Finding a lap steel stand in the UK

[tawalker]

(or to give an alternative title: "The Search For Rocking-Horse Droppings, Hen's Teeth, etc.")

First post I've been playing "non-steel" guitar (and fretted strings in general) since the late-80s, and have had a soft spot for steel guitar for quite some time. My favourite players are probably Red Rhodes and Lloyd Green on the pedal-steel side, and on the lap-steel, rock "hobbyists" (!) like David Gilmour, Steve Howe and Peter Hammill. (PH had a lap-steel for a time - try "Ferret and Featherbird" from "In Camera".)

I'm a regular recording musician (of the "bedroom" variety), and on my current project - showcasing my "prog-rock side" - I felt I'd finally like to play some lap-steel. Sadly, I really am on a painfully tight budget, so much as I'd love to stretch to something less modest, I'm looking at one of these two "bundles" of the Harley Benton Slider II from Thomann:

http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_slider_ii.htm
http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_ ... _stand.htm

At the present time, if I add in one of Thomann's finger/thumbpick sets, the former "package" (guitar, gig-bag, tonebar) costs about £63, including shipping. The latter adds a "stand" (as you probably know: three telescoping legs which screw into holes in the guitar), and costs about £88.

Basically, my question is: does anyone know if I could find a lap-steel stand (or, say, a keyboard stand which could do the job) in the UK? I've looked around online, and the few lap-steel stands I've seen are almost all in the US, so shipping, import duties, etc., make that a pricey option.

I've read a few reports of the legs on Rogue-type lap steels like the Slider II, not being very well-made (e.g. the screws "strip" their threads easily), and if this is a distinct possibility on the Slider II, I wonder if I'd be better off going for the "leg-less" version, and looking for a separate stand?

Many thanks for any advice you can give, and I look forward to learning more from this forum

Tim

[flester]

Been down a similar route with my self - build lap and am using screw-in coffee table legs with limited success. viewtopic.php?f=34&t=4057

I reckon a keyboard stand is the way to go. Just dont worry about attaching it, just lay the steel on top. In my very limited experience (just playing at home, not yet in public on the lap), the advantages of using legs, as opposed to just playing it on your lap, are as follows
(a) Brings the guitar up a bit higher, better for ergonomics/posture
(b) the guitar can be set up ready to play in the corner of the room.
If the legs/stand are height-adjustable, all the better so it suits different players and/or different chairs, or could be played standing up if it goes high enough. Detachable is good too, for portability and so that it can still be played legless (!) No doubt others here can advise based on longer experience.

[tawalker]

Thanks for your thoughts, flester

I've more or less decided that I'd want to play lap-steel with a stand. Various reasons, but mainly that (a) I want to use a volume pedal (boy, I'm glad now that I bought a Morley in the dim distant past when I had disposable income ); and (b) I see myself switching between steel and "regular" guitar, Steve Howe-style, and it seems to me a stand would really help with that.

From looking around quite extensively, it looks like no-one really sells dedicated lap-steel stands in the UK, and in price terms, the few I've found elsewhere on the Web dwarf the Harley Benton Slider II (the cheapest I've seen cost about the same as the instrument).

In terms of keyboard stands, I found plenty of cheap "X-brace"-type models for under £25, but they don't look too durable (or compact, when folded down). I think I'd also be limited in how "low" I could set the stand, because the distance between the two "ends" of the stand might get too wide for the guitar. If I could find a "tabletop"-style stand for under £25, I might go for that, but they're much less common, and usually >£50 when I do see them.

I'm coming to the conclusion that the HB Slider II package with the stand, might be the best option, which would entail a bit more scrimping/saving Still, at least that way, I'd have the stand, instead of having to work out another solution.

Thanks again

[Tony Russell Davis]

After reading your, and Flester', posts I've been inspired to start a new thread on "make your own, why not?" Also you should look through Flester's thread on that topic before commiting to any modern brand. Lots of input there and several reasons why the cheap lap steel guitars around these days are not brilliant. Your homemade may not look like a Gibson or Fender, but it has every chance of sounding more like one than the jobs with regular guitar (usually hard-tail Strat) parts (IMO )
I am guessing you want a stand because you have to swap from regular to steel guitar at a gig? Otherwise you could play sitting down - like a lap steel! The footprint of keyboard stands and of splayed legs can still get in the way, Years ago some used telescopic stands like the more robust snare or cymbal stands, or a speaker stand where the gutar could have a speaker "top-hat" screwed to it. I wonder if secondhand shops might be worth browsing? I guess you'd need to check out the potential wobble though! Basil will have more input on those things, mainly used by Hawaiians, I think. Good luck, T.

[flester]

There must be some good modern ones being made???. I know you can go custom-built for mega-bucks, but electric lap steels have got to be cheaper to make than conventional guitars. They are literally a single plank of hardwood, with a flat top. The only factors determining the tone are the quality of the wood and the pickup. How hard can it be?

By the way, dobro players use a strap when standing up. Not an option for my half-ton homebuild, but could work with something lighter.

[tawalker]

Tony: thanks for your thoughts - I wish I could build my own lap-steel, but as I struggle even with assembling IKEA furniture, I think the most I could manage would be putting together a kit (that's something I haven't looked into, come to think of it )...

I understand the argument that the Rogue-type lap-steels (like the HB Slider II) are not of the highest quality, but unfortunately, I really am on a very tight budget, to the point where even a Recording King RG-31 would be a stretch for me to afford. It seems from my research, that there are very few lap-steels in that £100-200 range (i.e. above dirt-cheap, but still vaguely "budget"), and sadly, above £200 is simply way out of my current reach - more's the pity

One positive aspect of the Slider II, is that it seems to be a kind of standard design (Rogue, Revelation, Blue Moon (Hobgoblin) and so on), to the point where I've seen "loaded scratchplates" for sale on eBay, complete with new controls, jack socket and pickup, specifically for Rogue-type lap-steels. Assuming I go for the Slider, because of noise issues, I expect I'll end up replacing the pickup (probably with a "thin humbucker" like the Shadow SH661). At least I could hack the instrument about a bit, and not worry about defacing a "classic"!

Returning to the stand question: I'd prefer playing with a stand, not just to aid switching instruments, but also as I'd want to use a volume pedal. I'm not sure, but wouldn't that be harder if I had to move my right leg, while the guitar is resting on it?

All that said, I'm very new to the steel guitar "world", so I really do appreciate your advice here - thanks again!

[flester]

Could use vol pedal even when sitting.saw vid of guy playing duesenberg on utube. Sounded like he was using one

[Tony Russell Davis]

With only hours to go as I write, there's an "OLD HOFNER HAWAIIAN" on fleabay just now; also a curious "OSBAMA OAHU" 8 string. Neither have a guaranteed "working" ticket and so caution is required, but I guess even a replacement 6string p/up for the Hofner might still put it in budget? But it shows that what you're looking for is out there. Don't rush at a steel guitar with a 6 saddle bridge (not recommended) just because the p/up might be ok; there's a lot more that the construction gives to the sound than you might think. Good luck in your search.
PS just looked back on the flea, there's a Joe Morrell going for £104 but it's in USA and the shipping is unlikely to be the fiver or so they quote! But look carefully at the simplicity of construction and get an idea of what to look for.

[sabatica]

Much better solution is a portable projector stand. Packs away nicely. Lighter than keyboard stands. Adjustable telescopic legs and CHEAP.

Been there done that. Tried and tested for 5 years. Just works. Get one.
http://www.ametron.com/los_angeles/audi ... ?sub_id=14

[sabatica]

Add some felt on the top or place a small mat to stop steel from slipping. Job done. Enjoy.