The Steel Guitar Forum

What say you:

What are the best non-vintage steels that would be ideal for Hawaiian playing? Anyone new makers out there? Anyone building them specifically for Hawaiian playing?

i dont see why any quality steel could not do a fine job - there is an Excel Jerry Byrd model frypan in the FS section right now, i would say that for a modern steel, thats gonna be as Hawaiian specific as it gets.

Steels with tiki or palm tree design fret makers would be my first choice!

I have one New For Sale >> Click Here for Details for Forum Member Prices --> http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=235730





George Mr.Boards

I have played a whole lot of different laps, and all seem suited for particular styles and vibes. IMO the chandler RH series sound and play very well for C6 and would be great for Hawaiian sounds. Ditto the Sierra laptop and most definitely the GeorgeBoards guitars.

I have a Melobar 8 string. It's affordable (well, it was a long time ago - I assume it still is) and does the job. It's perfect if you have brief, tawdry affairs with various musical genres.

George, as you know I've had a number of your instruments over the years. The were all good. I wish I still had all the lap steels that have passed through my hands over the years. I saw an old post of mine from 8 years ago where I was asking for recommendations on my first lap steel. 8 years!

I got the fever again though.

Pretty much anything with some strings and a pickup that picks up and tuners that tune... If you're gonna splurge, sink it into a couple of potted palms and if you can talk the old lady into a grass skirt*, you're on the loko kai.



*(don't worry about it, they like the big girls best too!)

Ah David, I've owned too many lap steels to believe that anything with some strings and a pickup will work.

My god, I'm crying to think about all the steels I've bought and sold. Would that i had my superslide back! But I never thought my 12 string superslide was great of hawaiian style: fantastic for jazz,

Been seeing a bunch of new luthiers showing their stuff. Must be some cool new stuff out there.

Hi Bill, is there a particular player you enjoy listening to or a particular sound you'd like to emulate? That might be a good starting point.

Jeff,

that is a great question. I'm in absorption mode at the moment. It was listening to Jerry Byrd that ignited the current fever and I have his course.

Jeff poses the question

,...is there a particular player you enjoy listening to or a particular sound you'd like to emulate?

There is: His name is Jules Ah See, but I can't emulate him!
There are tears on my pillow just thinking about it!

I think one's mental approach to the music and touch are way more important than the instrument.

?If you like the sound of a lot of harmonics in Hawaiian music some guitars are more "friendly" toward harmonics than others and that would be a key factor as would scale length. In very general terms, short scale = easier slants, more difficult harmonics. Longer scale = harder slants on lower frets and easier harmonics. But all this is probably not news to you, Bill.

No, Andy. Not news.

I was hoping that I'd learn about some new builders though. I found by searching on the forum a pretty cool sounding hollow body Frypan made by a Australian luthier that was amazing and had that sound. I'll have to look it up to provide the link.

Ron,

that is the one.

Is this luthier making more of these? Any idea of the price. I was completely blown away by this frypan.

It's a rarity but if any of Rick Aiello's Dustpans ever turn up for sale.....I'd say grab it......I spent an entire weekend (at a festival in Ohio) listening to Bobby Ingano playing a few of Rick's Dustpans all weekend long.....of course it was Bobby Ingano......but you couldn't get anymore Hawaiian sounding if you fell into a volcano......I'm not exactly sure what my last statement means, but it does have a Hawaiian tinge to it......

Love Rick's pickups.

I think my Clinesmith sounds great for Hawaiian. It has a richness in tone with top end sheen, just the way my favorite Rickenbachers do. I know you owned one already.

Here is my 2 cents......I would start with working your technique first, then as you develope you will probably have a better idea of what the steel you have can or can't do. Then you can spend your money wisely..............

Mark,

I've never spent my money wisely.

And Mike I really regret selling that Clinesmith.

Bill McCloskey wrote:Ron,

that is the one.

Is this luthier making more of these? Any idea of the price. I was completely blown away by this frypan.

Bill, here is Ross's email address: rosscoole@hotmail.com

And an even longer thread about his steels: http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... sc&start=0

Great guy, he'l quote you prices and options, including solid vs. hollow, number of strings, scale length.

If you can play, it doesn't matter what guitar use. If you can't play, it doesn't matter what guitar you use. ...Jerry Byrd

So goes the quote, or something like that!

Bill McCloskey wrote:What say you:

What are the best non-vintage steels that would be ideal for Hawaiian playing? Anyone new makers out there? Anyone building them specifically for Hawaiian playing?

My immediate response would have been something like Doug's. Also, in the case of Hawaiian guitar, "best" is somewhat subjective. However, if I found myself in the right situation, I might try talking Ross Coole into building a Pan Electra with different body shape.

Mark van Allen wrote:I have played a whole lot of different laps, and all seem suited for particular styles and vibes. IMO the chandler RH series sound and play very well for C6 and would be great for Hawaiian sounds. Ditto the Sierra laptop and most definitely the GeorgeBoards guitars.

I agree heartily. I have also played all 3 of these. But my highest recommendation goes to the Sierra.

Doug Beaumier wrote:

If you can play, it doesn't matter what guitar use. If you can't play, it doesn't matter what guitar you use. ...Jerry Byrd

So goes the quote, or something like that!

This was a very versatile quote for Mr. Byrd. He inserted any piece of equipment that he was asked about into it. And he really was right when you come down to it.