Beginners Lap Steel wanted

[HLA11]

Hi there,

Hope this is okay to post. I am looking for a lap steel for a birthday present. My boyfriend is a big guitar player and has expressed an interest in getting a lap steel too.
I wanted to ask if anyone has a basic model that they’re looking to sell. Ideally one which would suit a beginner. My budget is around £100 (ish) so appreciate it may be a little low compared to what’s available online.
I’ve been looking on sites and eBay and almost bought the Harley Benton slider II from Thomann but thought I should check with people who know what they’re talking about first!
I’m all ears if you have any suggestions too – feeling a little out of my depth

Thanks so much in advance,
Holly

[Tony Russell Davis]

I see one called Harley Benton Slider for £67 on the Thomann site. Almost all the lap steel guitars at around, or under, £100 look to be differently badged models of the same design; maybe from the same factory! They're all playable and good enough to try out lap steel playing. Personally I don't like that they all use a "strat" type bridge/tailpiece (because steel guitars don't need the intonation adjusting, it's to do with not pressing onto the frets). However they all use that type for cheapness.
At £67 that would leave you with spare money to buy a decent steel bar, something like a Dunlop 920 (7/8in diameter by 3-1/4in long) which is about the right size for the guitar and has a "bullet nose". Other bars will be available, I just mentioned Dunlop because they're easier to find, that model is about the right size and they're fairly reasonably priced - shop around, but be surprised how much these things can be! Those "funny shaped" bars (Shubb, Lap Dawg etc.) are generally used on resonator guitars but a bullet nose is more suitable for lap steel where the technique is different.
A thumb-pick (usually plastic) and metal fingerpicks are other things to get. Fingerpicks come in a range of thicknesses, try around ".020" for starters. I've got several brand new ones somewhere that are not my gauge; PM me and I'll send you a couple of those for free.

[Tony Russell Davis]

Picks in post

[HLA11]

Thanks so much!

[HLA11]

Big thanks for the picks and the note - so helpful of you!

[Steve Conway]

Hi, I have a Morrell lap you can have for £100. Pm me if interested.
Cheers
Steve