L
Excellent instrument to get started
At this price do not hesitate. If you want to get started with a lap steel this is the one or two to get. Why two? Well then you can have multiple open tunings to play with.
Might in the future change the electronics, bridge and tuners, but for now it works well.
Update August 2, 2020 - Upgrades:
I knew I was going to upgrade the lap steel so for those interested here is what I did and love the results:
1) Tuners: I selected a set from MPG - Magic Guitar Parts (Germany) which are the Der Jung DJ103BN with the EB28 shafts option. High quality tuners and a perfect fit. Day and night difference!
2) Pickup: After some research I selected the Bare Knuckle Boot Camp True Grit ST NB (neck - black) from the Thomann site as for the price you get a hand wound pickup of great quality and the sound is simply full and very warm. This pickup is simply outstanding.
3) Electronics: I selected two of the Fender 250K Control Solid Shaft potentiometers and an Allparts Switchcraft 1/4" Mono Jack. All this items I got from the Thomann site.
4) Knobs: I selected the "Fender Potiknob Set Jazz Bass" for the knobs where I use the large one for Volume and the small one for Tone.
I now love this lap steel as I am sure it can compete with the best now.
Might in the future change the electronics, bridge and tuners, but for now it works well.
Update August 2, 2020 - Upgrades:
I knew I was going to upgrade the lap steel so for those interested here is what I did and love the results:
1) Tuners: I selected a set from MPG - Magic Guitar Parts (Germany) which are the Der Jung DJ103BN with the EB28 shafts option. High quality tuners and a perfect fit. Day and night difference!
2) Pickup: After some research I selected the Bare Knuckle Boot Camp True Grit ST NB (neck - black) from the Thomann site as for the price you get a hand wound pickup of great quality and the sound is simply full and very warm. This pickup is simply outstanding.
3) Electronics: I selected two of the Fender 250K Control Solid Shaft potentiometers and an Allparts Switchcraft 1/4" Mono Jack. All this items I got from the Thomann site.
4) Knobs: I selected the "Fender Potiknob Set Jazz Bass" for the knobs where I use the large one for Volume and the small one for Tone.
I now love this lap steel as I am sure it can compete with the best now.
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SJ
Great, cheap Lap Steel
Many people are sniffy about these Lap Steels, but you really can't beat them for price and at the end of the day this is a perfectly usable instrument.
I've toured with one of these and had no problems at all; just make sure you buy the correct strings for the tuning you want to use.
The thing stayed in tune, the pick up is ok (actually stronger than my vintage lap steel) and it's well put-together and the finish has a pretty sparkle.
The legs are a bit flimsy and I'm not too keen on the fender strat-style bridge, but have never got round to replacing it with a fixed right-angle bridge because it works just fine.
At £90.00 if you want to upgrade to better pickups, it's cheaper than building a steel yourself; I'm tempted to buy a matching pair and build a double-neck...
Please though Thomann, bring back the Slider 8!
I've toured with one of these and had no problems at all; just make sure you buy the correct strings for the tuning you want to use.
The thing stayed in tune, the pick up is ok (actually stronger than my vintage lap steel) and it's well put-together and the finish has a pretty sparkle.
The legs are a bit flimsy and I'm not too keen on the fender strat-style bridge, but have never got round to replacing it with a fixed right-angle bridge because it works just fine.
At £90.00 if you want to upgrade to better pickups, it's cheaper than building a steel yourself; I'm tempted to buy a matching pair and build a double-neck...
Please though Thomann, bring back the Slider 8!
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E
Value for money!
I have played, for more years than I care to remember,all types of guitar-but never a lap steel slider type.Recent circumstances mean that my fingers are no longer"flexible" enough to play my guitars,so it has given me the opportunity to take the"leap"to a lap type.As I had no idea as to ideal brands or types I decided to buy a"entry level"make.Having dealt with Thomann(and being very impressed by their help and courtesy)I decided to buy this unit.It arrived promptly,well protected with no damage.Once I had tuned it and begun to use the provided slide bar I was delighted by the end result and wide tonal width when played through my Marshall amp.It will be a new learning curve for me but one I am looking forward to.
As with all reviews there are some areas of query and this item is no different-but minor only.
1.It would as a "first timer"have been helpful to have known the"tuning"of this unit.
