The Steel Guitar Forum

I've been playing pedal steel for a couple of years now and just recently got a lap steel. I found an old National Chicagoan (one of the ones covered in pearloid--mother of toilet seat cover). It's pretty clean and working fine, but I don't like the sound at all. Are these all harsh? Anything I can do? Any string recommendations? I was looking for something that sounded clean and smooth...

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Philippe, I own a National Chicagoan and mine sounds great. I use Jagwire C6 strings available right here on the forum. I also play pedal steel but of course use different amp settings to get the sound from my lap steel that I like. I also had to adjust the pickup a tad to get the strings to even out a little better. The string through design pickups on these guitars are awesome.

Could also be a problem with windings in the pickup.
Not as young as it once was. Maybe it needs a refurbishment.

Michael Lee Allen wrote:Odd comment as I could say E9 PSG all sounds shrill, nasal, thin, high-pitched,and whining to me. But that's just me.
MLA

Didn't mean to insult anyone... That's why I'm asking if it's the instrument or me. Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried to mess around with the controls and amp settings--it's not like I haven't used a tone knob in my life, I'm a guitar player. Still, I find that with everything all the way (volume and tone), the pickup is very hot. If I turn the knobs down a bit (vol, tone or both), it immediately sounds boomy and muffled. I'll try the C6 strings....

Thanks

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The amp you're using plays a big part in the tone, and sometimes no matter what setting you use, the results are still horrible.

Before making changes to the pots/pickups, take your steel down to your nearest music shop and try it on different amps/settings. You should find an amp that pairs up well and find a tone you can be satisfied with.

If the shop has vintage amps, better yet.

Phillipe,
I have a Supro Supreme from 1952 (a very similar model, same pickup type), and I kind of agree with you - these National/Valco/Supro lap steels with the string-through-pickup tends to be a bit hot, bright and aggressive - that's why this model is very popular with blues/rock players who use overdrive/distrotion with their lap steels.
For a smooth, darker tone, this model wouldn't be my first choice...

Roman Sonnleitner wrote:Phillipe,
I have a Supro Supreme from 1952 (a very similar model, same pickup type), and I kind of agree with you - these National/Valco/Supro lap steels with the string-through-pickup tends to be a bit hot, bright and aggressive - that's why this model is very popular with blues/rock players who use overdrive/distrotion with their lap steels.
For a smooth, darker tone, this model wouldn't be my first choice...

Hey, that's good to know. You're right on the money. It would sound great for electric/hard driving blues. It's just not what I'm looking for. Any suggestions of another type of lap steel for a mellower, darker tone.
Thanks!

Phil

Just curious Philippe, what type of music are you going to be playing? You never mentioned.

Also what type of amp are you currently using?

Hi Philippe!

Tone is difficult to describe.

If the smooth tone you are looking for is like Jerry Byrd's sound, I think the best choice is a Bakelite Rickenbacker. I love their tone and sustainnnnnnnn.

They haven't been made since the 50s, but you can sometimes still find one for under $1,000.

Some of them, like Jerry's seven string, are much more.

That's the best "smooth tone" I've found.

Have you tried Nickle strings? the steel content in strings now is way more than when the instrument was made. Nickle would be more true to period I believe.I would go as low steel as possible and see what happens. Picking up the neck more or a glass bar may help.

Thanks for the tips and suggestions gentlemen.

As for the type of music I play, well, I use the pedal steel for all-out country. I guess with the lap steel I'd qualify it as ambiant/moody pop and alt-country.

Amps? I've tried a bunch: Brownface Fender Vibroverb, BF Deluxe, Peavey Vegas 400, etc. I usually play steel through the Vibroverb and it sounds great.

Thanks

P