The Steel Guitar Forum

It's been a few years since put my pedal steel up for adoption. I just never got the sound I wanted from it. I eventually realized I've always been after a Hawaiian/West Coast sound over a Nashville sound.

So what I need is advice on a starter lap steel near or under $500 that can give a smooth Hawaiian feel. Will be mixed with a more contemporary sound... something along the lines of this type of thing: Chills

Thanks greatly for any help.

Are you looking for a 6-string or 8-string steel guitar?

For 6-strings, vintage National electrics, like the New Yorker, Chicagoan, and Dynamic have a really great sound, and can do what you're talking about. I've got a National Dynamic, and it's a beautiful sounding lap steel (and it's got that cool art deco look.) You can often find Dynamics and Chicagoans in the $300-$400 range, and New Yorkers for a bit more...so you'll be able to find one for under $500.
Here's Fred Kinbom playing his National New Yorkers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbYVtmIJBVE
The other Nationals have one pickup, but the tone pot gives a similar variety in tone.

Russell, you can get that sound with just about any decent lap steel. That style comes from your approach to playing, not so much the instrument. A clean-ish amp with a lot of reverb, good intonation and decent technique and you're good to go.

So what I need is advice on a starter lap steel near or under $500 that can give a smooth Hawaiian feel

For your budget (sub-$500) guitars, get a Dynalap....

http://dynalap.com/

Just note that I've never played these and have no connection with this operation other than speaking to the proprietor Mark Vinbury once on the phone, but for the money and the fact that you're buying something made by a Forumite

You really can't go wrong, and if you really wanna save some dough, buy the kit and put one together yourself for $275+labor.

Have a listen to Jerry Gleason playing his Dynalap--in an excellent Hawaiian style--here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zPbA1ID4Gs

-Note: I will purchase one of these myself very soon-

How does one acheive that Hawaiian sound?

I attribute much of the sound to your vibrato--to me it comes very easily, which I attribute to growing up on Oahu

Funny thing is, now I have to really try NOT to sound Hawaiian when I'm playing western swing and country styles (I'm also dabbling in E9 pedal steel--the tuning and technique required to play that instrument really takes the Hawaiian outta me )



Best wishes on your venture,

Josh

Josh, I'd like to hear you playing pedal steel...you should post a video.

Ryan,

Hey thanks for the interest, I'll let you know in the Pedal section when I work something up decent enuf to be heard by human ears

Your friend,

Josh