2.A"leaflet"indicating what strings for what tunings,how many tunings could be obtained and
3.How best to hold the tone bar etc.
Yes I know this can be found from available literature-but it would be an added "bonus" if included.
I hope this review is helpful but Thomann provide such a good service I am sure you can buy with safety
As with all reviews there are some areas of query and this item is no different-but minor only.
1.It would as a "first timer"have been helpful to have known the"tuning"of this unit.
2.A"leaflet"indicating what strings for what tunings,how many tunings could be obtained and
3.How best to hold the tone bar etc.
Yes I know this can be found from available literature-but it would be an added "bonus" if included.
I hope this review is helpful but Thomann provide such a good service I am sure you can buy with safety
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T
B-Stock condition on non-b-stock purchase
What do you expect from something this inexpensive? Don't be fooled by Harley Benton's good reputation -- I believe they are simply slapping their logo on a lap steel that is available under a number of budget brand names.
Poor alignment of components, so the pickup is so far off center that the last pole piece isn't even under the high string. Cheap tuners meant for a nylon string guitar, very delicate to dial in tune. Legs slip no matter how tight you turn the thumb screw. One of the tuner holes has tear out. Plastic box for tone bar arrived broken in half. Included strings aren't well balanced for C6 tuning. Short scale length make intonating more difficult. I'm skeptical the legs will survive many times being taken off before the attachment threads strip / cross thread. Tone rolls off very suddenly at the end of its range, like it maybe does not have the correct taper (audio vs linear).
Considering the number of quality issues I do think they overcharge for this. It should be much easier and cheaper for them to manufacturer than a cheap Strat clone, since no fretboard, only one pickup, hard tail, simple shape. But it costs more.
This thing is fun enough I kind of wish I'd just spent more money on a higher quality instrument.
Poor alignment of components, so the pickup is so far off center that the last pole piece isn't even under the high string. Cheap tuners meant for a nylon string guitar, very delicate to dial in tune. Legs slip no matter how tight you turn the thumb screw. One of the tuner holes has tear out. Plastic box for tone bar arrived broken in half. Included strings aren't well balanced for C6 tuning. Short scale length make intonating more difficult. I'm skeptical the legs will survive many times being taken off before the attachment threads strip / cross thread. Tone rolls off very suddenly at the end of its range, like it maybe does not have the correct taper (audio vs linear).
Considering the number of quality issues I do think they overcharge for this. It should be much easier and cheaper for them to manufacturer than a cheap Strat clone, since no fretboard, only one pickup, hard tail, simple shape. But it costs more.
This thing is fun enough I kind of wish I'd just spent more money on a higher quality instrument.
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W
Wow and Bow Wow
I bought two of these and have joined them together to form a double-neck with two different tunings - so, a double neck for under £180. Perhaps Thomann / HB could consider marketing a double neck ?? perhaps they could also consider marketing a string bender mechanism as an add on product.
The positives - the Slider II can produce a pretty good set of sounds from Hawaiian to country to overdriven blues rock
and is fabulous value for money.
The 'opportunities' - well, a lap steel is a pretty simple instrument, 6 strings held taut from a raised nut to a flat bridge over a decent pick up, there's not much more to it other than aesthetics. So, a few extra pounds spent on a decent set of heavyweight strings and a better set of tuners and you would have a pro level product that is still half the price of an Epiphone or a Gretsch.
Overall, very pleased
The positives - the Slider II can produce a pretty good set of sounds from Hawaiian to country to overdriven blues rock
and is fabulous value for money.
The 'opportunities' - well, a lap steel is a pretty simple instrument, 6 strings held taut from a raised nut to a flat bridge over a decent pick up, there's not much more to it other than aesthetics. So, a few extra pounds spent on a decent set of heavyweight strings and a better set of tuners and you would have a pro level product that is still half the price of an Epiphone or a Gretsch.
Overall, very pleased
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C
Just what I needed at this time
Having hurt my thumb, it's hard to play guitar right now. This lap steel has been a blessing. Sounds great, easy to learn on, just brings joy into my life in this tough time. I can't imagine a better value for someone wanting to learn how to play slide guitar better.
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S
A short review of the Harley Benton Slider II
I am really happy with this instrument so far as I certainly wasn`t expecting it to be so well built for the price!
