Honest Review of 3 Affordable Lap Steels - SX with P90, Gretsch Electromatic, & Recording King
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- Опубліковано 2 сер 2024
- In this video I give my honest unbiased opinion of 3 Popular Affordable Lap Steels. Plus, I show my New Modifications to the SX Lap Steel. Certano Roller Bridge and Benders
#Certano #CertanoBenders #SXLapsteel #RecordingKing #Gretsch #Electromatic #LessonsWithTroy #lapsteellessons #lapsteel
Thanks again Troy for the excellent work you do without ever forgetting to quote me!
Wow, that’s a clear and honest and useful review. Im starting to get the impression that the world of lap steels turns out to have way less junk reviews than electric guitars. Nice.
I started on a Rogue, and moved onto the Gretsch. I will probably take my hand at making one next summer. Love your videos Troy. You and Doug are my biggest inspirations to play and greatest teachers. Many Blessings.
Thanks so much for your kind words.
That was awesome Troy. Thanks for sharing it. Your sound and tone is to die for. Really dear friend.
Todd, thanks for this great review. When looking for an affordable lap steel, I was down to 2. i chose Gretsch over the SX. I liked the Gretsch retro vibe. I did put thicker strings on it. That worked great. I'm fine with the pickup. volume and tone work fine. if you want it louder, that's what amps are for. I also like the bridge cover. i rest my palm on it. it keeps my hand steady. I haven't noticed string height to be an issue for me. nut width/string spread hasn't bugged me either. I'm still new at this and don't have anything to compare it to. Really the only thing that bugs me is the tuner placement. i play on a flat surface not my lap. so, with the lap steel flat on the table, the farthest tuner button will hit the table when rotated to vertical. i just have to hang the headstock off the table. Past that, i found the Gretsch to be a great affordable lap steel . I love your site, i have a Lessons with Troy account. I play in C6. More C6 material!
I picked up the Gretsch recently because I found a great deal on one. I generally agree with your assessment. One thing I'd add is that while the design looks cool, I find that the neck extending beyond the fretboard on the bass side can be annoying if I want to tip up the bar and just play the low string.
Good review! I have two 8-string SXs, one in C13 Junior Brown tuning (except for a re-entrant Bb on the 8th string to provide a 7th. The other one has a full open g six strings and a low E 7th string and a 7th on the 8th string. The C13 is good for country. The G is good for everything else, and the E string allows easy minor 7 chords.
Already had the SX in natural "Swamp Ash" as they call it - it is a solid little chunk of fun - $168.00 from Rondo Music)! Saw your RK Certano bender mod the day you posted it and ordered one that day. Easy install (didn't experience the thin wood screw/leg recess issue you had).
Thanks Troy, for years of helpful lessons, great playing and solid advice! Keep it coming.
Hey. Can you message me on the placement that you did for your benders. Mine are on the way and if you got it done without issues I would like to know how. I like using the legs now and then.
I watched your video on the mod of the Recording King and went ahead and put the Certano benders on it. I also changed out the tuners, but went with the Grover Vintage which matched the screw holes of the old tuners. I found with the smaller keys on the Vintage tuners that the issue of hitting the headstock when you tune doesn't happen. i couldn't find a Recording King with a humbucker and swapped out the original P90 with a under/over soap bar P90/Humbucker cross. I did find that the wood in the Recording King is punky and would not hold the Certano benders without also using an epoxy to hold them in place, that said, it works well. That punkiness in the wood also showed itself when I drilled out for the tuners...didn't have to widen much, but the wood instead of leaving shavings from the drilling left a kind of fibrous material..like wet wood. Now, despite all of these things said, I am enjoying the heck out of this instrument. I am not really a steel player, more a songwriter (actual, not delusional) but am having a ball learning. I know Bob Blair from my time in western Canada (I'm in Ontario, Can) and when I posted my first attempts at playing steel on Facebook, Bob commented and also said that he knew you. I really enjoy your videos and they help me immensely...Tim
Thicker grade strings do help on the Gretsch. I am unhappy with the low bridge so agree with your assessment. Just added the Certano benders to it so am looking forward to using your other videos.
