BEWARE LAP STEEL COMPANIES TO AVOID

[sabatica]

So I decided to create this list of companies to avoid based on build quality and the needs of our fellow players being met (playability).

Feel free to add to this list to help other potential lap steelers from going through heart ache or even share your own personal experience whether you agree or disagree with this list and state YOUR experience. All the listed lap steels below I have tried and in my opinion are unsuitable and some even laughable. So with out further due.

THE NAUGHTY LIST
Aiersi guitars (Anderwood Lap Steel)
Rogue RLS-1 Lap Steel Guitar
Jagard lap Steel Guitar EA 2
Gretsch -Lap Steel
Revelation Electric Lap steel Guitar Metallic Blue with Entwhistle XS-62N Pickup
Ashbury AG-55 LapSteel Guitar
Recording King RG-31-NA lap Steel
Nineboys 3-String Wedge Lap Steel Guitar (Just ridiculous)
Dimavery LSG-100 Lap Steel Guitar Black
Mahalo MLG1 Surfboard Lap Steel

Gibson single coil Noisy pickups. LOL They made

rubbish pickups

for their lap steel guitars. If I gave you a guitar with that pickup you would be insulted. However they still win the sexiest body shape. So change the pickup, plastic volume and tone control knobs and cheap plastic tuners and you have the sexiest steel shape ever invented. If you use it out of the box good luck don't get sold by the name. I told you there will be no favouritism.

PS Any users who have the above this post was meant to help those make a more informed decision. This is not a personal attack and I don't believe in favourtism. If its great for our Lap steel players then its great. If not don't waste your time.

[sabatica]

I once had a 1950's Fender champ lap steel for about 3 years but I found that the tuning heads seemed a bit stiff and the pickup sounded like it had REVERB no matter what amp it was plugged into. It was so frustrating I eventually sold it here in London When I first moved over.

I also saw another one, could've been mine re-painted in same shop a year later and also sounded like permanent reverb but this time the tuning machines kept slipping and one was stuck and for those who don't know getting replacement tuning machines for those old Die cast Aluminium Fender lap steels are darn near impossible.

So word to the wise Fender Lap steels with Die cast aluminium Tuning machines BEWARE you have been warned replacements are hard to come by if those tuning machines go foul.

w

[flester]

Add to naughty list: FLESTER lap steels
They only make one model, very low production, zero quality control, use cheap components, very difficult to contact. Can't play for nuts.

But seriously, thanks for the useful post. Interesting to see who disagrees with your naught list

[mick hearn]

Here is another one for the list - CLEARWATER.

The guitar is fitted with a couple of cheap P90 pickups. The bridge was fitted off centre therefore the strings did not line up with the pole pieces. Also the pickup holes were routed too deep. This meant that the strings were so far away from the pickup that you could hardly hear it. No good to man or beast and does absolutely nothing to encourage lap steel players.

The unfortunate thing is that all these are made in China where we know that quality control is not the best, and made to a price. If you are going to pay £120 for a guitar you know it's gonna be bad in some respects with very cheap components all round. A decent set of pickups is going to cost more than that.

I needed one in a hurry and pennies were short so bought off EBay. Wished I hadn't. However with a bit of work I made it at least useable but never again.

The other fact is that if you want a decent steel you are going to have to pay the money. I have a shapely little George Boards which I payed £250 for from ebay and I must admit she s a beauty. Sings like a bird. Trouble is even George is importing some cheaper models from the far east. I certainly hope he keeps his eye on the quality. Personally I think he should stick to his regular output.

[sabatica]

Really. I thought George manufactures all in his factory. As he bought all the equipment. I know he was having business problems as he was trying to sell the company.

[mick hearn]

If you look on his web site you will see them. They are only six string though.
Certainly didn't know he was having money problems. It is a shame because I like the little 8 string I have - not so keen on the console models though but having said that he it would appear he has sold a number. Perhaps looking at a slightly different style may help him. I don't know anything about CNC so don't know the cost of restyling.

[Gretschnut]

After due consideration, I have decided to come out of the closet and admit to owning......A Gretsch Lap Steel There, I've said it, and it's a huge weight off my mind

In my defence, I have to admit to no particular knowledge whatsoever of Lap Steels, other than they sit on your lap, sound harmonic, fit comfortably, are played with a bar, and are called Gretsch. Being a complete Numpty with only the bedroom wallpaper to entertain, I don't need it to do any more.

In it's defence, I am totally happy with it, and find it difficult to comprehend that you choose to condemn it whilst Gerry Hogan chooses to advertise it on his Web Site, although he does also advertise Zum Steels! There, that should do it.

[sabatica]

After due consideration, I have decided to come out of the closet and admit to owning......A Gretsch Lap Steel There, I've said it, and it's a huge weight off my mind

In my defence, I have to admit to no particular knowledge whatsoever of Lap Steels, other than they sit on your lap, sound harmonic, fit comfortably, are played with a bar, and are called Gretsch. Being a complete Numpty with only the bedroom wallpaper to entertain, I don't need it to do any more.

In it's defence, I am totally happy with it, and find it difficult to comprehend that you choose to condemn it whilst Gerry Hogan chooses to advertise it on his Web Site, although he does also advertise Zum Steels! There, that should do it.

Listen don't feel bad because you already have one. And honestly if it doesn't effect what you play based on what you know then its fine.

Look at Sea-Sick Steve or Pink Floyd. Yes I said it. I love their music(Pink Floyd that is) and creativity but as a player of the lap steel not very good.

I remember the first electric guitar I got was a Fender Squire. I didn't care. I was just happy to start playing. As I progressed I then discovered as you switch pickup position it wasn't smooth, Frets were buzzing, tuners kept on getting loose, pickups were noisy, the top nut and bridge seemed to buzz and frets seemed to wear down quickly and leave grooves on the fretboard. This was all a part of the learning process. HOWEVER if someone told me just invest in a slightly better quality instrument and all of these issues shouldn't occur so quickly I would've and that's what this list is about.

Its to save any future buyers and potential players. As I said I don't care what brand name or pro player is standing/sponsored by the Lap Steel. I'm just expressing based on build quality and personal experience playing different models.Examining the needs of lap steel players whether using my setup or any other.

[sabatica]

Have a read.

https://ilapsteel.wordpress.com/2015/03 ... lap-steel/

[Chris Wynn]

On a positive note, no pun intended, my dear lady bought me an ABM Slider from Germany, badged Harley Benton from Thomann. Not to be confused with the HB Slider II which is the same as the Artisan etc. Mine comes in 6 and 8 string versions, is nicely made with good components and my 6 string has a Strat. sized Shadow humbucker and boy does it go some! At about £185 it would be hard to find much better IMHO.
Cheers,
Chris.