Strings for a Lap Steel

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DerGeist
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2011/02/14 10:56:00 (permalink)

Strings for a Lap Steel

Hi all
 
I bought a lap steel over the weekend. One of these:
http://www.coleclarkguitars.com/product_LapDogHum.asp
 
Normally when I get a new guitar the first thing I do is remove the icky strings that come on it. This would be no exception but I'm not exactly sure what to put on it. It came with flat wound strings, and I can see why, but are round wounds an option. The strings on it seem a bit dead, probably because they old dealer stings, but I think the flatwounds may contribute to it. I'm looking for a bright, rockish, sound.
 
Any recomendations? Flat Vs Round, Guage? Will most likley tune it to Cmaj9 or open Em.
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    Guitarhacker
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    Re:Strings for a Lap Steel 2011/02/14 13:15:21 (permalink)
    Experiment.

    Buy a couple of different sets heavy & light gauge, flat and round. try them out and see what works.

    Since you're not fretting them like a guitar...I'm thinking the heavier gauge string will give a better sound, and the flats won't have the noise associated with the rounds...... but not being a steel player.... that's just a guess.

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    spacey
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    Re:Strings for a Lap Steel 2011/02/14 14:11:57 (permalink)
    Tim that's a nice looking steel.
    The one I made has a 25 1/2" scale. They sure didn't give
    much info or I couldn't find it.

    I put on the same strings I use on my guitars.
    10-46 and they work fine for me. Also saved
    the hassle of keeping different sizes around as
    I usually buy a quantity.

    Mine is one piece Ash. Haven't had time to play it since I built
    it...I do plug it in once in awhile to see
    the LED's light up..lol...I tuned it GBDGBD.
    Have a glass slide some cats in England make and a steel slide.

    I like to stretch strings behind the slide since it doesn't have pedals...
    if you do that and go to a heavier gauged set...check the nut.


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