I agree that the Asher is a premium instrument. But lots of music is made on lesser quality old and new lapsteels. Don't discount the cheap SX or Gretsch, Recording King,nand a few others. I've played a ton on an old 60s Supro 6 string lapsteel and it's great. But my love is pedal steel and I own several makes. No comparison.
Absolutely. I just put out a video on my other channel because for some reason I have two, entitled which Lap Steel should you buy? The main thing I say is that my $250 recording king is a perfectly acceptable instrument and if I can't do a session on it then the problem is me and not the instrument.
I highly prefer the Asher. The gold tone also has a shorter scale, and if I remember correctly, the string spacing is super tight. The Asher, to me, is a superior instrument.
@@mattbradford6731 Hey thanks for the response! Ya from what I can hear on videos, I like the tone better too... but with people having their own set ups and not finding a side by side hard to judge... also, have you ever played the Vorson FLSL-220? Seems like an interesting guitar. I'm looking at that one too... but I found a used Asher for $400 so kinda hard to beat that. Trying to decide between just going for it, or getting a cheaper guitar like an SX Lap 8 and upgrading my amp (i just have a Blues Jr). I'm an OKish slide player and we only play occasional shows... doesn't mean I don't want to sound good! :P
. Absolutely ! For comprehensive approach to Steel/ Dobro , Troy B. Is the best . As Troy points out in all his lessons with either instrument , there is 99% overlap between Dobro and Lap Steel techniques . ( Unless you do round bullet bar and volume pedal for Steel .)
Well , they certainly are * Different* ! The Vintage one Sounds like an actual Steel Guitar . The EH Jr sounds like a modern two humbucker guitar , that happens to be played sideways . Which is better ? Depends what you're looking for . Scale Length ? Yes , back in the beginning . Rick offered both lengths , but very quickly , +/- 22.5 became THE standard , and 25 inch rare . Why ? Because if it's played like an actual Steel Guitar , such as in Hawaiian , Western Swing , or Traditional Country , the shorter scale facilitates the Slants inherent to those genres . The 25 inch Steel is a niche thing primarily for dedicated Dobro players to directly carry over their muscle memory . This is the first of your YT vids I've seen . But from the armpit guitars on your wall , I'm assuming you're approaching Steel from a background of Bottleneck Slide ? ( nothing wrong with that ) Tones ? You can always add dirt . but you can't create bright cleans that aren't already there . Today's most famous young Steel Guitarist is Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe . Until about a year ago when she designed a signature instrument with Paul Beard , she used 1930's Rick B-25 s , with original pickups . Yes , with cranked Fender and Tube Screamer , she certainly nailed the Blues Rock sounds . Not knocking the EH Jr , I have one . But it's a struggle to try to get it to clean up for Traditional Country Twang . I may have to end up changing one of the pickups .
You may be missing a couple of points. End of the day, the instrument just needs to inspire. But most pedal steels have a 25” scale, which is sort of the country music standard. Megan is a killer, but she plays rock music. The Asher is based off a weissenborn. There’s plenty of twangers out there with humbuckers.
@@mattbradford6731 Pedal Steel is a different beast , and only psssing knowledge of them . Their predecessors , the non pedal Console Steel Guitars with 2-4 necks were virtually all the short scale . Their may well have been Console or Pedal Steels with specific to them humbuckers for the original purpose of eliminating hum from neon beer signs in bars But many of them . including the Fenders , used two single coils with RWRP . Sometimes with switch , some times with wheel to roll in just enough to control the buzz . Never say never , but any * electric Guitar * based humbucker lap steel I've tested at music stores wouldn't Twang , even thru bright channel of Fender tube amp . The Asher Jr is a fine instrument , with 25 inch . I was on time schedule to get to work , and only had time to verify function ( but the price was so good . I couldn't not buy it ) . Maybe Bill Asher had known the secret to specify the specs , or worse case , it's worth it to swap one pickup . Heck , that's why on the made in USA Electro Hawaiians . Gold Foil pickups are an option . And if a second pickup is ordered on the Beard Road A Phonic steel . the second one is a Gold Foil . Megan ( & Rebecca ) have evolved over the whole spectrum from pure Bluegrass , to Americana , to trad Blues , to also Blues Rock . But that further proves my point . You can absolutely rock out with modest wind single coils , but you can't add in frequencies and clarity that wasn't there to start with . In modern cheap lap steels using Strat type pickups can twang . P-90s can passably neo twang , plus rock out when you dig in hard , kind of all arounders .
