I love this Electric Lap Slide Guitar. It really comes to life when you run it through FX Pedals. It actually reminds me of the Rickenbacker Frying Pan which was the very 1st Electric Guitar and it was actually a Slide Guitar. Joseph Kekuku was the guy who started the Slide Guitar craze when he was 11. So this instrument has a long history.
Troy, this is a wonderful series on lapsteel. Especially with the low cost instrument and upgrades. I have several laps and pedal steels, There's just something so cool about playing a lapsteel. Plus I love the tones. Thanks for sharing your talents.
I have the P90 model and I replaced the pickup,(Even though it's not bad), and put in CTS 250K pots and a better tone cap. I just bought the humbucker version Recording King and am planning to put a humbucker size gold foil pickup and new pots in that one. These are pretty good lap steels for the price. Some palm bend levers might go on one of them next. Thanks for demoing this lap steel.
I got one a few months ago. I’ve been playing around a little with an 8 string in C6, I got the recording king 6 tuned to open E. Great fun, sounds fine. Your videos have helped me a lot. I bought a dobro after seeing you play some blues on the dobro - another great instrument. I got the Gretsch box car, or whatever it’s called. Affordable and sounds good.
I have test driven a ( stock) Gretch 5700 . Decent quality , attractive styling, plays well , capable of giving Hank Williams era clean tones . The price point is above that of the RK, but not unreasonable . If you like it , no reason to not get one. In my posts on this video I realize I run the risk of seeming a Tone Snob , but : If you play a certain style of music , you gear has to be capable of getting in the same ballpark . You can Always add dirt to a good clean sound , but can't always get the clarity or missing frequencies from an overly hot, dirty pickup .
Great video, thanks. Just wondering, though, once you get this, add a Certano bender (which costs about as much as the instrument), swap out pots, change the pickup, and add locking tuners, the price advantage disappears in a hurry. And did I mention the time you need to put in sourcing all those part and putting them in. Do you think this is worth the effort? It’s a real question, because I’d love to dabble in lap steel territory.
Those are valid points. There are less expensive string bender options. There are some advantages, to getting something inexpensive to start with, and then adding mods, as you have time, interest, and money, to do them. And there is a certain satisfaction, from playing something you modified yourself.
Just got mine few days ago and just finally had time to get it out and tune it up, but wasn't sure what tuning would sound good for this bad boy. I thought for a phenomal buy like this there is sure to be a few on youtube and hopefully several different tunings. This was my 1st and probably my last stop at least for now, love it. Thanks for sharing
Yet again Troy a great video on fitting the certarno bender and I see you are the demo instructor on the suppliers site and link 😁👌👍 who better to have as you are a super cool 😎narrator and instructor ..but would be nice to have or see if someone who could come up with a small bracket roller to attach to the lap steel bridge .the same idea as the roller system on the bridge and nut on the pedal steel guitars as this would reduce even more friction on the bend and allow the string to move in a back and forth direction on the pull/bend ..reducing even more stress and breakage ....just a thought 🤔 but great video great investment /invention .👍👌👏👏👏👏🏴🥃
man that is Rippin, I went on the reverb, and dude there sweetened the deal with a kazoo,, man, what a deal… I kid I kid but can’t wait to put the tone master through the Jcm 800 and get down and dirty.. Cheers
"Hope you enjoyed.." Damn, that was an understatement. Subscribed! What tuners would you use to replace the originals? If you change the humbucker, would you have to change the pots? Going to check out your channel for tuning tips like open E or open D?-truthfully, I know nothing about Lap Steel. Only thing I do know is I love that "growl". Ordering one of these this week. Thank you so much!
