That's why it is called a lap steel!

[Morgan Scoggins]

After playing non pedal steel for the last 8 years, I happened upon something that will change the way I play and make a big improvement in my playing.
I have always played the lap steel with it sitting on a stand or a table with my arms reaching out in a position more or less parallel to the floor. Today, for whatever reason,I decided to sit in a chair and play the thing from my lap. In this position, my hands and arms were directly above the guitar more or less at a right angle to the floor with my arms directly above the instrument.
Well, I couldn't believe the tone I was getting! What clarity and without any unwanted string noise when sliding the bar. It is the kind of tone I have been trying to get since I started playing. I was really blocking like I have struggled to do.
From now on , I will play without the stand. They don't call it a lap steel for nothing!

[Tony Lombardo]

I completely agree. I love the way the instrument feels in my lap. I've tried instruments with legs, and I've tried putting my steel on a stand. Neither method was satisfying to me. I'm definitely going to play lap steel from now on.

[Scott Duckworth]

My problem is dunlop... if my steel is on my lap, I can't see it because my belly has DUNLOPED over it...

[Stefan Robertson]

Great to hear you have found a solution but it sounds like the problem was the height of the steel.

Just adjust your legs if possible. On a stand would achieve the same result. BE WARNED arching your back playing steel for several hours will make you the hunch back of Notre Dame.

I don't think Tone would be that much better. Maybe analyse your technique cause I couldn't imagine anyone telling Tom Morrell playing in his lap he would sound better.

[Doug Beaumier]

my belly has DUNLOPED over it...

Good one, Scott!

[Mike Neer]

I used to play with my instrument in my lap (and still do when necessary), but I will say that with regards to my electric lap steels, they have never sounded better than when they are on a stand, in particular the Deluxe 34 stand. The sustain is significantly increased. This outweighs the comfort factor for me, although I find playing with a guitar on my lap becomes fatiguing after a few hours.

[Larry Carlson]

I used to play with my instrument in my lap (and still do when necessary), but I will say that with regards to my electric lap steels, they have never sounded better than when they are on a stand, in particular the Deluxe 34 stand. The sustain is significantly increased. This outweighs the comfort factor for me, although I find playing with a guitar on my lap becomes fatiguing after a few hours.

You are 542 times a better player than I am but I agree with you.
I have observed a difference in sustain when on a table in front of me.
It is also much more comfortable for me when it is on a table.
I like it up just a bit higher. The table top is almost resting on my legs
and it seems to make my posture better or more comfortable.
That is just my personal preference of course.

[Dom Franco]

The optimum height of the steel in relationship to your head and shoulders can be achieved with an adjustable keyboard stand and trying stools of various heights. (I actually ended up hacksawing one inch off the legs of my stool)

Playing the steel on a higher stand allows better eye contact with the audience, and better stability of the instrument. If you use a volume pedal the steel will not sit level and may tend to slip off your lap.

Just my opinion,
Dom

[Sam White R.I.P.]

I have always played my Lap Steel in my Lap and it is a lot more comfortable for me as I sit in a chair with a built in pad. I also have a seat that folds up and it is padded and folds up.I also play my Dobro the same way.I use my Nashville 112 Amp that Ken Fox put the Brr Brown kit in for me.
Sam White

[Sam White R.I.P.]

Scott maybe you can set it on top of your Belly. That might work better than you think.
Sam White

[Scott Duckworth]

Sam, that's my armrest!

[Stefan Robertson]

I used to play with my instrument in my lap (and still do when necessary), but I will say that with regards to my electric lap steels, they have never sounded better than when they are on a stand, in particular the Deluxe 34 stand. The sustain is significantly increased. This outweighs the comfort factor for me, although I find playing with a guitar on my lap becomes fatiguing after a few hours.

+1 for Mark's Deluxe 34 its really great.

[Frank James Pracher]

.. another one for the Deluxe 34 stands. Much more comfortable (for me) on gigs, plus it makes a big difference in stage presence to be standing. Even when I sit down I prefer a stand because I find it more comfortable to have it a bit higher than "lap" height.

On my electric instruments I can't say I've noticed a difference in the tone either way..

Go with what works for you and is comfortable..

[Andy Volk]

You can't play a Fender Triple Neck own your lap ..... for long, that is!

[Dom Franco]

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=306534

Dom

[Stefan Robertson]

look at the Western swing legends.

No laps there. No better clean tone either.

I raise mine a little higher than a piano player would.

Don't like standing. Even though a stand gives me the option to on my Deluxe 34.


I see Western swing like the refined evolution of Hawaiian steel playing and the pre-cursor to pedal steel.

Clean articulation less vibrato more accuracy and much faster speed. Wouldn't want to do that on my lap while trying to use a volume pedal and slants.