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Post new topic Selecting a decent lap steel to begin learning to play.
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Author Topic:  Selecting a decent lap steel to begin learning to play.
Daniel Zazynski

 

From:
Akron, NY USA
Post  Posted 25 Jul 2013 6:01 pm    
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I joined the Steel Guitar Forum about a month ago to try to learn as much as I could about the lap steel guitar. I currently play squareneck resophonic guitar in a group that plays folk, country, rock, and blues. I would now like to add a lap steel to add another sound to our music. I would like to get some feedback on what type of lap steel to start out with. I am leaning towards a 6 string after reading some of the older forum postings. But I am totally confused on what brand name lap steel to check out as a beginner. I have been checking out the forum's Steels For Sale. Are the Morrell retro models a decent product? What other brand names would be good choices for me to look at?

I can use any and all advise.

Thanks!

Dan
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Jeff Au Hoy


From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
Post  Posted 25 Jul 2013 6:59 pm    
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I was VERY impressed with a friend's new Recording King brand steel. Intonates perfectly, plays easily and balanced, great sustain, and the single coil delivers tone that is to my ears as good as any of the old name brand instruments. I think you can find them for around $150-170

Last edited by Jeff Au Hoy on 25 Jul 2013 7:00 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Tom Pettingill


From:
California, USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 25 Jul 2013 6:59 pm    
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Hi Dan and welcome to the forums Smile

There are some good deals from time to time in the forums For Sale section. What kind of budget do you have in mind?
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David Matzenik


From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
Post  Posted 25 Jul 2013 7:20 pm    
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As you already play reso in a band, you are not a rank beginner. That shows some commitment. Therefore, I would suggest you go for an instrument with some intrinsic value. That does not have to be fabulously expensive. If you get hooked, and I expect you will, a later upgrade may be avoided.
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Daniel Zazynski

 

From:
Akron, NY USA
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2013 6:13 am    
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I was hoping to find a decent lap steel in the $300 price range.
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Stephen Abruzzo

 

From:
Philly, PA
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2013 7:44 am    
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Here's nice on for $350.00. The Eastwood Airline.

http://www.eastwoodguitars.com/index.php/airline-guitars/all-airline-guitars/solid-body-guitars/item/airline-lap-steel

Troy of Lessons With Troy plays one in his lap steel lessons and IIRC he's happy with it.
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George Allison

 

From:
North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2013 7:46 am    
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Guitar center is a good start they have new and vintage that fit into your budget.
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Doug Beaumier


From:
Northampton, MA
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2013 7:55 am    
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Quote:
I was hoping to find a decent lap steel in the $300 price range.


For about $200 (free shipping) you can get either a Recording King or a Rogue Jersey Lightning from several on line sellers, Musician's Friend, Amazon, Music 123, etc. Both of these entry-level lap steels are "decent" instruments. I played a Jersey Lightning on some of my gigs a couple of years ago and it worked fine for me.

Entry-level lap steels to avoid IMO are the $99 Rogue and the Morrell, especially the 8-string Morrell.
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Dale R Stiles

 

From:
Bradenton, FL
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2013 9:31 am    
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Doug Beaumier wrote:
I played a Jersey Lightning on some of my gigs a couple of years ago and it worked fine for me..


I bought the Jersey Lightning based on Doug's rendition of "Send Me The Pillow" on YouTube. I had to take off the "ashtray" because it was a little large for me, but I couldn't be happier. Obviously, Doug is a talented player so it's gonna sound good when he plays it, but I've found the tone to be solid, tuners are strong, and it has a cool retro look and a tweed softcase. For $169 from Musicians Friend the price can't be beat.

Happy Trails
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Dale R Stiles

 

From:
Bradenton, FL
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2013 9:37 am    
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Stephen Abruzzo wrote:
Here's nice on for $350.00. The Eastwood Airline.
Troy of Lessons With Troy plays one in his lap steel lessons and IIRC he's happy with it.


+1 for Troys use of the Eastwood and a big thumbs up for his lessons.
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Thomas Temple

 

From:
Florida, USA
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2013 9:44 am     Try Bob Allen
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There are several of us here on the forum who have Melbert Lap Steels made by Bob Allen. He often has blems or discounted guitars that can be had in the $300 on below range. Check him out... very good man to work with and a great guitar that you'll have for years and years.
http://www.musonmt.com/6.html
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Steve Cunningham


From:
Atlanta, GA
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2013 9:58 am    
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Here's one for sale on the Forum, $300 shipped...

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=248913
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Daniel Zazynski

 

From:
Akron, NY USA
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2013 12:49 pm    
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I really appreciate all the suggestions and tips from you forum guys! I have taken many dobro lessons from Troy's website and was going to do the same when I purchase a lap steel. I will check out the models suggested.

I am open for any other tips that anyone has for me.
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David Matzenik


From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2013 2:19 pm    
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Daniel, most probably you have considered this; there is a good reason why both controls were moved to the audience side fairly early in the development of the instrument. Symmetry was a purely aesthetic design factor that never took into account the bump factor.
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Ron Whitfield

 

From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 26 Jul 2013 5:26 pm    
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Jeff Au Hoy wrote:
I was VERY impressed with a friend's new Recording King brand steel. Intonates perfectly, plays easily and balanced, great sustain, and the single coil delivers tone that is to my ears as good as any of the old name brand instruments. I think you can find them for around $150-170
If Jeff say's a 6 string cheapo is this good I'd suggest checking it out quick.
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Alex Cattaneo


From:
Quebec, Canada
Post  Posted 2 Aug 2013 8:55 am    
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Here's what I did:

Found an SX lap steel with P90 , hard case and stand included, 140$ on the local adds. then I got a replacement bridge for 15$ on eBay, and a replacement pickup for 40$ ( got lucky there, noiseless Duncan stacked P90). Installed a push-pull pot to split the pickup and voilà, 200$ for a really sweet 6-string lap.
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