My new Lazy River

[Deleted]

I’ve mentioned it a few times so I thought I’d let everybody know that my Lazy River Weissenborn copy arrived last week. It’s a great sound, even a new lap steeler like me sounds pretty good (apart from the rattles and buzzes – I shall be bombarding the forum with bar technique questions shortly. Michael, any updates on the DVD? I need it). It’s made entirely from mahogany with a rosewood board, herringbone trim and Waverly turners. It’s my first experience with a Weissenborn style guitar so I can’t compare its tone to anything else, all I’ll say it that it sounds very nice. It’s not as loud as I expected but I guess that’s due to the brand new mahogany top or perhaps my fledgling technique. I’m sure it’ll open up in time. Rance at Lazy River did a great job and was very easy to deal with. It took a while (about 9 months) but it was definitely worth the wait.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Blisters,

Your new guitar looks beautiful. The sound will open up as time goes by. Guitars really do change with time, but it is not a quick process. The mahogany should sound great with lots of bass, great sustain and a sweet warm tone.

My lap style slide guitar instruction DVD will be available by the end of the summer. We are currently looking at our diaries and working out a shooting schedule. Meanwhile, please feel free to ask any questions.

What type of slide/steel/bar are you using?


Hermann would be proud of you!

Shine On
Michael

[Deleted]

Hi Michael,

That’s great news about the DVD, I can hardly wait. Perhaps we could get a thread going to make suggestions about what could be included.

Your description of a typical mahogany tone is pretty much how I’d describe my Lazy River. It certainly has warmth and sweetness and I’m sure the other qualities will develop over time. As I mentioned previously, the volume isn’t quite what I expected, having read that Weissenborns are typically louder than standard acoustics. If I use fingerpicks it’s fine but bare flesh don’t work so well.

I’m currently using a Broz-o-phonic slide. It’s okay but it feels rather scratchy, the polish doesn’t seem too good. I ordered a Planet Waves from eBay but its enormous, I didn’t appreciate how much difference a few extra millimetres makes. It also weighs a ton (260g). I can’t use it, which is a shame because the finish is much smoother than the Broz-o-phonic. Hopefully I’ll have a glass bar from Ian soon and I’ll probably order a Tribotone once Eric has completed his move.

I’ve been working with Bob Brozman’s lapstyle blues DVDs. They’re excellent as you’d expect from Bob but he doesn’t go into enough detail about certain aspects of bar technique for me (I do of course appreciate that it’s impossible to satisfy everybody). My biggest problem is eliminating noise when changing strings, hammering on and pulling off. I haven’t been able to work out how to do it cleanly yet. I know there are no rules, but I’m not sure if I’m holding the bar correctly. I started off using my second finger behind the bar as my primary damping finger but I found it wasn’t very accurate. I’ve started to lift this finger away from the strings and use just my third finger for damping, which works better but the bar doesn’t feel so secure. I realise that some people argue that you should just play and do whatever works but I’d like to develop good technique from the outset.

I’ll save other questions about hammer on and pull offs, I think I’ve clogged up enough of the forum for one day!

Thanks very much for your help.

Cheers, Iain.

[Bill Stig]

Ah Blisters, that looks a beautiful guitar. I listened to the MP3s on the Lazy River web site a while ago and was very impressed by the sound of the mahogany top. Hopefully we'll be hearing some sound clips from you soon. I'd love to try one out sometime.

What strings are you using? I, stupidly put 16s on my spruce K&S Weissenbourn copy and, of course, the bridge started to lift of. The guy who repaired it gave me a bit of a roasting about it. Will the mahogany take heavier strings than spruce?

Bill

[Deleted]

Hi Bill,

It is beautiful, I'm very pleased with the overall aesthetic. If you ever decide to take the plunge and order one feel free to PM me. I'm not sure about the sound clips just yet, not until I've managed to get rid of the buzzes and rattles. I'll keep practicing.

It's still got the original strings on it. I think Lazy River fit John Pearse strings, 15 - 56. I'll order some Newtone Weissenborn sets when I get the chance, I think they're the same gauge. I don't know if it would take heavier strings but I won't risk it. I wouldn't mind trying slightly heavier because the B string (sorry A - it's in open D) doesn't feel quite as tight as the others. It could be my imagination though.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Iain,

That is a great idea to suggest what areas of playing lap style slide the instructional DVD could cover. I can't guarantee all the suggestions will be included, but I am always interested in feedback and ideas from the people who will be buying the DVDs. So yes please!

Regarding your choice of slide - you need to try different ones before settling on THE one for you. The Brozophonic steel is an excellent shape, weight & size, but I do agree that the surface is a little noisy. My favourite of that type of metal bullet steel are the ones produced by LRC called 'King Slides'. The LRC no longer exists, but I am sure if you keep your eye on ebay, one will turn up. The King Slides were copies of my own steel bullet that was made for me many years ago. They are hard chrome plated which gives a quieter smoother sound and feel.

Glass bullet steels do nothing for me. Some people love them, but personally I cannot get anything from them.

As an alternative material for a bullet shaped steel I cannot speak highly enough of the Tribo-Tone bars. They are absolutely fantastic and I cannot imagine being without mine. However, and this may be controversial, but I don't think the coloured ones are as good as the black ones. I would be interested to hear from Eric Ebner on this subject, but I have a yellow medium and a black heavy weight. I have also tried a red heavy and recently a white heavy, and to me they do not feel or sound as good as the black ones. Maybe it's just my imagination....but that is what I think.

When I first started playing lap style slide guitar I did not use a bullet or a bar, I just used my regular steel and glass bottleneck slides. I still do sometimes, as I get a different feel and sound from them. I also learnt to play lap style on a regular round neck guitar without a raised action. I believe this helped me develop my touch and tone.

Before I tried to play Hawaiian music or country Dobro licks, or any other lap steel type of music, I just learnt to play the blues tunes that I already knew and developed it from there.

A very important part of playing this style of guitar is being able to play rhythm lap style. I believe this is essential for developing technique. When I first started I used to sit around for hours with friends just banging out rhythms. It helps you to develop your control of the instrument.

Keep in touch. This is a good thread.

Shine On
Michael.

[Deleted]

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the suggestions and encouragement. I’ll have a think about what I’d like to see in a lap style DVD and will start a thread about it over the weekend, unless somebody beats me to it. I’ve always thought it would be great if somebody did a DVD lesson with input from less skilled players. We sometimes don’t see things that are obvious to more skilled musicians.

I’d definitely like to see something about playing rhythm lap style, I’m not sure I’d know where to start other than sliding whole bar chords around. I’m sure that wouldn’t be too interesting.

I tried my diamond Ultimate bottleneck lap style and liked it. It feels much smoother than the Broz-o-phonic but of course it lacks the weight. I’m sure that I’ll end up with a collection of slides like everybody else. Perhaps we should start a slide exchange, or a even slide library.

Have a good weekend everybody. The weather should be nice so I’ll be practicing in the garden – my neighbours will love it!

Cheers, Iain.

[Deleted]

Blisters... that's a beautiful guitar! I've never played a Lazy River but they have a HUGE fan base and the builder is very nice. You are in for a long range treat with that guitar. I'm addicted to lap style playing.

Tribo-bars: Michael, I play them all (color, black, white) and don't really notice a difference... but that's me. Much like strings, guitar brands and the like, sometimes it's personal preference. I can tell you that they will hold-up the same. The materials are virtually identical but by this fact could offer a different sonic touch in one way or another. I respect your opinion and music as a person and professional musician. I've got and sell plenty of 'blackys' I can't wait for your lap style DVD and steel guitar record to come out. The door is wide open for this kind of music.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Eric,

Thank you for your response to my comments about coloured Tribo-Tone bars. I think that with all tools, for some reason, one particular one shines out above the others to an individual. I am the same with thumb & fingerpicks; I buy a box a only use very few of them. So much of it is psychological. I have thought about that with the Tribo-Tones, and that maybe my brain finds it harder to accept a bright yellow bar than a black one. Recently BJ Cole was over at my house with his new white pedal steel size Tribo-Tone and I was very impressed with it. My blackie Tribo-Tone is never far from my side and I play all concerts on both Dobro & Tricone with it. It really is fantastic.

Shine On
Michael

[Deleted]

Eric - I know you're moving soon so aren't making any new bars at the moment. Do you have any C weight bars in stock? I'd prefer white but Michael's preference for black could sway me, either colour would be fine. I'm collecting bars at the moment, trying to find the right one. Cheers, Iain.

[Deleted]

I just finished my last custom bar before the move and am babysitting at the moment. I'll have any bar (including a "C" bar) available by the end of June. It's a big move but the new shop will be better than ever. Stay tuned

Eric

P.S. I have black and white B, D, E, and M style bars available for shipping during the move; as well as the Indian and Hindustani bars.

[Deleted]

Just a quick update. My Lazy River is opening up nicely, it's definitely getting louder and sounding richer. I've been through half a dozen different bars but still favour my first, the Broz-o-phonic. It isn't as smooth as some of the others I've tried but I actually prefer the slight raspy feel and sound. I still haven't tried a Tribotone or one of Ian’s crystal bars yet (hint, hint).

I still haven't started that thread about the lapstyle DVD, I must do it. I'll have a think about what I'd like to see included and start it during the next few days.

[fredkinbom]

Just spotted this thread - congrats Iain on your Lazy River! It looks fantastic! Mine is spruce/black walnut, and it has opened up a lot over the year-and-a-half I've had it - just keep sounding better the more I play it. Here it is:



And here is a video of a recent little tune played on it:





About the bars - the Broz-o-Phonic, the Diamond Bottlenecks and Tribo-Tone bars all have their strong points, but if there is one bar I'd hate to lose it's my black Tribo-Tone B-weight. So much so I that got myself a back-up.

Fred

[Deleted]

Hi Fred,

I've seen the photos of your Lazy River before, when you first posted them on the old IGS forum. Your experience of working with Rance and your playing (as well as Steiner Gregertsen's) are principally what persuaded me to take the plunge and order one about a year ago. It was a long nine months waiting for it to arrive but it was worth it. It’s definitely improved in the short while I’ve been playing it.

I enjoy listening to your tunes and watching your videos on Youtube, I just wish I had a little of your talent! I'll keep practicing.

Cheers, Iain.