The Steel Guitar Forum

Are there still manufacturers who make lap steel guitars or is it only vintage stuff that is available?

If so, are there any makers which produce decent stuff?

Are they able to use new technologies and manufacturing processes and produce better sound?

sure there are quite a few. As far as getting something that looks like they did 50-60 years ago I'd recommend looking at a Clinesmith.

I recently bought a new Gretsch 5700 that I'm really happy with. There's not a lot of choice out there for new production lap steels but they do exist.

Todd Clinesmith is building retros of the Rick frypan in 6, 7, and 8 string models. They are solid cast aluminum with pickups a little more powerful than the originals. He can put the controls wherever you like. He will be offering the black crinkle finish and can offer things like matte finishes. While not inexpensive, they are worth it and less money and better than the original A25.

Asher builds some real nice lap steels that are pretty affordable.

Are the new ones considered as good as vintage guitars?

There's a wide range in quality both among new and vintage steels. If you're looking for specific suggestions, it would be helpful to know what kind of budget you're considering and if you have a particular sound in mind.

I recently got a Melbert which I am very happy with. I am a complete newbie, so my opinion shouldn't count for much, but if you search the forum, you will see that Melbert is very well regarded.

Dennis

Don't forget GeorgeBoards and Dillion guitars.

Sur Singh wrote:Are the new ones considered as good as vintage guitars?

Finding a good vintage steel can be problematic due to inconsistent manufacturing techniques, and of course the wear and tear that occurs over time. You can pay a lot of money for an old Rickenbacker and either get a gem or a dog.

The new ones are more consistent from guitar to guitar, but sometimes lack the qualities of a good original. In the case of Clinesmith, the consensus is that his new Frypans are as good or better than a $10k original.

I know Cole clark stopped building for a while because of a fire but they should be up by now?
I have a Lap Dog with a horseshoe and its a fine instrument.

i'll second bill asher. very well done and quite a few models to choose from. i have one that is great!

play music!

Also, Lap King. Hand made in the Nutmeg State:

http://www.lapking.com/

I think modern build quality and reliability is better, but the pickups on some the vintage instruments have not yet beat yet.

There's another alternative that has not been discussed here yet, and that's what I would term "rescue" instruments. They're basically vintage bodies stripped of all their component parts (or as many as can be removed without destroying them). The carcasses can often be had for very little $$$ and can be made as good (or better) than new by installing modern components. There's a certain segment of the guitar-buying public that readily accepts brand-new Gibsons and Fenders (among others) that have been "relic'd." Why not lap steels, too? I've personally "rescued" a dozen or so carcasses (Gibsons, Kalamazoos, Rics, Fenders) and without exception they're excellent instruments that far surpass any of the Asian imports constructed from generic Strat parts in sound and playability. Admittedly they're not all new and shiny-looking, but if sound and playability (not to mention the mojo that is inherent in a vintage instrument) weigh into your decision, they're worthy of consideration.

Hi Sur,
I have not played any Asher lap steels, but I've listened to Alan Akaka and other friends play his guitar, which is made by Asher. I own some vintage guitars, including a 1934 Ric Frypan, a 1935 Ric Bakelite, and a 1942 Gibson EH-185. Asher has made some 8-string mahogany "student" guitars with the same EMG 707-TW active pickup that's in Alan's guitar. The Asher website says they're currently "Sold-Out", but that would be a "modern" lap steel to own, in my humble opinion. I've recently built my own lap steel with this EMG 707-TW pickup, and the tone is exceptional, especially paired with a Yamaha THR10C amplifier. If you're playing the guitar on your lap instead of a stand, wood guitars tend to stay in tune better than aluminum or bakelite.
Jerry

Jack Hanson wrote:There's another alternative that has not been discussed here yet, and that's what I would term "rescue" instruments. They're basically vintage bodies stripped of all their component parts (or as many as can be removed without destroying them). The carcasses can often be had for very little $$$ and can be made as good (or better) than new by installing modern components. There's a certain segment of the guitar-buying public that readily accepts brand-new Gibsons and Fenders (among others) that have been "relic'd." Why not lap steels, too? I've personally "rescued" a dozen or so carcasses (Gibsons, Kalamazoos, Rics, Fenders) and without exception they're excellent instruments that far surpass any of the Asian imports constructed from generic Strat parts in sound and playability. Admittedly they're not all new and shiny-looking, but if sound and playability (not to mention the mojo that is inherent in a vintage instrument) weigh into your decision, they're worthy of consideration.

I'm with ya on this, fixer uppers can be very rewarding. I have two that had dead pickups when i got them for great deals and now they are awesome with Duncan pickups,new Bourns pots, PIO caps....all guilt free because they were already messed up.

Great posts and responses.

As Tim said, finding a vintage guitar takes effort, time and knowledge combined with a certain element of risk. This is why I am inquiring about the brand new guitars.

