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Post new topic New Lap Steel Day - a Bluestem
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Author Topic:  New Lap Steel Day - a Bluestem
Derek Barlas


From:
Kanata, Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 6 Aug 2009 9:16 am    
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Just got this yesterday - a new Bluestem. I'm a long time guitar player (30 years) and I picked up an old Mason lap steel a while back, just to figure if I was interested enough to keep it up. Anyway, I totally love playing the lap steel so I decided it was time for something new as the old Mason has a lot of issues. Anyway, after looking around for a while, I contacted Randy and after some discussion, we settled on this model. His humbucking pickup design is really cool as I mainly use this instrument for recording.

I'm delighted with it so far. Its so much nicer to play than my old one.

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Don Sutley

 

From:
Pensacola, FL
Post  Posted 6 Aug 2009 10:49 am    
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Wow, nice steel! I immediatly went to the builder's website and it's awesome as well: http://www.bluestemstrings.com/

Anybody who puts lap steel, banjo and electric violin plans and tips on their website is hip in my book.

-Don
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James Kerr

 

From:
Scotland, UK
Post  Posted 6 Aug 2009 11:44 am    
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A very nice little machine, well thought out and well executed.

James.
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Peter Jacobs


From:
Northern Virginia
Post  Posted 6 Aug 2009 6:48 pm    
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Congratulations, Derek! I have a Bluestem that Randy custom built for me, and it plays and sounds great - same pickup as you have. Plus, he's a great guy. Enjoy it!
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James Mayer


From:
back in Portland Oregon, USA (via Arkansas and London, UK)
Post  Posted 6 Aug 2009 10:41 pm    
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Are those custom pickups? If not, what is the make/model?
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Mark Bracewell


From:
Willow Glen, California
Post  Posted 7 Aug 2009 7:35 pm    
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James Mayer wrote:
Are those custom pickups? If not, what is the make/model?


I believe they are custom wound by the maker. If you're interested in building/modding a steel, you would do well to browse the Bluestemstrings site in depth. Really, really well thought out stuff IMHO.
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Josh Cho


From:
New York, NY (orig. Honolulu, HI)
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2009 6:29 am    
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Very nice piece Derek.

The pickup config looks somewhat like the Z-coils found on G&L guitars (thanks to George and Leo!), which are purported to be a more ideal layout (from what I've heard over the years)

After visiting the bluestemstrings website, I was very impressed by all their componentry, right down to the Switchcraft output jacks. Very very cool stuff, thanks for sharing and please post sound/video if you can! Cool
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