A bit of trivia. Before WWII, Adolf Rickenbacher manufactured a bakelite laptop steel guitar. The strings came through the body. Many players of this steel guitar (like the late Jerry Byrd) said it had the best sound of any laptop ever built. I am one of them. But there was a MAJOR problem in building the guitar. IE: Bakelite is VERY brittle. And when they tried to drill the holes in the body, more than just a few cracked in the body. They tried everything. It drove them nuts. But they knew that bakelite creates a sound that is unique. Finally: AFTER WWII, a new owner bought Rickenbacker (F. C. Hall); and he decided NOT to pull the strings through the body because of the breakage. So the new management made an outboard metal piece, where the strings attached to it. No more holes in the main body. Although they still had the problem in drilling the holes for the keys. But the bakelite was much thinner and much less cracks. To this day many players including (JB) said it ruined the tone of the guitar; I am one of them. Obviously the new owner said, "NO it did not" emphatically! Well a person can say what they want, but it DID. So I am tickled that your new steel guitar has the strings through the body. May it give you many hours of joy. The following is a Pre-War Rickenbacher laptop steel guitar. The second is a Post-War guitar reverb.com/item/34618785-rickenbacher-steel-guitar-1937-black-chrome?gclid=CjwKCAiAirb_BRBNEiwALHlnD1HNSFefupB-h0Xj1WPCX0ffUFQDg6k3_flH6CG0etnPBRwqF89y7hoC9twQAvD_BwE www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/rickenbacker-b6-6-bakelite-lap-steel-166866196 End of story
I bought this Lap Steel after seeing this video. I concentrate on the Blues mainly. You sold me on this as a beginner Lap steel, but I didn't realize I'd have to put new tuners & a Cerdano string bender, which I'll probably do, but maybe not myself. Since my age & a couple surgeries have made playing guitar miserable, i was hoping this will fill the void. But it's not going to be easy, as i was always a flat picked & didn't use the other 3 much if at all. We'll see i guess. I saw a video that said the bridge can't be lowered or raised ?
Thanks for posting the review, I have been researching on this guitar for a while. You mentioned that the string spacings are narrow, could you please tell me how narrow the spacings are?
That’s the perfect way to describe many of Recording Kings products inexpensive and a fun little guitar. I love their parlor guitars. Have you tried an Eastwood National Valco clone lap steel? Very nice looking and nice tone as well.
Thanks for this! The Duesenberg Multibender bridge is a bolt on replacement for the Gretsch G5700 Lap Steel. Do you think that would be a good combo? Any experience with those Gretsch lap steels?
Hey Troy! Thanks so much for reviewing these - I just bought one of these yesterday with a P90 in it. What kind of finger picks do you use? Thanks so much!
WOW!! This is definitely ONE HELL of an amazing Lap Steel Guitar & it sounds EXTRA HOT; perfect for Some Scorching Ballsy Blues Rocking, but if you add the Benders It will add equally stellar tones for some Classic Country music as if you were playing a regular Pedal Steel guitar 🎵 🎼 🎶 👍 👌🏻 🥵 🎸 😉 ☝️ 😯 😳 🤩
Actually a couple of years ago I test drove one of these at a GC , and it had a fatal flaw * for me * . Playing into a classic Fender amp ( Deluxe Reissue IIRC ) , indeed it would give killer Blues or Country Rock tones . But even with bright channel , with every possible combination of amp settings and every combination of settings on the instrument , it simply could Not give Traditional Country Twang ( think Hank Sr era ). On the other hand , the base model of the Recording King with the P- 90 can give credible Old Country Twang and growl the Blues , depending on pick attack . Unfortunately for me , I have played my Holy Grail rig . A circa 1940 Electromuse into a Tweed Princeton . The Electromuse came home with me , but original Tweed Princetons are just out of my price range .
Haggled the Guitar Center guy down to $120 on a new, blemished Recording King. Added the used Certano benders for $150. The pickup is great. Low noise. Tuners kinda work less than ok, and not correctly placed for lap tuning ... Notwithstanding, RC w/ Certano gets you into 90% of Duesenberg territory for tiddlywinks. $270 gets you a new gadget that will totally takeover, consume, and change your life. Open D w/ benders in A, G, E force melody playing to optimize the open/bent strings within a step.. such a benefit to your regular guitar playing . So wish I had this $270 contraption 30 years ago. Way better than any pedal or effect rig, ever. Follow Craig's advice on cheap gear.
I made an even more affordable Lap Steel than this. Got just around $50 in the whole thing, and it right in tune, from one end to the other. Packs a good punch on any amp.
Hahaha. I was just looking around for a cheap but good lap that I could throw in a good bag and not worry about, one that could hold the Certano. This model I discarded because of the bridge. Looking at the Dimavery LSG-100 now (and swap pickup). The Eastwood, the Supro Jet and the Gretch are a bit more pricey but also could work.
