13 best lap steel
A lap steel guitar, often referred to simply as a lap steel, is a unique stringed musical instrument primarily associated with folk and world music genres. Here are some key points about lap steel guitars:
Design and Structure: A lap steel guitar has a distinctive design characterized by its lack of a traditional guitar body. Instead, it typically features a flat, elongated, rectangular or teardrop-shaped wooden or metal body. The strings are elevated from the fretboard, and the player plays it horizontally across their lap, hence the name "lap steel."
Strings: Lap steel guitars typically have six or eight strings, though some variations may have fewer or more. These strings are usually made of steel, which contributes to their bright and resonant tone.
Playing Technique: The lap steel is played with a slide, which is a small metal or glass tube that the player places on their fingertips. By sliding the slide along the strings while plucking or picking them, the player can produce smooth and gliding notes. This technique is often associated with the characteristic sliding sound that the lap steel guitar is known for.
Tunings: Lap steel guitars can be tuned to various open tunings, which means that the strings are tuned to form a chord when played open (without pressing on the frets). Common tunings include open G, open D, and open C, among others. The choice of tuning can significantly affect the instrument's sound and the type of music it is suitable for.
Musical Styles: Lap steel guitars are versatile instruments and are used in a variety of musical genres. They are particularly associated with Hawaiian music, country music, blues, and folk music. In Hawaiian music, the lap steel guitar, often called a "Hawaiian steel guitar," played a pivotal role in shaping the genre's distinctive sound.
Notable Players: Many accomplished musicians have embraced the lap steel guitar in their work.Notable lap steel players include Jerry Byrd (a pioneer in Hawaiian steel guitar), David Gilmour (of Pink Floyd), and Ben Harper, among others.
Amplification: Like electric guitars, lap steel guitars can be played acoustically or amplified. In modern settings, they are often connected to amplifiers to enhance their volume and tonal characteristics.
Lap steel guitars have a unique and evocative sound that has made them a beloved choice for musicians in various genres. Whether used for melodic leads, expressive solos, or adding atmospheric textures to a song, the lap steel guitar is a distinctive instrument that has left a significant mark on the world of folk and world music.
Below you can find our editor's choice of the best lap steel on the market
The Strongest Steel: Second Circle Tattoos Series #1
Bookworm IV: Full Circle: Bookworm Series, Book 4
Knight of the Silver Circle
Dunlop 926 Lap Dawg Tonebar, Chromed Brass
Product description
The Dunlop Lap Dawg Tonebar sports lap steel and dobro players an even more accurate, fast, and efficient way to get awesome sounds! The Lap Dawg Tonebar features a larger radius for more sustain and better vibrato than you'd get with a standard tonebar, while its angled sides allow for more control over fast runs, hammer-ons, and pull-offs. Like all Dunlop products, this tonebar is made for pro-level performance, and it's made to last. Put some bark into your playing and pick up a Lap Dog Tonebar!
