Speaking of cheap steels....

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 8 Apr 2005 6:14 am

Has anyone encountered one of these, and can comment? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7313724456&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
Maybe it's the attraction of blue sparkle...

Kevin Macneil Brown · Post by **Kevin Macneil Brown** » 8 Apr 2005 6:34 am

These Artisans have come up on a few forum threads recently.
I bought one for use as second steel--experimental tunings, etc. To my surprise, it sounded pretty good; I even gigged with it a couple of times.
Not, to be sure, a pro instrument: Somewhat cheesy build, and the string spacing is annoyingly close. Still, I'm happy to have it, especially for the price I paid.( 70-80 bucks seems to be about right.)
And for me, yes, blue sparkle was definitely the way to go!

Jim Jasutis · Post by **Jim Jasutis** » 8 Apr 2005 6:36 am

I was looking for an inexpensive steel to start with. I got a book on buiding one of my own, but then someone on this forum recommended this one. The list of parts for the homemade one came to $124.00. This one is available here,
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=guitar/search?c=4322

brand new for $59.00.

Mine just arrived yesterday, and because of company I haven't really had a chance to do much with it, but I am sure it is better than anything I could have built.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 8 Apr 2005 12:50 pm

I bought one of these for a gig last Dec. It sounded pretty good, but if you look at the pic on Ebay you will see one of the big problems with it---you can't see the fret markers under some lighting conditions. The fretboard is plastic and the fret lines are gold. If you are at home just plinking around they are fine.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 8 Apr 2005 1:23 pm

No shipping possible to Italy? What's this deal, anybody?

bobbe

Post by **b0b** » 8 Apr 2005 3:09 pm

I've had several problems lately shipping to Italy. The items did arrive eventually, but the Italian customs people must be really backed up. My customers were not pleased - frantic emails etc. I can understand why some people wouldn't want to ship to Italy.

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<img align=left src="http://b0b.com/b0bxicon.gif" border="0"> Bobby Lee
-b0b- quasar@b0b.com 
System Administrator

Terry Robbins · Post by **Terry Robbins** » 9 Apr 2005 2:43 pm

I work for the USPS. Italy has possibly the longest list of prohibited items. Canada is probably the most persickety as far as having the proper forms etc.

PS: I just received my Artisan and Dunlop 919 two days ago. It's going to have a crackly-tone-control-ectomy next week after the clearance sale Carvin pickup arrives. The output jack is going where the tone control is now. Then the nut is going to need some work. But it sounds pretty good now. Maybe in 40-50 years people will be refering to Artisan Lap Steels as "Arties"?[This message was edited by Terry Robbins on 09 April 2005 at 03:51 PM.]

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 9 Apr 2005 10:34 pm

That steel may work for a left hander it appears. It could also be alright for a starter.

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(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 10 Apr 2005 3:46 am

As a bass player said, 'Who needs a tone control?' The same swap occurred to me.

Danelectro gained similar fame as a builder of cheap guitars. I'm going to get my Artie now!

Thanks for all the responses; very helpful.
Charlie
<a href='http://usera.imagecave.com/charliethemo ... .jpg'><img src='http://usera.imagecave.com/charliethemo ... g.jpg'></a>

Tighe Falato · Post by **Tighe Falato** » 10 Apr 2005 12:01 pm

Why pay $59 at Musician's Friend when you can pick one up on eBay for $222.50. Only 5 hours to go so you'd better get those bids in fast! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7312846747&rd=1
I guess the gig bag, Stevens slide and finger picks makes this one a steel

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 10 Apr 2005 12:18 pm

Tighe, you've always impressed me with your ability to pick out the real bargains on eBay ...

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 10 Apr 2005 2:20 pm

What was I thinking?!
The one on eBay has an allen wrench!

Colin Brooks · Post by **Colin Brooks** » 10 Apr 2005 2:56 pm

Are they all 21" scale like mine? That was a bit of a surprise! Sounds OK though, and a bit of messing about with aluminium (I'm English) angle and a new fretboard will make it a useful 22.5" scale instrument for situations where I don't want to risk elderly bakelite.

Tighe Falato · Post by **Tighe Falato** » 11 Apr 2005 3:03 am

....and the winner is tubbsywubbsy for $247.50! Unfortunately Russ I was outbid in the last few minutes on this one. I forgot about the allen wrench which added another $25 at the wire

Denny Turner · Post by **Denny Turner** » 11 Apr 2005 3:31 am

Good to see you back around, Tye. Birdie told me you picked up a real frying pan a couple weeks ago.

Aloha,
DT~

Tighe Falato · Post by **Tighe Falato** » 11 Apr 2005 4:00 am

Denny.....I'm typically lurking in the background and have been enjoying your "fleabay" posts the past few weeks! Yup, picked up a very nice '34 Rick fry pan set from the second owner. Little old lady in PA who took lessons in her early teens and purchased the set from her instructor. Paid more than I planned but well worth it as a matching set in this condition just doesn't come by to often.
For those looking for the "steel of the day" deal on eBay (although the Artisian for $247.50 is kinda hard to beat) we have a National made Loney labeled MOT lap steel currently at $800! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7313273034&rd=1
If these prices keep up I need to sell my collection FAST

Loni Specter · Post by **Loni Specter** » 11 Apr 2005 6:50 am

I just received a 'Mail Delivery Failure' notice on my email to this person. That usually indicates a bogus auction, and a scam.

Peter Jacobs · Post by **Peter Jacobs** » 11 Apr 2005 1:20 pm

"... for situations where I don't want to risk elderly bakelite."

Colin -- Didn't Elderly Bakelite play with Ernest Tubb for a while, back in '57?

Peter

Colin Brooks · Post by **Colin Brooks** » 11 Apr 2005 2:08 pm

Bad spelling there. I was,of course, refering to Elder Lee Bakelite, one of the lesser known sacred steelers!