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Resonator Guitar Lovers Online
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For those who cross over between square neck resonator and electric lap steel…
What lap steel models do you find offer the most similar string spacing and feel as compared to square neck reso? Specifically, 1) nut width somewhere in the 1 7/8 - 2” zone, 2) bridge string spacing around 2 1/4” or so. Scale length is of lesser importance, but 24-25” is ideal. Pickup cover/palm rest would also be ideal, but not mandatory.
Asher and Lap King are promising. Any others from this crew?
Yeah, I may try posting in SGF at some point, but wanted to check with a reso community first.
BTW, I do play some lap steel. I am not fond of narrow strings and non-tapered string setups. It messes me up spatially when I switch back and forth. (I also failed at 8-string resonator for same reason…). Hence the inquiry.
Thanks much!
P.S. - if this post is not appropriate for RH forum, moderator or I can delete.
I prefer dobro string spacing (11/32" between strings, 1 3/4" 1st to 6th) on my lap steels, but it seems like 3/8" spacing (string to string) is preferred by a lot of people on steel. I replaced the nuts on all my steels so they're all at dobro spacing.
For new steels, the Gold Tone LS-6 is 25" scale, but I don't know the spacing. I believe IndustrialGuitar has made a dobro-spec steel in the past, including a 25" scale, so that's a possibility too.
Thank you both! Ah yes, the Gold Tone LS-6, had forgotten that one, looks promising.
The Duesy looks compelling as well. 2.13” bridge string spacing might be doable, I’ll need to noodle that. Truth be told, installing benders is one of the moves I have in mind…this would streamline that into one purchase.
Many thanks.
Jamie, for what it’s worth, the Asher with the belly bar plays very much like a dobro. It just feels familiar. The Duesenberg, not so much. The Duessy’s fittings and finish is really top shelf…..but it just seems like a different intstrument, not dobro like.
The Asher plays like a dobro with a turbo under the hood. If forced to choose, I’d take the Asher.
quote:
Originally posted by Lounge PrimateJamie, for what it’s worth, the Asher with the belly bar plays very much like a dobro. It just feels familiar. The Duesenberg, not so much. The Duessy’s fittings and finish is really top shelf…..but it just seems like a different intstrument, not dobro like.
The Asher plays like a dobro with a turbo under the hood. If forced to choose, I’d take the Asher.
Thank you. I'm likely going to buy an Asher Jr and install a double bender. I appreciate your insights!
quote:
Originally posted by FrederickPattersonPeavey Powerslide if you can find one at a reasonable price. I sometimes wish I still had mine…
Thanks, yeah, cool lap steels. I've tried these though, and for standing, they didn't "slot" comfortably against my hip/belly. Gotta love these though!
quote:
Originally posted by little rayYour eyes and fingers can get together in string spacing. Working the dobro or a lap steel can lead to good results.
No question about it. I have lap steels with narrower string spacing and shorter scales. I can get in a groove on it...but I don't like the feel, and a quick transfer back to Dobro results in some clunkers while my fingers and brain re-adjust to wider spacing. I figure why not just minimize the variables with one of the lap steel models with wider spacing/longer scale.
Most cross-over players apparently don't suffer this affliction...lol. I really don't like narrow spacing at the bridge. Even 1/4" bridge difference is quite noticeable to me.
Thanks.
Edited by - JC Dobro on 04/13/2024 07:42:23
quote:
Originally posted by mesmithutI also have an Asher Electro-Hawaiian Jr and it feels pretty much just like my Beard and Nati-Horn. I think that would be a safe choice if the main goal is to feel like a dobro. And it's well built and sounds good with the stock electronics. I've never added a belly bar so I can't speak to that.
Thanks Mark! Very helpful info.
I opted for an Asher Electro Hawaiian Jr. They had a sale on the blue version, so I applied the savings toward a Hipshot bender assembly. Loads of fun! Great sounding lap steel, and yes, the string spacing is perfect for me.
Many thanks for the tips above!
quote:
Originally posted by Terry HarrisI really like my Electro Hawaiian but I hated the pickups so I replaced them immediately.
It'll take me a few days to form a good opinion. The pickups are certainly different than the single coils I'm used to on lap steels. What did you replace 'em with?
quote:
Originally posted by Terry HarrisSeymour Duncan, Seth Lover at the neck and a Seymour Dubncan Custom Custom at the bridge
Thanks much! Those look like great options.
