Got a lap steel

  • Thread starter Thread starter WhiteStrat
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WhiteStrat

WhiteStrat

Don't stare at the eye.
A while back I started a thread about lap steels. I wanted one, but thought I wanted to use some mad woodworking skillz and build one. Well the general consensus was to buy one first, see what I like & don't like, then build another one later. As an aside, it was mentioned to me that some sweet old vintage ones can be had affordably.

I'm happy to report that I've done all three:

1) I bought one.
2) It's vintage (1944!).
3) And I get to do some (very minor) woodworking.

It's an Epiphone Electar and not one of the fancier models. It's painted (original) without any binding, but it's got a cool ol' vibe. I paid $162 for it.

It's got a clean split running the length of the body that needs to be glued and clamped. Given that last fact, I thought I might just completely refinish it, as resale is not a concern for me. But I got it in today, and it looks even better than the e-bay pic. The split is as clean as can be, and will be easily fixed. So I'll be gluing it up and leaving it! Can't wait to plug it in tonight and see if I'll be replacing the pickup or not.

Here's the e-bay pic:
 

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nice!! My guess is that you won't want to replace the pickup -- maybe you'll need to resolder some things, but maybe not. I did a track with my old Supro (not nearly as nice looking as your epi) night before last, and it sounded fantastic going straight into a motu pre.

What are you using for a slide?
 
antichef said:
nice!! My guess is that you won't want to replace the pickup -- maybe you'll need to resolder some things, but maybe not. I did a track with my old Supro (not nearly as nice looking as your epi) night before last, and it sounded fantastic going straight into a motu pre.

What are you using for a slide?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I hope I don't have to replace the pup. But you're right, I ought to at least be prepared for some soldering. I took a peek under the cover, and the pickup is at least "visibly" clean--for what that's worth.

As far as a slide goes, I've got nothing yet. Looking at the Dunlop Lap Dawg. Your thoughts? And what kind of strings do you use? Anything special?

Thanks!
 
Heavier strings and steels: I use a bullet nose steel for everything these days. A good set of strings comes from buying a set of Ernie Ball Slinky (.010 E), throw away the .010, replace with a .23 wound, and string it up with the B string in the E slot, the G string in the B slot, and the new one in the G slot. This gives a fat sound without an overpowering bass.
 
lpdeluxe said:
Heavier strings and steels: I use a bullet nose steel for everything these days. A good set of strings comes from buying a set of Ernie Ball Slinky (.010 E), throw away the .010, replace with a .23 wound, and string it up with the B string in the E slot, the G string in the B slot, and the new one in the G slot. This gives a fat sound without an overpowering bass.
Click to expand...

Great tip--thanks! As soon as I fix the split body, I'll string it up that way and report back. :D
 
antichef said:
nice!! My guess is that you won't want to replace the pickup -- maybe you'll need to resolder some things, but maybe not.
Click to expand...

Just got home, tuned it up and plugged it in.

I will definitely NOT be replacing the pickup. Wow--does it have a sweet tone! This thing sounds so good, I haven't been this much like a little kid at Christmas in a long time!

And for the record, that's just messin' around with a regular pick and a glass slide. Time to pull myself away from it and make the repair. (I'll use the set & dry time to get the real tools of slidin'.)
 
WhiteStrat said:
Just got home, tuned it up and plugged it in.

I will definitely NOT be replacing the pickup. Wow--does it have a sweet tone! This thing sounds so good, I haven't been this much like a little kid at Christmas in a long time!
Click to expand...


Yeah, there's something about a steel or pedal steel pickup -- I've never heard a bad one!

Enjoy it, man.
 
WhiteStrat said:
Yeah, I hope I don't have to replace the pup. But you're right, I ought to at least be prepared for some soldering. I took a peek under the cover, and the pickup is at least "visibly" clean--for what that's worth.

As far as a slide goes, I've got nothing yet. Looking at the Dunlop Lap Dawg. Your thoughts? And what kind of strings do you use? Anything special?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
oops sorry for the delay. I use Martin resonator strings - they're really heavy gauge -- http://www.elderly.com/brand/STGR_martin.html

I use a totally round bullet nosed solid steel slide, so that I can roll it around on the string surface. I tried using a slide that has a grip, but I find things much easier when I can actually roll the thing around. I got my slides on ebay - an old "oahu" brand and one that just says "patent pending". Here's something similar: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Dunlop-Stainless-Steel-Pro-Tonebar?sku=425257

My disclaimer is that I'm hardly an experienced player on these things, and I probably have poor technique -- but I find that I can make sounds I like this way :)
 
Ditto on the Martin Bluegrass Resonator strings: they work really well on electrics as well as Dobros. I have strung up all my resos with them, and they are better than the hermaphrodite set I used to put on my Supro. They last quite well, too: I have a '30s Regal I strung with them last summer, and they still sound good.

And sound good they do. Getting a set of gauges that works for a reso is an exercise in frustration, but all the hard work's been done for you with the Martins. I see I still have maybe three sets...when I discovered them I bought out the local store, which is slow to restock because there's only me and one other Dobro player about, and he's careful about inventory!
 
On the advice of a friend who plays a lot of lap steel, I'm currently using D'Addario XLs, Jazz Mediums on mine (13-56). Seem to work quite well. I'm using a Dunlop Tone Bar bullet nose steel and like it a lot.
 
pohaku said:
On the advice of a friend who plays a lot of lap steel, I'm currently using D'Addario XLs, Jazz Mediums on mine (13-56). Seem to work quite well. I'm using a Dunlop Tone Bar bullet nose steel and like it a lot.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips. I just got a tonebar--a Schubb GS1. Only played a few minutes; just got in from the airport and a package of various musical accessories was waiting on the porch.

That's the only thing I just had to check out before I crash...

I still need strings though.
 
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