Lap Steel for a New Player

Alexis Pleus · Post by **Alexis Pleus** » 8 Sep 2014 5:07 pm

Hi there!

I'm wanting to learn lap steel and have my first dilemma... What lap steel to get?

So, I found that the Asher Junior gets amazing reviews, but is more expensive than I wanted to pay, but if everyone tells me it's the way to go, then I'll cave and spend the money to get it.

I've also heard vintage are great. I found a few on ebay - 2 that are about to end - A National 1953 and a Chandler lap, but there are several others all under $400.

I'm hoping for an instrument that sounds good and won't take a lot of tweaking since I'm new to the instrument, I don't want to get bogged down with technical difficulties. I want something that's good for beginners, but will be an instrument that I won't 'outgrow' too quickly. I would love to get one for $500 or less...

Any thoughts?

Thanks for your help.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 8 Sep 2014 5:21 pm

If you're going with 6 strings and want the historic sound that comes with them then go for the best in a Rick Bakelite for $500 ballpark. Do your homework and make sure it's a great one, you'll probably keep it forever or at least til you get an 8 string.

Alexis Pleus · Post by **Alexis Pleus** » 8 Sep 2014 5:30 pm

I don't know if these are suitable for a new player, but this is beautiful and on the sale section of the forum:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... =lap+steel

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 8 Sep 2014 5:31 pm

Some things to remember about ebay: the guitars rarely look as good as they do in the pictures. If they say it "sounds great," they probably don't even know how to tune it. And old guitars almost always need work. I have bought four guitars on the net, but I was always prepared to work on them.

Alexis Pleus · Post by **Alexis Pleus** » 8 Sep 2014 5:38 pm

David Matzenik wrote:Some things to remember about ebay: the guitars rarely look as good as they do in the pictures. If they say it "sounds great," they probably don't even know how to tune it. And old guitars almost always need work. I have bought four guitars on the net, but I was always prepared to work on them.

That's what I'm afraid of and as a new player, I will be clueless. I absolutely love the look of the vintage and I'm sure everyone is right and they sound great, but I'm sure whatever I'll get would need some work. I'd be happy to buy from a guitar shop, but apparently vintage lap steels in store stock are very hard to find...

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 8 Sep 2014 5:59 pm

Alexis Dugon wrote:I'm sure whatever I'll get would need some work. I'd be happy to buy from a guitar shop, but apparently vintage lap steels in store stock are very hard to find.

Even new doesn't mean no problems/no tweaking, and if you really like vintage you may always long for something other than what you bought new, but there are some fine new steels at $500. If you don't have anyone experienced to help you should a vintage piece surface then you probably can get up to snuff picking the experienced brains on this forum, or better yet ask around here or buy off the forum sell section. Less chance of risk, but never buy without learning all you can at the moment.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 8 Sep 2014 6:36 pm

...old guitars almost always need work.

True, I've bought and sold hundreds of them and there are often problems with either the electronics or the tuners. You need to ask a lot of questions and you need to know what to look for and what to avoid if you are buying a 60 year old electric lap steel. Most sellers on eBay don't know anything about the steel guitars they are selling, and have not tested them through an amp, and don't even know how to play them.

I want something that's good for beginners...

I suggest buying a new entry-level lap steel for under $200... a Rogue Jersey Lightning or a Recording King. Play it for a few months to see if you like lap steel and upgrade later if you decide to.

Tom Snook · Post by **Tom Snook** » 8 Sep 2014 6:46 pm

Welcome to the forum Alexis,so what kind of music do you want to play? Do you play any instruments already? You could buy a Recording King new for under $200 bucks,they're not real good, but they're not real bad either.Learn to play it and it can be your kick-around,take to the beach or wherever guitar.Then if you decide you can't live without a better steel,go for it. Again Welcome to the forum!

William Rosen · Post by **William Rosen** » 8 Sep 2014 7:00 pm

I second the motion for the Recording King for your purposes at this time.

