14 best lap steel guitars
Lap steel guitars are musical instruments used primarily in the world of music, and they are not directly related to Movies, TV, Music Videos, or Genre for Featured Categories. However, they are commonly associated with certain music genres and have been featured in various musical performances and recordings.
Here's what you should know about lap steel guitars:
Instrument Type: A lap steel guitar is a type of steel guitar that is played horizontally on the player's lap, as opposed to the traditional guitar, which is played vertically.It is played using a steel or glass slide (also known as a "steel bar") that is slid along the strings to produce notes.
Musical Genres: Lap steel guitars are most commonly associated with genres such as country, blues, Hawaiian, and Western swing. They are known for their smooth and melodic tones, making them suitable for creating expressive and emotive music.
Construction: Lap steel guitars typically have a hollow or semi-hollow body and are designed to be played while laid flat on the lap. They often have a raised nut to elevate the strings, making it easier to slide the steel bar along the fretboard.
Tunings: Lap steel guitars can be tuned in various ways, with the most common tunings being open tunings. These open tunings allow for easy chord changes and slide techniques. The choice of tuning can greatly affect the instrument's sound and playability.
Notable Players: There have been many accomplished lap steel guitarists throughout the history of music. Some notable players include David Lindley, Jerry Byrd, and Sol Hoopii, among others.
Usage: Lap steel guitars have been used in a wide range of musical contexts, from solo performances to accompanying bands and vocalists. They are known for their ability to add a unique and emotive quality to music.
While lap steel guitars may not be directly related to Movies, TV, Music Videos, or specific genre categories in those fields, they have made occasional appearances in musical performances on television and in movies, particularly in scenes that feature country or blues music. However, their primary significance lies in the realm of music and live musical performances.
Below you can find our editor's choice of the best lap steel guitars on the market
Rogue RLS-1 Lap Steel Guitar with Stand and Gig Bag Metallic Blue
Rogue
Product description
RLS-1 Lap Steel Guitar with Stand and Gig Bag Metallic Blue. Slide into some classic country, Hawaiian, and blues tones with the affordable Rogue RLS1 Lap Steel Guitar. It features a hardwood body and neck with position markers, a single-coil pickup, volume and tone controls, chrome hardware, and a stainless steel pickguard. Includes gig bag and legs. Be sure to pick up a slide - we've got lots of cool models available!
- Produces classic country, Hawaiian, and blues tones Hardwood body Hardwood neck with position markers Single-coil pickup Volume and tone controls Chrome hardware Geared Tuners Single slant pickup Carry bag Includes 3 screw-in height-adjustable legs Stainless steel pickguard Includes legs
- Slide into some classic country, Hawaiian, and blues tones with the affordable Rogue RLS1 Lap Steel Guitar
- It features a hardwood body and neck with position markers, a single-coil pickup, volume and tone controls, chrome hardware, and a stainless steel pickguard
- Includes gig bag and legs
- Be sure to pick up a slide - we've got lots of cool models available! Slide into some classic country, Hawaiian, and blues tones with the affordable Rogue RLS1 Lap Steel Guitar
User questions & answers
| Question: | Do I need an amplifier |
| Answer: | Yes, you will need an amplifier for the Rogue. The strings don't press against the frets as in an acoustic guitar, but pick up the vibrations mid air. The Rogue body is too thick to clamp a Snark tuner to it. C-clamp a piece of cardboard to the body. Clamp the Snark to the cardboard. Cheers. |
| Question: | What size and type of strings does this guitar use |
| Answer: | The instrument has a 21" scale length, which is shorter than a regular guitar, and mine came equipped with .15"-.35" strings, which work well for C6 tuning. You can buy Lap Steel strings specific for the tuning that you wish to use, at a price similar to regular guitar strings. |
| Question: | do you need speakers |
| Answer: | Yes, you need to amplify this just as you would any other electric guitar. Playing it unplugged is like playing any electric guitar unplugged, you can only barely hear the strings vibrating. It is intended to be plugged into an instrument amplifier. |