Love the shirt. Love the album.
I really dig the Recording King, personally. I popped a Seymour Duncan Psyclone “Filter’Tron” style humbucker pickup in it, changed out the knobs, and made a new bone nut for it, then finally installed the Certano benders.
As for the Gretsch, the singer in the band I play with has one, and I use it for open G (with an E on bottom for minor chords), since I keep the RK in open D. It sounds fine through my Blues Junior amp, but I definitely agree with you about the lower strings and the narrow spacing. I’ve found that the string spacing one the Gretsch just makes it a lot harder to isolate single notes and it feels cramped to me. I guess since my first lap guitar was a squareneck reso, I’m just used to the wider spacing and that’s what I’ve been playing for the past 15 years or so.
Great video as always!
Thanks for this review. I want to check new ways to play guitar cause I lost the tip of my left index and middle finger in a stupid accident. I like the way I can still play on the right side and not relearn everything with a lefty guitar.
I started with an Artisian which is a re-branding of the Rogue. The scale length is really short which I didn't like. And it feels cheap. I now play the SX 8 which is the 8 string version of your SX 6 and I love it. My main tuning is Cindy Cashdollar's modified C6 tuning: A C E G A C E G
Thanks this was helpful.
Nice playing, Troy.
Troy, I’ve been enjoying your vids for several years. I’d love to know the string height, spacing and nut length on the last lap steel reviewed. Thank you for all of the other information.
I have the sx but without the benders and I love it,try playing it threw a vox ac 30 in open e tuning, it's a badass sound
I have the SX (left handed). The P90 pickup was too noisy through my pedalboard. Put in a soapbar humbucker pickup and now the guitar is a beast!
Nice!!!!
Nice shirt dude.
I have a different opinion then Troy on which guitar is the better choice. I have the Recording King that I mounted the Certano bender. The tuners are cheap and are stiff tuning but hold tune. I like the sound of the humbucker pickup, it has grunt when you add some overdrive. The RK is a better platform for the Certano because it’s easier to install, IMHO. The SX would be a good choice if you you are not adding the Certano because of the P90’s sound great. Mounting a Certano on the SX looks like a hassle due to the leg mounting on the back. The Gretsch seems to have a weak sounding single coil p/u. My two cents. Thanks to Troy on the how to videos.
Thanks so much for the video troy. I just bought the sx and I want to put the benders on. What size dowel rod will I need to plug the hole? I don’t have a lot of tools available so i’m trying to find the right size with needing to cut a shape out.
The Gretsch reminds me of Gumby.
I can't unsee that now.
I got a scratch and dent deal on an SX 8 string because it had a ding in the ash tray pickup cover....which had to come off anyways. I threw some Certano benders on the 2nd and 3rd strings. I think I paid around 100 bucks for it.
I agree! The SX Lap 2 legs are too long. Easy fix !! Remove the inner tubes and cut off 2.5” on the top of them with a 12 Dollar RIDGED tubing cutter available on Amazon for a clean cut! The inner leg tubes contact the leg mount base for a positive Stop position. If you want to cut much shorter than 2.5” off you would also need to trim the inner tube bottom Rubber boot or the outer tube. 2.5” is Perfect for me. I’m 6 ft tall
Thx for sharing. Who in your opinion makes the equivalent of Fenders brand lap steel guitars?
I’ve thought about doing the benders on a cheap lap steel but I think I’m just going to save up for a Duesenberg. Thanks for the video. I play a rogue with a Seymour Duncan hotrail right now so I know the pain of cheap quality.
Yup, I totally get it
I ordered a recording king, benders and roller bridge then realised I should really just get a Dues, too late to cancel anything. But I still think it's a good idea - I can get used to the new playing concepts (or prove to myself that I can't) and then probably sell the upgraded RK for not much of a loss. A lot of people seem to be getting into lap/bender steel thanks to videos like this so it's probably a safe resale.
