8 string lap steel bargain?

Jason King · Post by **Jason King** » 2 Mar 2015 3:28 pm

I'm looking for something in the $150 range and didn't know if there is anything out there. I'm wanting it for my son who is playing
E9 pedal steel but wants to learn some C6 non pedal tunes.
Or, if anyone has plans for an 8 string build I would be intereted in that also.

Thanks

Dom Franco · Post by **Dom Franco** » 2 Mar 2015 3:49 pm

The problem is that an 8 string pickup alone easily costs over $100.00. So any builder would be hard pressed to even come close to your budget.

Dom

John Limbach · Post by **John Limbach** » 2 Mar 2015 4:08 pm

I recently sold my Guyatone 8 string here on the forum for less than $150. Check eBay which is where I got it several years ago for around $130.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 2 Mar 2015 4:43 pm

sent you an email

Jason King · Post by **Jason King** » 2 Mar 2015 4:55 pm

Good points. I just have been seeing some 6 strings for $80 and thought maybe an 8 could be had on the cheap.

W. Johnson · Post by **W. Johnson** » 3 Mar 2015 12:36 pm

Just now checked on eBay, cheapest 8 string was a Morrell 8-string "Little Roy Wiggins" at $250.

Wayne

Stephen Cowell · Post by **Stephen Cowell** » 3 Mar 2015 6:15 pm

I owned one of the Morrells... had to give it away, couldn't sell it. Buy just about anything else.

John Limbach · Post by **John Limbach** » 3 Mar 2015 6:40 pm

What Stephen said!

Dom Franco · Post by **Dom Franco** » 3 Mar 2015 7:25 pm

With bridge and nut modifications a Morrell 8 string can be usable.

Rick Abbott · Post by **Rick Abbott** » 4 Mar 2015 3:50 am

But, when you make the string spacing wide enough to feel useable...the pickup won't pick up the outside strings...ask me how I know...

I bought one, made a new nut, recut the slots on the bridge and carved out a new space for an 8-string pickup, in this case an old gold-foil Japanese model. It is a very nice little guitar now. A lot of work to get it there. Without fixing the string spacing they're pretty hard to play in my opinion.

Steve Green · Post by **Steve Green** » 18 Apr 2015 4:34 am

Here's one for $179. I know it's a good guitar . . . it used to be mine. The guy selling it bought it from me.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181718062790?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

Keith Glendinning · Post by **Keith Glendinning** » 18 Apr 2015 5:12 am

If you want to build your own 8 Stringer, you could use a cheap Bass Guitar pickup. It will be wide enough for the 8 Strings. I've done it myself and they can be purchased from eBay at reasonable prices.

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 18 Apr 2015 6:28 am

Keith Glendinning wrote:If you want to build your own 8 Stringer, you could use a cheap Bass Guitar pickup. It will be wide enough for the 8 Strings. I've done it myself and they can be purchased from eBay at reasonable prices.

Looks like the one on the Ebay auction (linked by Steve Green above) has a Precision bass style pickup.

Keith Glendinning · Post by **Keith Glendinning** » 18 Apr 2015 6:43 am

Yes Jeff,
That's a P Bass pickup. I've used both P and J type Bass pickups to good effect. Obviously the J type uses less space.

W. Johnson · Post by **W. Johnson** » 18 Apr 2015 12:26 pm

I have a couple of 8 string pickups I've made, which I have no plans to use. I'll let you have one or both, reasonably priced. They're just sitting here on my shelf, might as well get used. One is 2.58k, wound with 42awg wire. It is not a strong pickup, should have a mellow sound. The wood is oak, kind of thick at .25", spacing is .400". The other is one I made to sell, but the way I soldered the wires does not look so good, and decided not to sell it or use it. I'd have to show you a pic of it. I used 43 gauge wire, measures 6.69k. Wood is .125" curly Maple. Spacing is .400". This pickup will have a bright sound but with strong mid range.

Ii hope it's okay to post about this here?

You can PM me if there is an interest.

Wayne

Sam White R.I.P. · Post by **Sam White R.I.P.** » 18 Apr 2015 6:02 pm

I Have a Dyna Lap 8 String tuned C-6 and I will take $400.00 plus $25.00 for Shipping. Sam White Call me as I have a problem with this computer. 1-919-285-2062.
Sam White