| Question: | Can this guitar be converted to left-handed |
| Answer: | Don't see why not. Just string it for left handed play same as you would any regular right handed guitar. |
Gretsch G5700 Electromatic Lap Steel with White Plastic Fretboard - Tobacco
Gretsch Guitars
Product description
Electromatic Lap Steel Guitar Tobacco Sunburst
- Chrome single coil pickup Volume and tone controls Chrome hardware Art deco control plate
User questions & answers
| Question: | Is the price of $349 in U.S.A. dollars |
| Answer: | Yes, it can perfectly fit for a 15.6 hp 15t-da*** series keyboard cover, include HP 15.6" 15t-da000 |
| Question: | what does electromatic mean |
| Answer: | yes, it is a HP Laptop - 17z-ca200 keyboard cover |
| Question: | What kind of bridge does it have? Its covered in the pictures and not specified. Is the bridge adjustable for intonation |
| Answer: | No, it cannot fit. Below product link it the keyboard cover for your hp notebook 15-f272wm https://www.amazon.com/Keyboard-m6-ae151dx-m6-p113dx-Pavilion-15-ax-Candy/dp/B07MD1FTSN/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=MUBUY+HP+M6+KEYBOARD+COVER&qid=1578233307&sr=8-2 |
| Question: | What kind of tuning does it have when it comes from the factory |
| Answer: | Yes, it is a HP 15dy1023dx keyboard cover |
SX Lap 2 Ash 3TS Electric Lap Steel Guitar w/Bag
SX
Product description
This full size American swamp ash body lap steel features 36 frets and offers a single coil pickup for clear and bright sound. Unlike a typical guitar, the strings of a lap steel are not pressed to a fret when sounding a note; rather, the player holds a metal slide called a steel (or tone bar) in one hand, which is moved along the strings to change the instrument's pitch while the other hand plucks or picks the strings. It is perfect for Blues, Rock, Hawaiian, Country, Bluegrass, and Western Swing. The strings are spaced widely, with 3/8" between each one. This makes it very easy and enjoyable to play. The single coil pickup has 8K ohm resistance. Measurements Overall length: 36 1/2" Body length: 13" Scale length: 24 3/4" Width at lower bout: 8 3/4" Width at upper bout: 6 9/16" Body length 13 3/4" Width at the nut: 2 5/16" Width at the 12th fret: 2 5/8" Width at the 20th fret 2 7/8" Body thickness: 1" String spacing at the nut: 1/4" (2 1/16" overall) String spacing at the bridge 3/8" (2 3/4" overall) String sizes: .010,.015,.017,.022w,.028,.032,.038,.052
- A full size 36 fret lap steel guitar
- American swamp ash body with rosewood fretboard
- Diecast chrome tuners plus Volume & Tone knobs
- P90 pickup
- Removable lap steel stand and padded carry bag included
User questions & answers
| Question: | What tuning does this come with |
| Answer: | Q: How do you tune it?A: The lap steel comes from the factory tuned to Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D). However, unlikely most any other lap steel available, this model comes with an ADJUSTABLE BRIDGE, which means a variety of tunings are possible. Blues and Rock players tend to favor Open G and Open A. Open A raises each of the notes a whole-step (2 frets) to E-A-E-A-C#-E. Open D and Open E are also commonly used. Open D is tuned D-A-D-F#-A-D, and open E is a whole-step higher: E-B-E-G#-B-E. Joe Perry of Aerosmith uses Open E on his electric lap steel. David Lindley is another player who uses transposed variations of these tunings. Bluegrass and Country Dobro players tend to favor an altered G tuning, often called "High-G", where the 6th string is tuned up to "G" instead of down to "D", and the 5th string is also tuned up, to B: G-B-D-G-B-D. They also sometimes raise it up to "High-A": A-C#-E-A-C#-E. |
| Question: | Does this one have an adjustable bridge |
| Answer: | Yes it does - please see photos in listing. Each string is individually adjustable. Almost no other lap steel on the market has this feature. |
| Question: | Has anyone replaced the p90 pickup with a seymour duncan or other humbucker pickup. any serious problems making this change |
| Answer: | Yeah I have an eight string it was a single coil pickup I had a replaced humbugging pickup it made a big difference |
| Question: | The discription reads ash body and maple fret board, the photo shows rosewood fret board, which is correct |
| Answer: | It's rosewood on mine. Perhaps the natural finish version has a maple neck... |
