lap steel question

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 17 Jan 2011 8:42 am

I may be taking the plunge into lap steel. I found one on CL that I like the looks of but know nothing about. It's listed for $300. Has anyone ever seen one of these before ?

Kekoa Blanchet · Post by **Kekoa Blanchet** » 17 Jan 2011 8:57 am

Are you left-handed? From your picture, it looks like you might be. If you're right-handed, those knobs will get in the way.

J. Wilson · Post by **J. Wilson** » 17 Jan 2011 9:23 am

It looks like a custom built lap steel to me.

Be careful with Craigs List. Its so easy to get shafted. For the same dough you can score a good steel off someone here on the forum. Check out the For Sale section if you haven't already.

Peace,
John

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 17 Jan 2011 9:39 am

cool. thanks. I may end up getting something new anyways, i just like the looks of that one, but you are right the knobs are in the wronjg spot

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 17 Jan 2011 9:45 am

This steel guitar is not worth $300.

It is better to go with a name brand that has a track record. You also will have better resale value if you want to sell it and move up later.

For the same dough you can score a good steel off someone here on the forum

Quite true, and it will be an honest deal. I found many good Steel Guitars at Steel Guitar conventions. I have nine. You know GAS.

Aloha,

Don

David Eastwood · Post by **David Eastwood** » 17 Jan 2011 11:08 am

For not a whole lot more, Bob Allen could build you one:

http://www.musonmt.com/3.html

Do a search for 'Melbert' here - plenty of happy customers, including me!

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 17 Jan 2011 11:30 am

Karen, even tho they are no longer made, the Dynalap are the best sounding/playing steels available for under $400, and they beat out most new/vintage at any price. Try ebay/google/our own forum to locate one, you might get it real cheap. Go for an 8 str.

Wayne D. Clark · Post by **Wayne D. Clark** » 17 Jan 2011 11:42 am

KAREN, WHAT DAVID SAID. I JUST CHECKED OUT THE "ALLEN MELBERT STEEL GUITARS" ON GOOGLE. THE ONE THAT DAVID PUT UP IS ABOUT $350.00 HAND MADE IN BY Robert Allen, Melbert Steels , Music on the Mountain 461 Rock Crusher Rd Livingston TN 38570. CHECK OUT THE WEB SIGHT THAT DAVID PUT UP.

KAREN I WAS LOOKING FOR A LAP STEEL REACENTLY, CHECKED OUT "E BAY" CHECKED OUT THE FORUM AND FOUND A RECOMENDATION OF THE MELBERT LAP STEEL, AND DECIDED THAT WAS THE WAY TO GO [FOR ME] CONTACTED Mr ALLEN LIKED WHAT I SAW AND HEARD AND AM EXPECTING MY NEW MELBERT ANY DAY NOW. I CONTACTED HIM AROUND THE END OF NOV. AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING DAVID SAID "ALLOW 6 TO 8 WEEKS" FROM ORDER TO DELIVERY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD INSTERRMENT MAKERS OUT THERE AND I AM SURE YOU WILL GET A FEW RECOMENDATIONS RIGHT HERE ON THE FORUM LIKE I DID. GOOD LUCK AND GOOD PICKING.

wayne d. clark
usnyn2nd@frontier.com

Wayne D. Clark · Post by **Wayne D. Clark** » 17 Jan 2011 11:59 am

KAREN, ME AGAIN [Wayne D. Clark] WHAT RON SAID GO 8 STRING. ALSO THERE IS MORREL STEEL GUITAR, I THINK THEY ARE ALSO BUILT IN TENN. OR MAYBE KENTUCKY. CHECK GOOGLE "MORREL 8 STRING LAP STEEL" THAT SHOULD BET YOU A RESPONSE.

Wayne d. clark
usnyn2nd@frontier.com

Wayne D. Clark · Post by **Wayne D. Clark** » 17 Jan 2011 12:07 pm

David Whitfield, Tell me about your new Melbert that you just received. What type of wook, 8 string or 6, what model. How does it sound, what pickup did your order. As you can tell I am interested in hearing about it. I happened to contact Mr Allen at the time he was taking in a C6 8 string Council same color as the one you posted for Karen. built in September or October the Owner wanted Allen to build him another one, and was making a trade.

Wayne d. clark
usnyn2nd@frontier.com

David Eastwood · Post by **David Eastwood** » 17 Jan 2011 12:12 pm

Wayne - I think you mean me?

I posted pictures and details here:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... ht=melbert

And here are some pictures of an earlier one which inspired me to place my order:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... ht=melbert

Wayne D. Clark · Post by **Wayne D. Clark** » 17 Jan 2011 12:28 pm

I am so sorry David! Yes I do mean You. I really need to keep a pad of paper next to my computer to jot down the names of those I am conversing with. Well back to see what you have posted.

Wayne

Wayne D. Clark · Post by **Wayne D. Clark** » 17 Jan 2011 12:53 pm

David, It is a beauty. I like the contrast. I am debating C6th Low "G" or C6th Hi "G" I get pro and con both ways.

wayne
usnyn2nd@frontier.com

J. Wilson · Post by **J. Wilson** » 17 Jan 2011 12:57 pm

You won't go wrong with an Allen Melbert steel. Here is mine:

Bob lets you choose your body type and hardware and makes the guitar especially for you. It was a great experience and I have a great guitar to show for it.

I have a few lap steels, but Bob built my first one and I have NO plans on selling it. It can stand toe-to-toe with anything else I have heard for the money.

Here is his website addy: http://www.musonmt.com/

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 17 Jan 2011 3:42 pm

Karen,

I bought an Eastwood Airline Six a couple years back for around $300- and it has been a fabulous steel! Sounds and looks great!

Back when I was making hellibucks I picked up an M.S.A. SS Eight string, wich I use mainly as a six string, it is the definitive steel AFAIAC.

If you have the means I highly recommend one.

Scott Palmer · Post by **Scott Palmer** » 17 Jan 2011 7:10 pm

Wow- what a great looking lap steel! Care to comment on how well that bridge/palm pedal setup works?

J. Wilson wrote:You won't go wrong with an Allen Melbert steel. Here is mine:

Bob lets you choose your body type and hardware and makes the guitar especially for you. It was a great experience and I have a great guitar to show for it.

I have a few lap steels, but Bob built my first one and I have NO plans on selling it. It can stand toe-to-toe with anything else I have heard for the money.

Here is his website addy: http://www.musonmt.com/

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 18 Jan 2011 6:21 am

thanks everyone. The Melbert steels look beautiful !

Sam White · Post by **Sam White** » 18 Jan 2011 8:08 am

Karen I would check with Mark Dinsbury from North Kingstown Rhode Island as he builds a great Lap steel and he also has a kit that you can build your own.Mark is a great guy and he is a great Lap steel player and lead Guitar player. Go on the line and type in Dynalap steelguitar.com and you can look at what great work he does.
Sam White

J. Wilson · Post by **J. Wilson** » 18 Jan 2011 10:01 am

Scott Palmer wrote:Wow- what a great looking lap steel! Care to comment on how well that bridge/palm pedal setup works?

Sure Scott! Actually you can see all that info at the link below, plus some extra pics of David Eastwoods pretty 8 stringer and my teak wood Jackfish custom Melbert. There, I describe the build, electronics, trimmings and the topic of the Duesenberg Multibender. There is some good info there:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... ht=melbert

Peace,
John