An in between option might be the Certano lap steel, which already has the benders?
I’ve taught myself how to play guitar and bass without learning how to read sheet music, I do it all by sound and watching others, my next things I wanna pick up is lap steel and banjo
Hi Todd I purchased the
Lap 2 Ash 3TS Electric Lap Steel Guitar and hope it sounds as nice as your demonstration. Expecting delivery in a few weeks! Can you tell me what is the best strings in size again for playing in D & E. I also think if she sounds as good as yours, it's worth investing in COMBO TRIO Bridge "R.R.B.1" + Roller Nut “R.R.N.1” + the bender "Le carré" for lap steel. What is your opinion on my thoughts! Thanks for the great videos!
Mark
Any thoughts on the Fouke Industrial models? Have you ever played one? Not a trick question, I see them on Reverb and was curious.
Yeah have one of the gretch lap steels and it does nicely no more than I play lap steel (a couple songs a gig and some sessions. I do know it needs better strings so you recommend any certain strings Troy?
Hey Troy I bought an Epiphone Century Lap Steel and I bought one of your blues lessons. Question - what is a good distortion/overdrive pedal for lap steel? I’m trying to develop a tone like The Record Company. Thanks Troy!
I need a little direction.
I've recently acquired Duesenburg multibenders. I'm considering purchasing an Asher Electro Hawaiian Junior and applying the benders on the Asher.
Can Duesenburg multibenders be applied to an Electro Hawaiian Junior?
Does the string spacing correspond closely enough (benders: 54 mm, Electro Hawaiian Junior: 57 mm). Anything else I should be aware of?
Cheers
Ps. Very informative video and channel. I always look to you for lap steel content.
Hey Troy. I am wondering if the bridge that comes stock on the SX is compatible with benders. I ordered one, and I have a different brand of benders that I ordered from reverb. They are the pitch witch benders by peters. I ordered them together assuming that it would work out. I'm just curious if you put the certano bridge on because the stock bridge is not compatible.
I have an SX (paid $100, new), that I put benders on. I just bought a Cozart for playing in c6 tuning. It needs some work. The fretboard has no dots, just frets. The strings are too close to the fretboard, and the round head screws that hold the fretboard on to the body, are in the way. The strings are thin, and the tension too low for my liking. I'm replacing them this weekend.
What would you recommend that would be the equivalent of the Fender lap steel as they no longer make them? Thx for the info.
Can you someday give me your thoughts on the Gretsch lap steel 5700 series? I am trying to learn how to play this model it ain't very easy to do.
Fixing the loose tuner on the Recording King can probably be done in less than 5 minutes plus time for your wood glue to dry.
Remove the tuner, take a wooden toothpick, cut it in half, apply wood glue to the toothpick, stick the toothpick into the tuner glue hole, wait for the glue to dry, break or cut off the toothpick flush with the headstock, re-install the tuner screwing the tuner screw into the hole folled with the toothpick.
Hi Troy,
What scale length would you recommend as your favourite?
Troy - about that roller nut? Are they ball ends from guitar strings?
Have you tried the Gold Tone LS-8? And how would that compare? I would like to get an 8 string someday, but I don't want to spend over $1000 right now.
And have you ever set a bender to lower strings to a tone or semitone?
Good information. I was wondering if you have ever played a Chandler RH2? It appears to be better build quality and playability than both the Recording King and the Grestch. Occasionally used models appear for purchase and I was interested in your opinion.
I never have
I would love to see you go to a machine shop or a shooting range and find an old guy with a beard who makes powder horns to help you out.
Im amazed at the cheap S!!t that’s available online. Maybe even try buying a piece of brass and a cheap set of needle files and a proper scale. You may be surprised at how easy it is to make a nut or rolling bridge.
I have a 60s Airline that I play in C6. I’ve been looking to add another lap steel to my set up… something I can put benders on. What are your thoughts on the Joe Morell lap steels?
