

I'm with Al !!!!

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www.horseshoemagnets.com

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 26 Nov 2003 3:04 pm

I have number 003, and just like everybody else says, it's the best Lap steel I've heard. In fact, it may have the best overall tone of any steel I've heard! I love laps and buy 'em, play 'em, and sell 'em- but I hope I never have to part with the Sierra. I'm not sure I'd trade an even more rare one for it, but if you can find a way to buy it, you won't be sorry!

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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

Brian Beebe · Post by **Brian Beebe** » 26 Nov 2003 3:32 pm

Thanks again for you input. I have regretted a few sales in the past and know this frypan is irreplaceable. I've tried to include a pic of it though the light is terrible. Nope, it doesn't work. Any advice how to add a pic. Then I can show this frypan. Thanks.

Bob Kagy · Post by **Bob Kagy** » 30 Nov 2003 2:19 pm

Brian,

My SL8 is number 018. No kidding. Are you sure the one you're looking at is #018? I bought this one new in late '99.

Brian Beebe · Post by **Brian Beebe** » 30 Nov 2003 2:47 pm

Bob Kagy,
Sorry, I was going from memory but after checking my notes I see the s/n is 016. I still have not seen it yet but think I will keep my frypan in any event.

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 7 Aug 2005 4:44 pm

I am currently in touch with the sierra web site about a brand new one. So unless this website is a fraud, they are still available. I'm told it takes four months for manufacture and delivery. Dealing with Tom Baker. Tomb@sierrasteelguitar.com (or something close to that). I'm internet challenged.

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[This message was edited by Edward Meisse on 08 August 2005 at 10:19 AM.]

Brian Beebe · Post by **Brian Beebe** » 7 Aug 2005 6:35 pm

Thanks Edward. I didn't know anyone was still watching this thread but it's nice to know they're still available.