RELATED PAGES: 
Contents
Contents
- Tunings
The Lap steel guitar is not tuned in standard guitar tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E, low to high). Rather, it is usually tuned to an open chord, often an extended chord like a 6th, 7th, or 9th.
- Instruments
Current and past lap steel manufactures.
- Musicians
- Web Links & Resources
Reference
- WidipediA: Lap Steel
- WidipediA: Lap Steel Ukulele
Tunings
Blues and Rock players tend to favor one of two tuning families: open G/open A, or open D/open E.
Open G
Open G is tuned D-G-D-G-B-D; open A raises each of those notes a whole-step (2 frets) to E-A-E-A-C#-E. During the 1920s and 1930s, much of the sheet music written for lap steel utilized open A tuning as the de facto standard tuning for the instrument.
Open D
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 enharmonic variations of these tunings.
Altered G Tuning
Bluegrass and Country Dobro players using a square-neck instrument 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. These are examples of tunings possible on a lap steel that would cause serious damage if attempted on a round-neck resonator or standard guitar.
Dobro players also generally use a set of strings with different gauges than those used on standard electric or acoustic guitars to help them to project more sound and to achieve their higher tunings.
C6
Many Western Swing steel players, and some Old-Time Country steel players, use a C6 tuning. There is no "standard" C6 tuning; one popular one is C-E-G-A-C-E (C E G is a C major chord and A C E is an A minor chord). This tuning is a good one for copping Don Helms' steel licks off old Hank Williams records, although Helms used a steel with legs (a "console steel"), with two necks having 8 strings each; Helms actually used an E13 tuning, which adds the 7th (D) and the 13th (C#) to the E tuning, making it B-D-E-G#-B-C#-E-G#, low to high. An extended C6/FMaj7 is used by Western Swing pedal steel guitarists on their 10-string pedal steels. This tuning, "C-F-A-C-E-G-A-C-E-G", is difficult to achieve on the 6-string steel but a subset thereof is achieved as previously mentioned. A6 is a commonly-used alternate for C6.
Recommended string gauges: .36 .30 .26 .24 .18(p) .16(p)
E7
The E7 tuning is used by many players, especially those who starting learning with the Mel Bay Steel Guitar Method instructional books. The E7 tuning in those books is spelled either B-D-E-G#-B-E or with the 6th string lowered to the tonic E: E-D-E-G#-B-E. Note the similarity of this second tuning to the open E tuning above: the only difference is the 5th string, which is lowered from the tonic E to the 7th note in the key of E, which is D.
There are many other tunings used by players. Pedal Steel guitarists switching over to lap steel often bring over a modified version of the 10-string E9 tuning that is the standard for Country pedal steel; pedal steels, and a few non-pedal "console steels" actually have multiple necks, each in a different tuning, and very often on a pedal steel the 2 main necks will be in E9 and C6 tunings. As noted under the C6 tuning, an A6 tuning is also used.
( from WidipediA: Lap Steel )
top
Instruments
Asher Guitars & Lap Steels
2554 Lincoln Blvd. Box 1037
Venice, California 90291
Phone: 310-821-2888
eMail: info@asherguitars.com
↑ Listing's Web Site Thumbnail Image
- Guitars
- Lap Steel
Links
Listing Info
( from listing's site ) - Bill Asher, founder, owner and master builder behind Asher Guitars & Lap Steels is also the head honcho and master luthier of the renowned custom shop Guitar Traditions in Los Angeles. Asher has a diverse and extensive 22-year career in the guitar business and has worked with an impressive list of clients including Grammy Award winners and Billboard Chart topping musicians.
top
.png){kind=icon}
Bear Creek
Luthier Bill Hardin
Kula, Maui, Hawaii
(HST) 808-878-8082
Fax 808-878-3325
Toll Free 1-877-622-8216
Links
- www.bcguitar.com
- Tiki King's Ukulele: Brand name database: Bear_Creek
In Hawaii, the Ukulele is an important part of the history and culture. It is the instrument that many Hawaiian school children learn, and continue to play throughout their lives.
Bear Creek Ukuleles are precisely made, with sturdy but light construction, and fine detail. These are not miniature guitars. Every facet of the instrument is scaled down to the thicknesses and dimensions of the originals, creating a sound that is sweet, punchy and responsive. They’re made with Hawaiian Koa: either highly figured or straight grain Koa is available.
