The Steel Guitar Forum

Any ideas? Other than that one that the pickup doesn't cover all the strings.

Unless you luck into a used instrument, there are no eight string guitars in that price range. The Morrell 8 string lap steels are the least expensive ones I know of, and they suffer from the pickup issue you describe. The next cheapest would be the Gold Tone LS-8, which is a very nice lap steel, but around $550 USD.
There's a Teisco 8 string lap steel on eBay which might be a good choice.

What I figured as far as a new one. That Teisco looks sweet!

Bob Allen is the master of the lap steel that should cost double, but doesn't: Search for Melbert on the forum and you will be swamped by praise for him....

http://www.musonmt.com/5.html

and then click on his "Discounted Items" for one of these at $100 off! - right in your ballpark! I got a discounted one a while ago, and it is just him trying to clear out his shop, no difference between that and the regular ones....

Well, that might be the ticket. I don't know bout any of those pickups though so I'll do some reading after work. Thank you!

Those pickups are the ones everyone wants....some single coil, some humbucker.....call Bob and he will be happy to explain the difference and help you choose. Or just post it here, say what kind of music you play, what kind of sound you are going for, and I'm sure people will chime in...

One very general guideline I've sort of figured out (IMHO, YMMV) is that the classic style is a single coil pickup into a tube amp (all they had back then), more modern sound is humbucker into a solid-state amp....

I like what I am reading about the Jerry Wallace pup.

Brian, I just received my Melbert Pro 6 todfay and as previously mentioned can not heap enough praise on Bob Allen. He helped me pick the right pickup for the sound that I told him I wanted, came up with the right stain for the co0lor that I desired and I did did a discount by picking a pre-cut curly maple body. The only draw back is that he does such a good job that he has a lot of business and mione took 9 weeks to complete, but all good things are worth the wait.
Tom

Thomas Temple wrote:Brian, I just received my Melbert Pro 6 todfay and as previously mentioned can not heap enough praise on Bob Allen. He helped me pick the right pickup for the sound that I told him I wanted, came up with the right stain for the co0lor that I desired and I did did a discount by picking a pre-cut curly maple body. The only draw back is that he does such a good job that he has a lot of business and mione took 9 weeks to complete, but all good things are worth the wait.
Tom

Funny thing is, after I got home from work and re-read the thread, I called Bob. Mine is in the works and will take 10 weeks. And I am only paying a little bit more than what I had originally wanted to pay. Ten weeks is nothing to wait on what is going to be a great instrument.

Congrats, you'll love it!

Glad you found what you were looking for.

FYI for those interested - I replaced the stock lipstick pkup in my Morrell 8 string (LRW model) with an 8 string stringmaster replacement pkup from Lollar. It drops right in to the existing hole and the bolt holes line up and everything. A simple replacement.

Brian,
There is no doubt in my mind that you will be extremely pleased with your new Melbert. I know that I could not be happier and as will most things you do indeed get what you pay for. Good luck and keep us posted.
Tom

Thomas -
I disagree....as many have said, with a Melbert, you DON'T get what you pay for, you get TWICE what you paid for....(yes, I'm a fan, both of the Melbert and of Bob Allen)

Thanks all. I am going with the Ambrosia Maple.

checked out the melberts...cant say that i like the string angles at the headstock over the nut to the gear post. prefer less severe angles.

Brian
Here is my Ambrosia Maple that I received a few months ago...
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... highlight=

I am sure you will like your choice of wood!

Brian Hunter wrote:Thanks all. I am going with the Ambrosia Maple.

I'm sure you'll be delighted with it - I'm very happy with mine!

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=197029