Lap steel questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter acidrock
  • Start date Start date
acidrock

acidrock

GO PACKERS!
I recently aquired a six string lap steel guitar and wanted to change the strings.I was surprised to find out only one of the strings was wound.Now I already have a lap steel that uses standard guitar strings and from what I've invesatigated it seems they are supposed to be strung that way.
It's my guess that it was strung with an eight string set for lap steel throwing out the two lowest strings.

Does anybody have some input on this?
I'm dying to restring this sucker,but don't want to mess it up.

Also can somebody help me date/appraise this thing?It's a Gretsch Electromatic lap steel.They make them now,but mine is'nt anything like the new ones,it appears to be made out of plastic.

https://homerecording.com/bbs/attachment.php?attachmentid=15347
 
My guess is someone just put those strings on it cause they like it. String it the way you like it. BTW that is one hot looking axe. I love the Art Deco motif and that case is pure vodoo. :D
 
Photo wouldn't open for me.

Anyway, it could be the previous owner just liked to string it that way.
I string mine real light on top and heavy on the bottom so that I can bend strings behind the bar for pedal steel effects.
 
I do the opposite for better tone on the treble strings. And how do you bend strings on a lap steel? The action on mine is a good 3/4" off the neck (no frets, either).

Anyhow I buy a set of regular Slinky strings (.010-.046) and an unwound .021, throw away the .010 and move the B & G strings up one notch, then put the .021 in the G slot. This gives a meatier tone than the skinny strings.
 
lpdeluxe said:
And how do you bend strings on a lap steel?
Click to expand...
You grab the string(s) you want to bend with the fourth (and/or fifth) finger of your left hand behind the steel, and pull it toward you. You have to be careful not to depress it so it no longer contacts the steel. I can't do it with any facility, but I think with practice it should be reasonably easy to do.
 
Ah. Very clever. And probably not do-able with my string mix!

Of course, I get the pedal steel effect by playing my pedal steel....
 
lpdeluxe said:
I do the opposite for better tone on the treble strings. And how do you bend strings on a lap steel? The action on mine is a good 3/4" off the neck (no frets, either).

Anyhow I buy a set of regular Slinky strings (.010-.046) and an unwound .021, throw away the .010 and move the B & G strings up one notch, then put the .021 in the G slot. This gives a meatier tone than the skinny strings.
Click to expand...

You use your ring finger a pull the string 'B and G' strings behind and against the bar. Easy to go a full tone. Learned that trick from Emory Gordy over 30 years ago.
 
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