The Steel Guitar Forum

Always on the search for a cheap acoustic to convert to lap steel, I have received a gui like this listing that I'll be converting for lap play.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=621&item=7314431621&rd=1

50 available on this listing. (All such listings can be found in two eBay searches: 'Hawaii backpacker' and 'Hawaiian backpacker.' Why Hawaii? I don't know. No country of origin appears, no labels.)
Range for these is $.99 to $4.99 from several distributors. I paid $5.50 + shipping for mine. The nut is cut too high for a standard guitar; the string spacing at the bridge is too narrow, and I'll have to build a bridge. But it's sturdy and fairly resonant; I've tuned it up to a G tuning and it's still together. Next will be heavy strings and a pickup; it's cheap enough to see what happens.
A great toy for the tinkerer; I'll be using mine to evaluate the possibility of building a trapezoidal kit out of some spruce top blanks I have. I'll let you know what happens. But I'll never be able to build a body this cheap.
Charlie

I spoted a .99 too. The shipping was the money maker for them. I didn't know China had invaded Hawaii!

Don't forget the $4.99 insurance required for your .99 cent guitar.

Jaime

Forgot to add: 23" scale. Octave fret marker at the 11th fret. Why they had to unload them.

Ok, 18.49 total. Buy from globalqualifier for 4.99 and forget the insurance; quick shipped, 30 day warranty.

But I guess I better string it up with SIT strings before I sing its praises. I tell ya, it's gonna work.
More later, and I'll make a song file.
Charlie

Ok Charlie you talked me into it...I'm on the list for one.

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55" Fender Stringmaster T8, 54" Fender Champion, Carter D-10, two Oahu laps, two National laps, and two Resonators

Talked me into it as well. Can't wait to get the free harmonica!

Jaime

It'll look impressive on your list of equipment, Andy.
You, Jaime, and I can form the Backpacker Lap Steel Forum.
Hope these things don't break. Loss of face can be bad.

That's what I'm thinkin Charlie Are you familiar with the ones made by Martin? A friend of mine bought one and they're not a bad playin guitar for what they are.


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55" Fender Stringmaster T8, 54" Fender Champion, Carter D-10, two Oahu laps, two National laps, and two Resonators

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Andy Sandoval on 12 April 2005 at 02:22 PM.]</p></FONT>

I just got my $.99 masterpiece complete with free harmonica. I wanted to ask Charlie how his modifications turned out. I planned on trying some of the same things, and hope to end up with a lap steel to keep in my camper/ So Charlie, how did it work out.