Newbie - looking for Fender Lapsteel

Ken Bendat · Post by **Ken Bendat** » 26 Aug 2013 4:43 pm

I've been a guitar player all my life - partial to telecasters as far as electrics go anyway. I've always wanted to play slide - and am very intrigued by getting a lapsteel. I think I'd apply myself to the instrument fairly quickly and want to use it as an adjunct to my guitar in a band situation - for rhythm and lead parts ideally. Not really country - nor Garcia type steel either - just have to see how it evolves. I know that I want something that will be simple, quality, and tone - can be beat up a little but its got to be solid - something thats not a beginners instrument - nor need tons of work - and I've been directed to looking at the 50s Fenders. I'd like to invest in the $500-700 range - that's about right?

More than just letting me know if you have one for sale (please do) I'd like to know if there's any major considerations to consider when buying one sight unseen. I once bought a 335 that way - and it was scary but it worked out. I assume that there will be a tradeoff if there are non-original knobs - but that I want the electronics and definitely the pickup to be original and not re-wound, etc. Do they vary much in overall feel? ergonomics? My experience w/ electric guitars is that they can feel drastically different in weight and tone even with the same kind of wood - but maybe thats not so important in an lapsteel?

Any insight would be much appreciated!

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 26 Aug 2013 8:32 pm

Welcome to the forums Ken

Steel guitar is a lot of fun.

My best advice would be to keep an eye out on our forums for sale section. There are often good deals on solid everyday players that should serve you well.

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 27 Aug 2013 12:09 pm

The Fender steels are great but you should also consider the Gibsons of the same era which would also be in your price range.

My first lap steel was a Gibson BR-9 (their cheapest model) and I've not found anything that sounds better for anything from sweet country tones to overdriven filth.

As far as buying sight unseen, there isn't that much to a lap steel - it's a plank of wood with strings but tuners can be a problem (either the gears rusted/damaged or, if it has plastic pegs they can be brittle/broken. With many instruments (like my Gibson) they use the same tuners as their guitars so are easily replaceable. A lot of the Fender steels used Klusons. I'd be wary of any that use obviously non-standard designs.

The other are where you could be caught out is with the pickups - they can go bad (broken windings) leaving you with a horrible thin sound. The 6 string ones are generally easy to replace (even with a regular guitar pickup) and there are people that will re-wind them but ideally you need confirmation that it's working properly. The sound from a good one should be comparable to a good Telecaster pickup in tone and output.

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 27 Aug 2013 12:22 pm

The Fender steels are great but you should also consider the Gibsons of the same era which would also be in your price range.

My first lap steel was a Gibson BR-9 (their cheapest model) and I've not found anything that sounds better for anything from sweet country tones to overdriven filth.

Nicholas Ackron · Post by **Nicholas Ackron** » 27 Aug 2013 1:46 pm

PM Sent

Dennis Smith · Post by **Dennis Smith** » 27 Aug 2013 2:01 pm

Ken, are you looking for six or eight strings? Legs or lap? I like the Supro/Oahu/National/and some of the others all made by Valco that have the string thru pickup. The best way not to get stuck is buy from a forum members. Guitar Center has a nice selection from about $250. up. They had a T8 Gibson console for $700.
Good luck finding a steel.

Dale R Stiles · Post by **Dale R Stiles** » 27 Aug 2013 3:05 pm

Hi Ken
Fender guitar player and recent lap steel convert here.

I think at that price point and era youre looking for a Fender Champ or Champion. Otherwise a Fender Deluxe 6 or 8 has been running $900 - $1000.

Dennis gave you some good input on both buying from forum members and if youre not set on a Fender. Also 6 or 8 strings is an important consideration.

Happy Trails

Dale

Eddie Rivers · Post by **Eddie Rivers** » 27 Aug 2013 5:57 pm

They all have their own sound,but for overall versatility,you can't beat a Fender.They changed very little from '53 until they stopped making them in the 70s.I'd recommend a Deluxe 8,if you can find one.I bought my first one new in '74 and for fly dates,I still use it on stage.Still sounds great,too.