Lap Steel

Fender Champ Lap Steel Desert Sand, 1962

On February 24, 2020 /

Built from late 1954 until 1980, the Fender Champ Lap Steel was a popular budget instrument and often sold as a set with the 5-watt Champ tube amplifier. The Champ Lap Steel replaced the Fender Champion steel, with the major differences being the ‘Desert Sand’ or tan finish on the Champ instead of the Pearloid (also known as Mother of Toilet Seat) cover on the Champion, and the simpler shape of the Champ.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Fender Champ Lap Steel, Desert Sand 1959

On January 24, 2020 /

This Fender Champ Lap Steel, built during 1959 at the Fender plant in Fullerton, California is in very nice, mostly original condition. The Fender Champ Lap Steel was often sold as part of a starter set, with Fender’s smallest amplifier – the 5 watt Champ. That amp itself went on to become very popular in some recording studios. For example, it’s the amp Eric Clapton used for much of the Derek and the Dominos – Layla album.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

National Dynamic Lap Steel Red and White, 1962

On August 16, 2019 /

The National Dynamic Lap Steel was built from 1961 to 1968 for National String Instrument Corporation by Valco in Chicago, Illinois. National at this point had fallen far from its heyday after inventing the Resophonic guitar (plus mandolin and ukulele) to provide more volume to working guitarists. It was founded by guitarist George Beauchamp and luthier John Dopyera in 1927. Dopyera left National to form, with his brothers, the DoBro company in 1928 and produced single cone resonator models. Dopyera purchased a controlling share of National in 1932 and merged National and DoBro production. Many instruments like the National Dynamic lap steel were produced, along with matching amplifiers.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Cole Clark Violap with Horseshoe Pickup, 2003

On June 9, 2018 /

The Cole Clark Violap is based on the classic Weissenborn steel guitar body shape, but built as a semi-hollow for amplified use without feedback. The concept is similar to the thinline Gibson ES-335 series, with a solid center block in an arched-top body. Cole Clark was founded in 2001 by Adam Cole and Bradley Clark in Melbourne Australia, and focuses on building quality instruments using sustainably harvested tone woods mostly native to Australia.

Used

This instrument has sold

Rickenbacker Electro Model NS Lap Steel, 1948

On January 13, 2018 /

The Rickenbacker lap steel was possibly the very first successful electric guitar put into larger scale production, but Rickenbacker’s influence goes back to the early National days. Adolph Rickenbacker – then spelled Richenbacher – had a tool and die shop near National, and was contracted to produce metal bodies and resonator cones for National guitars, ukuleles and mandolins.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

2013 Alastair Miller ‘Dallas’ Lap Steel

On September 27, 2017 /

Alastair Millar builds various types of acoustic and electric guitars, including the lap steel, in his Toronto workshop, after working at DeJonge guitars.

Used

This instrument has sold

Lap Steel

Fender Champ Lap Steel Desert Sand, 1962

Fender Champ Lap Steel, Desert Sand 1959

National Dynamic Lap Steel Red and White, 1962

Cole Clark Violap with Horseshoe Pickup, 2003

Rickenbacker Electro Model NS Lap Steel, 1948

2013 Alastair Miller ‘Dallas’ Lap Steel

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