Discussion:
online beginner resources?
(too old to reply)
Joe
2008-12-11 17:48:46 UTC
Permalink
Are there any Get-Started-on Lap Steel resources online? I cant find
any. My Supro arrived and is warming up in the box. My DVD's wont get
here for a couple days probably...

OK it must be warm enough already... :-)
Joe
2008-12-11 20:39:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by Joe
Are there any Get-Started-on Lap Steel resources online? I cant find
any. My Supro arrived and is warming up in the box. My DVD's wont get
here for a couple days probably...
OK it must be warm enough already... :-)
Oh...found something that should keep me plenty busy in C6 once my old
Airline arrives tomorrow.
http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Tab/LapTab.html

The Supro appears to be strung for open G.
olddog
2008-12-11 22:02:59 UTC
Permalink
Post by Joe
Post by Joe
Are there any Get-Started-on Lap Steel resources online? I cant find
any. My Supro arrived and is warming up in the box. My DVD's wont get
here for a couple days probably...
OK it must be warm enough already... :-)
Oh...found something that should keep me plenty busy in C6 once my old
Airline arrives tomorrow.
http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Tab/LapTab.html
The Supro appears to be strung for open G.
Cool....Thanks for that.

Olddog
olddog
2008-12-11 22:50:38 UTC
Permalink
Post by Joe
Post by Joe
Are there any Get-Started-on Lap Steel resources online? I cant find
any. My Supro arrived and is warming up in the box. My DVD's wont get
here for a couple days probably...
OK it must be warm enough already... :-)
Oh...found something that should keep me plenty busy in C6 once my old
Airline arrives tomorrow.
http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Tab/LapTab.html
The Supro appears to be strung for open G.
Did you see the lap steel he got for $99.00?

From the recordings it sounds pretty good. But he's got some nice recording
equip. too.

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Rondo/Rondo.html

I guess this is where you order them.

http://www.rondomusic.com/index.html

Olddog
Tony Done
2008-12-12 07:00:06 UTC
Permalink
Post by Joe
Post by Joe
Are there any Get-Started-on Lap Steel resources online? I cant find
any. My Supro arrived and is warming up in the box. My DVD's wont get
here for a couple days probably...
OK it must be warm enough already... :-)
Oh...found something that should keep me plenty busy in C6 once my old
Airline arrives tomorrow.http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Tab/LapTab.html
The Supro appears to be strung for open G.
Thanks for that link, I'm not a big fan of C6 tuning, but there are a
lot of licks and tricks in there that could well get me interested.

Tony D
olddog
2008-12-12 17:54:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by Joe
Post by Joe
Are there any Get-Started-on Lap Steel resources online? I cant find
any. My Supro arrived and is warming up in the box. My DVD's wont get
here for a couple days probably...
OK it must be warm enough already... :-)
Oh...found something that should keep me plenty busy in C6 once my old
Airline arrives tomorrow.http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Tab/LapTab.html
The Supro appears to be strung for open G.
Thanks for that link, I'm not a big fan of C6 tuning, but there are a
lot of licks and tricks in there that could well get me interested.

Tony D

===========================================

There are some backing tracks in there too. I think he uses a modified C6
where he #'s the C too. I haven't really reserched it yet because I don't
have a lap steel tuned to C6.

What do yout think of that Rondo he's using? I read some reviews and some
say the p/u is weak. Do you think it's an adjustment? It looks like it's
just screwed into the body with no adjustment.

It sure *looks* like a more expensive guitar. I read some other Rondo
reviews at Harmony Central and they score very high.

http://www.rondomusic.com/lg1na.html


Olddog
Tony Done
2008-12-12 20:18:56 UTC
Permalink
Post by Tony Done
Post by Joe
Post by Joe
Are there any Get-Started-on Lap Steel resources online? I cant find
any. My Supro arrived and is warming up in the box. My DVD's wont get
here for a couple days probably...
OK it must be warm enough already... :-)
Oh...found something that should keep me plenty busy in C6 once my old
Airline arrives tomorrow.http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Tab/LapTab.html
The Supro appears to be strung for open G.
Thanks for that link, I'm not a big fan of C6 tuning, but there are a
lot of licks and tricks in there that could well get me interested.
Tony D
===========================================
There are some backing tracks in there too. I think he uses a modified C6
where he #'s the C too. I haven't really reserched it yet because I don't
have a lap steel tuned to C6.
What do yout think of that Rondo he's using? I read some reviews and some
say the p/u is weak. Do you think it's an adjustment? It looks like it's
just screwed into the body with no adjustment.
It sure *looks* like a more expensive guitar. I read some other Rondo
reviews at Harmony Central and they score very high.
http://www.rondomusic.com/lg1na.html
Olddog
I've seen those SX lap steels here in Oz, and they really caught my
eye with their simple functional look. The pickup might not be the
best, and because it is top-mounted it might need a bit of woodworking
to install a better one. I can see it in two different ways, what
looks like a very good beginner's lap steel, or as a starting point
for a pickup modding project. FWIW, Mike Brown, who gave me that
wonderful Bedford 8-string, bought one of these.

