Advice for good 8-string lap

Caspar Noetzli · Post by **Caspar Noetzli** » 10 Nov 2005 2:03 pm

After getting browsing this forum for some time now. I decided, that my first lap steel guitar should be a single neck 8 string model.

Looking around on ebay I realised that these instruments (fender stringmaster) go for more than $1000. Since I made some bad ebay experiences with regular six string guitars recently, I don't know whether I would risk to spend so much money on an instrument, where I do not get the chance to play it before buying.

Some my question is: Are there any *new* high quality 8-string lap steels available, that compare in tone and playability with the old fenders?

I won't mind spending around 1'000 $ if I can be sure, that I get an excellent instrument. I just don't want to spend the money for some "magic vintage factor".

In the forum I found some remarks about the SuperSlide lap steel. Maybe this would be the way to go for me?

Thank you for your advice.
Caspar

Stephan Miller · Post by **Stephan Miller** » 10 Nov 2005 2:20 pm

Caspar-- welcome to the Forum! Presently on eBay there is at least one Georgeboards single 8 available, I think for $549 ("minor cosmetic blemish"). These are beautiful and extremely well designed instruments, and this price is pretty much rock bottom for one. --Steve[This message was edited by Stephan Miller on 10 November 2005 at 02:22 PM.]

Craig Prior · Post by **Craig Prior** » 10 Nov 2005 2:20 pm

GeorgeBoards on eBay.
GeorgeBoards on eBay.
GeorgeBoards on eBay.

Made here in San Diego. Steiner speaks quite highly of them.

<h6>Edited by Brad Bechtel to shorten the URL.</h6>[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 10 November 2005 at 03:38 PM.]

Craig Prior · Post by **Craig Prior** » 10 Nov 2005 2:22 pm

Hells bells, Stephnan. What were the chances?

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 10 Nov 2005 2:53 pm

Very nice steel guitars !!!

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Aiello's House of Gauss


My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield

[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 10 November 2005 at 03:05 PM.]

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 10 Nov 2005 3:28 pm

Grab one of those GBs on eBay, you won't find a better deal.
Do a search for "GeorgeBoards" by username "Ricky Davis" on this forum...

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

Stephan Miller · Post by **Stephan Miller** » 10 Nov 2005 3:33 pm

Craig--

! Go team!

Richard Ballou · Post by **Richard Ballou** » 10 Nov 2005 3:33 pm

Casper as far as I can tell here's the deal in the US on new guitars anyway.

http://www.skobrien.com/sshawaiian/Description.htm

I showed my wife this and she said great honey order a couple !!!

Morrell 8-string around $300.00 last time I checked.
Industrial Guitars 8-string I think about $ 500.00
Herb Remingtons Playboy $ 575.00 no legs
Herbs Single 8 with legs $895.00 + $ 300.00 painted.
As well as the others mentioned in the thread

Rich Artisan 6-string (Not Even The Black One) am I ever gonna do anything right[This message was edited by Richard Ballou on 10 November 2005 at 03:37 PM.]

Richard Ballou · Post by **Richard Ballou** » 10 Nov 2005 5:05 pm

Casper,
I would check out Herb Remingtons guitars
http://www.remingtonsteelguitars.com/guitars.html

At first I thought these guitars where expensive but now I think they might be the best buy ....everything new ready to play !!

Call Herb his a really cool guy !!!

Of course I'm waiting for the Artisan 8-string schedued for 2015 a $129.00 including legs.The Black one of course

Rich

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 10 Nov 2005 5:38 pm

If I didn't have my sights set on a 12 string SuperSlide right now, which dollar wise is quite a bit more expensive than Herb's single 8, the Remington Steelmaster is what I would get-without hesitation.

Check out Rick Alexander's Steelmasters on Herb's site as posted by Richard.

If you want to hear another Steelmaster in action, Cindy Cashdollar's cd features it on a few tracks.

They sound just gorgeous, and they are great looking steels as well.

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Mark

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 10 Nov 2005 5:45 pm

Hey Richard; that is the old website that features the SS HAWAIIAN, that is no longer current for address and email. My current website is www.mightyfinemusic.com
The SS HAWAIIAN was born and then we never made anymore and will not.
I actually sold my SS HAWAIIAN to a guy that wanted it more than I could play it. It was/is a wonderful steel guitar; but since I've gotten my Georgeboard; I just simply was not going to play my SS HAWAIIAN anymore and I believe all steel guitars should be played; as why I let it go.
Here is my Georgeboard called "Sweet Leilani">

And everything I wrote about it is here>
http://www.georgeboards.com/GB-Owners.html

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Ricky Davis
Rebel™ and Ricky's Audio Clips
www.mightyfinemusic.com
Email Ricky: sshawaiian@austin.rr.com

Richard Ballou · Post by **Richard Ballou** » 10 Nov 2005 6:27 pm

Sorry Ricky

That's just the most incredible guitar I've ever seen. The tunig pan ....

Sorry

Gary Boyett · Post by **Gary Boyett** » 10 Nov 2005 7:26 pm

GeorgeBoards are a great deal for the money.
I have one and love it.

