Lap steel guitars recommendation

[John Cassady]

I'm thinking of buying a lap steel guitar to play some chill Hawaiianish music. I'm a total beginner and I'm looking for an entry-level model but something decent and playable. Any suggestion?

[marqueemoon]

This is one area where vintage instruments are still a good value.

If you can afford it get an old one. It will hold its value way better than a Rogue or other cheap one.

[John Cassady]

This is one area where vintage instruments are still a good value.

If you can afford it get an old one. It will hold its value way better than a Rogue or other cheap one.

I had no idea, that's good to know, I'll look into them, thanks!

[marqueemoon]

This is one area where vintage instruments are still a good value.

If you can afford it get an old one. It will hold its value way better than a Rogue or other cheap one.

I had no idea, that's good to know, I'll look into them, thanks!

I have an Oahu similar to this one which I bought in the early 2000’s.

I have it In C6 tuning. I don’t play it as much as I should, but it’s fun.

[Plumerai]

Musicians Friend occasionally has the cheap Rougue one for $80 as their "stupid deal of the day." It's the only one I've ever played, but it seems fine to me.

[John Cassady]

I have an Oahu similar to this one which I bought in the early 2000’s.

I have it In C6 tuning. I don’t play it as much as I should, but it’s fun.

That's very nice indeed. I might well go that way. Thanks!

[John Cassady]

Musicians Friend occasionally has the cheap Rougue one for $80 as their "stupid deal of the day." It's the only one I've ever played, but it seems fine to me.

The Rogue RLS-1, is that right?

[Plumerai]

Musicians Friend occasionally has the cheap Rougue one for $80 as their "stupid deal of the day." It's the only one I've ever played, but it seems fine to me.

The Rogue RLS-1, is that right?

Yes

[John Cassady]

I might be a good idea to try one of those cheap ones to see if I'm actually into playing it, before going for the vintage models.
Thanks!

[B.T.]

I might be a good idea to try one of those cheap ones to see if I'm actually into playing it, before going for the vintage models.
Thanks!

And you can modify those cheap ones. Like pickup upgrades, pot/cap swaps, add some multi-benders maybe a French made roller nut…

I’m with the others in regards to vintage if you’re interested in really sitting down and learning proper say in one of more popular old school tunings like C6 you’ll find a lot of tutorial material going way back in that tuning.

I went that route for a spell. Took a break, came back and felt like I was starting all over again. Eventually opted for open E tuning. Coming from guitar I can hop right back like riding a bicycle. A couple of tuner turns gets you a number of other tunings. And benders for those tear in your beer numbers.

[fuzzjunkie]

I had an old Magnatone for a while. I sold it planning on upgrading to something fancier like a Gibson, but never did. I just play slide on my Telecaster if I need to.

C6 is a great tuning because the bottom 3 strings form a major chord and the top 3 form a minor, so it’s easy to swing from one to the other within the same key and on the same fret.