another $99 new lap guitar

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 6 Apr 2007 8:32 am

http://www.rondomusic.net/LG1na.html

Got an email from Rondo Music. Noticed a $99 lap guitar WITH a case they are importing. Don't know one thing about it. Looks like a Fender style jazz bass pickup cover for shielding used on it. Rondo sells imported instruments from China. I have a couple of standard guitars from them--cheap and very usable.

Anyone know anything about this new lap guitar please post. Otherwise, here is a lap for $99--caveat emptor!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 6 Apr 2007 8:38 am

I drive by Rondo Music in Union, NJ quite often and I was surprised to see that they're no longer in business as a retail store, not that it was a great store to begin with.

I think they got into the import biz about 10-15 years ago. They were always blowing out these cheap Strat and amp deals for about $150.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 6 Apr 2007 9:49 am

It's made in China by Team International Music Co., Ltd.. That actually looks more stylish than other lap steels I've seen in that price range. And it comes in a variety of colors. Look for the same lap steel to pop up on eBay soon, I'd guess.

Rondo Music's web site seems awfully sketchy. I've bought stuff online before, but not from this site, and the quality of their web site leaves me hesitant to buy through them.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 6 Apr 2007 10:35 am

Brad I have bought several instruments from them with NO problems. They can be trusted to get what you order. Problem is that with these import guitars, you never quite know what the quality is going to be like until you open the box.

Check their return policy and make sure how it works. I would guess that they don't pay the shipping back, but would refund your money if not satisfied.

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 6 Apr 2007 12:15 pm

the best innovations have come form the USA. all the things conming in now from asia just look like copies. I doubt there is any true understanding of the innards of good steels.
I love the look of that steel.
just like the ashtray on my tele I would yank that cover off right away.
right hand damping is a crucial technique for me.

Sonny Jenkins · Post by **Sonny Jenkins** » 6 Apr 2007 1:28 pm

,,,wish they made an 8 string model,,,????

Craig Stenseth · Post by **Craig Stenseth** » 6 Apr 2007 3:58 pm

I'm curious how high the stand they are selling adjusts up to.

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 6 Apr 2007 5:11 pm

There are two music stores here that have their brand instruments made in Korea. I gotta tell ya, they play nice, they look super, and sound good. The F style mandolins have hand carved headstocks. The flat-top guitars sound great and look great. Of course they are all copies of stuff built here over the years.

No steel guitars though. Maybe when more are used for rock and blues ??

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 6 Apr 2007 5:20 pm

I have purxhased two guitars from them. The SX branded ones are usually a bit dodgy, but this is their first foray into lap steels and I am sure they are trying to make a good impression. I had a Rickenbacker 360 copy by them (Agile branded)that my nephew is playing with his band 4 years after I gifted it to him. I also had a Les Pauls Special TV yellow with P90's copy from them, $230, better than most of the Gibsons I have played.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 6 Apr 2007 7:23 pm

Sonny Jenkins wrote:,,,wish they made an 8 string model,,,????

My thoughts exactly. Unfortunately when they build cheap lap steels they use as many standard guitar parts as they can to cut costs. 8 string pickups, bridges, nuts and machine heads would have to be made specially.

Dave Sky · Post by **Dave Sky** » 7 Apr 2007 1:35 pm

Has anyone seen this lap and played it?

I have not heard of this company, but then again, I don't get out much.

If anyone has expereince with this lap would you post your impressions.

I would be interested in the lap steel stand as well. Like Craig, I wonder the height of the stand.

Thanks,
Dave

Dave Sky · Post by **Dave Sky** » 17 Apr 2007 12:12 pm

Just checking back to see if anyone has any experience with this lap steel?

How about with SX guitars and basses?

Thanks Dave

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 17 Apr 2007 12:27 pm

a player on this forum ordered one, received it, and said a little about it.
here is the link. I am not good at poating links to forums. hope this works.

http://www.guitarnoise.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=32345

Dave Sky · Post by **Dave Sky** » 17 Apr 2007 3:01 pm

Thanks Randy!
Based on the review I ordered one.

Dave

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 17 Apr 2007 3:21 pm

Cool, Dave. Please give us yer thots after you get it.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 17 Apr 2007 6:57 pm

I contacted Team International Music and they had Rondo Music send me one for review. I'm looking forward to getting it in the next few days, so I'll post a review here and on my web site when I get it.

Lord help me if I want to keep it...

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 17 Apr 2007 11:30 pm

I doubt there is any true understanding of the innards of good steels.

Honestly, I don't think there's a whole lot to it.

Which makes it even sadder that Fender's new one sounds like crap.

Tom Taylor · Post by **Tom Taylor** » 18 Apr 2007 7:28 am

Thanks Brad! I'm in need for a 6-string electric to basically use as an electric dobro, and this looks like it may suit the bill. I look forward to you review.

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