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 8 Sep 2014 7:10 pm

All good advice here. You might want to check out the lap steels being custom made by Johnie King. I've never seen one, but them seem affordable, they look cool and people seem to like 'em. Here's a link to one:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=271342

Chase Brady · Post by **Chase Brady** » 9 Sep 2014 3:58 am

I own one of Johnnie King's instruments. If you can afford the $500 or so it takes to get one, you're not likely to find more guitar for your money anywhere. Not flawless (artisan work seldom is), but gorgeous nonetheless, very solid and great sounding. If you don't see one you like, send him a message; he may have others on hand. They are long scale, ideal for blues or rock in a major triad tuning (open D, E or G). If you're aiming at Hawaiian, old Country or Swing, scale length might be a consideration. My impression is that most of the C6 players prefer shorter scale length. Others could advise you better there.

--Chase brady

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 9 Sep 2014 3:40 pm

Despite the OP's chill towards vintage issues, this vintage Guyatone might be the way to go. These early Goya's typically have great tone and for $200 (if no one bids) is a great deal should it be in fine working order. It look's a mess but you never know...

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 9 Sep 2014 5:13 pm

Here is an authentic vintage American instrument that is relatively inexpensive. It will likely hold its value far more than any of the modern Asian imports that may or may not be set up correctly in the first place.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=269961

Everything works as advertised. As I am currently visiting family in the very warm and unusually wet Sonoran Desert, it won't become available until after I return home sometime in mid-October.

Shoot me a personal message if you have any interest. I can set it up for the tuning of your choice with the string gauges of you choice, and am willing to entertain any and all reasonable offers.

In any event, welcome to the Forum, and good luck in your quest.

Harry McIlwain · Post by **Harry McIlwain** » 10 Sep 2014 7:11 am

For your consideration. A great vintage for a beginner that is all original except for tuner buttons and some wiring replaced. Ready to play, no issues. It is a Dickerson Magnatone. $250.00 shipped.

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 10 Sep 2014 12:31 pm

Not only a good price, but damn stylish as well!

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 10 Sep 2014 1:16 pm

Legendary careers were formed on similar pearloid cheapies, the OP couldn't go wrong with that beauty.

Stefan Robertson · Post by **Stefan Robertson** » 10 Sep 2014 5:39 pm

buy cheap. Learn techniques first then invest when you acquire the knowledge.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME WITH EXPENSIVE/OLD INSTRUMENTS.

You won't know what to look for yet. Other than that welcome we will be hearing from you for many years to come.

Alexis Pleus · Post by **Alexis Pleus** » 10 Sep 2014 7:24 pm

Harry McIlwain wrote:For your consideration. A great vintage for a beginner that is all original except for tuner buttons and some wiring replaced. Ready to play, no issues. It is a Dickerson Magnatone. $250.00 shipped.

Harry, that is MUCH more in the price range I was hoping to be in and it is truly beautiful! I can't thank you enough for this offer!

Would you like to email me? onealexis@yahoo.com. I have a paypal account through that email as well if you wanted to send me an invoice for it if you take paypal?

Thank you. I'm SO excited!

David Soreff · Post by **David Soreff** » 11 Sep 2014 9:23 am

I hate to be late to the party AND jump on the bandwagon, but I also think the Dickerson/Magnatone option is the way to go. I picked one up years ago, and I always love playing it. It has a great sound, looks cool and is VERY portable. Matter of fact, it's heading out with me for my next set of gigs due to weight allowance.

Alexis Pleus · Post by **Alexis Pleus** » 11 Sep 2014 3:57 pm

Never too late to party Dave! Yeay! Thanks for the extra reassurance. I'm super excited about it.

Now... what amp? <she's a pain already!>

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 11 Sep 2014 4:27 pm

Alexis Pleus wrote:Now... what amp?

With $200 you're saving with the Maggie you can easily consider the YAMAHA THR-10.

David Soreff · Post by **David Soreff** » 11 Sep 2014 7:08 pm

I second Ron's suggestion. I don't have one, but many players I know do, and they all say wonderful things about them. If I actually needed an amp when I gig, (I go direct into the PA) I would spring for one.

Pete McAvity · Post by **Pete McAvity** » 26 Oct 2014 2:59 pm

Ok, I'm REALLY late, but I will get in line to praise these things. I got one some years ago that is badged for Santa Ana House of Music. The pickup on these is supposedly a Gibson style blade, which is recessed in the body w/ the perloid wrap over it. Fantastic throaty tone. Mine does not have the little Valco sn plate on the back, so I'm thinking it's a mid-40s pre Magnatone. Does anyone happen to know more about these (sorry in advance for hijacking the thread).

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Lap Steel for a New Player

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