The Steel Guitar Forum

Bob Borzelleri wrote:

Darrell Urbien wrote:Several on eBay right now, even in solid colors. Not $100 though.

Wow! Even at the Aussie prices converted to US dollars, you could get 2.62 SX lap steels from Rondo.

I emailed the seller in Oz and asked about dimensions, and he told me to buy one and measure it myself. Nice. I love eBay!

After looking harder at how tight that lower bout fits, I don't think my steel's going to make it in there.

The case is form fitted to the SX lap steel. No other type of lap steel will fit in that case (unless you carve your lap steel to match the dimensions of the SX lap steel).

I've placed a Dusenberg palm-lever bridge on the SX to see how it would fit. It would be a 10 minute job. I'll be fitting it over the weekend. I think I'll get another SX and put a Hipshot Trilogy on it.

I can see it now; "Attack of the Killer FrankenRondos"

Allen, I think four palm levers is the most I've ever seen.

How does the Trilogy work? What I would really like is a simple device that would change the pitch of one or two notes by 1/2 step either up or down by the flip of a lever or whatever, and keep it there until switched back. The Trilogy is probably overkill for what I want and I'm not interested in knee levers, etc. Are you aware of anything like this?

http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cg ... RRENCY=EUR


The Hipshot Trilogy does exactly what you want. It comes in 6 and 8-string versions, and you can change the tuning of any of the six strings to three predetermined pitches. It's very accurate. Unlike palm levers you couldn't use it like the pedals of a pedal steel.
You can't use a Trilogy and palm levers simultaneously. The design of the units includes the bridge, and, in any case, you couldn't properly set the Trilogy pretuning because the effect of the palm levers would vary depending on the tuning selected.

This is what the SX would look like with a Trilogy installed. Again, it's a 10 minute job. It's just placed there right now, so you have to imagine it about 1/2" lower. I didn't have a 6-string Trilogy available, so I posed an 8-string version. The 6-string version would obviously not be so wide.



This particular unit is black, which doesn't show up well on the photographs. You can also get them in chrome, and, I believe, gold to special order.

I loosened the screws to raise the stock pickup so that the base of the pickup is above the cavity. This lined up the strings and improved the sound.
Not sure if you are supposed to do this, but it works for me. I was going to put in another rail pickup,
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=300136
for $30, but I like this sound with the raised pickup.
The stock screws are long enough and the spring tension holds the pickup steady.

Is this okay to do or should I go for a lower bridge?

Mark- The Ducan Scorcher is quiet. Also Musician's Friend has a 15% off on accessories right now.
Thanks for your opinions,
Dave

I fitted the Dusenberg Multibender. It took longer than the 10 mins. I estimated. Most of the time was spent examining the way it worked and making sure I fitted it right. If I had to do another one I reckon on about 20 mins., most of which is changing the strings. It was very straightforward.
I tuned it to an open E chord. The first lever takes the 1st string up a tone, the second lever takes the 2nd string up a tone, the third lever takes the 3rd string up a semitone, and the fourth lever takes the 5th string down a tone. So, by depressing levers 2, 3 and 4 simultaneously you have an A chord. Pressing 1, 2 3 & 4 you have A6. To get B you just take the A chord 2 frets up. It's not so simple as using pedals, but you soon get used to it.

Very cool Alan.

Is it enjoyable to play with the palm pedals or do they detract a lot from the "playing experience"?

They don't detract any more than pushing pedals with the feet, except that you're using your fingers to pick the strings and your palm to push the levers, which takes some getting used to. Also, if you only want to push one of the levers in the center it can prove awkward. I only finished the job yesterday afternoon, so my playing time with this so far has been about half an hour. I'll be better able to answer your question in a week or two. But in the meantime I was able to play Broken Wings (the old Slim Whitman number) within a few minutes with no problem.

Does it still fit in the case like that? Or do the levers come off easily for transport?

Yes, it does still fit in the case, and no, the levers don't come off. The whole unit is screwed down, and to remove the levers you would also have to remove the strings.

Ok you talked me into it I got one on the way my Valintine gift for me

I think it is going to be light blue
see for your self

http://www.rondomusic.com/lg1vbu.html

What are the string gauges you guys are using
I know I will have to put new strings on it

I can now put my Harlin Brothers Multi Kord back in the case untill I learn how to play this Lap steel for now


FREE TABS GO TO
MY SITE GO TO GUITAR PAGE

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What I Have in there to date

1 A White Sports Coat
2 Bad Moon Risen
3 Steel Guitar Rag
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7 Crazy By Willie Nelson

I Work for Boeing Helicopters in Ridley Park Pa.

Hi Jim

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Harry

I like the blue color! Sweet.

All you guys sure know how to make me buy something. I am having enough trouble with Pedal E9 and Non Pedal E13, now I have a 6 string on the way here. I may be spending too much time reading all the Forum posts. But it sure is fun and informative. Keep it coming, I love it. .

Mr Harrison

What color did they have for you

I did not order the Black, but that is what they are sending. The black color is OK as chips and dings are easier to touch up, and I will likely not keep it long anyway. I have owned 5 different Pedal Steels in the past 18 months. I am hoping the Rondo case will fit one of my 8 string Lap Steels.

I am hoping the Rondo case will fit one of my 8 string Lap Steels.

Unless it's the exact same size as the Rondo lap steel, it won't fit.

I notice that the finished wood models are no longer in stock, only the blue and black-sprayed ones. I much prefer the finish of the varnished wood. My only concern is that when the next batch comes in they may put the price up given the high demand.

I paid $109 for the wood model I got last week so the price has already gone up 10 bucks. I'm actually surprised that the price hasn't jumped even higher yet because I've seen them on ebay selling for around $150.

They're more like $250 on eBay right now.

If you do a search on "lap steel SX" on eBay, you'll see several currently up for auction through a seller based in Brisbane, Australia.

As of this posting, there are no SX lap steels being offered through eBay by a seller in the USA.

Brad Bechtel wrote:If you do a search on "lap steel SX" on eBay, you'll see several currently up for auction through a seller based in Brisbane, Australia.

Yeah, I asked this guy "How big is the inside of the case, I'm considering using it for another guitar" and he went out of his way to let me know what a stupid question that was and how he (or any other seller) wouldn't waste the time to find out such a thing. Looking at his feedback later, it was apparent he was a high-volume, no customer service kind of dealer, so I suppose I shouldn't have taken it so personally. But it really rubbed me the wrong way. I wouldn't buy a used sheep from him.

It's just as well... I took one of the press photos of the guitar and blew it up to life size. Took it home, compared it to my Audiovox, and.... I don't think mine will fit in the case. Quelle surprise! The sticky part is the waist area - really tight there. Probably the deal-breaker for most shapes of steel.