SX LAP 3 Black Lap Steel Guitar w/Free Carry Bag
Product description
This full size basswood body lap steel features 36 frets and offers a single coil pickup for clear and bright sound. It is perfect for Blues, Rock, Hawaiian, Country, Bluegrass, and Western Swing. This lap steel includes a convenient carry bag and glass side to it's ready to start playing as soon as you receive Measurements Overall length: 33 1/8" Body length: 12 7/8"" Scale length: 22 3/4" Width at lower bout: 8 1/4" Width at upper bout: 5 7/8" Width at the nut: 2" at the 12th fret: 2 1/4" String spacing at the nut 5/16" (1 3/4" overall) String spacing at the bridge 3/8" (2" overall) Body thickness: 1 1/16" Body width at lower bout: 7 1/8" upper: 5 3/4" String sizes: .011, .015,.022w,.028,.036,.052
- Full Size, 36 Frets, Lap Steel Guitar!
- Includes carry bag and glass slide
- One piece neck-through design
- One volume control and one tone control
User questions & answers
| Question: | What guage strings does it ship with? What tuning is the factory strings made for? G? C |
| Answer: | Ships with String sizes: .011, .015,.022w,.028,.036,.052 |
| Question: | Is the cable included |
| Answer: | Sorry, no only the items show in the photo and included in the description are included. A standard guitar 1/4" guitar cord is what is used. |
| Question: | Does this require a special kind of tuner; or will a regular Snark guitar tuner work |
| Answer: | That will depend on the tuning you set on the lap steel - if you use regular guitar tuning E to E then the tuner will work - otherwise, and more likely, you will need a chromatic tuner. |
| Question: | What country is the SX lap steel guitar made |
| Answer: | All SX products are made in China |
Lap Steel Guitar 6 Steel String, Metallic Black Finish
Harmonia
Product description
* 6 string lap steel guitar, bolt on construction solid hardwood body, * metallic black gloss polish, plastic fingerboard, chromed bridge, plastic pearl-white electric board * the overall length is 29 1/2", the nut width is 2", the scale length is 27 1/2", the largest width for lower end is 6 1/2"; the top width is 2 5/8" the scale length : 21" (533mm) * 28 brass frets, geared machine tuners single coil pickup, 1 volume & 1 tone controls * It's an unique instrument and very good price
- lap steel guitar ,6 steel string, metallic black polish
- it comes with a cable
- plastic fingerboard, plastic pearl-white electric board and chromed bridge
- the overall length is 29 1/2" , the nut width is 2", the scale length is 21"
User questions & answers
| Question: | Is the body made out of plastic as well as the fretboard |
| Answer: | The body is made of wood and the fret board is made of plastic.Thanks! |
| Question: | Do you need an amp with this?if so what kind |
| Answer: | Yes, need an amp , just normal amp is fine. Thanks! |
| Question: | any idea who made the pickups |
| Answer: | My dad |
| Question: | Is this still available |
| Answer: | Yes, please check it on Amazon by ASIN# B01EPDQS1W or check all our instruments by store name " mangolulu18". Thanks and please let us know if you have any more questions. |
Lap Steel Guitar, Okoume Body (sunburst)
Gstyle
Product description
*Fretless 6 string lap steel guitar , solid Okoume body *Color:black or sunburst * chromed bridge & tailpiece * the overall length is 33 1/4" , the nut width is 2", the largest width for lower bount is 10" * the scale length : 23 1/8" (591mm) * geared machine tuners single coil pickup and 1 volume and 1 tone controls * 1/4" out put jack, plug to an amplifier to make sound out * It's an unique instrument and very good price
- Fretless 6 string lap steel guitar
- the overall length is 33 1/4" , the nut width is 2", the largest width for lower bount is 10"
- the scale length : 23 1/8" (591mm)
- die cast machine tuners single coil pickup and 1 volume and 1 tone controls
- 1/4" out put jack, plug to an amplifier to make sound out
The Hal Leonard Lap Steel Guitar Method (GUITARE)
Hal Leonard
Recording King RG-32-SN Lap Steel Guitar, Sunburst
Recording King
Product description
The Recording King Lap Steel guitar is made of solid mahogany and the string-through-body design makes for full, powerful sustain. A single EMG-designed Alnico P-90 pickup gives it excellent tone. The open geared tuners make staying in tune a breeze and offer classic looks with modern reliability. The single volume and tone controls allow players to control the tonal texture from classic country lines to searing blues licks.
