The Steel Guitar Forum

Wasn't planning on buying a new steel but I was in a store, trying out a Danelectro baritone guitar, when I noticed this strange lap steel with an amplifier built in. The built-in amp is cute and all, but I bought it for the excellent tone it produced when running it through a Fender Deluxe Reverb. It sounds clear and strong and has a lot of character. Not necessarily better than my Fouke steels, just different. I suppose it's more the classic steel sound. I also tried a vintage triple neck Fender (not a stringmaster), but wasn't all that impressed with it.

It's funny that I've tried so many vintage lap steels at local shops (Epiphone, Gibson, Supro, Oahu, etc) but the only two vintage instruments that I've been impressed enough to take home have both been Japanese instruments from the 60's. One was an obvious Deluxe 6 knockoff Guyatone (stolen from me, later) and this Teisco.

An odd thing about this instrument is that the bridge is higher than the nut, resulting in sloped strings in relation to the body. The electronics are clear and the pickup is quiet as can be. The on/off switch for the built-in amp can be used as a "kill" switch for some cool effects.

I paid $495 for it. Anybody ever see one of these or know what they usually go for?

It's ok to tell me if you think I got ripped off. I'd like to know what people think of these steels. I can't find any opinions about them online.

I'm jealous!
I live in Beaverton, did you find it in a Portland area music store? I am always looking for lap steels...

Dom Franco

I found it at Guitar Crazy in SE Portland OR. Check out www.guitarcrazy.com and you'll see that they have a few lap steels on the inventory page I

Hey, nice find.

It's a Teisco TRH-1 dating from around 1964 or 1965.

Here's a catalog pic.

Cool, thanks. The label is partly scratched off and there is no serial number so I was kinda lost in my search.

I've now found a couple of references to a TRH-1 but there's just not much. I'm amazed that there is so little info on an instrument that sounds so great. Aside from the tuners, it's built really well and the pickup is already my favorite lap steel pickup ever. The tone and volume pots turn really fast and smooth and there is no static. I'm able to do easy violin swells and wah effects while picking for the first time ever. Most of the vintage instruments that I've played have gummy/scratchy pots and I'm wondering if these have been replaced. The built-in amp doesn't sound that bad, it just isn't loud enough to be much more than a travel practice tool.

Hey James, I'm in Portland too. I also visit Guitar Crazy once in a while. My experience with Bob is that he has always been a great guy to do business with. If you're looking for quality and guitar knowledge, he's the guy in this town. I got my BR-9 from him as well as my tele and other equipment. Unlike some other stores in town (who's name I won't mention but you probably know who I'm referring to), I've never felt like I was just sold a bill of goods, I've always felt that I got killer deal. His clientele list is for real. He literally has people coming to America to buy from him. If you look around his store, you'll see he only deals in quality stuff. You can always trust 'Crazy Bob'.

Yeah, in the past I thought the guy was pretty grumpy. But the last few times that I've stopped by have been much better. He's just up the street from me, 11 blocks or so. The store seems to be open at random times and I've learned to always call first before dropping in.

I bought a 1954 Teisco just a few weeks ago from Japan, the sound is beautiful from that big magnet below the Coil, here it is.

James.

Wow James, that looks like a Russian submarine.

James -

To perform an "unplugged" duet version of Sleepwalk, you'll need one of these.