13 best 8 string lap steel

An 8-string lap steel guitar is a unique musical instrument that belongs to the family of slide guitars. It is known for its distinctive sound and is commonly used in various music genres, including country, blues, and Hawaiian music.Here's what you should know about 8-string lap steel guitars:

Design: A lap steel guitar has a unique design characterized by a flat body that is played horizontally across the player's lap. It typically features a hollow or semi-hollow body made of wood, such as mahogany or ash.
Strings: As the name suggests, an 8-string lap steel guitar has eight strings. These strings are usually tuned to open tunings, such as C6 or E7, which allow for easy chord playing and slide techniques.
Tuning: The tuning of the lap steel guitar depends on the player's preference and the style of music they intend to play. Common tunings include C6 (CEGACE) and E7 (BDGCEBE). These tunings provide a rich, open sound that suits various musical genres.
Slide Technique: Playing a lap steel guitar involves using a slide (usually made of metal or glass) to glide along the strings, producing smooth and sustained notes. The slide is placed above the frets rather than pressing the strings down to the fretboard.
Sound: The 8-string lap steel guitar has a distinctive and sweet sound characterized by its warm and melodic tone. It's often used to create emotive, sliding melodies and harmonies.
Amplification: Like other electric guitars, lap steel guitars can be connected to amplifiers for increased volume and tone control. Some models come with built-in pickups, while others require an external pickup to be attached.
Playing Styles: Lap steel guitarists can employ various playing styles, including single-note melodies, chordal accompaniments, and intricate slide techniques. The instrument is known for its versatility and adaptability to different musical genres.
Accessories: Accessories for lap steel guitars may include slides, tone bars, and gig bags or cases for protection and transportation.
Notable Players: Many notable musicians have used 8-string lap steel guitars in their music, including David Lindley, Ben Harper, and Jerry Byrd, among others.

8-string lap steel guitars are favored by musicians looking to explore a unique and expressive sound. They are often used in genres where smooth slide playing and melodic phrasing are key elements of the music. Whether you're a seasoned lap steel player or a beginner, these instruments offer a distinctive and captivating musical experience.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best 8 string lap steel on the market

GHS C6th-8 Lap Steel Guitar Strings - 2 Pack

Based on 22 reviews Check latest price

Product description

SGN Products (Formally the Steel Guitar Network)

2 Sets GHS C6th-8 Custom Lap Steel Guitar Strings. These lap steel string will fits any 8-String lap steel and designed for C6 tuning.

Shipping: USA/Internationally

SGN Products is small business and without your feedback and reviews, we can’t exist. Product reviews have a huge effect on our ability to sell and be successful on Amazon. If you purchase this product, we would REALLY appreciate it if you would take a moment and post a review for us.

GHS provides air tight packaging and an “Anti-Corrosion Guarantee” with our Nitro-Packs. With our Nitro-Packs we’ve eliminated the oxygen and sealed in nitrogen to insure the utmost line of defense against corrosion and oxidation for each individual string. GHS has implemented the Nitro-Pack into every guitar sized (4” square string envelope) package in the spring of 2016. GHS product is backed by this Anti-Corrosion Guarantee: If you ever open a pack of strings and find one oxidized or corroded, GHS will replace them free of charge*. You deserve strings that are as fresh and brand new as the day they were sealed, whether you open them immediately, or after keeping them in a gig bag for months. GHS delivers with both outstanding protection and a guarantee!

Lap steel guitars Strings
GHS provides air tight packaging called Nitro-Packs. With the Nitro-Packs, GHS has eliminated corrosion and oxidation for each individual string. You deserve fresh strings whether keeping them in a gig bag or pack a seat for months.
STRING GAUGES: 15 18 22p 24w 30w 36w 42w 54w
FITS: Any 8 string lap/stand up steel guitars and designed for C6th tuning..
WARRANTY: If you don't love these we'll buy them back, no questions asked. MAKE YOUR PURCHASE NOW!!!

