Lap Steel...

[wyldechild]

I'm wanting to start learning how to play lap steel..... however I need to purchase one first... anyone here have any knowledge of what to look for in one... ? thanks in advance!

[Y0UNGBL00D]

Me too! Decemberists Chris funk has inspired me. Looking. ..

[bclaire]

Lap Steels- there's a lot out there for pretty cheap. Fender Champs, Gibsons, Rickenbackers, etc. They're the last vintage affordable instrument left...

[misterfolkertsma]

If you've got some spare parts lying around, try building your own

However, I like the look of this Eastwood Airline Lapsteel: http://www.eastwoodguitars.com/Other/la ... el_frm.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bclaire]

fixed your link which wouldn't work...

[Y0UNGBL00D]

Odd question, what's the difference between lap and pedal steel? I mean I know visually,but tonally, performance and feature wise?

[bclaire]

Not a visual thing, but lap steel is basically a guitar on its side with either 6 or 8 strings. A pedal steel has levers and pedals which change the tuning on the fly (sort of like a B-Bender) so you can play a chord and hit a pedal and bring a string up etc for effects- classic country western sound...

[DoctorJay]

Duesenberg does something called a Pomona 6, which is a lap steel with a palm operated multibender.

http://www.duesenbergusa.com/guitars/pomona6/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There should be a review with video on http://www.musicradar.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, but their search function is down.

video is on youtube though http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0K0icYkeMQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Thinline_slim]

Lap Steels- there's a lot out there for pretty cheap. Fender Champs, Gibsons, Rickenbackers, etc. They're the last vintage affordable instrument left...

Quite true. I found a 1954 (I think) Rickenbacker 6 string lap steel for $150 in a pawn shop. All original and sounds absolutely amazing.

[BrianFantana]

My grandfather passed away in November, and left me this:

A 1936 Gibson EH-150 (Electric Hawaiian, cost $150 at the time.) It is 100% original with the stock Charlie Christian signature pickup.

[bclaire]

That is a beautiful lap steel!

[BrianFantana]

That is a beautiful lap steel!

thanks! It sounds dynamite too. From a clean country sound, to down and dirty blues. It's got the "mojo."

[Y0UNGBL00D]

That is THE lap steel.

[misterfolkertsma]

Yeah, that lapsteel's all kinds of wicked!