I bought a Rogue lap steel at a pawn shop for $40 and I’m finding that it sounds great and is going to make a great learner for me. I think retail is less than $100.
Yeah its like 80 to 90, I am getting one to learn on. I want one With this body shape so I can rest may wrist on it. Rouge is pretty nice a friend of mine has one he let me try it out.
@@Danny_On_Wheels44 : I have one too and got all excited when I saw that Troy added the Certano bender unit to the Recording King (look for his great follow up video installing this unit). I ran to the other room to see if it would fit on the Rouge but no bueno! I guess I just have to keep spending money :) The bender sounds great.
@@LessonsWithTroy thanks! I play primarily play in open D on my Weissenborn style lap guitar, but recently picked up a '52 Supro steel lap guitar and having been trying out the C6 tuning which I'm not familiar with at all.
Many inexpensive Lap Steels have leg provisions , but not the RK . Off the top of my head , the SX brand of that shape ( a copy/ tribute to 1930's Gibson EH aka Electro Hawaiian series ) , and does come with legs . Keyboard stands are commonly used with Lap Steels . There are dedicated Lap Steel stands . Exquisite quality , but with commensurate $$ price tag . BUT , many players prefer to play on actual lap , especially those with background in squareneck reso ( dobro) .
Can the Certano be installed on Rouge RL6-1 ? Just bought one last night and am new to Steel Guitar and looking to take your coarse as soon as it comes
I bought a Certano to put on a Rogue RLS-1 and there wasn't any space to fit it. I'm saving the Certano for some other guitar. Maybe I'll build a lap steel and put it on that. Or maybe I'll get this Recording King or an SX Lap 2 from Rondo.
Troy Brenningmeyer when it gets here this week I wanted to put new strings what sets to you use for different tuning but I probably will start with D I have been practicing D with a old guitar set up with a Grover nut extender
@@LessonsWithTroy It's an interesting decision. You feel that the Duesy benders are better? A lot of people seem to be of the opinion that the Recording King is both a better value & better sounding instrument than a stock Gretsch. I'm not sure...
@@Grant_Ferstat I’d go with the Gretsch and the Duesy bender. The Gretsch has better hardware and sounds great with the bender. You might want to tune it to Open E though.
I am in my '80s , is that too old for you to give lessons, I play organ and keyboard at church. I have a Rogue Lap steel and the moneyi to buy a better one. I have plenty of time to practice. What do you think? I like that Recording King.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
I love this Electric Lap Slide Guitar. It really comes to life when you run it through FX Pedals. It actually reminds me of the Rickenbacker Frying Pan which was the very 1st Electric Guitar and it was actually a Slide Guitar. Joseph Kekuku was the guy who started the Slide Guitar craze when he was 11. So this instrument has a long history.
Troy, this is a wonderful series on lapsteel. Especially with the low cost instrument and upgrades. I have several laps and pedal steels, There's just something so cool about playing a lapsteel. Plus I love the tones. Thanks for sharing your talents.
Great video. I don't think anyone else has demoed the one with the humbucker showing the clean sound.
Just bought one of these. Looking forward to your future mods. Thanks for sharing.
I have the P90 model and I replaced the pickup,(Even though it's not bad), and put in CTS 250K pots and a better tone cap. I just bought the humbucker version Recording King and am planning to put a humbucker size gold foil pickup and new pots in that one. These are pretty good lap steels for the price. Some palm bend levers might go on one of them next. Thanks for demoing this lap steel.
I have this one, and it’s great for my beginner self. I did change the strings on it.
I got one a few months ago. I’ve been playing around a little with an 8 string in C6, I got the recording king 6 tuned to open E. Great fun, sounds fine. Your videos have helped me a lot. I bought a dobro after seeing you play some blues on the dobro - another great instrument. I got the Gretsch box car, or whatever it’s called. Affordable and sounds good.
Sound like me! Just got a Gretsch Boxcar after watching Troy also! :)
I have test driven a ( stock) Gretch 5700 . Decent quality , attractive styling, plays well , capable of giving Hank Williams era clean tones . The price point is above that of the RK, but not unreasonable . If you like it , no reason to not get one.