Matt, First of all, you're a "Great" player (I just subscribed to your Channel). I'm a guitar player who is very excited to start learning the Lap Steel Guitar. I'm quite serious about the same Asher that you're playing. As a "TOTAL" Newbie (to Lap Steel or even Slide Guitar) and not knowing a lot about it, I have a question. Most things I've read suggest that a Beginner should get a Lap Steel with, at least, a 2 Inch Nut Width (The Asher has an 1 3/4 Nut) and start with Open E Tuning. I'm blessed to have a lot of guitars with various Nut sizes, but fretting with your fingers and playing (especially single notes) with a slide bar seems to be a different story. I'll assume that's why they say a wider Nut Width. If you could give me your opinion on these two things I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank You so much
Well, I think you could easily start with a nut raiser on one of your guitars. The Asher has a 2.125” nut, and is certainly the widest I use. A lot of older steels, and eight strings as well as pedal steels have much narrower spacing. My advice is play whatever gets you playing, and use the tuning that speaks most to what you want to do. If you want Hawaiian stuff, start with a 6 tuning. If you want country, the dobro g. I like open d or e for blues and rock personally. But there is certainly no “right way” or “best way.”
@@mattbradford6731 Matt, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I didn't want to put a Nut Raiser on one of my guitars because (for me) I wanted the look and feel of Lap Steel not a converted regular guitar. I said the Asher Nut width was 1 3/4 inches because that's what "their" Web Site said for that model. Thank you for confirming that, that is (not) the case. I didn't get into my intended use of the Lap Steel (regarding tuning) because I thought my message would be too long (which this is becoming) I want it for one purpose at this point. I want to get into playing the old style songs like Albatross, Sleep Walk, Stranger on the Shore, etc. Again, your kindness to take the time to answer me was greatly appreciated; helping others is a way of life that more people might consider.
Very informative demo and comparison. Thanks.
I agree that the Asher is a premium instrument. But lots of music is made on lesser quality old and new lapsteels. Don't discount the cheap SX or Gretsch, Recording King,nand a few others. I've played a ton on an old 60s Supro 6 string lapsteel and it's great. But my love is pedal steel and I own several makes. No comparison.
Absolutely. I just put out a video on my other channel because for some reason I have two, entitled which Lap Steel should you buy? The main thing I say is that my $250 recording king is a perfectly acceptable instrument and if I can't do a session on it then the problem is me and not the instrument.
Thanks for that, Matt. Greets from Germany!
your hurt my feelings. lol. I absolutely love my Magnatone. its a 1953 model. That Asher does sound amazing though! Take care brother
Ah man! It’s all love. End of the day, you need the instrument that inspires you! That’s all!!!
Yeah Matt! Great comparison and playing.
Thanks dude!
how do you feel about that vs a gold tone? I'm looking to upgrade from and old melobar I have
I highly prefer the Asher. The gold tone also has a shorter scale, and if I remember correctly, the string spacing is super tight. The Asher, to me, is a superior instrument.
@@mattbradford6731 Hey thanks for the response! Ya from what I can hear on videos, I like the tone better too... but with people having their own set ups and not finding a side by side hard to judge... also, have you ever played the Vorson FLSL-220? Seems like an interesting guitar. I'm looking at that one too... but I found a used Asher for $400 so kinda hard to beat that. Trying to decide between just going for it, or getting a cheaper guitar like an SX Lap 8 and upgrading my amp (i just have a Blues Jr). I'm an OKish slide player and we only play occasional shows... doesn't mean I don't want to sound good! :P
Love your vibe and music brother! This convinced me, I already have an Asher S Classic, so I’m stoked to get my hands on one!
Do any beginner lessons?
Thanks dude! I don't do lessons. I'd check out lessons with troy, he's great!
@@mattbradford6731 ordered my Asher Jr today, and ready to dig in and learn some of this therapy and gospel! 💯
@@TXbluesplayer Awesome! Enjoy it!
. Absolutely ! For comprehensive approach to Steel/ Dobro , Troy B. Is the best . As Troy points out in all his lessons with either instrument , there is 99% overlap between Dobro and Lap Steel techniques . ( Unless you do round bullet bar and volume pedal for Steel .)
Well , they certainly are * Different* !
The Vintage one Sounds like an actual Steel Guitar . The EH Jr sounds like a modern two humbucker guitar , that happens to be played sideways . Which is better ? Depends what you're looking for .
Scale Length ? Yes , back in the beginning . Rick offered both lengths , but very quickly , +/- 22.5 became THE standard , and 25 inch rare .
