Playing lap steel standing with strap like a Dobro player ?

[Larry Lenhart]

I found some old threads on the forum about this topic, but I thought I would start a new one and ask the question if anyone has any ideas or experience doing this and possibly there are new builders who do this and I am not aware of them.

To make things clear I am talking about using my Gretsch G5700 standing without a strand. Possibly I can get by with a wide strap only ? I would think it would not be stable enough to play that way, since the lap steel is not as large as a Dobro.

The constraint I have is that often the stage isnt big enough to bring a stand for the lap steel, so thats why I am looking into the Dobro style idea.

There is a lap king stage hand, but I had some questions about it and contracted them but have never gotten a response. also Asher makes one that requires drilling holes in the side of the lap steel.

https://www.lapking.com/options.html


https://www.electrohawaiian.com/product ... it-upgrade

There is a young lady that had something built for her that looked interesting also. Megan Lovell is her name.

If I can find those topics again, I will post a link.

Thanks for any information

[D Schubert]

Several artists come to mind.

Cousin Jody of Grand Old Opry Fame, just hung it around his neck on a long strap

Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe, playing a Rickenbacker "panda" guitar with a false body

Robert Randolph and others playing the Peavey Powerslide Guitar

Rusty Young and others, playing a Melobar slide guitar that he called "The Bear"

[Howard Parker]

Last I saw Megan Lovell has been playing a Electro Liege from Paul Beard for quite a while now!

hp

[Michael Kiese]

I'm very curious, and want to be sensitive so as to not speak out of school on the topic.

I don't play dobro, and I have never played standing with a strap.

I am aware of Larkin Poe and I love that her main axe was a Rickenbacher Bakelite.

That said, if you play standing up with a strap on an instrument like a Dobro, or like the steel player from Larkin Poe... Does that playing position make it harder to do slants?

In my mind, it seems that a standing playing position with a strap would make it harder to play slants, especially reverse slants.

Could someone please offer insight?

[D Schubert]

Some folks do just fine with bar and slants and all the rest when they're standing up. I have always found it a lot more difficult. Maybe just a personal limitation.

[Howard Parker]

I'm a standup bluegrass/Americana dobro dude.

I don't have an issue with slants at all. Forward or reverse, all the same to me.

h

[Brooks Montgomery]

Regarding slants, watch some youtube vids of Rob Ickes. He throws tasty accurate slants all over the neck on dobro while standing.

And both Asher and Beard offer lapsteel “spacers” for stand up playing that put the lapsteel out away from your belly so they play like a dobro (basically putting the strings out front of you as if the guitar was a horizontal OM size guitar, instead of trying to pick right under your belt buckle). Both manufacturers have designed them for their specific guitars, but they can be used with some creative work on many lapsteels. Plus they may give you some ideas to make your own.

[Gary Meixner]

Larry,

Can you borrow a dobro from a friend or set up a standard acoustic guitar with a nut extension to try playing standing up with a strap like you describe? It won't be exactly the same but close enough to tell if it is worth modifying your guitar, which both the Asher, and Lapking devices would require. Test drive the idea first before committing to drilling holes in your Gretsch. There may be other builders making such an appengdage for lapsteel guitar but any clever mechanic could fasion you something out of aluminum bar stock that could be customized to your guitar. It would probably need to fasten to the side of your instrument in some way but I think this could be done in a civilized manner.

Good luck,

Gary

[Michael Kiese]

This screenshot is from the electrohawaiian link Larry put up.

I'd be really worried about that plastic buckle (Step 6) breaking while I'm playing.

I've had that type of plastic buckle completely break off gig bags, mixer bags, and pedal cases. The worst is when you got it slung over your shoulder and the bag drops on concrete.

It'd be terrible if that happened to your instrument during a performance.

Is there a better option for straps? Perhaps a strap lock mechanism of some type?

[George Piburn]

You can easily set up your 5700 to do as you wish.
Basically what Megan did originally, make a pad that attaches to the edge of the lap with velcro - tape or whatever.
This is to have the instrument positioned where you like it with a strap standing.

The lowest cost version is to get some of those wolly shoulder pads for Seat Belts at walmart auto zone. Find a way to pad out the area where you want it to be more comfortable to play with a strap standing. Figure a way to attach and you are good to go.

Next price jump but worth it - you would step up to going to a Foam shop and getting a custom made to fit side pad, and have that covered in upholstery.

Those 5700's are my favorite of the imports, for your purpose it will work great. It's just a matter of the standing position that is comfortable for you.

[Larry Lenhart]

Thanks for all of the responses...you have given me some good ideas to make this work for me

Much appreciated !!

[Peter Jacobs]

Late to this party, but wanted to add: when I play out, I’m standing with my lap steel. I mostly use one that was custom built for me years ago. It’s basically dobro shaped and chambered (or it would weigh a ton). It’s the blue steel in my avatar.

I also have a Melobar lap steel where I added a screw on, homemade belly bar. I made it out of 3 short pieces of L-shaped aluminum and added a pad for my stomach that my wife sewed up for me. I use thumbscrews to attach it to the bottom of the steel, which has threaded inserts. Crude, but effective.

Most important thing: use a strap lock at the butt end!

[Peter Jacobs]

I'd be really worried about that plastic buckle (Step 6) breaking while I'm playing.

Is there a better option for straps? Perhaps a strap lock mechanism of some type?

Mike, I use the Planet Waves headstock loop on my standup steels and haven't had an issue yet. But for safety's sake, I replace them every 2-3 years or so, in case the plastic fatigues. I'm more concerned about the other end, so I use Dunlop straplocks.