Herb's are fine insturments and very well spoken fo around here.

Other than that you can't go wrong with Fender vintage.

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JCFSGC,RMSGC,HSGA member
Do it with "Glass"
Boyett's Glass Bars

Rick Garrett · Post by **Rick Garrett** » 11 Nov 2005 2:59 am

Why take a chance on ebay at all? If you're looking for a professional quality lap steel take a look at the MSA Super Slide. Really well built and sounds as good or better than most lap steels I've ever heard. http://www.msapedalsteels.com/html/homess.html

Rick

Caspar Noetzli · Post by **Caspar Noetzli** » 11 Nov 2005 3:20 am

Thank you very much for all your advice. I did not know about Georgeboards and Remington guitars. But I got the impression from what you write that there actually are *new* high quality instruments around.

In our band we play western-swing, rockabilly and some old country stuff. Would all of these guitars (Georgeboards, Remington, SuperSlide) be suitable to do the job? (Sounding "old-fashioned" enough?)

Thanks again
Caspar

Rick Garrett · Post by **Rick Garrett** » 11 Nov 2005 3:30 am

I think if you ran any of these guitars through a vintage amp you'd probably get that old vintage sound you're after. Just my opinion. Good luck

Rick

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 11 Nov 2005 4:47 am

I think the vintage amp sound is the key.

Fo'bro Mark Vinbury makes the Dynalap, available in 6- or 8-string kits. Being a kit, it's economical and the finish is up to you. I have a 6, built of maple and purpleheart, string through body, and it's great.
Dynalap@aol.com

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 11 Nov 2005 7:56 am

It's true, Caspar-you don't have to chase down vintage instruments to get a great non-pedal guitar. This sector of steel playing has had a tremendous resurgence in popularity, and the builders are turning out some incredible instruments.

I heard a couple of tracks from the new Martina McBride cd, "Timeless," where Paul Franklin is contributing on a SuperSlide, and it sounds phenomenal (of course we're talking Paul here).

Rick-you are talking up the SuperSlide as I am-but Caspar mentioned he would not mind spending about $1,000. A single 8 SS with the freedom stand, which presumably Caspar would want, is going to set you back about $1,500. I'd find the money, Caspar. If in doubt, spend about $25 and purchase the SuperSlide-Off DVD from Steel Guitar Nashville, with Reece Anderson, Bobbe Seymour, and Randy Beavers doing a demo/show at a Nashville restaurant. That sold me.

But if you have to keep the budget lower, I think all the non-pedals mentioned in this thread are outstanding choices. I just wish I could get a Remington and a Georgeboards to go along with the future SuperSlide!

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Mark
[This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 11 November 2005 at 08:36 AM.]

Richard Ballou · Post by **Richard Ballou** » 11 Nov 2005 8:10 am

Charlie,

I have seen that mentioned before. Do you know the approximate prices on 6-string and 8-string. I searched on the net for him and thought maybe he wasn't selling anymore.

Rich

Andre Nizzari · Post by **Andre Nizzari** » 13 Nov 2005 3:37 am

what about dustpans and harmos???? Thems are my favs.

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http://www.andreandthenighthounds.com/

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 13 Nov 2005 4:27 am

Based on recent discussions with Maurice, I unhesitatingly recommend the "Superslide"
We all know how good it sounds, but the rest of the story is the fact that there is an excellent rapour with the customer.

http://www.msapedalsteels.com/html/superslide_pics.html

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Steel players do it without fretting

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 13 Nov 2005 1:24 pm

There are a number of great lap steels out there at all different price points. I have personally owned and played a Gretch, 1937 Rick Bakelite, a 1952 Fender Triple 8 Custom Console, a GeorgeBoards Console, a Harmos, an Industrial Steel, a 12 string Superslide, and a Double 8 Superslide.

While they all had their good points and bad points, but once I got my first Superslide, that was it. I sold all the rest of them and now only have the 12 and Double 8 SuperSlide (and the Industrial Steel because it's a six string and can be played acoustically).

For me, the SuperSlide is it. Perfection.

J Hill · Post by **J Hill** » 13 Nov 2005 6:28 pm

Don't forget to check out the high quality made West Coast Lap Steels at...
http://www.pedalsteel.com/westcoaststeel/home_resources/hawaiian_lg.jpg

John Anderson · Post by **John Anderson** » 13 Nov 2005 8:07 pm

I have an 8 string George Board - you won't regret the purchase - the guitars are cool - the Fralin pickups sound like old Fenders and and George Piburn is a very very nice person. You will of course eventually want a different sound for other purposes and then you will have to look up Rick Ailello

Just remember its not an addiction - its an invenstment

John

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 14 Nov 2005 5:15 am

Caspar - If you are playing vintage music, play it on a vintage guitar. The modern guitars mentioned above are all fine instruments, but you wouldn't see Lee Jeffries or Jimmy Roy playing a Georgeboard with Big Sandy. Get something that looks and sounds authentic. Anything else is a compromise. I hear BC Rich makes a fine electric guitar, but I hope your guitar player doesn't use one for roackabilly. My two cents.