I'll echo the two themes :
Asher EH Jr ( used , pre 2017) , to mimic the feel of playing Reso . It does , and at jams I have them in side by side stands , to instantly switch off .
And hated the OEM pickups. To be charitable , they would work for distorted blues rock , but opposite of what I wanted . With radical pickup adjustments, and use of 7 band EQ pedal could get somewhat usable , but nowhere near a stock Grescth 5700 .
I replaced the bridge p.u. with a Seymore Duncan 59 . It sounds great .
But downside is that at present it is a de facto single pickup instrument. The clarity of the 59 make the OEM Neck p.u. hopelessly muddy by comparison . And the difference in output is so great , they can't play well together .
Eventually I'll figure which direction I want to go with the Neck p.u. i.e. a match for the 59 , or something different to provide even " twang -ier , and able to pleasingly blend in position 2 .
I even aquired a single HB Steel , and a stack of various cheap p.u. of different types , to serve as a test bed . But with my workaholic zero sum schedule, haven't been able to dive into a project of that scope yet .
Contacted Pete Biltoft at Vintage Vibe, and he recommended his 7-string Dual Blade Humbucker for the vintage clean "steel" sound I was chasing with the Asher Jr. (w/ palm pedals). Since the Asher has wider string spacing at the bridge, the 7-string dual blade works perfectly for string coverage. It wasn't a drop-in compatible pickup (as he forewarned), so there were some routing and mounting gymnastics.
I just straight-up removed the neck pickup. It wasn't gonna' play nice with the VV Humbucker, and frankly, the neck pickup was just getting in my way as I picked higher up the neck. I'll just cover the neck cavity with pickguard material or similar to make it prettier.
If I ever want to overdrive this lap steel, I'll just use my Tube Screamer.
Pete at VV hit it out of the park, as usual. I'm thrilled w/ this lap steel now.
Most likely I'm gonna' mount a pickup cover to 1) give a similar feel to a Dobro bridge cover, and 2) make it a little easier to engage the palm pedals.
Fun, fun!
Anyhow, thanks everyone for the inputs on this thread.
P.S. - the ugly lever wraps are a temporary measure to make them more comfortable. I'll do a better long term wrap. :)
Edited by - JC Dobro on 06/14/2024 15:35:29
Bigg, I don’t actually see this pickup on his website, but Pete will do them as a custom wind. I need to correct myself in that the pickup is called a “Lap Steel Dual Blade 6 Humbucker”. The extra wide blades (2.62 in.) make for easy coverage of strings on wider bridge 6 strings like the Asher Jr. (I had mixed the naming with an option 2 that he also provided, which was indeed a 7-string bucker…but I went with option 1). Photo below. I also have technical specs, but if you’re interested, you should contact Pete Biltoft directly for info.
Eric, you’re very kind on offering latex tubing…I do have some sections here, you’ve spurred me to get some pieces sized and cut. Thanks for offering though!
quote:
Originally posted by docslydJamie:
Perhaps some latex tubing on the palm levers would be comfortable and look good. I have a couple of sections of black latex in various dimensions if you would like to try it out.
Check out the "finger board" tape the Troy uses (1:54 )
https://youtu.be/ob9H6XvWSEM?feature=shared
I ordered some from Amazon. It works great.
Who knew there were hobbyists that played games with miniature skaeboards?
Edited by - Lounge Primate on 06/15/2024 13:25:53
quote:
Originally posted by Lounge Primatequote:
Originally posted by docslydJamie:
Perhaps some latex tubing on the palm levers would be comfortable and look good. I have a couple of sections of black latex in various dimensions if you would like to try it out.Check out the "finger board" tape the Troy uses (1:54 )
https://youtu.be/ob9H6XvWSEM?feature=shared
I ordered some from Amazon. It works great.Who knew there were hobbyists that played games with miniature skaeboards?
Thanks! Great recommendation. And yes, who knew?
My suggestion to anyone messing with palm benders…
Pay attention to how your wrist/hand responds to the repetitive bending motions.
For the second time, I overdid it on a practice session and am icing my wrist for signs of tendonitis.
For me, the issue is most apparent when engaging one lever at a time, as it requires some unnatural contortion. Both levers engaged is not as problematic. And yes, I’ve studied the actions of various players on YT. My motions seem very similar.
Anyhow, my personal limit seems to be about 45 mins for a benders practice session.
YMMV.
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