Lap Steel Guitar?

[rahnooo]

I was hoping someone could point me in the direction of a good UK retailer of lap steel guitars, as try as I might I can't find anyone in the UK willing to seel me a lap steel. sad, but true. All the big names (soundcontrol etc) don't carry any so I'm hoping there's an independant store or a steel specialist someone knows about...

Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks very much guys

*Rahnooo*

[Calum_Barrow]

London Resonator Centre usually stocks some, and obviously lots of Squarenecks if you wnat one of those.

http://www.resocentre.com/

[irishpete]

I've just ordered a lap steel from www.georgeboards.com, all his lap steels are handmade in the US but he ships to Europe.

Also try Morell or Goldtone.

Visit the steelguitarforum.com and check out the "no peddlers" section for lots of advice on makes, techniques, links etc.

Good luck,

Pete[/url]

[rahnooo]

Thanks for the links. I'm off to Stockton-on-Tees on Saturday to check out a hand built Bennett lapsteel, will report back how I find it :)

*Rahnoo*

[irishpete]

....or speak to Gerry Hogan at Hogan Music, Newbury 01635 37868.
Gerry specialises in pedal steels and lap steels. He'll fix you up with the proper bars, picks, tuition books, advice etc too.

I've seen a few Bennetts, they look pretty good. Please post your impressions. Are you going for 6 or 8 string?

Just thought of another tuition material source www.scottysmusic.com, check out the Jerry Byrd section

[rahnooo]

Yeah someone over at the sound On Sound forum pointed me in the direction of Hogan Music but their website didn't have any lap steels in stock and they still haven't replied to the email I sent them on sunday...

I'm going for a 6 string, have been hankering after a lap steel for ages and finally decided it was time to bite the bullet - all the old Gram Parsons / Flying Burrito Brothers / Byrds / Neil Young albums have taken hteir toll on me I guess. What kind of stuff do you play with yours?

Thanks for the tuition suggestions, I'm looking forward to getting to grips with the lap steel, but it's a little daunting starting a new instrument again.

[irishpete]

I also emailed Hogans on Monday and am waiting for a reply, Gerry is probably "on the road" (he plays a lot with Albert Lee and visiting US country bands). I bought a pedal steel from him last year and now play it in a "modern" country band. Also quite a daunting instrument but, like with anything, it takes practice.

Awaiting lap steel delivery, but will use it for the country stuff too and rock/blues and maybe some Hawaiian.

[rahnooo]

Sounds cool. My current outfit is a two piece comprising Singer/acoustic guitarist, and myself on mandolin, (occasional) electric guitar, hammond organ, and violin, to which I'm looking forward to adding the lap steel. Live we're trying to restrict the instrument swapping to just mandolin and lap steel for that nice slightly alt. country / folky feel. It's all about the Americana at the moment :)

[rahnooo]

So I ended up buying the Bennett lap steel. First impressions are good. The body is a solid block of mahogany with good clean carving, smooth simple lines, and a simple clear finish. Soundwise, it absolutely sings, gorgeous clear sound through my valve amp. The tone control has a very wide, almost wah like sweep, and sounds best set in the top half of its travel for vintage 1960's Gram Parsons and Neil Young soaring notes. This is a lot of guitar for the money :)

What tunings do you play yours in? i'm still tracking down a decent tutor book so have currently got it tuned to the E,C#,A,E,C#,A the chap in the music shop suggested.

Now I just have to resist replacing the pup with a Bare Knuckle...

*Rahnooo*