Why ? Because if it's played like an actual Steel Guitar , such as in Hawaiian , Western Swing , or Traditional Country , the shorter scale facilitates the Slants inherent to those genres . The 25 inch Steel is a niche thing primarily for dedicated Dobro players to directly carry over their muscle memory .
This is the first of your YT vids I've seen . But from the armpit guitars on your wall , I'm assuming you're approaching Steel from a background of Bottleneck Slide ? ( nothing wrong with that )
Tones ? You can always add dirt . but you can't create bright cleans that aren't already there .
Today's most famous young Steel Guitarist is Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe . Until about a year ago when she designed a signature instrument with Paul Beard , she used 1930's Rick B-25 s , with original pickups . Yes , with cranked Fender and Tube Screamer , she certainly nailed the Blues Rock sounds .
Not knocking the EH Jr , I have one . But it's a struggle to try to get it to clean up for Traditional Country Twang . I may have to end up changing one of the pickups .
You may be missing a couple of points. End of the day, the instrument just needs to inspire. But most pedal steels have a 25” scale, which is sort of the country music standard. Megan is a killer, but she plays rock music. The Asher is based off a weissenborn. There’s plenty of twangers out there with humbuckers.
@@mattbradford6731 Pedal Steel is a different beast , and only psssing knowledge of them . Their predecessors , the non pedal Console Steel Guitars with 2-4 necks were virtually all the short scale .
Their may well have been Console or Pedal Steels with specific to them humbuckers for the original purpose of eliminating hum from neon beer signs in bars
But many of them . including the Fenders , used two single coils with RWRP . Sometimes with switch , some times with wheel to roll in just enough to control the buzz .
Never say never , but any * electric Guitar * based humbucker lap steel I've tested at music stores wouldn't Twang , even thru bright channel of Fender tube amp .
The Asher Jr is a fine instrument , with 25 inch . I was on time schedule to get to work , and only had time to verify function ( but the price was so good . I couldn't not buy it ) . Maybe Bill Asher had known the secret to specify the specs , or worse case , it's worth it to swap one pickup . Heck , that's why on the made in USA Electro Hawaiians . Gold Foil pickups are an option . And if a second pickup is ordered on the Beard Road A Phonic steel . the second one is a Gold Foil .
Megan ( & Rebecca ) have evolved over the whole spectrum from pure Bluegrass , to Americana , to trad Blues , to also Blues Rock . But that further proves my point .
You can absolutely rock out with modest wind single coils , but you can't add in frequencies and clarity that wasn't there to start with .
In modern cheap lap steels using Strat type pickups can twang . P-90s can passably neo twang , plus rock out when you dig in hard , kind of all arounders .
Matt, First of all, you're a "Great" player (I just subscribed to your Channel). I'm a guitar player who is very excited to start learning the Lap Steel Guitar. I'm quite serious about the same Asher that you're playing. As a "TOTAL" Newbie (to Lap Steel or even Slide Guitar) and not knowing a lot about it, I have a question. Most things I've read suggest that a Beginner should get a Lap Steel with, at least, a 2 Inch Nut Width (The Asher has an 1 3/4 Nut) and start with Open E Tuning. I'm blessed to have a lot of guitars with various Nut sizes, but fretting with your fingers and playing (especially single notes) with a slide bar seems to be a different story. I'll assume that's why they say a wider Nut Width. If you could give me your opinion on these two things I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank You so much
Well, I think you could easily start with a nut raiser on one of your guitars. The Asher has a 2.125” nut, and is certainly the widest I use. A lot of older steels, and eight strings as well as pedal steels have much narrower spacing. My advice is play whatever gets you playing, and use the tuning that speaks most to what you want to do. If you want Hawaiian stuff, start with a 6 tuning. If you want country, the dobro g. I like open d or e for blues and rock personally. But there is certainly no “right way” or “best way.”
@@mattbradford6731 Matt, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I didn't want to put a Nut Raiser on one of my guitars because (for me) I wanted the look and feel of Lap Steel not a converted regular guitar. I said the Asher Nut width was 1 3/4 inches because that's what "their" Web Site said for that model. Thank you for confirming that, that is (not) the case. I didn't get into my intended use of the Lap Steel (regarding tuning) because I thought my message would be too long (which this is becoming) I want it for one purpose at this point. I want to get into playing the old style songs like Albatross, Sleep Walk, Stranger on the Shore, etc. Again, your kindness to take the time to answer me was greatly appreciated; helping others is a way of life that more people might consider.