In my posts on this video I realize I run the risk of seeming a Tone Snob , but :
If you play a certain style of music , you gear has to be capable of getting in the same ballpark .
You can Always add dirt to a good clean sound , but can't always get the clarity or missing frequencies from an overly hot, dirty pickup .
Great video, thanks. Just wondering, though, once you get this, add a Certano bender (which costs about as much as the instrument), swap out pots, change the pickup, and add locking tuners, the price advantage disappears in a hurry. And did I mention the time you need to put in sourcing all those part and putting them in. Do you think this is worth the effort? It’s a real question, because I’d love to dabble in lap steel territory.
no need to change pots, pick up or tuners. play it like it is, you will like it.
Those are valid points.
There are less expensive string bender options.
There are some advantages, to getting something inexpensive to start with, and then adding mods, as you have time, interest, and money, to do them. And there is a certain satisfaction, from playing something you modified yourself.
i suggest lowering the pick up slightly and raising up the screws in the face of the humbucker decently too. great tones that way.
Great vid, have been thinking about a lap for years. I think this would be the entry level setup i would use. Thanks
Just got mine few days ago and just finally had time to get it out and tune it up, but wasn't sure what tuning would sound good for this bad boy. I thought for a phenomal buy like this there is sure to be a few on youtube and hopefully several different tunings. This was my 1st and probably my last stop at least for now, love it. Thanks for sharing
Awesome!!! Congratulations. I’d suggest open D (DADF#AD)
Yet again Troy a great video on fitting the certarno bender and I see you are the demo instructor on the suppliers site and link 😁👌👍 who better to have as you are a super cool 😎narrator and instructor ..but would be nice to have or see if someone who could come up with a small bracket roller to attach to the lap steel bridge .the same idea as the roller system on the bridge and nut on the pedal steel guitars as this would reduce even more friction on the bend and allow the string to move in a back and forth direction on the pull/bend ..reducing even more stress and breakage ....just a thought 🤔 but great video great investment /invention .👍👌👏👏👏👏🏴🥃
Much more of this bud please love it need the link to buy one thanks your lessons are great...
man that is Rippin, I went on the reverb, and dude there sweetened the deal with a kazoo,, man, what a deal… I kid I kid but can’t wait to put the tone master through the Jcm 800 and get down and dirty.. Cheers
"Hope you enjoyed.." Damn, that was an understatement. Subscribed! What tuners would you use to replace the originals? If you change the humbucker, would you have to change the pots? Going to check out your channel for tuning tips like open E or open D?-truthfully, I know nothing about Lap Steel.
Only thing I do know is I love that "growl". Ordering one of these this week. Thank you so much!
A bit of trivia. Before WWII, Adolf Rickenbacher manufactured a bakelite laptop steel guitar. The strings came through the body. Many players of this steel guitar (like the late Jerry Byrd) said it had the best sound of any laptop ever built. I am one of them.
But there was a MAJOR problem in building the guitar. IE: Bakelite is VERY brittle. And when they tried to drill the holes in the body, more than just a few cracked in the body. They tried everything. It drove them nuts. But they knew that bakelite creates a sound that is unique.
Finally: AFTER WWII, a new owner bought Rickenbacker (F. C. Hall); and he decided NOT to pull the strings through the body because of the breakage. So the new management made an outboard metal piece, where the strings attached to it. No more holes in the main body. Although they still had the problem in drilling the holes for the keys. But the bakelite was much thinner and much less cracks.
To this day many players including (JB) said it ruined the tone of the guitar; I am one of them. Obviously the new owner said, "NO it did not" emphatically! Well a person can say what they want, but it DID. So I am tickled that your new steel guitar has the strings through the body.
May it give you many hours of joy.
The following is a Pre-War Rickenbacher laptop steel guitar. The second is a Post-War guitar
reverb.com/item/34618785-rickenbacher-steel-guitar-1937-black-chrome?gclid=CjwKCAiAirb_BRBNEiwALHlnD1HNSFefupB-h0Xj1WPCX0ffUFQDg6k3_flH6CG0etnPBRwqF89y7hoC9twQAvD_BwE
www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/rickenbacker-b6-6-bakelite-lap-steel-166866196
End of story
The sound is great!
