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Author Topic:   Guyatone HG-306C Lap Steel
James Mayer
Member

From: Oregon, USA

posted 05 September 2006 02:38 PM     profile   send email     edit
I found one at a local shop. Wasn't looking for a lap steel, but it looked like a Fender Deluxe 6 so I tried it out. The tone took me by surprise. Sounds very classic and there's a lot of variety with two pickups and two switches labeled "m1" and "m2" that can both be switched to "soft". It came with a case and the legs were missing. I'm actually very happy with it and it has quickly moved to the #1 spot in my steel category. #2 being a Chris Fouke Industrial Steel (excellent, but different tone) and a hot-rodded Artisan EA-1 cheapy. The pickups are microphonic, but not inducing feedback at the volume levels that I play at.

Here's a photo of one: http://page11.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n43745386

Does anyone know about this model of Guyatone?

Ron Victoria
Member

From: Metuchen, New Jersey, USA

posted 05 September 2006 02:47 PM     profile   send email     edit
Similar to the Guyatone. How the heck did you find that auction!!!
Auction on eBay.

Ron

[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 05 September 2006 at 04:06 PM.]

[This message was edited by Ron Victoria on 05 September 2006 at 04:11 PM.]

James Mayer
Member

From: Oregon, USA

posted 05 September 2006 02:56 PM     profile   send email     edit
I simply didn't ignore the asian script in my google results. "HG - 306C steel"

Hey, what do you think of that Columbia? I really like the two pickup system and might want another one.

Why aren't more steels made with dual pickups?

Ron Victoria
Member

From: Metuchen, New Jersey, USA

posted 05 September 2006 03:47 PM     profile   send email     edit
Although they don't have that S'master blend know, you can't knock 2 pickups. I had thought about buying a Guyatone and put in a blend knob, but it was beyond my electonics expertise. If you like it, bid on it. That Colombia does have a rotary blend knob listed in the description.

Ron

[This message was edited by Ron Victoria on 05 September 2006 at 03:48 PM.]

James Mayer
Member

From: Oregon, USA

posted 05 September 2006 04:11 PM     profile   send email     edit
What do you mean by "they don't have that stringmaster blend"? Blend knobs are still created,no? How were stringmaster pickups different?

I found stringmaster 8-string pickups on the Lollar site. http://lollarguitars.com/cgi-bin/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LGP&Product_Code=213

Ron Victoria
Member

From: Metuchen, New Jersey, USA

posted 05 September 2006 04:33 PM     profile   send email     edit
Doesn't the Guyatone use switches? Besides the S'master, the Columbia is the only other one I've seen with a blend knob. I may be wrong.

Ron

James Mayer
Member

From: Oregon, USA

posted 05 September 2006 04:48 PM     profile   send email     edit
I've never seen another steel with a blend knob, but I know Chris Fouke at Industrial Guitars can do it. Therefore, I assumed the parts are still available.

Chris mentioned that he didn't like the blend becuase it clouds the sound.

To me, it seems strange that the Stringmasters and Deluxes are so sought after and no one is making any sort of attempt at a reissue. The modern Fender lap steel is supposedly pretty bad and rather pointless.

Even if the stringmaster pickups aren't available, why aren't any large manufacturers releasing any multi-pickup models? They could simply put three way toggle swithces on them like a guitar.

Custom made steels are available. Check this out: http://industrialguitars.com/hol.JPG

Steinar Gregertsen
Member

From: Arendal, Norway

posted 05 September 2006 05:23 PM     profile     edit
Lap King Guitars make a model, the Bel Aire, with the Stringmaster pickup setup (Lollar pups) and a blend control. They come in both 6 and 8 string models..

Asher Guitars also produce 2-pickup lap steels, with a 3-way switch.

Steinar

Steinar

------------------
"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights

[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 05 September 2006 at 05:27 PM.]

George Rout
Member

From: St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

posted 05 September 2006 07:18 PM     profile   send email     edit
That's interesting with the M1 & M2 push button switches. While they're still awkwardly placed right where you pick, they are much better than the rocker switches I have seen on all other Guyatones. It is impossible to play the units with rockers because you're picking is hitting the rockers continuously changing off/on. It's a real pain. George
Les Anderson
Member

From: Rossland, British Columbia, Canada

posted 05 September 2006 07:32 PM     profile   send email     edit
Guya & Guyatones have blending switches and great tone knobs. I have never had a problem with the switches even while playing with a tux.

Mine is not a lap steel but the the switches are in the recessed area between the two necks. Once you learn how to use the blending feature and, with the proper reverb settings, I can duplicate a pedal steel tone: much to the shegrin of our band leader and manager.

------------------
(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)


[This message was edited by Les Anderson on 05 September 2006 at 07:35 PM.]

Jeff Au Hoy
Member

From: Honolulu, Hawai'i

posted 05 September 2006 07:49 PM     profile   send email     edit
Steinar thanks for posting about the Lap King... I had forgotten how sexy they look... spent some time this morning drooling over the website again.

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