Ukuleles can be ordered in Soprano, Concert, Tenor and Baritone sizes, with traditional Rope, Rosewood, or Ivoroid binding, Satin or high gloss lacquer finish, and custom inlays.
top
Earnest Musicial Instruments
Joel Eckhaus, Luthier
12 Fairlawn Ave.
S. Portland, ME 04106
207 799-9788
↑ Listing's Web Site Thumbnail Image
- Ukulele
- Bass Ukulele
- Guitar
- Tenor Guitar
- Lap Steel
Links
- www.EarnestInstruments.com
- Tiki King's Ukulele: Brand name database: Earnest
Listing Info
Makes an archtop Tenor guitar as well as other Tenor models.
Standard tenor tuning is (CGDA) but can be tuned like a guitars hgher four strings.
Information on the Tenor Guitar is avalable at www.TenorGuitar.com
top
Eastwood Guitars
348 Guelph St. #14
Georgetown, Ontario
CANADA
7G-4B5
Phone: 905-702-8291 9AM-5PM EST
↑ Listing's Web Site Thumbnail Image
- Guitars
- Ukuleles
Links
Listing Info
( from listing's site ) - Since 2001, Eastwood® has been creating some of the most exciting Electric Guitars the world has ever seen. Our RADICAL VINTAGE REMAKE series feature a variety of models based on popular sixties designs - from the classic Mosrites to our top-selling AIRLINE - they capture the excitement and style of the originals.
Airline® - Ukulele
click for larger view
Each year the prices of the originals skyrocket - they are getting harder to find and harder to play! Eastwood®'s focus is to make top quality replicas - that cost less and play better - so the average musician can experience the excitement of playing one of these beautiful vintage guitars as their every day player.
top
.png){kind=icon}
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
8860 E. Chaparral Road, Suite 100
Scottsdale, Ariz. 85250
Telephone: 480.596.9690
Fax: 480.596.1384
Links
- www.fender.com
- Fender Ukuleles
- WidipediA: Leo Fender
- WidipediA: Fender
Info
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is the world’s leading guitar manufacturer, and its name has become synonymous with all things rock ‘n’ roll. Iconic Fender® instruments such as the Telecaster®, Stratocaster®, Precision Bass® and Jazz Bass® guitars are known worldwide as the instruments that started the rock revolution, and they continue to be highly prized by today’s musicians and collectors.
top
Links
- www.jedsonguitars.net/
This is an enthusiast's website.
- jedsonguitars.blogspot.com
Listing Info
( from listing's site ) - The Jedson brand was actively marketed in the late 1920s to the early 1930s by the John E. Dallas & Sons company in London. The brand disappeared for many years but was resurrected in 1969 by the Dallas Arbiter company. The Jedson brand died again in 1975 when Dallas Arbiter went out of business. This site has become the best place to obtain information about the Jedson brand. It is a collection of information gathered from many sources. The most valuable sources were two catalogs produced by the John E. Dallas & Sons company.
top
Ko’olau Guitar and Ukulele Company
Kitakis Stringed Instrument Repair
401 N.Cane St. A-10
Wahiawa, Hawaii 96786
808-622-1064
fax: 808-622-1646
eMail: sales@koolauukulele.com
- Guitar
- Ukulele
Links
- www.koolauukulele.com
- Tiki King's Ukulele: Brand name database: Ko_olau
Listing Info
( from listing's site ) - Ko’olau Guitars and 'Ukuleles are professional quality, hand crafted instruments. The shop is located in Kaneohe, on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii, approximately fifteen minutes from Honolulu, at the foot of the the beautiful Ko’olau Mountains.
top
Links
The Rickenbacker International Corporation (RIC) grew out of the first company founded for the sole purpose of creating and manufacturing fully electric musical instruments and amplifiers-the Los Angeles-based Electro String Instrument Corporation. Founded in 1931 by Adolph Rickenbacker and George D. Beauchamp, this pioneering firm produced "Rickenbacker Electro Instruments", the first modern electric guitars. RIC's history now spans 80 years in business on the leading edge of music trends that have changed popular culture forever. Played by Hawaiian musicians of the 1930s to jazz bassists of the 1990s, by the Beatles and Byrds to the most-current rock groups on MTV, the ringing sound of Rickenbacker instruments has helped define music as we know it. Never resting on its laurels, RIC continues to ignite and propel the electric guitar's transformation of music by providing today's musicians with the finest instruments available.