Tony D
Red Dog
2008-12-15 23:12:30 UTC
Permalink
Hey olddog - I bought a Rondo SX about 8-9 months ago when I got interested
in lap steel and when my 'make one in my shop at home' project suffered some
setbacks. In any case the pickup is not great but does the job. One oddity
is that they use screws to hold the cover plate onto the body - so whenever
you want/need to change strings, you have to get a screw-driver. I replaced
my with some handy dandy hard plastic thumb screws - works fine now. For the
money it is hard to beat for a knock around instrument. Mine came with a HS
case and get this - a STRAP! ha!

Good luck
Red Dog
Post by Tony Done
Post by Joe
Post by Joe
Are there any Get-Started-on Lap Steel resources online? I cant find
any. My Supro arrived and is warming up in the box. My DVD's wont get
here for a couple days probably...
OK it must be warm enough already... :-)
Oh...found something that should keep me plenty busy in C6 once my old
Airline arrives tomorrow.http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Tab/LapTab.html
The Supro appears to be strung for open G.
Thanks for that link, I'm not a big fan of C6 tuning, but there are a
lot of licks and tricks in there that could well get me interested.
Tony D
===========================================
There are some backing tracks in there too. I think he uses a modified C6
where he #'s the C too. I haven't really reserched it yet because I don't
have a lap steel tuned to C6.
What do yout think of that Rondo he's using? I read some reviews and some
say the p/u is weak. Do you think it's an adjustment? It looks like it's
just screwed into the body with no adjustment.
It sure *looks* like a more expensive guitar. I read some other Rondo
reviews at Harmony Central and they score very high.
http://www.rondomusic.com/lg1na.html
Olddog
olddog
2008-12-16 00:11:12 UTC
Permalink
Post by Red Dog
Hey olddog - I bought a Rondo SX about 8-9 months ago when I got
interested in lap steel and when my 'make one in my shop at home' project
suffered some setbacks. In any case the pickup is not great but does the
job. One oddity is that they use screws to hold the cover plate onto the
body - so whenever you want/need to change strings, you have to get a
screw-driver. I replaced my with some handy dandy hard plastic thumb
screws - works fine now. For the money it is hard to beat for a knock
around instrument. Mine came with a HS case and get this - a STRAP! ha!
Good luck
Red Dog
So I take it you got the one with the one piece ashtray pot holder? I might
pick up one of those new ones.

So the pickup and string height is non adjustable? There are a few
complaints on the pickup being out of alinement but if I can adjust the
height that shouldn't make any difference should it?

I mean if it's a bit off just raise it some. Shouldn't that make up the
difference? I guess the question is can you raise the pickup?

I like your idea to replace the screws. I'll look into that.

If you were to replace the pup do you have any suggestions? A Fender tele
pup?

With a HSC I really can't see how this deal could go wrong.

Olddog
Tony Done
2008-12-16 12:30:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by Red Dog
interested in lap steel and when my 'make one in my shop at home' project
suffered some setbacks. In any case the pickup is not great but does the
job. One oddity is that they use screws to hold the cover plate onto the
body - so whenever you want/need to change strings, you have to get a
screw-driver. I replaced my with some handy dandy hard plastic thumb
screws - works fine now. For the money it is hard to beat for a knock
around instrument. Mine came with a HS case and get this - a STRAP! ha!
Good luck
Red Dog
So I take it you got the one with the one piece ashtray pot holder?  I might
pick up one of those new ones.
So the pickup and string height is non adjustable? There are a few
complaints on the pickup being out of alinement but if I can adjust the
height that shouldn't make any difference should it?
I mean if it's a bit off just raise it some. Shouldn't that make up the
difference? I guess the question is can you raise the pickup?
I like your idea to replace the screws. I'll look into that.
If you were to replace the pup do you have any suggestions? A Fender tele
pup?
With a HSC I really can't see how this deal could go wrong.
Olddog
I've had a few beers this evening - Christmas run up - so this might
not be the best advice I've ever offered. But a) chuck the bloody
cover and b) think of pickup fixing strategies. You could raise the
pickup with shims, and it should swap easily for a Fender p/u, *if
that is what you want*. I would go for a soapbar P90 or GFS Memphis,
and if it doesn't fit, I would shim the bridge up and/or take a chisel
to the pickup cavity- no big deal because I've already chucked the
screw-on cover. If this isn't entirely clear, I'll clarify it in the
morning, hangover permitting..

