Looking to upgrade my lap steel

[Brettus Maximus]

Been hobbying about for years on an ancient, and crappy, Artisan. It's beyond being worth repairing, but it was never a great instrument to being with anyway.
On searching for something new and nice to have as a good quality upgrade,I've been surprised at how little choice there is on the UK market.
I don't need to go crazy and get a Duesenberg, but I do want something nice. Ideally brass or steel nut, and 8 strings if possible (6 is ok though).

I hate the Gretsch

[Basil Henriques]

It is a lack of suitable mid priced instruments that's partly responsible for the lack of younger players. The cheap copies from Asia are not even suitable for modification as their scale length is shorter than the normal short scale (22.5")
Expect to pay £350 - £650 for a suitable second hand instrument.
As for wanting a brass or steel nut, unless you intend to use a lot of open strings and open chords, it's not much point because as soon as the bar is on the strings it then becomes the nut and controls the tone and sustain.

[michael murray]

PM sent.

[Brettus Maximus]

Thanks for the replies, Basil and Michael.

My original post was supposed to be less angry sounding (lol) and more detailed, but I haven't been able to edit or reply here since it posted.
Ah well, first world problems and all that.

*ETA*
Hey look, I can post again! Yipeeee...

[Doodlegame]

If you keep an eye out you might manage to find a Bennett going around. I upgraded from a DIY S8 a while back when a S6 popped up on the forum, though they are rare. Not sure if they're still being made or how you'd get your hands on a new one.

Not sure where you're based, but there's a guy not far out of Manchester City Center called Matt Randall that might be worth checking out. Just under £1k with a case, lovely looking things and he does Fender Studio / Gibson style bodies.

https://www.mattrandallguitars.com/

[misuls]

Hello Brettus.I have an 8 string Rukavina I had made in USA in 2015 which I will consider selling.If you go to my YouTube channel - paul miles steel guitar - you will find the Rukavina in action on I think 8 videos showing the range of this guitar.Let me know if you want to discuss.Regards Paul.

[Brettus Maximus]

Hello Brettus.I have an 8 string Rukavina I had made in USA in 2015 which I will consider selling.If you go to my YouTube channel - paul miles steel guitar - you will find the Rukavina in action on I think 8 videos showing the range of this guitar.Let me know if you want to discuss.Regards Paul.

Ooh, cheers for that, Paul!