(Ed.) I was surprised to see this. But they do make a carved spruce archtop guitar. The 760J "Jazz-bo". Classic Rickenbacker neck and head stock on 17" jazz body. Pretty cool f-holes.
top
Links
Listing Info
( from listing's site ) - West Coast Steel Guitars are built in Camas, Washington by luthier/repairman and musician, Bob Littleton. Bob has been playing music for over thirty years and still plays actively in the Portland, Oregon Area with three local bands. He began his music career in the late 60's playing five-string banjo and dobro in a number of California bluegrass bands. Once Bob discovered steel guitar, the banjo quickly took the back seat. For the last twenty years he has been playing country music on pedal and non-pedal steel guitar. He has always been interested in Hawaiian steel guitar and has been collecting Hawaiian steel and slack key guitar recordings. In addition to live gigs, Bob has played on sound tracks, recordings, radio, and television. He has done studio sessions for songwriters, John Hazelwood, Robbie Thayer, Craig Fletcher, and others. His uncle, Phil Irwin, a square dance guitar player and woodworker, inspired his interest in woodworking and music. West Coast Steel Guitars are a result of Bob's experience in woodworking, design, and musical knowledge. He spent over two years designing, doing research, and building prototypes before he began selling any guitars. As you might suspect, Bob is determined to produce a reliable, quality product with the working musician in mind.
top
Musicians
.png){kind=icon}
Links
Artist Info
Bob Brozman is also a National Reso-Phonic Dealer. Order your Reso-Phonic Guitar, Baritone Guitar, or Ukulele from Bob, and get customized features. Visit Bob's site for more information.
top
John Ely's Hawaiian Steel Guitar Web
P.O. Box 509
Virginia, MN 55792
USA
eMail: johnelyhawaiiansteel.com
Links
Listing Info
( from listing's site ) - Steel guitar is also one of the most personalized of instruments, which adds to its charm but creates a lot of confusion for the beginner. Almost every player has his or her own unique setup. Some use pedals to raise and lower strings. Others do not. And after more than a century, there is still no single tuning that everyone considers a standard for our instrument or a clear starting point.
top
Links
Be sure to visit Gerald's web site for sample of his style. Gerald is a multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, lap steel and ukulele.
Artist Info
What the critics say... Successfully blending the sounds of jazz blues and swing, Gerald Ross has created a guitar style uniquely his own. Whether he is playing jazz standards, popular favorites, delta and urban blues, Tin Pan Alley melodies, New Orleans rhythms or boogie woogie, it's bound to be a delightful surprise to any listener.
When the mood strikes him, he has been known to pick up a mandolin, bass, steel guitar, banjo, harmonica, Cajun accordion and ukulele. A ukulele is not a toy.
Transcriptions of Gerald Ross's songs are available at Dominator's Ukulele TABS:
- Aboriginal Blue
- Easter Parade
- Runaway
Gerald's Recording Process
From Gerald Ross (Flea Market Music - Bulletin Board reply to a posting)
Multi track recording - my technique.
- I use Pro Tools LE for my recording software.
- I generate a bass line for the song using Band In A Box. I dump that bass line to a WAV file. I import this to a single track in Pro Tools. The bass is much nicer to play against that a boring click.
- I record the scratch melody line of the song. I don't care if I make mistakes on this track. This "scratch" track is solely used as a guide for the rhythm guitar.
- I record the rhythm guitar track listening to the bass and scratch melody.
- Once the rhythm guitar is in the can I erase the scratch melody tracks and re-record them.
- Then mix and you are done.
It's hard to say whether the ukulele is making a comeback -- if it will ever again be as popular as it was in the 1920s and '30s. Certainly many musicians in a number of different and sometimes unexpected genres such as rock 'n' roll and pop are taking it up. Not only musicians, either. Warren Buffett, the second richest man in the world, plays one. (I wonder what Bill Gates plays: a piccolo?) top
Web Links & Resources
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
Elderly Instruments
1100 N. Washington
Lansing, MI 48906
Phone: 1 888 473-5810
↑ Listing's Web Site Thumbnail Image
Links
- www.elderly.com
- WidipediA: Elderly Instruments
Info
Elderly Instruments is a musical instrument retailer in Lansing, Michigan, with a national reputation as a seller, repair shop, and locus for folk music. It specializes in fretted instruments, including acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitars, banjos, mandolins, and ukuleles, and maintains a selection of odd or rare instruments of many types. Elderly is best known as a premier repair shop for fretted instruments, as one of the larger vintage instrument dealers in the United States, and as a large dealer of Martin guitars in particular.
Big mail-order catalog of lots and lots of great stuff.
top
- Tone bars for lap steel guitar comparison
A comparison of 7 lap steel bullet-style tone bars (Broz-o-Phonic, Diamond Bottlenecks x 2, Boyett Glass Bar, Tribo-Tone x 3), playing the same piece of music on the same (Lazy River) steel guitar, using the same microphone set-up. fredkinbom.com