I bought this Lap Steel after seeing this video. I concentrate on the Blues mainly. You sold me on this as a beginner Lap steel, but I didn't realize I'd have to put new tuners & a Cerdano string bender, which I'll probably do, but maybe not myself. Since my age & a couple surgeries have made playing guitar miserable, i was hoping this will fill the void. But it's not going to be easy, as i was always a flat picked & didn't use the other 3 much if at all. We'll see i guess. I saw a video that said the bridge can't be lowered or raised ?
Thanks for posting the review, I have been researching on this guitar for a while. You mentioned that the string spacings are narrow, could you please tell me how narrow the spacings are?
Sounds great!
What tone bar are you using?
Did you upgrade the tuners? If so, what'd you get? I'm definitely looking to add this to the quiver! Thanks Troy!
That’s the perfect way to describe many of Recording Kings products inexpensive and a fun little guitar. I love their parlor guitars.
Have you tried an Eastwood National Valco clone lap steel? Very nice looking and nice tone as well.
Thanks for this! The Duesenberg Multibender bridge is a bolt on replacement for the Gretsch G5700 Lap Steel. Do you think that would be a good combo? Any experience with those Gretsch lap steels?
Yes
Hey Troy! Thanks so much for reviewing these - I just bought one of these yesterday with a P90 in it. What kind of finger picks do you use? Thanks so much!
cool stuff im looking to buy my first lap steel been watching you for a while did you ever put the bender on this
I did. There’s a video on my channel of the install
WOW!! This is definitely ONE HELL of an amazing Lap Steel Guitar & it sounds EXTRA HOT; perfect for Some Scorching Ballsy Blues Rocking, but if you add the Benders It will add equally stellar tones for some Classic Country music as if you were playing a regular Pedal Steel guitar 🎵 🎼 🎶 👍 👌🏻 🥵 🎸 😉 ☝️ 😯 😳 🤩
What are benders?
What tuning are you in?
Very helpful review.
Actually a couple of years ago I test drove one of these at a GC , and it had a fatal flaw * for me * .
Playing into a classic Fender amp ( Deluxe Reissue IIRC ) , indeed it would give killer Blues or Country Rock tones . But even with bright channel , with every possible combination of amp settings and every combination of settings on the instrument , it simply could Not give Traditional Country Twang ( think Hank Sr era ).
On the other hand , the base model of the Recording King with the P- 90 can give credible Old Country Twang and growl the Blues , depending on pick attack .
Unfortunately for me , I have played my Holy Grail rig . A circa 1940 Electromuse into a Tweed Princeton . The Electromuse came home with me , but original Tweed Princetons are just out of my price range .
Thanks man,I think I'll consider one!
Haggled the Guitar Center guy down to $120 on a new, blemished Recording King. Added the used Certano benders for $150. The pickup is great. Low noise. Tuners kinda work less than ok, and not correctly placed for lap tuning ... Notwithstanding, RC w/ Certano gets you into 90% of Duesenberg territory for tiddlywinks. $270 gets you a new gadget that will totally takeover, consume, and change your life. Open D w/ benders in A, G, E force melody playing to optimize the open/bent strings within a step.. such a benefit to your regular guitar playing . So wish I had this $270 contraption 30 years ago. Way better than any pedal or effect rig, ever.
Follow Craig's advice on cheap gear.
I made an even more affordable Lap Steel than this. Got just around $50 in the whole thing, and it right in tune, from one end to the other. Packs a good punch on any amp.
Hahaha. I was just looking around for a cheap but good lap that I could throw in a good bag and not worry about, one that could hold the Certano. This model I discarded because of the bridge. Looking at the Dimavery LSG-100 now (and swap pickup). The Eastwood, the Supro Jet and the Gretch are a bit more pricey but also could work.
I was considering the Gretsch. Have you looked at that one?
On my shopping list .
I bought a Rogue lap steel at a pawn shop for $40 and I’m finding that it sounds great and is going to make a great learner for me. I think retail is less than $100.
Yeah its like 80 to 90, I am getting one to learn on. I want one With this body shape so I can rest may wrist on it. Rouge is pretty nice a friend of mine has one he let me try it out.
