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Topic: lap steel info |
Matt Berry
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Posted 20 Feb 2007 5:56 pm |
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| I'm interested in purchasing a lap steel. I don't know a thing about them. I do not want an entry level instrument. Is there a "standard" scale length, nut width, string spacing, etc...I don't want to spend extra money for "vintage" value. What should I check out for a bang for the buck lap? |
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Ron Victoria
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 20 Feb 2007 6:49 pm
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22.5 inch scale is a good place to start. There are always Supro/Valco styled laps on Ebay in the $200 range. The strings thru the pickup design gives a nice blues sound. I've had a few. Also, the Fender Champion with it's broadcaster style pickup has a nice sound. They are frequenty for sale low $300's.
Ask 10 people and you will get 10 different answers. The important point is buy, play, and have fun. Good luck.
Ron |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 20 Feb 2007 8:09 pm
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How much money do you want to spend? What kind(s) of music do you want to play?
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Randy Reeves
From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 21 Feb 2007 4:39 am
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string spacing is typically 3/8". the 22.5 inch scale length is terrific, as the shorter scale makes slants a bit easier.
there are many lap steels on eBay. average for a playable instrument is 300-350. however, if you go for the rare or super desirable , like bakalite Rics, then the price goes up.
Artisan is a cheapo from Musician Friend catalog. many start there. I would not.
there are many brand names to see and compare. that is why I am on this site. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 21 Feb 2007 7:18 am
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| Goldtone builds a nice lap steel. It is fashioned after the old Oahu electric. I have a 6 string and just purchased an 8 string from Elderlys. Elderlys have several different brands of lap steels in all price ranges. |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 21 Feb 2007 9:48 am
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Matt, the best bang for your buck is deffinitely here www.dynalap.com
Mark Vinbury is a SGF member.
Get an 8 string model, and use it for 6 or 7 strings to avoid the only negetive of this guitar, as the 8th string tuner is too close to the fretboard and gets in the way a bit when you are at the 1st fret.
It's an easy playing and excellant sounding steel, which is very important to any steeler, and will help keep you interested in progressing when the going inevitably gets rough.
The string spacing is equal from bridge to nut, also important for getting slants as perfect as possible, and a hard find in most new or old lap steels.
The SGF's 'wanted' section would be a good place to try getting a used model, even cheaper than a new one.
You may wish to expand you steel guitar arsenal after a while, but you will have a hard time finding a more enjoyable and better sounding steel.
Good luck! |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 23 Feb 2007 1:09 am
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| i agree w: Ron, that bang 4 $, Dynalap is worth checking out |
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Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2007 3:46 pm
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MSA is building new lap steels. Super Slides.
Lots of bang and lots of bucks.
They will build you one the way you like it.
22.5 inch seems to be the preferred scale length. 3/8 string spacing is very common. I use 11/32 to match my pedal steel. |
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Lee Gustafson
From:
Mohawk Michigan, USA
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Posted 23 Feb 2007 8:25 pm
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| I disagree with ruling out the Artisan lap steel. If it wasn't for the Artisan, I wouldn't be a lap steel guitar player. I started out with an Artisan and have moved on to a Fender Studio Deluxe. A cute little lap with a great gig bag. I just wish they made an 8 string too. If you're just a beginner, get an Artisan. Am I right Artisan owners? |
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Johnny Rojas
From:
Houston, Texas, USA
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Posted 24 Feb 2007 12:04 am
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Lee, I am in complete agreement with you. I have two Artisans, and even though I am a gigging musician, that is the instrument I regularly use. If I could afford something better (and believe me, I desperately want a double neck console, any kind), I would get it, but for now the Artisan is great. Don't forget, it is the player, not the instrument, that creates the music. Just get the best instrument you can afford and you'll be fine.
Johnny |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 24 Feb 2007 4:58 am Artisan
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| Lee Gustafson wrote: |
| I disagree with ruling out the Artisan lap steel. If it wasn't for the Artisan, I wouldn't be a lap steel guitar player. I started out with an Artisan and have moved on to a Fender Studio Deluxe. A cute little lap with a great gig bag. I just wish they made an 8 string too. If you're just a beginner, get an Artisan. Am I right Artisan owners? |
I have a Stringmaster T8, a D8, two frypans and an old Epiphone, but I also have a cheapo Artisan. Why? It's my "what to take when I think the odds of my steel falling in the pool, or getting swiped are higher than average" steel. 
The key with these Artisans is that a) one has to get the bridge perfectly adjusted for scale length, height and uniformity (they use individual guitar saddles from a standard electric guitar bridge), b) make sure string guages are heavier to compensate for the 21" scale length, or you won't get the proper tension, c) replace the nut with an "L" shaped piece of aluminum or put a metal nut extender over the soft wooden one they use, and d) replace the pickup with something better.
The last one is not as critical, unless you really want to improve the tone. The pickup in there will work fine, and get you through, and is definitely good enough for learning and practice, and even jamming with your buddies. Plus, as they say, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
The critical things like bridge, nut and proper string guages for the scale lenght though really do need to be addressed to make sure one's not learning to compensate for a badly set up instrument, and then having to 'unlearn' those things later when you get a better quality instrument. Also, there's almost no cost involved, aside from a nut extender or piece of metal.
But as always, just my opinion... your mileage may vary! Good luck in your quest!
_________________
Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, A6); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Custom-made 25" aluminum cast "fry pan" with vintage Ricky p'up (C6); 1938 Epiphone Electar (A6); 1953 Oahu Tonemaster; assorted ukuleles; upright bass |
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Johnny Rojas
From:
Houston, Texas, USA
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Posted 26 Feb 2007 2:41 pm Artisan set-up
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Todd,
Those are good suggestions to improve the Artisan. I don't know why I hadn't thought of them.  (Other than replacing the cheap pick-up of course...  )
What string gauges would you suggest for a C6 on one of these to get the proper tension? Right now I'm using the regular Jagwires sold here on the forum.
Johnny |
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Brian Henry
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Posted 3 Mar 2007 5:47 pm
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Todd, I am also interested in good string gauges for c 6th on an artisan.
_________________
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN GEORGIA |
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Lynn Oliver
From:
Redmond, Washington USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Mar 2007 7:05 pm
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Using my spreadsheet, which uses the D'Addario tables, I got these values for low C6 with a 21" scale:
| Code: |
Plain 0.015 e3 24.72
Plain 0.019 c3 24.99
Plain 0.022 a2 23.69
StainlessRound 0.026 g2 23.53
StainlessRound 0.032 e2 25.29
StainlessRound 0.040 c2 24.25
StainlessRound 0.050 a1 25.86
StainlessRound 0.056 g1 26.44
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The last column is tension in pounds. You'd have to experiment to see what sounds best, but if you stay within a gauge or two of these numbers you should be fine on tension.
_________________
Lynn Oliver
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