New Lap Steel Guitar

[nevada150]

A6 has the same intervals as C6, there's a lot's of information and Tabs available for C6, and A6 is just 4 semitones lower.
I prefer A6 because I don't like the thin sounding top G string on C6.
I tried the Bennett that Tony referred to at our last meeting and it's a beautiful instrument.
Whatever tuning you choose, ask questions here and you'll get lots of help.
Enjoy your new "toy".
Keith.

[bazmusicman]

Thank you Keith, you can understand the confusion of a newbie!

I'm looking forward to my new toy....

[simon_f3]

Glad you've got the Bennett on the way, Baz! I'm rather jealous, having sold two lap steels to get a pedal steel. I don't regret it as I love the pedal steel, but I do miss the lap steel, especially as it fitted well with the rockabilly band I play in. Pedal steel doesn't fit quite so well, plus it's a much bulkier beast to cart around!

I look forward to hearing how you get on - please do keep us posted

[bazmusicman]

Thanks Sid,
I like your playing in your Band, good stuff.

Fortunately I have a top Pedal Steel Player That lives across the road from me who I have known for about 40 years.
I didn't want to pester him, but I bumpt into him this morning and turns out he is a good friend of Ronnie Bennett!
He even has two of Ronnie's pedal steel guitars.

He said "let me know when your lap steel arrives and he'll come over and help me out". How cool is that!

[JohnS]

Congratulations Baz.
The above may be the lap steel on route to you.
Mark Pugh, Ronnies agent sent me the picture whilst I waited for Ronnie
to complete my right hander.
Ronnie builds a great Guitar, Enjoy your new adventure.
Welcome to the 'plank' club.
John Stafford

[bazmusicman]

Thank you John, yep that's the one I bought!

[bazmusicman]

Well my new 'toy' arrived on Monday......and I have been having a tinker around with it.
Sadly I have nuaropathy in my hands which makes it difficult for me to hold the bar.
Some day's are better than others, so I'll keep plodding away.

This is why I am trying a lap steel,
because I am having difficulty playing chords with my normal guitar....such is the joy of getting older!!

[mick hearn]

Hi mate. I would suggest keeping an eye on Ebay. Now and again a left hander appeared, but, some of the earlier guitars had the volume and tone controls either side of the bridge. Selmer is one example and there is one there at the moment for £395 or a Bryce for £185. They are only 6 string. An 8 string would be a bit harder to find. All you have to do is swap the strings around.

[bazmusicman]

Hi Mick, thank you for your tips, but my 'new toy' is a left handed Ronnie Bennett lap steel that I have just bought.
Regards,
Baz.

[simon_f3]

Sadly I have nuaropathy in my hands which makes it difficult for me to hold the bar.
Some day's are better than others, so I'll keep plodding away.

Hi again Baz - have you tried a Shubb type bar, rather than a round one? Not sure if it may make a difference but could be worth a go? Good luck with the journey - it's one I am very glad to have embarked on, but it can be an uphill trek at times! Please do keep us posted as to how you're getting on.