AudioFu

Best Lap Steel Guitars 2025

Top-rated lap steel guitars 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Country For Bluegrass For Western Swing
Duesenberg Fairytale Split/King Lapsteel - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Duesenberg Fairytale Split/King Lapsteel

by Duesenberg
Western Swing Hawaiian Music Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Unique playing position and technique
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic lap steel sound
  • • Traditional American sound
✗ CONS
  • • Needs lap steel amplifier
  • • Different tuning systems

Duesenberg Fairytale Split/King LapsteelLapsteel Electric GuitarMahogany bodyMahogany neckBlack aluminium...

⭐ 4.4/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 513732
$2,617
Buy at Thomann View Details
Duesenberg Fairytale Lapsteel Goldburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Duesenberg Fairytale Lapsteel Goldburst

by Duesenberg
Slide Guitar Country Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Traditional American sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for slide guitar techniques
  • • Traditional American sound
✗ CONS
  • • Needs lap steel amplifier
  • • Learning curve for beginners

Duesenberg Fairytale Lapsteel GoldburstLap Steel GuitarNeck: Mahogany (Cedro Sapotaceae)Body: Mahogany (Cedro...

⭐ 4.4/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 312955
$2,486
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone SM+ Weissenborn - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Gold Tone SM+ Weissenborn

by Gold Tone
Slide Guitar Bluegrass Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Essential country and bluegrass instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Traditional American sound
  • • Essential country and bluegrass instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to slide guitar styles
  • • Learning curve for beginners

Gold Tone SM+ WeissenbornSlide GuitarWeissenborn Hawaiian-styleBody: MahoganyTop: Solid mahoganyMahogany/Maple rope...

⭐ 4.8/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 457634
$1,198
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone GT-WB Weissenborn - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Gold Tone GT-WB Weissenborn

by Gold Tone
Hawaiian Music Slide Guitar Country
Key Feature:
• Essential country and bluegrass instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Great for slide guitar techniques
  • • Unique playing position and technique
✗ CONS
  • • Needs lap steel amplifier
  • • Requires specific playing technique

Gold Tone GT-WB WeissenbornWeissenborn GuitarTop: SapeleBack & sides: SapeleFingerboard: WalnutCream coloured ABS...

⭐ 4.7/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 538622
$380
Buy at Thomann View Details
Duesenberg Fairytale Lapsteel HG & W - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Duesenberg Fairytale Lapsteel HG & W

by Duesenberg
Slide Guitar Hawaiian Music Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Great for slide guitar techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Unique playing position and technique
  • • Great for slide guitar techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Different tuning systems
  • • Limited to slide guitar styles

Duesenberg Fairytale Lapsteel HG & WLapsteel Electric GuitarBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyBlack aluminium...

⭐ 4.8/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 587737
$2,639
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch G5700 Lap Steel - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Gretsch G5700 Lap Steel

by Gretsch
Bluegrass Traditional Music Western Swing
Key Feature:
• Authentic lap steel sound
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic lap steel sound
  • • Essential country and bluegrass instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Learning curve for beginners
  • • Needs lap steel amplifier

Gretsch G5700 Lap SteelLap Steel GuitarElectromatic SeriesNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: PlasticNut width: 47.6 mmScale:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 169643
$516
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch G5700 Elmtc. Lap Steel VWH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Gretsch G5700 Elmtc. Lap Steel VWH

by Gretsch
Bluegrass Western Swing Hawaiian Music
Key Feature:
• Essential country and bluegrass instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Essential country and bluegrass instrument
  • • Great for slide guitar techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to slide guitar styles
  • • Needs lap steel amplifier

Gretsch G5700 Elmtc. Lap Steel VWHLapsteel Electric GuitarElectromatic SeriesMahogany bodyPlastic fingerboardScale: 572...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 536613
$494
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Slider II Lap Steel w/Stand - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Harley Benton Slider II Lap Steel w/Stand

by Harley Benton
Traditional Music Western Swing Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Essential country and bluegrass instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Unique playing position and technique
  • • Traditional American sound
✗ CONS
  • • Limited to slide guitar styles
  • • Requires specific playing technique

Harley Benton Slider II Lap Steel w/Stand6-String Lap Steel Guitar with StandVintage seriesPoplar body with composite...

⭐ 4.5/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 305023
$122
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Slider II Vintage Serie Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Harley Benton Slider II Vintage Serie Bundle

by Harley Benton
Slide Guitar Traditional Music Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Authentic lap steel sound
✓ PROS
  • • Essential country and bluegrass instrument
  • • Authentic lap steel sound
✗ CONS
  • • Different tuning systems
  • • Learning curve for beginners

Harley Benton Slider II Vintage Serie Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Slider II Vintage Series*6-String...

⭐ 4.7/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 540019
$109
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Slider II Vintage Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Harley Benton Slider II Vintage Series

by Harley Benton
Slide Guitar Country Western Swing
Key Feature:
• Unique playing position and technique
✓ PROS
  • • Unique playing position and technique
  • • Essential country and bluegrass instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Different tuning systems
  • • Needs lap steel amplifier

Harley Benton Slider II Lapsteel6-String Lap Steel GuitarVintage SeriesBody: PoplarComposite fretboardScale: 530...

⭐ 4.9/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 168969
$98
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Lap Steel Guitars

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced lap steel guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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