Advice for good 8-string lap

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 14 Nov 2005 5:46 am

Get something that looks and sounds authentic. Anything else is a compromise.

I have to respectfully disagree with you here ...

If one is interested in "image" ... well ... then this statement applies.

But as far as sound quality ... well ... when these "vintage instruments" fail ...

They will get sent to ... Jason Lollar, Jerry Wallace or Lindy Fralin.

These guys then rewind the pups, etc ... and the sound is as good ... or even better ... than the original ones.

These guys have spent years studin' and perfectin' "that vintage sound" ... and faithfully reproduce it to a "T" ...

As far as modern builders ...

Some produce steels with a more "modern" sound and/or look ...

Others produce "new" steels ... with that "vintage" sound and/or look ...

Some ... like Sage Harmos ... build steels with a very "modern" look ... yet offer the buyer a very "vintage" sound.

All depends on what you want ...

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Aiello's House of Gauss


My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 14 November 2005 at 05:55 AM.]

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 15 Nov 2005 12:47 am

Well, Rick, a certain amount of maintenance goes with owning a vintage instrument, to be sure. Replacing worn pots and rewinding pickups is a must at some point in an old instruments life. I'll modify my point to include modern builders, such as yourself, that build faithful and even improved reproductions of classic designs. An Aiello frypan would also be an outstanding choice.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 15 Nov 2005 10:03 am

Vintage vs New.

Interesting question. I had two vintage steels, both of which I sold and decided to go new. For me they were too much trouble. I just wanted to play. However, I would say that as far as the flyright boys are concerned, their use of vintage instruments has more to do with the entire act, which is a retro act.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 15 Nov 2005 10:23 am

It all comes down to money. Since I'm getting a SuperSlide in the future-and they aren't exactly cheap for a non-pedal, this precludes me from going after a cool Stringmaster or Ricky.

But I know that I won't have to deal with any maintenance issues, and I will be getting a state-of-the-art instrument. In my modest collection of musical instruments, I have two oldies-one sort of old and one seriously old and both have required work: an early 60's Supro and a 1932 Dobro.

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Mark

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 15 Nov 2005 11:16 am

I had two vintage steels, both of which I sold and decided to go new.

But I know that I won't have to deal with any maintenance issues, and I will be getting a state-of-the-art instrument.

Yes, these are important issues to consider if you're looking for 'the one' instrument.
I've owned my share of vintage lap steels, but today I have none (except for my beautiful '30s May Bell parlor). As much as I love their vintage vibe and often strong 'personalities',- as a working musician I need instruments that I can rely on, and since I'm not into collecting wallhangers and museum pieces (I probably would have, if I could afford it), I've focused on new instruments from builders I know will deliver the goods.
Plus, I like to support people who are crazy enough to build these funny little things....

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 15 November 2005 at 11:18 AM.]