I’ve never played one but I’m curious too
When you say they all go out of tuning relatively easy, what does that boil down to in reality?
Hi Troy, have you one or both benders a set for a semitone or tone?
i dent my recoding king back, i hated the nut, and the bridge. and the feel of it, and yea i couldnt get locking tuners to fit right.
Same experience here. Already had the SX an ordered the RK to start modding. Sent it back; strings were not flush, overall finish was very sloppy. Ended up ordering another P90 SX (which are hard to come by atm in Europe).
Hi what tuning you have the tuning do you have on the Gretsch lap steel
So ... about that Recording King. Since you have to fix the little screw in the back of the tuner anyway, couldn't you just change the angle of the tuner, so it follows the shape of the headstock better? There is no reason they have to be parallel.
Hi Troy,
Do you happen to know what gauge strings the LG2 comes with from the factory? (I'm tuned to Dobro tuning) Regards Chris
Hey troy, I have a question: how limited is a lap steel with benders in comparison to an entry level pedal steel?
I'm not Troy but I play lap and pedal steels. I recommend you start on lap steel to learn bar techniques and picking. It's only as limited as your imagination and desire to play whatever you want. If you desire the pedal steel sound then there's really no substitute. I love my pedal steels and own 9 of them and 5 lap steels. I play pedal steel the most. Lap is great for grab and go plus it's lighter and easier to haul around.
I just got a Harley Bentley SG STYLE LEFTY, which will be my First, Dedicated Slide Guitar ( Open E Tuning ),and I've been eyeing a SX LEFTY Lap Steel for my First Lap Steel. I've owned one of their Tele Style guitar and really liked it.
So...your main complaint about the recording king is the aftermarket parts you bought don't fit well?
What kind of amp do you use?
Troy, I see you played all types of lap steel but I ain't never seen you play the Gretsch lap steel on a Boss Katana amp yet.
Yeah, people seem to really love the Boss Katana amp. Great amp for the money.
How much were the benders?
What are you tuned to?
Question for: what if the Recording King had Certano’s Rolling bridge and nut? Would that change your decision? I keep going back and forth on whether to build a custom lap steel or buy one and mod it. Any advice?
How much money can you spend? I’d suggest buying an Asher Electro Hawaiian Jr and adding either the Duesenberg or the Certano benders
@@LessonsWithTroy I’m selling a early 80s SGI pedal steel for $800 to fund another lap steel. So, $1,000 or less. Would you recommend the rolling bridge and nut too? Or is that over kill? My planned tuning is an E9 (E,F#,E, G#, B,E) with Benders on the G# and B strings.
@@justindinger9348 I’d keep an eye on Reverb.com for an Asher
How much price
You didn’t like the Epiphone??
I have watched so many lap steel guitar reviews. Feeling a bit frustrated. I want to get into lap steel guitars but everyone is modifying their lap steel guitars. Does ANYONE make a lap steel that is good and doesn’t require f*cking around with mods?
Asher and Clinesmith are much higher quality steel guitars that don't require any modifications.
Troy was too kind on the Gretsch. Plus the fret board is cheap PVC plastic. Overall its and over priced PO junk. SX is great for the bucks. The RK with humbucker is nice sounding. I wish I would have kept mine.
ok
Thanks Phil. Hope you're well.
So I’ve watched this video several times - with the certano bender did you just put it in the wrong spot on the SX? I don’t really understand what you mean. I want to install one I ordered the SX but I don’t want to mess it up
The leg mounting feature is not that useful, and causes a problem if you use Certano benders. That problem can be fixed with a piece of dowel and some glue.
The SX has wood removed on the bottom side for the leg mount. This means the wood on top behind the bridge is not thick enough to properly hold the Certano bender for the G string.
He glued in a wood plug, then mounted the benders, and one of the bender mounting screws extends into that glued-in piece. Now the benders are solidly mounted and all is well.