Best non vintage steel for hawaiian style

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 14 Jan 2013 2:16 pm

What say you:

What are the best non-vintage steels that would be ideal for Hawaiian playing? Anyone new makers out there? Anyone building them specifically for Hawaiian playing?

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 14 Jan 2013 2:38 pm

i dont see why any quality steel could not do a fine job - there is an Excel Jerry Byrd model frypan in the FS section right now, i would say that for a modern steel, thats gonna be as Hawaiian specific as it gets.

Dave Mayes · Post by **Dave Mayes** » 14 Jan 2013 3:13 pm

Steels with tiki or palm tree design fret makers would be my first choice!

George Piburn · Post by **George Piburn** » 14 Jan 2013 3:47 pm

I have one New For Sale >> Click Here for Details for Forum Member Prices --> http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=235730

George Mr.Boards

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 14 Jan 2013 4:31 pm

I have played a whole lot of different laps, and all seem suited for particular styles and vibes. IMO the chandler RH series sound and play very well for C6 and would be great for Hawaiian sounds. Ditto the Sierra laptop and most definitely the GeorgeBoards guitars.

Mat Rhodes · Post by **Mat Rhodes** » 14 Jan 2013 4:39 pm

I have a Melobar 8 string. It's affordable (well, it was a long time ago - I assume it still is) and does the job. It's perfect if you have brief, tawdry affairs with various musical genres.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 14 Jan 2013 5:00 pm

George, as you know I've had a number of your instruments over the years. The were all good. I wish I still had all the lap steels that have passed through my hands over the years. I saw an old post of mine from 8 years ago where I was asking for recommendations on my first lap steel. 8 years!

I got the fever again though.

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 14 Jan 2013 5:17 pm

Pretty much anything with some strings and a pickup that picks up and tuners that tune... If you're gonna splurge, sink it into a couple of potted palms and if you can talk the old lady into a grass skirt*, you're on the loko kai.

*(don't worry about it, they like the big girls best too!)

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 14 Jan 2013 5:48 pm

Ah David, I've owned too many lap steels to believe that anything with some strings and a pickup will work.

My god, I'm crying to think about all the steels I've bought and sold. Would that i had my superslide back! But I never thought my 12 string superslide was great of hawaiian style: fantastic for jazz,

Been seeing a bunch of new luthiers showing their stuff. Must be some cool new stuff out there.

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 14 Jan 2013 7:19 pm

Hi Bill, is there a particular player you enjoy listening to or a particular sound you'd like to emulate? That might be a good starting point.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 14 Jan 2013 8:30 pm

Jeff,

that is a great question. I'm in absorption mode at the moment. It was listening to Jerry Byrd that ignited the current fever and I have his course.

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 14 Jan 2013 10:38 pm

Jeff poses the question

,...is there a particular player you enjoy listening to or a particular sound you'd like to emulate?

There is: His name is Jules Ah See, but I can't emulate him!

There are tears on my pillow just thinking about it!

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 15 Jan 2013 6:30 am

I think one's mental approach to the music and touch are way more important than the instrument.

?If you like the sound of a lot of harmonics in Hawaiian music some guitars are more "friendly" toward harmonics than others and that would be a key factor as would scale length. In very general terms, short scale = easier slants, more difficult harmonics. Longer scale = harder slants on lower frets and easier harmonics. But all this is probably not news to you, Bill.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 15 Jan 2013 6:41 am

No, Andy. Not news.

I was hoping that I'd learn about some new builders though. I found by searching on the forum a pretty cool sounding hollow body Frypan made by a Australian luthier that was amazing and had that sound. I'll have to look it up to provide the link.

Former Member · Post by **Former Member** » 15 Jan 2013 7:18 am

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 15 Jan 2013 8:04 am

Ron,

that is the one.

Is this luthier making more of these? Any idea of the price. I was completely blown away by this frypan.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 15 Jan 2013 11:15 am

It's a rarity but if any of Rick Aiello's Dustpans ever turn up for sale.....I'd say grab it......I spent an entire weekend (at a festival in Ohio) listening to Bobby Ingano playing a few of Rick's Dustpans all weekend long.....of course it was Bobby Ingano......but you couldn't get anymore Hawaiian sounding if you fell into a volcano......I'm not exactly sure what my last statement means, but it does have a Hawaiian tinge to it......

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 15 Jan 2013 11:41 am

Love Rick's pickups.

I think my Clinesmith sounds great for Hawaiian. It has a richness in tone with top end sheen, just the way my favorite Rickenbachers do. I know you owned one already.

Mark Roeder · Post by **Mark Roeder** » 15 Jan 2013 11:55 am

Here is my 2 cents......I would start with working your technique first, then as you develope you will probably have a better idea of what the steel you have can or can't do. Then you can spend your money wisely..............

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 15 Jan 2013 12:14 pm

Mark,

I've never spent my money wisely.

And Mike I really regret selling that Clinesmith.

Mike Anderson · Post by **Mike Anderson** » 15 Jan 2013 12:17 pm

Bill McCloskey wrote:Ron,

that is the one.

Is this luthier making more of these? Any idea of the price. I was completely blown away by this frypan.

Bill, here is Ross's email address: rosscoole@hotmail.com

And an even longer thread about his steels: http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... sc&start=0

Great guy, he'l quote you prices and options, including solid vs. hollow, number of strings, scale length.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 15 Jan 2013 12:20 pm

If you can play, it doesn't matter what guitar use. If you can't play, it doesn't matter what guitar you use. ...Jerry Byrd

So goes the quote, or something like that!

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 15 Jan 2013 1:28 pm

Bill McCloskey wrote:What say you:

What are the best non-vintage steels that would be ideal for Hawaiian playing? Anyone new makers out there? Anyone building them specifically for Hawaiian playing?

My immediate response would have been something like Doug's. Also, in the case of Hawaiian guitar, "best" is somewhat subjective. However, if I found myself in the right situation, I might try talking Ross Coole into building a Pan Electra with different body shape.

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 15 Jan 2013 5:24 pm

Mark van Allen wrote:I have played a whole lot of different laps, and all seem suited for particular styles and vibes. IMO the chandler RH series sound and play very well for C6 and would be great for Hawaiian sounds. Ditto the Sierra laptop and most definitely the GeorgeBoards guitars.

I agree heartily. I have also played all 3 of these. But my highest recommendation goes to the Sierra.

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 15 Jan 2013 5:28 pm

Doug Beaumier wrote:
If you can play, it doesn't matter what guitar use. If you can't play, it doesn't matter what guitar you use. ...Jerry Byrd
So goes the quote, or something like that!

This was a very versatile quote for Mr. Byrd. He inserted any piece of equipment that he was asked about into it. And he really was right when you come down to it.

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Best non vintage steel for hawaiian style

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