I saw the ad for Asher and they look like they are closer to my budget. Photographs of them look quite nice.

I saw some brands called Rogue on Amazon for $100. How is that?

Todd Clinesmith looks great, but is beyond my budget.

Any comments on Melobar and Sierra guitars?

Someone mentioned that the electronics and Pickup of vintage has not been surpassed. Why is that? With modern technology and manufacturing that should have improved. Also, how do the brand new guitar like Asher sound good without getting good pickups?

Where would one buy a fixed up guitar that Jack mentioned?

Thanks,

Sur

The Clinesmith may have surpassed the Rick A25 in tone and sustain.

Sur Singh wrote: I saw some brands called Rogue on Amazon for $100. How is that?

They're pretty crappy in my opinion. Very short scale and poor tone. The SX lap steel by Rondo Music is a far better option for $100.

Sur Singh wrote: Any comments on Melobar and Sierra guitars?

They are both good guitars, depending on the type of sound you're looking for. Search this forum for many previous discussions on either type of guitar.

Sur Singh wrote: Someone mentioned that the electronics and Pickup of vintage has not been surpassed. Why is that? With modern technology and manufacturing that should have improved. Also, how do the brand new guitar like Asher sound good without getting good pickups?

The Asher guitars sound good because they use modern electronics and pickups that are based upon classic sounds but with upgraded technology.

Sur Singh wrote: Where would one buy a fixed up guitar that Jack mentioned?

Usually through eBay, although you might find something in a local guitar store if you're lucky.

Avoid lap steels with a hardtail stratocaster type bridge, especially if it is a toploading type rather than string though the body.
It gives you adjustment you don't need and the potential for rattles
The technology in mainstream guitars has not really changed or improved since the 1950's unless you are looking at active pickups which are not to everyone's taste.

Sur Singh wrote:

Someone mentioned that the electronics and Pickup of vintage has not been surpassed. Why is that? With modern technology and manufacturing that should have improved. Also, how do the brand new guitar like Asher sound good without getting good pickups?

Its a bit like reinventing the wheel. Guitar pickups vary but they are simple. You might figure out a new way to do it, but if you send an electrical signal to an amp, its still an electrical signal. Tube amps should have been improved upon too, but the reality is that tonally they have not. The appreciation of music is not going to be improved by electronic technology, its subjective.

The subject of cheap steel guitars comes up here almost as often as inquiries into how much someone can get for something they found cleaning out a house.

You have to consider what you can actually buy for $100 at the grocery store. A person who is not prepared to spend the price of the computer they access this forum with, is probably not serious about learning to play any instrument, and what ever they buy is likely to end up in a closet. . . just like 99% of all instruments made.

Jack Hanson wrote:I've personally "rescued" a dozen or so carcasses (Gibsons, Kalamazoos, Rics, Fenders)...

Here's one example:

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=350712

"Someone mentioned that the electronics and Pickup of vintage has not been surpassed. Why is that? With modern technology and manufacturing that should have improved. Also, how do the brand new guitar like Asher sound good without getting good pickups?"

Again.... in my humble opinion, tone from the EMG 707-TW active pickup is exceptional; as good or better than any passive single coil pickup, including vintage Rickenbacker horseshoe pickups and reproductions of Paul Bigsby's pickups. I don't know anything about the other pickups Asher installs in some guitars. And I don't know why the EMG 707-TW tone is so good; I'm just commenting on what I hear. Sound cavities in the guitar body, the density of the body material, the nut and bridge design and materials all play a part too. But the pickup is #1, all-important.

Jerry Wagner wrote:"Someone mentioned that the electronics and Pickup of vintage has not been surpassed. Why is that? With modern technology and manufacturing that should have improved. Also, how do the brand new guitar like Asher sound good without getting good pickups?"

Again.... in my humble opinion, tone from the EMG 707-TW active pickup is exceptional; as good or better than any passive single coil pickup, including vintage Rickenbacker horseshoe pickups and reproductions of Paul Bigsby's pickups. I don't know anything about the other pickups Asher installs in some guitars. And I don't know why the EMG 707-TW tone is so good; I'm just commenting on what I hear. Sound cavities in the guitar body, the density of the body material, the nut and bridge design and materials all play a part too. But the pickup is #1, all-important.

Absolutely and if you like the sound of EMG actives that is great.
Otherwise, the vast majority of regular guitars and lap steels being produced are using passive pickups with designs from the 50's fed through potentiometers and output sockets which date back even further The tone control is just a pot and capacitor bleeding treble frequencies to ground. Simple Passive Circuits hardly justifying being called electronics. No new technology, mainly just trying to reproduce classic sounds which is what the market seems to want

BTW I do like the look of the Ashers, never had the chance to see one personally, I basically make all my own instruments these days except for a Duesenberg Fairytale I am waiting on which I have bought for the mutibender bridge and integrated capo