Tony D
olddog
2008-12-16 13:28:32 UTC
Permalink
Post by Red Dog
Rondo SX about 8-9 months ago when I got
Post by Red Dog
interested in lap steel and when my 'make one in my shop at home' project
suffered some setbacks. In any case the pickup is not great but does the
job. One oddity is that they use screws to hold the cover plate onto the
body - so whenever you want/need to change strings, you have to get a
screw-driver. I replaced my with some handy dandy hard plastic thumb
screws - works fine now. For the money it is hard to beat for a knock
around instrument. Mine came with a HS case and get this - a STRAP! ha!
Good luck
Red Dog
So I take it you got the one with the one piece ashtray pot holder? I
might
pick up one of those new ones.
So the pickup and string height is non adjustable? There are a few
complaints on the pickup being out of alinement but if I can adjust the
height that shouldn't make any difference should it?
I mean if it's a bit off just raise it some. Shouldn't that make up the
difference? I guess the question is can you raise the pickup?
I like your idea to replace the screws. I'll look into that.
If you were to replace the pup do you have any suggestions? A Fender tele
pup?
With a HSC I really can't see how this deal could go wrong.
Olddog
I've had a few beers this evening - Christmas run up - so this might
not be the best advice I've ever offered. But a) chuck the bloody
cover and b) think of pickup fixing strategies. You could raise the
pickup with shims, and it should swap easily for a Fender p/u, *if
that is what you want*. I would go for a soapbar P90 or GFS Memphis,
and if it doesn't fit, I would shim the bridge up and/or take a chisel
to the pickup cavity- no big deal because I've already chucked the
screw-on cover. If this isn't entirely clear, I'll clarify it in the
morning, hangover permitting..

Tony D

===============================================

I've got a Duckbucker and a couple of Seymour Duncan design pickups laying
around I'll try first.

I never used the Duckbucker because the output didn't match the other
pickups in my strat. On it's own it should be okay. As far as fitting that
looks like a standard height pup to me as long as I stick with that style.

The cover is attached to the pots and there is a cavity under the cover. So
I'm not sure how I'd chuck the cover without cutting it.

I asked Rondo if they had anymore of the old one's with removable covers and
they said "no unfortunately". I'm still not sure it's a deal breaker.

I going to watch where I like to pick on my Supro and see if it's an issue.
I do my blocking with my left hand. I can't block fer sh!t with my right
hand yet anyway.

There was a nice 1960 Supro on eBay "buy it now" for $220 USD I let get away
because my wife is on her x-mas spending binge. Poop. Maybe there will be
some good deals after x-mas.

Olddog
Red Dog
2008-12-16 22:08:04 UTC
Permalink
The Rondo I have has a standard electric guitar bridge with those adjustable
screws as mounts but it is flush with the body so it cannot be used to lower
the strings any... the pickup however has some adjustable mounting screws -
I have never removed it - but it is likely that some shims can be placed
under the PU to raise to the desired height. The PU on mine does not appear
to be matched exactly with the bridge so the PU pole for the low 6th string
is perfect and the poles appear to be a little off in an increasing manner
down to the 1st string - that string has the pole about 1/4 under the string
and 3/4 under thin air. ... but even with this problem I get fairly good
sound on all 6 strings... for a perfectionist a better PU might be in order
but playing it through my Blues Jr amp sounds fine for an el cheapo
instrument. As far as ditching the cover (Christmas beers not withstanding)
it's all a matter of taste - both for the cover and those beers! I tend to
like the cover but I am certain many folks prefer to have it outta here.

In any case for a cheap instrument as a starter it isn't bad.... it is
nothing like an old Supro and it won't carry its weight in the resale
market.

Good luck
Merry Christmas to all....
Red Dog
Post by olddog
Post by Red Dog
Hey olddog - I bought a Rondo SX about 8-9 months ago when I got
interested in lap steel and when my 'make one in my shop at home' project
suffered some setbacks. In any case the pickup is not great but does the
job. One oddity is that they use screws to hold the cover plate onto the
body - so whenever you want/need to change strings, you have to get a
screw-driver. I replaced my with some handy dandy hard plastic thumb
screws - works fine now. For the money it is hard to beat for a knock
around instrument. Mine came with a HS case and get this - a STRAP! ha!
Good luck
Red Dog
So I take it you got the one with the one piece ashtray pot holder? I
might pick up one of those new ones.
So the pickup and string height is non adjustable? There are a few
complaints on the pickup being out of alinement but if I can adjust the
height that shouldn't make any difference should it?
I mean if it's a bit off just raise it some. Shouldn't that make up the
difference? I guess the question is can you raise the pickup?
I like your idea to replace the screws. I'll look into that.
If you were to replace the pup do you have any suggestions? A Fender tele
pup?
With a HSC I really can't see how this deal could go wrong.
Olddog
Loading...