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Author
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Topic: Travel Guitar as a lap Steel?
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Dom Franco
Member From: Beaverton, OR, 97007
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posted 24 May 2006 02:35 AM
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I just saw this Hofner Travel guitar at Musicians friend. I am considering it buying it and puting on a raised nut, to play as a lap steel?Just a thought...
Dom
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/HofnerShortyTravelElectricGuitar?sku=511786 |
Keith Cordell
Member From: Atlanta
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posted 24 May 2006 03:43 AM
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I am currently using a Martin Backpacker as a practice instrument, if you are OK with the scale it works out fine. The Martin leaves a lot to be desired in terms of tone but it is a functional practice instrument with an old nut extender. The little Hofners aren't bad, especially for the money. I was going to do the same thing with an Epiphone Vee Wee for a cheap beater guitar. |
Rick Batey
Member From: England
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posted 24 May 2006 03:46 AM
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I used to have an original 1980's Hofner Shorty just like the offshore-made reissue. The pickup wasn't great and in terms of lap conversion I'd venture that you might encounter two drawbacks: the 24"-or-so scale with narrow 1 5/8ths (or thereabouts) nut could make slants difficult, and these Gibson-style bridges have a 'fixed' string radius to match the fingerboard radius, so you'd need to file the saddles flatter towards the center, reshape and then re-cut the string slots. Hope this makes sense! |
Dom Franco
Member From: Beaverton, OR, 97007
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posted 24 May 2006 04:57 AM
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Thanks for the replies... I hadn't thought about the radius on the neck. I figured I could change the pickup out with any humbucker to improve tone. I have a student with an artisan, and I don't like the short scale on that. I was just looking for a cheap lap steel to leave in my car or take along on trips. Dom |
Dave Sky
Member From: Columbus, Ohio, USA
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posted 24 May 2006 06:38 AM
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I use a travel guitar like the Hofner, but mine is a Brownsville. I put on an extender nut to get the wider spacing and filed the saddle flat. I like it more than my two artisans. Hooked to a microcube, I have a porch- practicing set up for fun. I have gotten my moneys worth out of it.
Dave |
Mike McBride
Member From: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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posted 24 May 2006 07:39 AM
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I had a mini Les Paul by Epiphone that I used as a lap steel. It had a stock humbucker. |
Erv Niehaus
Member From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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posted 24 May 2006 02:27 PM
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Has anyone tried the Washburn "rover" as a lap guitar? It's acoustic and they even make a mic pickup for it that installs through the strap pin. |
Dave Sky
Member From: Columbus, Ohio, USA
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posted 24 May 2006 04:18 PM
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I use a rover steel string with raised saddle and extender nut. It works okay solo or with a guitar. Without a pick up, it is not very loud. Since the body is so light I put a piece of the stuff you put under rugs so they don't slip under the Rover. Most people who see me play it think it is a dulcimer. But then again, I play so poorly maybe they can't tell it is a guitar!
I string it with 10-47. The Washburn folks suggested that I don't go larger.
For $149 with a case, it is fun for travel. |
Gary Boyett
Member From: Colorado
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posted 25 May 2006 04:09 AM
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I have been using a Melobar Red Ratt for years. This steel has been all over the USA and I have never had a problem carrying it on. I would suggest that you pick-up a regular lap steel and just get a good gig bag. It is always fun running it through the xray. I do get some weird looks from the inspectors. I have only had to open it once just because the inspector was a player.------------------
HSGA & RMSGC member
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