The paint job was the only thing that seemed a bit rushed in it`s construction,hence 4 stars for quality,but it has stayed in tune since the day it arrived when I first tuned it.I recorded it and it sounds great.No problems with the electrics or anything loose,even the strings seem decent.The stand is stable enough and the tone bar has enough weight.
It does it`s job perfectly and I can see it giving me a lot of pleasure playing it.Well done Harley Benton!
The paint job was the only thing that seemed a bit rushed in it`s construction,hence 4 stars for quality,but it has stayed in tune since the day it arrived when I first tuned it.I recorded it and it sounds great.No problems with the electrics or anything loose,even the strings seem decent.The stand is stable enough and the tone bar has enough weight.
It does it`s job perfectly and I can see it giving me a lot of pleasure playing it.Well done Harley Benton!
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R
Well spent money
I recently decided I wanted to try learn Lap steel and was at a lost as what to buy and where.
Upon seeing this product and the price I decided it seemed excellent to get a flavour of what a lap steel would be like to play.
My investment has not disappointed me! I am super impressed with the instrument. It's light weight, easy to set up and it sounds perfect for what I want, it's pickup gives off no more hum than any single coil would. It's sturdy and a pleasure to learn and play on.
I can only find two cons with the product, one was that the tuning can slip a little but with enough playing around with the set up I was delighted to have it holding it's tuning.
The second was that the tone bar that came with it wasn't the easiest to use and it's shape and weight just didn't suit me but upon a purchase of another one the instrument it's a pleasure to play.
Upon seeing this product and the price I decided it seemed excellent to get a flavour of what a lap steel would be like to play.
My investment has not disappointed me! I am super impressed with the instrument. It's light weight, easy to set up and it sounds perfect for what I want, it's pickup gives off no more hum than any single coil would. It's sturdy and a pleasure to learn and play on.
I can only find two cons with the product, one was that the tuning can slip a little but with enough playing around with the set up I was delighted to have it holding it's tuning.
The second was that the tone bar that came with it wasn't the easiest to use and it's shape and weight just didn't suit me but upon a purchase of another one the instrument it's a pleasure to play.
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M
Fantastic bargain for a quality instrument!
I wanted to try a lap steel guitar for a track I was recording and looked around at the market. I centred in on this Harley Benson and, as it was such a good price, went ahead and ordered it. I was not disappointed! It's great. Lovely sound, good quality components, nice looking. Highly recommended.
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F
Nice Lap Steel, shame about the strings.
Bought this Lap Steel as I needed to record some proper slide guitar. At £95 (plus £10 shipping to the Highlands of Scotland) I wasn’t expecting miracles. There is a cheaper one without a stand, but I really don’t have any worktop space in my home studio, so I went for the one with the stand. It means it is ready to go when I need to use it, without having to move things out of the way. Comes with a steel slide in a box, the aforementioned stand and a gig bag for the Lap Steel and a bag for the legs. These aren’t great, but will keep your stuff from getting scratched during transport.
Took it out of the boxes (very well packaged for transport), tuned it up and played along with a backing track. Now considering that this is less than £100/€100/$100, it was surprisingly good. The only let down with the entire experience was the strings, with the weight of my hand and the bar, it was putting the strings slightly higher than the “fretted” note. They are too thin, but as these are just on it to make it playable, that is not a bad point against the Lap Steel. With a change of strings to a much heavier gauge this will be much better. Sound wise, again let down by the strings, but the pickup seems reasonable, but in the future I will be putting in higher quality electrics.
Overall, this is a nice instrument, and would highly recommend this to anyone wanting to get into, or just curious about, Lap Steel guitar. At this price, what is stopping you…
Took it out of the boxes (very well packaged for transport), tuned it up and played along with a backing track. Now considering that this is less than £100/€100/$100, it was surprisingly good. The only let down with the entire experience was the strings, with the weight of my hand and the bar, it was putting the strings slightly higher than the “fretted” note. They are too thin, but as these are just on it to make it playable, that is not a bad point against the Lap Steel. With a change of strings to a much heavier gauge this will be much better. Sound wise, again let down by the strings, but the pickup seems reasonable, but in the future I will be putting in higher quality electrics.
Overall, this is a nice instrument, and would highly recommend this to anyone wanting to get into, or just curious about, Lap Steel guitar. At this price, what is stopping you…
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