- Add sustain and vibrato to your lap guitar playing with the Dunlop Lap Dawg Chromed Brass Tonebar
- Redesigned body with larger radius
- The Dunlop Lap Dawg Chromed Brass Tonebar has a larger radius that adds sustain and vibrato
- The bar's ergonomic body offers a more comfortable grip and side angles that improve speed and clarity for hammer-ons and pull-offs
- 3/4" diameter
User questions & answers
| Question: | Are these slides for lefties too? ... are they truly ambidextrous or are they shaped specifically for righties |
| Answer: | Tom The slide is symmetrical side to side and end to end, so I don't think it makes a difference which hand you use to hold it. It is pretty heavy and a little low. As a beginning Dobro player there are good and bad aspects of those characteristics. I think it is more conducive to effectively barring strings and I think is a little more likely to creating buzz if strings are not muffled. However, being a little lower, it is more natural to muffle or silence strings with your pinky and ring finger. It is a nice slide. I also bought the Shubb slide with the wooden top. I really like that one. |
| Question: | will this work on a regular six string acoustic if i use open tuning |
| Answer: | This will work, but it is a poor choice if you play in normal position. If you lay the guitar down, like Dobro players do, you will be fine. If you keep your guitar upright like most players do, get a finger slide. |
| Question: | Does this slide have a sharp tip for clean pull offs |
| Answer: | The slide has no sharp tip. All edges are rounded. |
| Question: | how much to ship to Perth Australia |
| Answer: | I don't know that. |
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? |
Morrell JMLS-E Premium 6-String Lap Steel Guitar Strings for E-Tuning 14-58
Product description
The JMLS-E Lap Steel String set is for a 6-string lap steel and is intended for an E Tuning. All Morrell strings are manufactured by the makers of most major brands of guitar strings sold worldwide. The only difference between the big label brand strings and Morrell strings is the money you save! .014, .018, .022P, .034N, .046N, .058N This string set is packaged for E tunings. Below are are optional tunings depending on preference and style of play. Alternate tunings may require substitution of string gauges. Tunings: Low to high or 6th through 1st: E: E B E G# B E A6: C# E F# A C# E C6/Am7: C E G A C E E13: E G# B C# E G# E7: B D E G# B E
- Custom String Set to be used with E Tunings
- 6-String Set
- Manufactured by the makers of most big brands of strings
- Nickel Strings
- Perfect for Lap Steel Guitar
User questions & answers
| Question: | What does the letter N mean after the gauges? i've seen p (plain) and w (wound), but what is N |
| Answer: | Not 100% sure but if you look at the lower right corner of the package it says Nickel Streel, so I'm guessing Nickel |
GHS Custom C6th- 6 Lap Steel Guitar Strings Gauges 15-36W - 2 Pack
GHS Custom Strings
Product description
SGN Products
World famous GHS custom C6th-6 Lap Steel Guitar Strings. These lap steel string are custom made to fits any 6 string lap/stand up steel guitars and designed for C6th tuning.
GHS provides air tight packaging and an “Anti-Corrosion Guarantee” with our Nitro-Packs. With our Nitro-Packs we’ve eliminated the oxygen and sealed in nitrogen to insure the utmost line of defense against corrosion and oxidation for each individual string. GHS has implemented the Nitro-Pack into every guitar sized (4” square string envelope) package in the spring of 2016. GHS product is backed by this Anti-Corrosion Guarantee: If you ever open a pack of strings and find one oxidized or corroded, GHS will replace them free of charge*. You deserve strings that are as fresh and brand new as the day they were sealed, whether you open them immediately, or after keeping them in a gig bag for months. GHS delivers with both outstanding protection and a guarantee!
Product reviews have a huge effect on our ability to sell and be successful on Amazon. If you purchase this product, we would REALLY appreciate it if you would take a moment and post a review for us.
International shipping is available, just click on the buy it now button at the top right side of the page
- 2 Sets GHS STRINGS For lap steel guitars
- FITS: Any 6 string lap/stand up steel guitar and designed for C6th tuning.
- STRING GAUGES: 15 18 22p 24w 30w 36w.
- GHS provides air tight packaging called Nitro-Packs. With the Nitro-Packs, GHS has eliminated corrosion and oxidation for each individual string. You deserve fresh strings whether keeping them in a gig bag or pack a seat for months.
- WARRANTY: If you don't love these we'll buy them back, no questions asked. MAKE YOUR PURCHASE NOW!!!
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. |
Learn To Play C6 Lap Steel Guitar - For Absolute Beginner to Intermediate Level
GHS Electric Lap Steel Strings G Tuning 16-58
Ghs
Product description
Nickel roundwound, 016 018 026 040W 050W 058W, G-tuning, works well for 6-string lap steel or resonator guitarÊ
- 016 018 026 040W 050W 058W
User questions & answers
| Question: | New to lap steel - do I have to get different sets for different keys |
| Answer: | Yes, they recommend different size strings for different keys. |
| Question: | Are these strings ball end or loop end |
| Answer: | The ones I received are ball end. Using them on my GIBSON BR-9 and they sound great. They hold snug against the bridge as well. Hope this helps |
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. |
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, 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
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