Lap Steel Guitar Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

Lap Steel Guitar Facts

The lap steel guitar is a string instrument derived from and similar to the guitar. On a conventional guitar, players create sounds by pressing strings against the fretboard. When playing a lap steel or lap pedal guitar, players alter the pitch by pressing a bar against the strings. The instrument is typically placed on the player’s lap. It can also be placed on a stool in front of the player.

Lap steel and pedal steel guitars are associated with many types of music including bluegrass, blues, country, Hawaiian, jazz, and rock. How does it work? The player holds a metal or glass slide in one hand, which is moved along the strings. The other hand is used to pluck or pick the strings.

More Lap Steel Guitar Facts

Fun Fact
A person who performs on this string instrument is called a lap steel guitarist.

Notable lap steel guitarists include Jeff Beck, Chuck Berry, John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival), Jerry Garcia (The Grateful Dead), George Harrison (The Beatles), James Kerr, John Lennon (The Beatles), Barbara Mandrell, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), and Ron Wood (The Rolling Stones).

Flaming Hands in Motion

Julie Turner Gallery Canvas Print

Flaming Hands in Motion by Julie Turner Canvas Print Measures 9 x 12 inches

Listen to the Lap Steel Guitar

Learn the Basics of Sliding and Picking

Andrew Defrancisci walks you through the basics of sliding and picking. Learn a few general playing techniques for the lap steel guitar.

We Love Lap Steel Guitars

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We’ve created more than 3,000 products for string instrument players and music lovers. Find a unique gift for your favorite lap steel guitarist.

Beware of copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Lap Steel Guitar collection.

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Ash Electric Lap Steel Guitar

Product details:

Full-size 36-fret lap steel guitar
American swamp ash body with rosewood fretboard
Diecast chrome tuners plus volume and tone knobs
Removable lap steel stand and padded carry bag
P90 pickup
Perfect for Blues, Rock, Hawaiian, Country, Bluegrass, and Western Swing

SX Lap 2 Ash 3TS Electric Lap Steel Guitar Includes Carrying Case and Legs

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