|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 973
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 973 |
Hi All
Well here we go again looking for a new challenge.
I have been watching videos on YouTube,guys playing
Lap Steel but I wondered if anyone here could tell me anything
about them.
Do I need 6 string or 8 - Which tuning - which make does it matter.
So many questions,hope someone can help.
Alan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,122
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,122 |
Most lap steels are 6 string. Rondo Music sells a model for maybe under $100, that would be an inexpensive way to see if it works for you. On a Pedal Steel, E9 tuning is the preferred for a single neck, with C6 usually being on the second neck. Most of those are at least 8, but mostly 10 strings with various combinations of pedals and knee levers.
google it theres lots of info on learning, tunings, etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 973
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 973 |
Thanks toucher
I forgot to mention I can play Pedal Steel but I don't have one anymore
due to an unfortunate experience with one a couple of years ago.
I was wondering if the $100 Lap Steel was false economy,but as you say,at
least it would serve as a test to see if I took to it.
Ebay may be another possibility.
Alan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,122
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,122 |
Heck if you play pedal steel, just get you a Carter Starter steel. Then you'll have both, if you just play it without pedals.......:)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,058
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,058 |
I bought one of the $100 laps and the only fault I found was the nut was too weak and did not support the heavier wound strings, giving a distorted sound. I may replace it with another made out of harder wood. The other thing was the pickup plug was poorly made and maybe the whole setup, just what I know on them.
PS I can't play one either but that's not the fault of the instrument. Ha
Wyndham
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,826
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,826 |
Hi Alan
i have been making and playing a lap guitar for many years there are many different tunings and the main one is how the Hiwaiians tune theres which is played in the A tuning i have always played mine in the D tuning which is what the banjo is tuned to and the standard slide guitar, top to bottom D,B,G.D,B,G so when you put you bar on the strings it plays a basic chord,i think one of the top players is a guy called Jerry Byrd
What i did before i made my fist one was to get a bit of small copper pipe and made a nut which lifted the strings up high enough and then make or buy a slide i use a bullet type which is round some use a flat slide then you can tune your guitar to what ever you want this is just a quick way to try one of your old guitars without hurting it in any way
if you ever what to make one i have all the information on how to design and to get the frets the right width and make your own pick ups all i ever had to buy was the tuning gears but as i said try it out on a old guitar it sounds as good as anything, the last one i made was a twin necked so you can have two different tunings
if you can, listen to some slack key players,they are the one to hear and listen to some of the top Drobo players as they use the basic tunings
all the ones i have seen are six strings as there is no need for more as the original lap guitars where ordinary guitars with the strings raised it was only when the electric pickups arrived they made the modern style lap guitars
best wishes Dave
I always play the right notes but not always in the right order
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4
Newbie
|
|
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987 |
alan, i'd love to hear you on a dobro. please consider it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,058
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,058 |
Dave, I have a question on the "Nut" you made from a copper tube. Did you hammer it into a rt angle and drill 2 holes for screws to hold it in place and did you notch the tube for the strings to rest on?
I've been putting off making a new nut because i wondered what material would work well. I had not considered a copper tube.
Wyndham
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 973
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 973 |
Dave
I've been looking at the commercial Lap Steels and I have come accross a lot of people who,due
to the expense have built their own.
My problem is that I don't have many tools so how do you make a cut for the pick-up,how do
you measure the scale length what dimensions are the body,what about the fretboard?
Tell you what,just tell us everything?lol
Alan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,826
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,826 |
Hi
you need to make your nut to fit over the nut you all ready have so you don`t have to touch your guitar,take a piece of the small standard copper pipe i think its 22mm hammer it so it goes more oval you then cut one side so its longer and rest on the guitar head and the cut the other side so it rest on the finger board you and fit a small piece of plastic under both sides so it does not scratch the guitar you then use a jnr hacksaw and cut the string slots to the same as the nut you have on the guitar,useing this you lift the strings high enough to play it as a lap guitar,
regards Dave
I always play the right notes but not always in the right order
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,826
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,826 |
Hi Alan
i will get it all together over the weekend and i`ll put a picture as well, if you can remember when you had the pedal steel its more or less the same you have a piece of wood as the bass with one end cut like a guitar head for the tuners and then a piece of wood for the fingerboard,anyway i ll get it together and then you can decide i would say the only difficult bit is winding the coil for the pick up as the copper wire is a bit thin
best wishes Dave
I always play the right notes but not always in the right order
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 973
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 973 |
Hi Dave
Excellent and thank you.
Regarding the Pick-up,I have a lot of Fender Pick-ups in my spares box
so it is my intention to use one of those,as I am looking to try a 6 string
to start with,they should do fine.Can't wait.He He
Alan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,826
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,826 |
Hi Alan
Good that has saved you a lot of work which tends to send other people round the bend when the copper wire breaks just as your 3/4 through the coil, i have just fished out how to measure the fret positions,
Measure the scale length( middle of top nut or where the strings touch to where the strings go across the bridge) and divide this by 17.835 this gives the distance away from the nut for the first fret , deduct the first anwser from the remaining length and divide this once again by 17,835 this operation is performed throughout for the remaining frets
so if the scale length was say 23 inches devide by 17,835 which would be 2 inches this is taken away from the 23 which leaves 21 inch which is devided by 17,835 which would leave the next fret 1.7/8th and so on the frets getting smaller with each calcurlation( these are not real sizes)
if theres anything you don`t understand just ask
best wishes Dave
Last edited by jazzband; 03/19/09 08:50 AM.
I always play the right notes but not always in the right order
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 474
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 474 |
If you want to try to build a basic steel guitar, try to google: build your guitar.com
On the top row tuch "resources", and you find: "building a lap steel guitar".
The basic easy lap steel do not seem to difficult to make.
Best regards
Tono
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 301
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 301 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 172
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 172 |
Great info... I've been looking into one (need one for the band, for obvious reasons <g>). In the past, I've approximated the whole thing by jamming a large pencil under the strings of one of my guitars right at the nut... It's shocking how well that works as a quick and dirty solution heh heh 
----- Do you love the Floyd as much as I do? If so, click away the moments that make up the dull day: www.canadianpinkfloyd.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 29
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 29 |
Here's a link to the one I would like to build.. There are so You tube video's on site also and its well worth a listen http://www.dynalap.com/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 973
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 973 |
Like the Dynalap Kit,I reckon even I could build that.
Problem is the postage and import duty,and would they ship to the UK?
Very tempted though.Thanks for posting.
Alan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
Join the conversation on our forum.
Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.
Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Mac Videos — we’ll be adding more videos as they’re released!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano
Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!
Bonjour à tous,
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation
Voilà, enjoy!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Stay up to date—get the latest update now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,311
Posts777,591
Members39,615
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean