Lap Steel Guitars
10 instruments available
Shop Lap Steel Guitars 2026
Gold Tone GT-WB Weissenborn
Lap Steel Guitars
Gold Tone SM+ Weissenborn
Lap Steel Guitars
Harley Benton Slider II Lap Steel w/Stand
Lap Steel Guitars
Harley Benton Slider II Vintage Series
Lap Steel Guitars
Duesenberg Fairytale Lapsteel HG & W
Lap Steel Guitars
Gretsch G5700 Elmtc. Lap Steel VWH
Lap Steel Guitars
Duesenberg Fairytale Split/King Lapsteel
Lap Steel Guitars
Duesenberg Fairytale Lapsteel Goldburst
Lap Steel Guitars
Gretsch G5700 Lap Steel
Lap Steel Guitars
About Lap Steel Guitars
Lap steel guitars offer a unique, shimmering tone perfect for bluegrass, country, Hawaiian music, and experimental soundscapes. These instruments are played horizontally, with a steel bar used to slide between frets, creating characteristic glissando effects. The versatility allows for expressive melodic lines and textures often unattainable with standard guitars.
Lap Steel Guitars — Pros & Cons
PROS
- Offers a distinctive, ethereal tone unavailable on standard guitars
- Provides a wide range of expressive possibilities through slide technique
- Relatively compact and portable compared to full-sized guitars
- Can be surprisingly versatile across various musical genres
CONS
- Requires a different playing technique with a learning curve
- Can be challenging to play in standard guitar tunings
- Often requires specialized amplification or effects for optimal sound
- Limited sustain compared to guitars with shorter scale lengths
Frequently Asked Questions About Lap Steel Guitars
Scale lengths vary, but commonly range from 22 to 28 inches, influencing string tension and feel.
While many feature single-coil pickups for that classic tone, some models incorporate humbuckers or other configurations for a different sonic character.
Lap steels are typically played on a stable surface like a lap or table, or supported by a specialized stand.
