So I am thinking of buying a lap steel guitar

I have three, all new models, in three different tunings, which I'm slowly learning my way through. There's a fairly active thread here from recent times:

https://www.tdpri.com/threads/anyone-else-play-lapsteel.961638/

 

I bought a 59 or 60 Fender Champ lap steel last year for $500 CDN. I've had it in C6 and have had a lot of fun learning and playing around. I'd say keep your eyes peeled for something you want, then go for it! Lots of fun.

 

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There's that GE Smith interview where he talks about buying lap steels to pull the pickups and put them in his Teles.

You can spin a Tele like that standing lap steel in the LPoe video, because of the flat edges, raise the action, and 'steel the show'.

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Hell yeah!
Meet the family.



I recommend a vintage lap steel. You can buy on fleabay for pretty cheap, and then you’ll have something with mojo, that will have that cool sound. The four on the right were purchased on eBay. The Gib (far left) I bought on the internet, but it was a private deal. Be careful though, lap steels can be addictive.

 

Mine is so close to this, but is a '66.

But I'm going to play conventional six string as long as I can. I'm afraid my steel hasn't been played since 2016.

 

I’ve got a ‘47 Gibson BR 9. I never really never learned to play it properly but it is fun.
I’d say go for it

 

here's mine. 33 Rik frypan. C6

 

I hope you get excited about it as an instrument, and not just because of a health issue. There's nothing like steel guitar and not that many players out there. I had a really nice one but I found it very hard to learn c6. I am hoping to try it again soon though!

 

I thought I would try one also, but never got the hang of it. Had purchased a Morrell lap steel, will sell it for less than $500! Just PM me if interested.

 

Vintage ones are cool but before spending $500 you might throw one together from spare parts.
Tuners and a pickup are all the guitar parts you really need, mounted on a piece of wood.

 

I just added a ‘57 Fender Champ to my stable. It’s the Telecaster of Lap Steels!

 

Back about 20 years ago the 6 string version of early Fender double necks could be had ridiculously cheap because everyone wanted the 8’s.

I got my 1954 Dual Professional Six (identical to this one) for $300.

Trapezoid pickups ? Unbelievable. Such great tone.

Three telescopic legs went in the compartment in the lid of the case.

While I’m a better than average slide player with a regular guitar held normally ?

I could not make the transition and didn’t want to essentially imprint new muscle memory to learn it.

All I was playing was open D/G which I already knew so -

Out it went after a year or so...

 

I’ve just taken it up and I love it. Took me about a month of daily practice to start pitching consistently, but now it seems like I’ve got the hang of it.

I tried with a shubb tone bar, but I actually found it to cramp up my hand and hurt after a little time playing. I’ve got on better with a fat (30mm diameter) glass bar. For me it’s easier to control and pitch, and you can hold it more gently.

I also picked up a c6 slide rule chart which I found really useful for learning the major scale position.

 

I cured the itch with this thing....






It takes 3 minutes to load/unload and you can use your guitar as guitar after noddling

 

Old Supro, you say? Good idea!

 

I'm inheriting my grandfathers lap/console steels. Although I have to sell most for my grandma, I'll be keeping at least 1 or 2 fenders, haven't decided which ones. His pedal steel is going to a family friend for less than its worth, but it feels like the right thing to do.

I look forward to trying to learn how to play these things, I've always loved the sound.

@Throttleneck
One of the Fender console steels has tele controls. Not quite a tele, but not miles from familiar control wise. Unfortunately, I'll need a BSB tele to match it. Maybe I'll get a squier and water slide on the block fender logo to match one of them?

 

It looks like a stock pic of an acoustic for an example. Does it work fine on a tele?

 

Bought a cheap SX from Rondo to see if I could make some useful sounds. Actually, the open E tuning has opened up some possibilities.

If I stick it out, I'll get myself something decent. Did I ever mention the pedals I have that I don't use?