Which Lap Steel?

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 18 Jan 2005 4:07 pm

Okay friends:

I'm new to lap steel having played dobro for the last couple of years, but have recently caught lap steel fever. I bought one of the new inexpensive Gretsch Sychncromatic a while back but couldn't get into it. Recently I tuned it up to an open E tuning and started really having a fun time playing groove type licks. The only problem was that the Gretsch didn't really have a groove sound: it was kind of weak.

So now I'm thinking of getting something better and funkier. What would be the best lap steel for this kind of playing: blues, rocky, sacred steel type stuff. Vintage? or something more modern?[This message was edited by Bill McCloskey on 18 January 2005 at 04:28 PM.]

seldomfed · Post by **seldomfed** » 18 Jan 2005 4:44 pm

what kind of amp etc. are you using?

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 18 Jan 2005 5:07 pm

Hey Bill, if you're around my neck of the woods again, you can try my Harmos Sacred Steel model.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 18 Jan 2005 5:09 pm

You are on Howard.

As far as amps are concerned. When I was playing around with it I was going direct into a Tascam 8 track with effects. I currently have a Fender Acoustic amp and a GK practice amp. I also just ordered a Line 6 POD as well.

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 18 Jan 2005 5:14 pm

If you don't want to put too much money into it, there's a number of Supro and other Valco made lap steels on eBay that sells for approx $200-250, at any time. Most lap steels with one of those string-through pickups are very good for slightly overdriven blues/rock playing, as long as the pickup's still fairly hot. Lindley has used Supros a lot over the years.
Here's, a good looking Supro doubleneck with a BIN price at $475....

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 18 January 2005 at 05:18 PM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 18 Jan 2005 5:54 pm

Here's the A List imo

Fender Deluxe 6

Rickenbacker BD6
Fender Champion
Fender Champ
Rickenbacker wooden lap steel (horseshoe pickup)
National New Yorker
National Dynamic

(edited to be in order of preference)[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 18 January 2005 at 07:41 PM.]

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 18 Jan 2005 6:13 pm

Rick,

is that A list in prefered order?

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 18 Jan 2005 7:39 pm

Bill,
Now it's in order of preference - imo . . The Ricky Bakelites like the BD6 are perfect for Blues, Rock, and everything else. A Fender Champion with original hardware is a powerhouse, and a Champ has a bright springy sound. A Rickenbacker wooden lap steel with horseshoe pickups is a strong fat sounding guitar - that's what Gary Brandin uses (his was converted to 8 string)
New Yorkers are sweet sounding, and when I get a Dynamic I'll tell you what I think of it.

At the top of the list is the Deluxe6, which is like a Stringmaster with 2 pickups and a blend control - OR (possibly best of 'em all) the early Single6 with the trapeziod pickup. I think I saw one on eBay a couple of days ago . . .

You could not possibly go wrong with any or all of these guitars.[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 18 January 2005 at 07:48 PM.]

Paul Arntson · Post by **Paul Arntson** » 18 Jan 2005 10:46 pm

Hi Bill,
If you already have a Gretsch you might try a couple of adjustments. I tried one in the store and the pickup seemed nice and bright, but the strings were too close together. You might see about widening the string spacing and getting the pickup closer to the strings. Sometimes just moving the pickup can make a huge difference in tone. You also might try a Boss DS-1 or SD-1 or Ibanez TS-7 pedal in front of the amp to boost the signal. Run them with the volumes full on and control the loudness with the gain knob.

Also, for pure funkiness, I agree with Steinar about the string thru Valco-style pickup steels. You see old Airline and various off brands that were all made by Valco for around $150 commonly. That square string thru pickup assembly with the offset 3 and three holes in the lid is the key. Just don't take the pickup apart without marking how the magnets go, because the sound goes away if the magnets go in reversed.

And of course Rick's enviable assortment. Rick's taste is right on. I agree that even just one of those beauties would be wonderful!

Let us know what you find. ... And have fun!![This message was edited by Paul Arntson on 18 January 2005 at 10:48 PM.]

Travis Bernhardt · Post by **Travis Bernhardt** » 19 Jan 2005 12:03 am

For cheapness, I like the Valco instruments (Supro, National etc.). Freddie Roulette plays some sort of National, and despite the massive amounts of reverb and delay, you can get a good sense of their sound from his recordings. If you haven't heard him, check him out.

-Travis

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 19 Jan 2005 2:09 am

here's a plug for some good Gibson models
BR6
EH100
EH150
they can scream & still be sweet

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 19 Jan 2005 7:16 am

dont forget to look at Epiphone lap steels. I have two old ones. 1939 and 1940. they have great styling and the pickups can really growl. I love these steels for blues. plus they are great sounding for swing, country swing, etc. they have solid maple bodies. the tone from that wood is very nostalgic.
now forget everything I said, because it seems I am the only one who buys epiphones; the price is low and I like it that way.[This message was edited by Randy Reeves on 19 January 2005 at 07:17 AM.]

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 19 Jan 2005 12:31 pm

Bill,
You're more than welcome to come over and check out a few different amps, and laps, and steels, etc....I have a bunch of toy's .....I'm in Pomona.....Send me a private email .....Sincerely, Jim

David Yannuzzi · Post by **David Yannuzzi** » 19 Jan 2005 2:38 pm

Hey Bill,
I am in New City and I am in Nyack all the time. I have a couple of Lap steels you could check out.e-mail me- Dave
James- I'll shoot you an e-mail. We should get together sometime-Dave
[This message was edited by David Yannuzzi on 19 January 2005 at 03:28 PM.][This message was edited by David Yannuzzi on 19 January 2005 at 03:29 PM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 19 Jan 2005 7:23 pm

Bill, add one more to that list. A Gibson BR-9. This one just arrived today and it's a kickin' little biscuit board! I guess it was a student model because it has numbers on the frets. I'm sure you've seen one - they're all over eBay, and you can usually get a nice one for a reasonable price . .

Paul Arntson · Post by **Paul Arntson** » 19 Jan 2005 8:16 pm

Rick - you left your picture files on your hard drive. We can't get to 'em until they're uploaded to your server.
Can't wait to see the shots of your new Gibson.

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 20 Jan 2005 12:47 am

An often-overlooked lapsteel and therefore great bargain is the Oahu, they made acoustics and electrics and are great steels despite not having the name fame of Ric or Fender. If they weren't good, I don't believe Goldtone would have made their new(ish) lapsteel nearly identical to the Oahu Diana and Tonemaster lapsteels. I started on an Oahu Diana loaned to me for a few years by my uncle more than 35 years ago, and he just recently sent it back to me to keep and guess what, this little thing sounds fantastic. Beautiful tone and sustain for days.

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 20 Jan 2005 7:23 am

Sorry about that guys. The pics should be up now.

Skip Keane · Post by **Skip Keane** » 20 Jan 2005 7:38 am

Hello guys,
I think there is nothing like the sound of the string through pick-up models, they're the best. I have a "Oahu Killer bee" and run it through an ampeg vintage tube amp, boy does that thing scream... You should be able to find an Oahu with a string through pick-up for less than $300.00. You will not be disappointed.
Skip Keane

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 20 Jan 2005 7:54 am

Aren't those Oahu (and now GoldTone) Diana and Tonemasters 25" inch scale length? Hard for slants below the 7th fret, but I can understand where all that sustain comes from!

I keep hearing good things about the GoldTone reissues. Hmmmmmm... Does anybody know what wood/pickups, etc. they use?

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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, E13); Melobar SLS lapsteel (open D); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (open G); Regal resonator (open D or G)