The British Steelies Society

Firstly, HELLO!

Secondly...
I am new here and have already read quite a lot of opinions about what are good and bad brands of instrument.
What would you consider an affordable/beginner lapsteel which isn't terrible?

Thanks in advance for your responses

Jack

Your budget will be a deciding factor in your quest. Looking at 6 string guitars, if you want a starter guitar most of the cheap brands will do, in as much as the pickup will work, the tuners will tune, the fretboard will (probably) be accurate enough. The tone may not be great, the tuners may be sticky and the bridge will (usually) be a "strat" bridge with intonation and height adjustment, both unnecessary on a steel guitar and can dampen out some string to body vibrations; but for around £100 new? There's quite a number of different 'brands' all looking suspiciously like they came out of the same factory and can probably be found very cheap second hand.
Also - keep checking this forum, a good place to look, maybe place a wanted ad? None of our regulars will try to fool you.
If your budget allows a little more then look for a guitar with a rigid bridge: e.g. Epiphone brought out a re-issue "Electar Century" a short while ago and that seems to have found favour with some reviewers (search for Mike Holland - I think he bought one and posts on you-tube) guide price new, around £250. I have no connection with the company and only the opinion of reviewers to go on. Other brands with similar spec to this guitar could be a good second hand buy.
A lap steel guitar is essentially a plank with a straight-across nut and bridge, tuners and a pickup. The cheap ones can probably take a retrofit solid bridge (make your own from angle aluminium, brass or similar) better tuners and pickup. You don't need more than one pickup which should be 2 or 3 inches from the bridge. Tone and vol. controls aren't essential either, pedal steel guitars usually don't have any, the amp. does all that's needed. There are plans for making your own and it's not difficult if you have moderate woodworking skills.
If you want to start out on more strings, 7 or 8 is good, you'll have to spend more money but probably get a guitar made for steel players rather than one churned out for guitar pickers to play with.
Lastly, be prepared to pay for picks and a proper steel, or polymer, bullet nosed bar. You might have to shell out half the price of the cheapo guitars on a good bar!

If you just what to try a lap steel first, you can convert a conventual acoustic guitar by using, a Grover perfect guitar nut. Have a look on youtube for fitting and playing with one. Thay actually work well and is a genuine option for a beginner. The problem with lap steels is the price range is wide. You can buy one for under a hundred pounds and pay over a thousand. Acoustic options are smaller than electric, you haven't given a preference. The Epiphone Electra 1939 is a good choice. If you have any skills regarding guitars, setting up and the like, it is worth studying eBay for secondhand guitars.

You have not said where your musical preferences lie and that will make a difference on the number of strings, and of course what tuning you will eventually use. Lap steel players in the 40's used six string and a lot of current blues players also use six string. If however you wish to get into swing then I would suggest 8 strings - but that might be a future issue.

All good advise from the posters so far.