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Post by HeavyDuty on Jul 15, 2023 17:21:36 GMT -5
I’ve been interested in lap steel for a long time. I have a dirt cheap short scale Rogue that’s in a box somewhere, but I’ve always wanted a “real” one. Every time I hear the lap steel in Running on Empty it reminds me. I would want to put legs on it.
I’m not a huge vintage fan. I see Gretsch has one, does anyone have experience with theirs? Any other suggestions?
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jul 16, 2023 12:44:07 GMT -5
I have a cheap one too (it may be the Rogue, I can't remember).
I've used it on about 3 recording projects and admit the only thing that made it an acceptable sound on the tracks was a combination of muktitracking and pitch corrections. I just haven't had the inclination to discipline myself into actually playing the instrument enough to make a pleasant sound in real time, lol. Unlike a guitar where one can learn 3 chords and not embarrass themselves the lapsteel requires good ears and hand control to not make the dogs crawl under the bed. Mucho respect from me for the lapsteel, pedal steel, dobro players with skills.
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Post by ninworks on Jul 16, 2023 15:47:14 GMT -5
I have had a 6 string Chandler lap steel for about 15 years. It sounds quite good but wasn't expensive by any means. About $300 new. I never tuned it to any of the proper tunings. Almost always Open E or E minor. I can play it okay but don't consider myself good at it. Using the open E tunings I can get around on it from having played slide guitar in those tunings forever. I'd like to get another one and tune it to C6. That would require a different string gauge than the E tunings as well as some more shed time to get familiar with it.
I always told myself that if my hands and fingers get too disabled from arthritis I'll learn to play steel better.
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Post by Riff Twang on Jul 16, 2023 23:35:01 GMT -5
I have a vintage short scale "Airline" lap steel from the 60's, that I got about 15 years ago. Tuned it to C6 and scoured the net for learning resources. There's easily enough available to get one started, and in my opinion if you want to emulate country rock or western swing or even some pedal steel, then C6 is the tuning you need to learn. i often think about getting one with legs too, for the convenience.
I do suggest you pull that Rogue out and start learning. You don't need anything more than functional to get started on. if you take to it and enjoy it, then you can treat yourself to a nice one.
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Post by ninworks on Aug 10, 2023 15:15:50 GMT -5
I just had a cheap Rickenbacker Electro lap steel gifted to me. I decided to string it up with a C6 tuning. That's going to take some getting used to after using E Major and E minor tunings for so long.
I had to do some work on the machine heads to make them functional and clean the pots. I really need to put better tuners on it. These are really cheap and hard to move even after I took them all apart and lubed them up. It must have about a 3:1 ratio on them and no ferrules. Just holes through the wood and they flex a lot and bind in the holes.
I think you can buy these guitars for less than $100 all day long so I don't want to spend a lot on tuners. I just need something better than what it has.
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Post by LesTele on Jan 23, 2024 13:06:48 GMT -5
Another dummy having a try. I have a cheapo inbound and I installed a Grover” Perfect Nut” on my resonator, to get into the vibe, last week.
Only posting because my mando post was the last item on this part of the forum since September.
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Post by LesTele on Jan 25, 2024 16:05:26 GMT -5
Thomann lap steel. Perfectly serviceable. Cheap as chips. B stock.
Distracting silver screw heads will be replaced.
A lot of bang for your buck.
Pity my neighbours😀😗
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Post by LesTele on Feb 7, 2024 16:02:03 GMT -5
Update.
Not as bad as I thought I would sound.
A new tone bar, heavier strings and I’m progressing competently.
Heavier strings on my Fender resonator, a Perfect Nut from Grover and a lot of practice.
The cheep Thomann electric lap steel works well with my Katana.
It’s my only guitar option ar the moment as I’m still waiting for an operation for my Dupuytren's Contracture.
I knew you were all itching to hear about my progress 😎
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Bopper
Wholenote
Motor City USA
Posts: 507
Age: 72
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Post by Bopper on Feb 8, 2024 10:19:58 GMT -5
Progress is good.
What tuning do you use on the lap steel?
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Post by LesTele on Feb 8, 2024 15:32:28 GMT -5
I’m in Open G at the moment.
Getting to grips with intonation and the tonebar. Playing since the seventies so I know my way about chords, theory and stuff.
Both the guitars have light strings and I’m too frugal to discard two sets of fresh strings.
I have purchased nickel and bronze strings capable of C6 tuning.That will be my next project. It sounds just up my street when accomplished folk do it.
Until the strings start to fade I’ll be trying other tunings that the string gauges can handle.
Open G for now.
Apparently Scotsmen are universally renowned for being tight with money.😀
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Bopper
Wholenote
Motor City USA
Posts: 507
Age: 72
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Post by Bopper on Feb 9, 2024 10:33:38 GMT -5
Thanks.
I'm too frugal to discard old strings. Sometimes.
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Post by HeavyDuty on Apr 8, 2024 17:16:42 GMT -5
I just came across a new lap steel that has captured my heart - Certano, made in France. Out of budget, of course.
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Post by tahitijack on Apr 10, 2024 18:31:54 GMT -5
One of my friends owns a streaming service on TuneIn...featuring commercial free Hawaiian Lap Steel. The songs range from vintage (old) to modern day players like Bobby Ingano. Be careful you might find yourself drifting off to paradise with your toes in the sand under a palm tree with a cool drink in your hand. Aloha.
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