The Steel Guitar Forum

Dave,
I agree, it comes "pre-dinged"!

Maybe we consider these SX lap steels as sort of "kit" guitars. You can choose you pickup, degree of finish and whether you want it took look aged.

Bob,
We might be too critical. After all, what can you get for $99.00?
I still think we got our money's worth.
I've paid a lot more than this and got a lot less in return in the past.
Bless their little Oriental hearts!

Funny how the alignment is all over the place. You would think that they would be using a CNC or at least a common template to make these.
But, for $100, its hard to complain too much, lots of potential.
It wouldn't be too hard to re-route the pickup and "finish" the finish.
A P90, some wipe on poly, tung oil, etc.

I got one the other day. The problem is the bridge. I took it off, removed the screws on the back side, adjusted the height as low as it would go, adjusted the string saddles to the correct scale length. Now strings 1-4 are centered over their magnets, 5 and 6 are just a hair off. Because the bridge itself is intended to staggered when mounted, it's not really a good choice for a lap steel. It might align even better if the slot on the bass end of the bridge was made deeper. I might try that when I change the strings, the strings look like they are stainless, I would rather use nickle. With the nice case, it's a good deal at 100.00

After a few days I am still pretty happy with my purchase. Mine is actually finished quite smoothly but the finish is still nothing to brag about.


Click here to hear the Rondo SX by itself.

Greg

I sent a message to Rondo Music to inquire about the possibility of them having an 8 string lap steel guitar in the future.
Kurt responded and wrote that there are no plans for an 8 string guitar in the near future.

Roger

Nice going Greg. This Rondo Lap Guitar has a very nice crisp, clear tone. Hard to believe it only costs $99.


Roger

Hey I just got this great SX hardshell case for $99 and it came with a free lapsteel guitar. Not bad

Ali Lexa wrote:Hey I just got this great SX hardshell case for $99 and it came with a free do-it-yourself lapsteel guitar

Seriously, what are the case interior dimensions?

I don't have the exact dimensions, but as you can see, the case is extremely form fitted to this particular guitar. It won't hold a Gibson EH-150, which is the closest thing I own in approximately the same shape.

Thanks, I see it's unlikely to fit most of the popular classic steels.

Mine finally got here yesterday, all in all I'm pretty happy with it. The pickup seemed to be aligned pretty well, however it was a long way from the strings. The tone control has a problem, it seems to be on full bass and when you turn it all the way up it goes silent until you turn it all the way down. Sounds like a problem with the pot, but could be the wiring. Any opinions?

I ordered one with a stand this morning

Greg Cutshaw's last clip pushed me over the edge... it just seems to be such a good value it's hard to pass up.

If I'm satisfied with what it is right out of the box that's great, but if not I have two options:

1. Keep it as-is for a travel guitar and everyday beater. The small shape and case make it a perfect candidate for taking on vacations, business trips, etc.
2. Treat it as a kit and make upgrades. The body and case alone are worth more than what it costs.

Howard Tate wrote:Mine finally got here yesterday, all in all I'm pretty happy with it. The pickup seemed to be aligned pretty well, however it was a long way from the strings. The tone control has a problem, it seems to be on full bass and when you turn it all the way up it goes silent until you turn it all the way down. Sounds like a problem with the pot, but could be the wiring. Any opinions?

Howard, there's a link for a wiring diagram on the Rondo page, that should tell you if it's wired correctly.

Dave Sky wrote:Erv:
My second SX lap is very rough also. Front, back and sides all have spots that are not sanded.

The one I bought last year is well sanded and putting the two side by side shows how poorly the second one was finished.

Therefore, the rough one is tuned in open E now as it has the blues written all over it. I will not have to worry about dings and cuts on that one. I think the rough one shows character. It looks like it has been in a bar fight or two and didn't win.
Dave

I did not know STEEL GUITAR PLAYERS got into BAR FIGHTS

I always thought it was the BASS players and DRUMMERS
We all know they are unstable

The problem with the tone control was the cap shorting where it laid over the solder lugs. It was a simple matter to move it. This one is not beat up at all, it looks pretty good but unfinished. A little wax and it would look fine. I don't like the steel strings much, will change to nickle. There is a volume difference between the wound and unwound strings, not very even.

Howard,
I wouldn't be suprised that the volume difference is because of a misaligned pickup.

Mine arrived this morning. A few rough spots on the finish. A little AXE wax and the buffer took care of it. The pickup was pretty much in line but I purchased a Bill Lawrence L500 rail style humbucker to replace it. I got the body routed and pickup installed. I'll solder the leads up after lunch.

The stand is very nice.

GM

Mine arrived about an hour ago. The pick up is aligned properly, and the tone control seems to work, i.e. there is a fair amount of variation. I don't see any dings or knicks on the body. Good sound. I had planned to get this to tinker with the Leavitt tuning, but now I might just play to use it to play out.

Money well spent, I'd say.

Ali (or anyone), I've been looking for a proper case for my Audiovox 7 string steel, which is roughly the same shape... If I can scare up some dimensions for mine would you mind measuring the inside of your case? I'm a little bit worried as Brad mentioned it wouldn't fit his Gibson, but my Audiovox is quite slender. Wondering whether the stand will work too.

I suppose I could meet you somewhere and just try fitting it inside the case, but that would be soooooo last Century...

Hello, I tried ordering one and their out of stock. Bill

William Griffith wrote:Hello, I tried ordering one and they're out of stock. Bill

Try again later. Importers get shipments at regular intervals. They receive what they order, and they order according to customer orders. If you don't order they won't order, and the supply dries up. It's simple economics.

Try again later. Importers get shipments at regular intervals. They receive what they order, and they order according to customer orders. If you don't order they won't order, and the supply dries up. It's simple economics.

It appears that Rondo works a bit out of the box. They won't accept orders on b'ordered stuff so (short of personal contact), they don't have a way of knowing that I have an interest in a particular product. Their empty cart message is "Check back often" as opposed to "let us know what you want us to order".

Bob Borzelleri wrote:

Try again later. Importers get shipments at regular intervals. They receive what they order, and they order according to customer orders. If you don't order they won't order, and the supply dries up. It's simple economics.

It appears that Rondo works a bit out of the box. They won't accept orders on b'ordered stuff so (short of personal contact), they don't have a way of knowing that I have an interest in a particular product. Their empty cart message is "Check back often" as opposed to "let us know what you want us to order".

I made a lap Steel Guitar from a $60.00 Electric guitar I got out of a PAWN SHOP in Chester PA

I installed a tall nut and removed the frets

It works 2 pickups

I tried to order the stand from RONDO I was going to retro fit it to this Guitar $39.00 ain't bad but I got the same message out of stock stop back again

I would like to place an order also.

I guess you just have to call them

I just E-MAILED them at service@rondomusic.com

If any one wants someting they should do the same this way they know they have customers