The Steel Guitar Forum

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 ??

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.

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.

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

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

How about with SX guitars and basses?

Thanks Dave

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

Thanks Randy!
Based on the review I ordered one.

Dave

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

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...

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.

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.