Just started getting into lap steel, and was wondering what the most standard tuning is, best string setup, and whats the most popular bar. I've got a Fender from Musicians Friend, not the best sounding thing but a good starter.
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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Musician »
Lap Steel Guys
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Joined: Apr 12, 2007 Posts: 428 South Florida |
Posted on Apr 29 2008 08:07 AM
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle 
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Posted on Apr 29 2008 08:31 AM
I bought a '55 champ last summer. I'm not very good. I also don't practice that much. I like the round bars, not the ones that look made from a mold. I think C9 is the most common tuning. I just use open E, although I want to change that. |
Joined: Jul 05, 2006 Posts: 264 Waco Texas |
Posted on Apr 29 2008 09:10 AM
Actually, it's E9 that is a common slack key tuning. Also open D,G, and C work well too. I use a Stevens bar, I guess the one that looks like it came out of a mold. Have not done any slidin in quite a while......may need to drag it out and see if I still can —2012-2013: FILTHY POLAROIDS |
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Joined: Sep 24, 2007 Posts: 2728 
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Posted on Apr 29 2008 10:16 AM
This post has been removed by the author. Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 17:09:50 |
Joined: Dec 12, 2006 Posts: 2681 Ventura, CA 
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Posted on Apr 29 2008 11:06 AM
Slack key guitar is not a lap steel style, it is a fingerpicking style played on a 12-string ,usually tuned down to D (hence the name). |
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Joined: Mar 31, 2006 Posts: 37 Moss Landing, California
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Posted on Apr 29 2008 11:23 AM
Does anyone know of any good instructional lap steel books or DVD's? |
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Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 73
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Posted on Apr 29 2008 11:51 AM
I hesitate to reply since I my thoughts echo Zak's comments exactly. The bullet bar is the most popular, though I must confess that I'm partial to the Shubb-Pierce SP-1 bar. It is simular to the old Stevens bar, but with a rounded end. C6th is probably the most popular tuning on a six string. I settled into an A6th tuning on an eight string, which gives me a C6th tuning on strings two through seven with an extra high string and an extra low string. Here is a web site to answer any questions that may come up specifically about steel guitars. http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/index.php Have fun, |
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Joined: Sep 24, 2007 Posts: 2728
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Posted on Apr 29 2008 12:46 PM
This post has been removed by the author. Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 17:13:37 |
Joined: Feb 26, 2008 Posts: 540 Copenhagen, Denmark 
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Posted on Apr 29 2008 01:24 PM
Cool post, Zak! I'm still learning my way around the C6 'walt disney hawaii' tuning. Great fun! Let me recommend these guys: http://www.myspace.com/billerandhorton Take a listen to 'tiki tiki'. Excellent! — |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3797 North Atlantic 
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Posted on Apr 29 2008 03:59 PM
I use this tuning on my Kalamazoo: CEGACE I agree with Zak that it is great for Western Swing, and is quite versatile for other styles too. My fave bar is the Brozophonic, designed by Bob Brozman, and modelled after Sol Hoopi's bar. It's great for a 6 string lap steel. I've got both of Cindy Cashdollars instructional DVDs, and a wack of old Western Swing tunes. Both have been great instructional tools. Check out JW Wakefield (CD out on ecco-phonic). He is outstanding. rev —Canadian Surf |
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Joined: Apr 12, 2007 Posts: 428 South Florida |
Posted on Apr 30 2008 07:17 AM
Wow, thanks guys, more than I can digest in one meal....I have been trying to learn traditional Hawaiian styles, I have loved the sound all my life, but never really went at it, I haven't been able to put the thing down for a couple of weeks now. There is a huge Hawaiian community in my neighborhood, that has some really great players, and are willing to share with the haole as well. — |
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Joined: Apr 29, 2008 Posts: 4 |
Posted on Apr 30 2008 05:44 PM
Do people use lap steels for surf? |
Joined: Aug 23, 2006 Posts: 2123 The jungle 
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Posted on Apr 30 2008 06:08 PM
C# for me. Although my steel has a Rowe (Oahu) Stringtone bridge that uses a cam and levers to change tunings on the fly (from E to A to C#, in case you are curious.) —Last edited: Apr 30, 2008 18:14:09 |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3546 mojave desert, california
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Posted on Apr 30 2008 06:12 PM
mike: Last edited: Apr 30, 2008 18:14:34 |
Joined: May 14, 2007 Posts: 1753
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Posted on Apr 30 2008 06:13 PM
"Do people use lap steels for surf?" Traditionally, it hasn't been, but I know that Gary Brandin of the Vanduras has done some nice work that while not strictly surf, really points the way in which steel can be incorporated in that music. Especially good for the slow, moody stuff. I have chased the steel guitar thing off and on for the better part of 10 years or so. Zak's post is a wealth of info and mostly right on, so there isn't much more to add there. You asked about bars. I also have and like the Brozophonic. Another very popular choice is the Dunlop Jerry Byrd model. I think it's the same diameter as the Brozophonic, but 1/8" shorter for a slightly different feel. If you are interested in Hawaiian, and have access to Hawaiian teacher, then I'd say forget the books, and watch and listen a lot to those guys. You are very fortunate since no book can ever teach you the unique feel these guys have in their soul. reverbmike, I have used the Mel Bay book, which if I remember is E7 instruction. I think it's a lot easier to find instruction in C6 as far as books and dvds go. Dewitt Scott has a basic C6 book out, but really, there does not seem to be a whole lot available for lap steel in general. Last edited: Apr 30, 2008 18:40:04 |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3546 mojave desert, california
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Posted on Apr 30 2008 06:22 PM
Brad's Page of Steel looks kind of cool. |
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Joined: Sep 24, 2007 Posts: 2728
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Posted on Apr 30 2008 07:16 PM
This post has been removed by the author. Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 17:13:27 |
Joined: Apr 24, 2006 Posts: 1618 Ithaca, NY
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Posted on Apr 30 2008 07:53 PM
I've only heard one of those two ("Gutterball," the Pipeline ripoff). Zak's right, it works really well. I love that song. One of my favorite first-wavers. |
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Joined: May 14, 2007 Posts: 1753
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Posted on Apr 30 2008 08:05 PM
I know Mr. Brozman would heartily agree. I have alot of respect for him as true keeper of the flame and player/musicologist of the National and it's players. Those are great clips. Since Hoopii and Nawahi was mentioned, here is a link to a cd I have been enjoying of another early acoustic Hawaiian player, Sam Ku West. This is a compilation of some very rare material. Sensitive playing and tricone tone to die for: |
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Joined: Aug 23, 2006 Posts: 2123 The jungle
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Posted on May 01 2008 01:25 AM
Bob Brozman is the real deal. I have a few of his CDs and love them but never had seen him play his instrument. This is a real trip: VIDEO — |
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