Anyone own a Gold Tone lap steel ?

[Larry Lenhart]

I was curious if any forum members have played one of these and what they thought about them.

In general, I wouldnt think gold tone instruments would be very good, but I do have a Gold Tone 5 string banjo and it is an excellent instrument.

The local GC doesnt have one for me to try out. I would want the 8 string model.

I would enjoy hearing any input.

Thanks in advance.

[Doug Beaumier]

I had one many years ago. It's a long scale guitar so it has good sustain and tone, in my opinion. As with all long scale guitars, bar slants below fret 5 are difficult. The quality was fairly good (for an Asian import)

[John Larson]

I tried the 8 string in a music store some time ago and was pleased with it
Assuming you're referring to this one.

38036_gold_tone_ls8_GOLD_TONE-LS-8-ACCLAIM-DI3.jpg

[Larry Lenhart]

Yes thats the one....thanks for your responses.

Im trying to find a store in the Phoenix area that has one that I can try in person.

I was impresssed with this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD8Guwv ... rt_radio=1

[Doug Beaumier]

Larry, keep in mind that Mike has upgraded the pickup in his Gold Tone (the lap steel he’s playing in the video).

[Mike A Holland]

I have the 6 string version of this guitar. It is great now but it had problems that it shouldn't have had. Quality and setup was poor.

I bought it probably about 10 years ago. The first thing I would say is the basic quality of the design is good........ the fretting and quality of the wood are excellent. I like it very much. The pickup was awful. so much noise that you just did not want to play it. (In fact It was put one side for many years until it got sorted out). A good quality P90 will improve this instrument. The pots were very cheap and I would also recommend replacing them. Another bug bear was the Aluminium bridge was so sharp at the edges that they needed to be dressed. Also the ridiculous way the strings are attached to the bridge was very frustrating when you needed to restring the instrument.
I had fitted a faux CC style pickup and had the instrument modified to a string through body design like a telecaster. The guitar is now a different instrument and is a joy to own and play.

This was not a cheap instrument and I think for the price I paid for it the quality should be better. As a matter of interest I also purchased it from a Gold Tone dealer in the UK!

I like the string length for the tuning's I use. Very much a dobro feel to the instrument so G and D tunings work really well.

I would not get an 8 string version of this instrument personally. Gold Tone I think use the same neck width and for me the string spacing will be a bit close. I may be wrong about this but I would certainly check that out.

After all I have said I really like this instrument now.

As you have alluded to........I would recommend you go and try this instrument out personally and not buy online.

Best of luck with your search. They are lovely guitars underneath the issues I had.

Mike

[Patrick Bailey]

I own a 6-string Gold Tone.

One of the tuners went out. But the company graciously sent me a much better quality replacement tuner when I contacted them.

It plays great, though its a bit longer scale for my playing style. I enjoy doing slants, they are a bit difficult on this one. I have been grabbing this guitar more and more though, to concentrate on doing strictly straight bar playing.

I have a Lollar pickup in mine and string it with flats. Sounds great.

[Doug Beaumier]

Quality and setup was poor.

As I recall now, I didn't actually own one of these Gold Tones. I played one a few times in the music store where I used to teach guitar and steel. So I didn't spend enough time with it to discover any possible weak points. I did like the sustain and tone, but I also remember that the pickup output was not quite as strong as some of my other lap steels. I can understand why Mike upgraded the pickup.

[Larry Lenhart]

Overall, I am not pleased with the steel....quality is ok but overall doesnt justify the price...i will probably order a Melbert....much better quality IMHO

So I am returning it and chalking it up as a learning experience.

Thanks for all your responses.

[Mark Eaton]

Overall, I am not pleased with the steel....quality is ok but overall doesnt justify the price...i will probably order a Melbert....much better quality IMHO

So I am returning it and chalking it up as a learning experience.

Thanks for all your responses.

Well that's too bad.

One would think they could do a good job overall with the lap steels - an easier instrument to have built than a squareneck resonator, and they've been doing a good job with those for ballpark 21 years now on the Gold Tone/Paul Beard Signature series. Though the prices on the Gold Tone/Beard guitars have taken some fairly dramatic jumps in the past several years.