The Steel Guitar Forum

I really want to start playing electric lap steel. Ben Harper is the one who influenced me into playing this. So I'm looking for something with that kind of sound. But I wanna go electric (I think he uses a acoustic one too) soo please tell me if u know what kind of lap steel would be right for me.

~Scott

Another IL steeler (to be), and from the Chicago area to boot! Amazing.

I hear the Chandlers (can find them in Musician's Friend catalog, and maybe Gtr Ctr in Arlington Hts) are rather nice. I play Melobars.

Harper plays Ashers. Sorta pricey, but they're supposed to be great. He gets that acoustic-ey sound out of them because they have chambered bodies. He used to play Weissenborns, but his tendency to amplify them with a Marshall stack was causing them to vibrate apart. That's when he asked Asher to build him a guitar.

There are lots of used steels on Ebay, and if you're interested in bidding on one, there are plenty of knowledgeable players here that will give you the skinny on what you're considering.

Good luck searching. Keep your eye on the Buy & Sell area. Someone here may have just what you're looking for.

well, the thing is I don't really know what I want. Could u guys point me in a direction of some sort of guitar that I could use. Also Chris where/how did u learn?

~Scott

I bought my first steel from Ben Harper's grandfather. A '59 Stringmaster T-8 !!!!!

I'd recommend a Supro. You can often find them pretty cheap, and the pickups have a real gutsy, bluesy sound.

You'll probably end up with several lap steels, in different tunings. That's what most blues/rock players do instead of going for a multi-neck instrument.

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Go and check out the Chandler web site.They are works of art that stand alone in craftmanship.The guitar is built by Chandler including the very long sustaining pickup.Musicans Friend has them.Where can you go and find a new steel like that for $200.00?

I would suggest that you call the folks at Guitar Traditions in Santa Monica. Bill Asher, the owner, makes the Ben Harper hollow lap steel and he also has made solid bodies for Harper.
Go to the source. Ben Harper and Guitar Traditions may be reached at 310 393-4420. I have no connections with the store other than being a satisfied customer from a couple of transactions several years ago. Good guys.
Chris Lucker