BEWARE LAP STEEL COMPANIES TO AVOID

[sabatica]

Agreed. Harley benton do an awesome 8 string. I definitely recommend. I wrote them to ask them if they could do a custom 12 string and they told me NO. lol. They actually have the best playing feeling EVER for string height and spacing but a shame they max out at 8 strings.

Great starter though. +1 I love their mellow smooth pickup however some country players may prefer a more bright pickup. I think it truly is awesome for the money.

[sabatica]

my 12 string spacing and string height are based around it as it was even better in feel than the MSA superslide. (the best in my opinion).

Harley Benton 8 string.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_slider_8_set.htm

I have one for sale as well. £180 (collection ONLY)

[Gary]

In the naughty list the revelation blue gets a mention, does anybody know if their slightly higher priced dlx is worth a punt?

[shikawkee]

I don't know what George Boards are suspect but I know the 8 string I have (that I'm no longer selling because I din't end up acquiring a 10 string) was definitely put together personally by George with his own pickup. It's great. Clearwater laps on the other hand do SUCK. Bad electronics and craftsmanship. They look cool though <g>.

[mick hearn]

I don't know if you have misunderstood my comment about George Boards. I have one made and signed by George and love it. They are top quality. What I referred to was the six string models he has introduced and as I believe made in the far east I was hoping they would not deteriorate in quality. I am sure George will be keeping his eye on the quality.

[shikawkee]

I don't know if you have misunderstood my comment about George Boards. I have one made and signed by George and love it. They are top quality. What I referred to was the six string models he has introduced and as I believe made in the far east I was hoping they would not deteriorate in quality. I am sure George will be keeping his eye on the quality.

That makes sense. Mine is signed by George too and was serial #001 in that series.
He does good work.

There are a few makers to beware of for sure who are doing it on the cheap. Disappointing. It can undermine a reputation in no time.

[sabatica]

Yeah Chris their 8 string is awesome. Very well made sounds the business and you have such a huge range on their pickup.

It goes from jazz mellow to medium pedal steel tone.

One note is that its so awesome that you can even practice without it being plugged in. In a quiet hotel room/Bedroom.

Really awesome purchase. I've had nothing but a great experience with them. I bought 3 in all at different times. Its my go to if I ever needed an 8 string.

But now I'd be hard pressed to give up my 12 string ever. So much more potential for me. but Harley Benton 8 string is about one of the best you can get and for a great price.

[frank_1]

Hello, new member here!

Experienced guitarist looking for my first lap steel. Just scanned this thread and it seems that the Harley Benton is the only cheap lap steel anyone has recommended? Is there anything else on the 'Nice' list?

I can't see the H.B. 8-string anywhere for sale any longer, just the 6. Cheaper than several others on your 'naughty list' so I'm intrigued.
Thommann have the "Slider II vintage series" for £72, the "Slider II" for £98 with legs, then they have the "Slider" for £235. No information about what the difference is - the dearer one looks like better pickup, hardware and wood but there are only pictures to go on, no info.

I am in the situation of having a big gig coming up I'll play slide for - big venue and PA so I can't turn up with anything buzzy or unreliable, but also I don't know if I can justify shelling out ££££s on an instrument for one gig (though I am sure I'll continue playing it and use it more once I have it though). There seems to be a lot of low end and high end options but not a huge amount of mid range.

Does anyone here have anything for sale in the UK? I'd rather buy S/H from a player than from eBay!

Cheers folks,

Frank
PS what's the problem with the Gretsch ones? They are priced slightly higher so I'm surprised (and pleased) to hear that the cheap HB ones are more highly thought of here...

[mick hearn]

If you are playing slide for one gig I would suggest a spare electric guitar and raising the nut. Thats what I did years ago on a cheap Dean 3/4 guitar. Used it on Road To Hell and some Leeroy Parnell stuff. Worked a treat. In fact still have it in the shed tuned to open G.

[frank_1]

That's what I've been doing up til now and it isn't the same, the tension is lower and there's less sustain, the action is rather low at the top of the neck, plus the slight curvature on the of the nut is tricky. All my guitars have zero frets, so the usual nut risers don't fit (I've made my own). I use my 'decent' electric often so setting it up for slide properly will be a hassle.

I'm also interested in how a dedicated lap steel will inform my creativity when writing the music, rather than an adapted guitar.