Morrell Lap Steels

Kevin Brown · Post by **Kevin Brown** » 16 Apr 2014 5:11 am

Hi chaps, I'm looking for affordable 8 String, looks like a toss up between Morrell and Goldtone models, have to admit Im rather taken by the Vintage Brown Morrell especially at around $299 approx. Id be most grateful if any Morrell users out there could provide feedback, thanks in advance oh and btw almost fully recovered from heart op, hence this query.

John Burton · Post by **John Burton** » 16 Apr 2014 7:34 am

I have two Morrells.
I have a six string Maple "pro" model one, and an eight string (poplar) one that's vintage brown.

Though mine has the lipstick style pick up and the one in the pics you posted seems to have a different one...hmmm...never seen that on an 8 string Morrell.

Anyway; I like my maple six string a lot. I replaced the nut with a nice steel one, and it really has a good sound. Built like a tank, errr....plank. Just a big slab of maple, natural finish with a clear coat. Tuners are fine, pick up sounds great, etc. Really, I think it's every bit as good (or better) then the other six's I own.
The eight string Morrell?..eh....not so much. First, I'm not a fan of the poplar body, I think it would be a better steel out of maple. Second, The lipstick pickup sounds pretty good..on the middle six strings..on the outside strings, volume drops off a bit. When I got it, I had to adjust the pick up position a little as it was out of alignment with the strings, and so string 8 was a little too much outside the pickup and so the volume was even more unbalanced.
BUT...for under three hundred dollars, it's not too bad of a deal for an eight string.
If you got the money, though, and you really wanted eight strings, I'd go for the GoldTone. I've never really played one, but I've seen them in shops, and they seem really well made.
But if you are looking for a six string, I think the Morrell maple bodied one is a pretty good deal.

Jim Williams · Post by **Jim Williams** » 16 Apr 2014 8:52 am

I've heard that the newer pickups are a much better than the original lipstick ones due to the issues mentioned by the other reply.

Robert Allen · Post by **Robert Allen** » 16 Apr 2014 10:07 am

In my early 8-string lap steels I used the Kent Armstrong ST7E1 pickup and I suggested to Morrell that they use this pickup instead of the lipstick pickup because the magnets in the ST7E1 are longer. The sales person told me they switched to the same pickup I had been using. Here's the link. http://www.wdmusic.com/ST7E1.html It is still a 7-string pickup with the Morrell 8-string spacing being less than the .375 used on some lap steels. It does solve the long standing problem of reduced output on strings 1 and 8 that were evident with the lipstick pickup. I no longer use either pickup on my 8-string lap steels because they aren't suitable for the .375 string spacing I'm now using.

Kevin Brown · Post by **Kevin Brown** » 16 Apr 2014 11:38 am

This is all great news, had an email from Curtis Morrell himself, yep he confirms the 7 string pickup story depicted above, BUT as I'm going to convert to 7 string ( A6 ) the current stock pickup will be highly suitable and accommodate my string spacing perfectly. Will keep you all posted, I did try a Gold tone recently, not at all bad but quite a low string height and a bit alien to my taste. Heres the bridge I will usesame company makes matching nut to you own spacing specs. Hopefully this will turn out to be just the ticket and very wallet friendly.

Harry McIlwain · Post by **Harry McIlwain** » 16 Apr 2014 8:03 pm

Hi Kevin,
What company makes the bridge you show. I have been unable to locate it on e-Bay. I am building a D8 now
and need a couple of bridge=tailpiece combination like you show. What is the string spacing?
Thanks-Harry.

Liz Williams · Post by **Liz Williams** » 16 Apr 2014 8:40 pm

ruavina6string is the seller. Here's a current listing:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lapsteel-Guitar ... 1e8959d72f

Liz Williams · Post by **Liz Williams** » 16 Apr 2014 8:41 pm

rukavina6string sorry about the typo.

Harry McIlwain · Post by **Harry McIlwain** » 16 Apr 2014 8:49 pm

Thanks much Liz. Will check it out.

Stephen Cowell · Post by **Stephen Cowell** » 16 Apr 2014 9:15 pm

My opinion on Morrell steels... it's a decent piece of wood.

Kevin Brown · Post by **Kevin Brown** » 16 Apr 2014 11:58 pm

just had a response from Melbert lap steels, i know theres a lot of happy Melbert customers out there, apologies for omission.

Jim Williams · Post by **Jim Williams** » 17 Apr 2014 6:40 am

Darn I just noticed Morrell 8 strings are going on Ebay for $269 now...they are trying to tempt me.

Hey Robert...exactly what is the spacing on the Morrell 8's? How much less than .375?

Robert Allen · Post by **Robert Allen** » 17 Apr 2014 7:02 am

Jim Williams wrote:Hey Robert...exactly what is the spacing on the Morrell 8's? How much less than .375?

Morrell string spacing at the bridge per prints made for me by a local draftsperson in year 2007: 8-string .366, 6-string .406. Back in 2007 when I started building, I was using many Morrell parts including their stamped tailpieces so I needed accurate dimensions.

Deirdre Higgins · Post by **Deirdre Higgins** » 17 Apr 2014 8:14 am

I recently purchased 2 Morrell guitars I wanted them to be American made and with a price I could afford. I did some research and found Morrell.
For the low price they are of good quality. The sound of the MJMP-6R JM Pro Model is very nice with the Kent Armstrong pickup. The body of the pro is maple and has excellent sustain as well.

I am equally happy with the MLSP-SB Joe Morrell MLS Plus
This guitar has a popular body and more of a melow sound less volume though with the Fender Strat style pickup.
The good folks at Morrell music were very friendly and helpful it was a good experience all around.

MLSP-SB Joe Morrell MLS Plus Series Lap Steeel and
JOE MORRELL MJMP-6R JM Pro Model 6 String Lap Steel

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Johnny Rojas · Post by **Johnny Rojas** » 17 Apr 2014 2:10 pm

I have both. I gigged regularly with an 8 string Morrell for a long time, and it was fine; but there is simply no comparison between the Goldtone and the Morrell. The Goldtone is a beautiful instrument to play, an instrument that feels great and sounds even better. The Morrell will just get you by, and you do have to adjust your playing to make it passable.

That being said, I am glad to own the Morrell as a backup. Nothing terribly wrong with the instrument and I was able to consistently earn while using it.

Robert Allen · Post by **Robert Allen** » 17 Apr 2014 5:30 pm

Morrell used to have a $10 or $15 fee for warranty service. Do they still charge this or is warranty service free now? Does Goldtone charge for warranty service? On electric instruments, jacks are common failures followed by pots, and occasionally they fail within the warranty period. Many of us can replace these parts without returning an instrument, but if it has to be sent back, it's good to know what it's going to cost and the terms of the warranty.

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