- Solid Mahogany Body
- Single EMG-Designed P-90 Pickup
- Volume and Tone Constrols
- Open Geared Tuners
- String-Through Body Desing
User questions & answers
| Question: | How many octave fretboard |
| Answer: | 26 frets, so it's two octaves and change. |
| Question: | Does this product come with a gigbag |
| Answer: | No, it comes in a box |
| Question: | What is the scale length |
| Answer: | 23" from nut to bridge. |
| Question: | what is the action height? ( fret to string distance |
| Answer: | According to my tape measure, it is 3/8 at the nut end and 9/16 at the pickup end of the fret board. I measured both from the surface of the fret board to the strings. This is how I received if from the vendor. |
Recording King Lap Steel Guitar, Natural
Recording King
Product description
Recording King Lap Steel
- Solid Mahogany Body
- Single EMG-Designed P-90 Pickup
- Volume and Tone Constrols
- Open Geared Tuners
- String-Through body Desing
User questions & answers
| Question: | Is this the same as the recording king sg-32-sn |
| Answer: | No the other one has a different pick up. |
| Question: | does this lap steel come with a protects bag |
| Answer: | No-it came in a cardboard box...but it's a really good, inexpensive lap steel. I just used it for the 1st time on a recording (with a wah wah) and it was a blast! |
| Question: | can you use 15 gauge strings |
| Answer: | Yes. Many players use this gauge and even 16's...a nice clean, full and sustaining sound...not thin sounding like lighter gauges. |
| Question: | The photos show both a slotted and solid headstock. Which one do they deliver |
| Answer: | There seem to be a zillion of these things around, and I have never seen one that didn't have a solid headstock. The one I bought from Amazon has a solid headstock. The photos of the slotted headstock are a little confusing. I looked at the Recording King website and the only thing shown there is a solid headstock. I do note that the price seems to have gone up recently, so I am wondering if there isn't perhaps a newer model with a slotted headstock, but... who knows? |
Fretboard Roadmaps - Lap Steel Guitar: The Essential Patterns That All Great Steel Players Know and Use
Hal Leonard
Mastering the Lap Steel Guitar
Mel Bay Publications, Inc.
Don Helms - Your Cheatin' Heart - Steel Guitar Song Book: E13th Non Pedal
Basic C6th Nonpedal Lap Steel Method
Learn To Play C6 Lap Steel Guitar - For Absolute Beginners
Product description
Learn To Play C6 Lap Steel Guitar - DVD#1 For Absolute Beginners.
This DVD will teach you all the basics of playing the C6 Lap Steel Guitar.
Running time is 2hrs 38min, and the lessons will take you from the basics of tuning, left- and right-hand technique, chords, scales, sliding, behind-the-bar bends, and a variety of licks, tricks and techniques, up through playing your first few songs.
DVD#2 (search for it here on Amazon or on joedocmusic_com) picks up where this DVD leaves off, taking you through a variety of example pieces from traditional to country, blues, and swing.
Professionally filmed, featuring the "over the shoulder view" so you see the lap steel as you do when playing. On screen tablature and notation helps you learn the examples more easily, and the eBook and audio (on the data portion of the DVD) provide printable versions of the lessons, exercises and example songs as well as a variety of further lessons including a music theory primer and how to read tablature.
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