@@Danny_On_Wheels44 : I have one too and got all excited when I saw that Troy added the Certano bender unit to the Recording King (look for his great follow up video installing this unit). I ran to the other room to see if it would fit on the Rouge but no bueno! I guess I just have to keep spending money :) The bender sounds great.
what tuning are you using on this guitar? thanks
What tuning you playing in
Where can I get one of them slides from Troy LOVE YOUR VIDS M8
What tuning please?
Open D
DADF#AD
I assume you can easily tune to Open G or Dobro tuning without any issues?
@@GaryBook Probably so. With the shorter scale length, it should be fine, but I'll keep it in Open D tuning for the Certano Benders.
@@LessonsWithTroy thanks! I play primarily play in open D on my Weissenborn style lap guitar, but recently picked up a '52 Supro steel lap guitar and having been trying out the C6 tuning which I'm not familiar with at all.
Amazing Indian lines!!!
What tuning are you using ?
Open D
@@LessonsWithTroy thanks. Looking forward to seeing the 2 benders video
Just wondering, could that be adapted to be mounted on legs, or is there a ready made rack that would do?
Many inexpensive Lap Steels have leg provisions , but not the RK . Off the top of my head , the SX brand of that shape ( a copy/ tribute to 1930's Gibson EH aka Electro Hawaiian series ) , and does come with legs .
Keyboard stands are commonly used with Lap Steels . There are dedicated Lap Steel stands . Exquisite quality , but with commensurate $$ price tag .
BUT , many players prefer to play on actual lap , especially those with background in squareneck reso ( dobro) .
what type of metal picks do you have on your index, middle and ring finger?
I just bought one just like that, I've had it three days, can't put it down.
Is the Recording King symmetric enough to be easily restrung as a lefty? E.g. are the grooves in the nut and saddle asymmetric or not? Thanks!
What is the nut width on the recording king lap steel.
I’m not sure
Do you need to play one of those lap steels by plugging it into a volume pedal, or can you just plug the lap steel into an amp?
volume pedals are optional
What tuning
The bender is the same price as the guitar!!
Bonjour, quel est le modèl du lap steel svp ?
Merci.
Hi, what is the model of the lap steel please ?
Thinks
I read a review saying the strings are too close together. Can anyone comment on that?
Yes, I recommend the SX with the P90. It’s better built and cheaper too!
@@LessonsWithTroy I'll keep that in mind. Thank you!
Can the Certano be installed on Rouge RL6-1 ? Just bought one last night and am new to Steel Guitar and looking to take your coarse as soon as it comes
RLS-1
Watching for a response!
I bought a Certano to put on a Rogue RLS-1 and there wasn't any space to fit it. I'm saving the Certano for some other guitar. Maybe I'll build a lap steel and put it on that. Or maybe I'll get this Recording King or an SX Lap 2 from Rondo.
What string gauges would you buy for different tunings.D,G,C6 dobro tuning ok on this lap
D and G you could use the same strings, but C6 would require it's own set.
Troy Brenningmeyer when it gets here this week I wanted to put new strings what sets to you use for different tuning but I probably will start with D I have been practicing D with a old guitar set up with a Grover nut extender
Dang! Wish I would have watched this video before I bought my Epiphone Electar.
Does anyone happen to know if you can fit the Duesy benders on these?
You might want to look into a Gretsch Lap Steel and put the multi bender on it
@@LessonsWithTroy It's an interesting decision. You feel that the Duesy benders are better? A lot of people seem to be of the opinion that the Recording King is both a better value & better sounding instrument than a stock Gretsch. I'm not sure...
@@Grant_Ferstat I’d go with the Gretsch and the Duesy bender. The Gretsch has better hardware and sounds great with the bender. You might want to tune it to Open E though.
@@LessonsWithTroy thanks a lot for the advice!
Everytime he plays it just comes out as a White Stripes song.
I am in my '80s , is that too old for you to give lessons, I play organ and keyboard at church. I have a Rogue Lap steel and the moneyi to buy a better one. I have plenty of time to practice. What do you think? I like that Recording King.
3:57 SpongeBob
That’s not mahogany. It’s a cheaper wood that looks like mahogany. Indian mahogany, not related to mahogany in any way shape or form.
TOO MUCH $$ AND THE BENDERS ARE ALMOST AS MUCH AS THE LAP