Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: WezV on December 04, 2008, 04:42:24 PM

Title: Lapsteel!!
Post by: WezV on December 04, 2008, 04:42:24 PM
I noticed a few references to lapsteels in this months guitarist... makes me think they may be making a comeback... you heard it here first ;)

So here is one i just finished up:
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/LS5.jpg)

its also the first instrument back from the new guy i have spraying for me so i am going to give him a plug for refinishing work as i am quite impressed

http://www.lennonguitars.co.uk/
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: AndyR on December 04, 2008, 05:05:49 PM
That looks damn cute :D

Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: Philly Q on December 04, 2008, 05:23:13 PM
Nice!  :)

Not sure about "making a comeback" though - comeback to what?  I can't remember any time when the heady sound of lap steel was dominating the Hit Parade  :P  (yeah, I know lots of guitar luminaries have had a go on them at some point in their careers).   
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: WezV on December 04, 2008, 05:30:32 PM
playing with a guitar face up on your lap with a steel bar was very popular in the 30's ;)
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: gwEm on December 04, 2008, 05:36:47 PM
playing with a guitar face up on your lap with a steel bar was very popular in the 30's ;)

i remember some old skool usa film i watched late at night, with lots of bare knuckle fighting scenes which featured a strat player doing this in much of the film.

cool looking instrument wez!
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: blue on December 04, 2008, 05:47:35 PM
would that have been roadhouse? with Jeff Healey, the sadly recently deceased blind guitarist in it?
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: Will on December 04, 2008, 06:00:24 PM
Ah, I have that film. I remembered it because of the guitar moment :D
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: WezV on December 04, 2008, 06:04:47 PM
havnt seen roadhouse since i was a kid!
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: FernandoDuarte on December 04, 2008, 06:17:10 PM
8) Keep them coming!
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: Philly Q on December 04, 2008, 06:58:35 PM
Ah, Road House, the Swayze film for boys  :) .  The dancing's over.  Now it gets dirty.

Also notable for featuring the great Sam Elliott, although sadly not with one of his mighty moustaches.
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: Ian Price on December 04, 2008, 07:12:50 PM
Also notable for featuring the great Sam Elliott, although sadly not with one of his mighty moustaches.

Indeed. And a cringe inducing sh*gging scene.
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: blue on December 04, 2008, 07:22:52 PM
from lap steel to sam elliot's moustach shagging in just a handful of posts! this must be close to the quickest wandering off topic thread ever  :lol:

nice lap steel by the way ;)
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: 38thBeatle on December 04, 2008, 08:08:08 PM
Looks great Wez. I suspect Robert Randolph may be helping with the renaissance of the lap steel. I would dearly like one.
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: noodleplugerine on December 04, 2008, 08:57:05 PM
Now build a pedal steel! :D
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: WezV on December 04, 2008, 08:57:47 PM
you build a pedal steel :P
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: noodleplugerine on December 04, 2008, 09:01:32 PM
you build a pedal steel :P

Touché! :D
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: WezV on December 04, 2008, 10:42:29 PM
i have considered it, and its definately possible but metal work really isnt my thing.

i was wondering about doing a console/table steel.  Thats basically a lap steel with screw in legs and usually more than one neck... so a pedal steel without the pedals
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: headtheball on December 04, 2008, 10:55:30 PM
The Lap Steel is well due a comeback, I reckon. Saw Troy Van Leuwen absolutely rip on one at a Mark Lanegan gig ages ago, and it sounded class. 
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: TheDev01dOne on December 05, 2008, 12:14:41 AM
I've noticed a fair few blues guys are playing more lap steel but usually on acoustic lap steels with hollow necks. Seems confusing to me.

Nice looking lap steel you built anyway. It's red so it goes faster.
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: Jonny on December 05, 2008, 12:16:36 AM
That's the first lapsteel I've seen in fire engine red. Or any colour as a matter of fact.
Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: WezV on December 05, 2008, 08:15:37 AM
I've noticed a fair few blues guys are playing more lap steel but usually on acoustic lap steels with hollow necks. Seems confusing to me.

possibly weissenborn style guitars by the sounds of it
(http://www.guitarfactory.net/Images/Folk/Amos_Weissenborn-style_gtr.jpg)

Its not confusing to play at all really, you put it in an open tuning (say open D or G) then strum and slide away.   Obviously it take longer to get really good at it but anyone can have a bit of fun, no chords to learn!!




Title: Re: Lapsteel!!
Post by: TheDev01dOne on December 05, 2008, 10:37:19 AM
It's the thoughts of fingerpicking and muting unused strings that scare me as I can't do either well.

I'm sure someone I know would own a lapsteel somewhere, I might ask around and try get my hands on one for a bit, see if its as hard as I imagine.