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 and 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

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

Shop for the Best Lap Steel Guitar Gifts

We’ve created more than 2,000 string instrument gifts for players and fans. View the complete String Kings Music Lap Steel Guitar collection.

Find a Lap Steel Guitar Online

Rogue Metallic Black Lap Steel Guitar

Product details:

Hardwood body and neck with position markers
Single-coil pickup, volume and tone controls, chrome hardware
Stainless steel pickguard
3 screw-in height-adjustable legs
Gig bag holds guitar and legs
Amazon #1 Best Seller

Rogue RLS-1 Lap Steel Guitar in Metallic Black with Stand and Gig Bag Lap Steel Guitar Gig Bag

In a hurry? Click here to see the latest lap steel guitar listings and customer reviews: Lap Steel Guitars and Accessories

Shop for Lap Steel Guitars and Accessories

Shop for Lap Steel Guitar Gifts

Would you like to sell our string instrument products online and earn referral fees? Here’s how to become an affiliate.

Lap Steel Guitar Deals Online

Keep an eye on this automatically updating gallery of lap steel guitars and accessories available on eBay. Find bargains on all kinds of string instruments including lap steel guitars.