GHS Electric Lap Steel Strings 8-String 12-50

Based on 5 reviews Check latest price

Product description

012 016 018 DY22 28 32 38 50. Works well for 8-string lap or pedal steel.

012 016 018 DY22 28 32 38 50
Works well for 8-string lap or pedal steel

Joe Morrell Premium JMLS-8 8-String Lap Steel String Set (3 Pack)

Based on 9 reviews Check latest price

Product description

All Morrell strings are manufactured by the makers of most major brands of guitar strings sold worldwide. The only difference between the big label brand strings and Morrell strings is the money you save!

Premium 8-String Lap Steel String Set
Custom Set Ideal For C-6 Tuning
Nickel Plated Steel Strings
.010,.014,.017,.018,.020,.030N,.034N,.046N

User questions & answers

Question:	pack? Does this mean 3 eight packs
Answer:	Yes, 3 separate 8-string steel sets.

Joe Morrell Premium JMLS-8 8-String Lap Steel String Set

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

Product description

8 string lap steel string set from Joe Morrell.

Custom String Set to be used with C-6 Tunings
8 String Set
Nickel Plated Steel Strings
.010,.014,.017,.018,.020,.030N,.034N,.046N

C6 TUNING SLIDE RULE CHART FOR 8 STRING LAP PEDAL STEEL GUITAR

GUITARSLIDERULE

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product description

C6TH TUNING FOR 8 STRING LAP PEDAL STEEL For instance, above each fretboard are 4 related keys. The area on the end are the open strings. If the first chord of a song is C Major, like the chords: C Am F and G, improvise using C Major fretboard or C Major/m7 fretboard. Usually, the first chord indicates the key. If the chords of a song begin in Em, use the fretboard for E minor or E minor/Maj6. Every note showing would be in that key along with your improvised leads or fill in riffs. Try it!

C6TH TUNING FOR 8 STRING LAP PEDAL STEEL

E9 TUNING SLIDE RULE FOR 8 STRING LAP PEDAL STEEL GUITAR

GUITARSLIDERULE

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Product description

E9TH TUNING FOR 8 STRING LAP PEDAL STEEL For instance, above each fretboard are 4 related keys. The area on the end are the open strings. If the first chord of a song is C Major, like the chords: C Am F and G, improvise using C Major fretboard or C Major/m7 fretboard. Usually, the first chord indicates the key. If the chords of a song begin in Em, use the fretboard for E minor or E minor/Maj6. Every note showing would be in that key along with your improvised leads or fill in riffs. Try it!

E9TH TUNING FOR 8 STRING LAP PEDAL STEEL

SX Lap 2 Ash 3TS Electric Lap Steel Guitar w/Bag

Based on 54 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This full size American swamp ash body lap steel features 36 frets and offers a single coil pickup for clear and bright sound. Unlike a typical guitar, the strings of a lap steel are not pressed to a fret when sounding a note; rather, the player holds a metal slide called a steel (or tone bar) in one hand, which is moved along the strings to change the instrument's pitch while the other hand plucks or picks the strings. It is perfect for Blues, Rock, Hawaiian, Country, Bluegrass, and Western Swing. The strings are spaced widely, with 3/8" between each one. This makes it very easy and enjoyable to play. The single coil pickup has 8K ohm resistance. Measurements Overall length: 36 1/2" Body length: 13" Scale length: 24 3/4" Width at lower bout: 8 3/4" Width at upper bout: 6 9/16" Body length 13 3/4" Width at the nut: 2 5/16" Width at the 12th fret: 2 5/8" Width at the 20th fret 2 7/8" Body thickness: 1" String spacing at the nut: 1/4" (2 1/16" overall) String spacing at the bridge 3/8" (2 3/4" overall) String sizes: .010,.015,.017,.022w,.028,.032,.038,.052

A full size 36 fret lap steel guitar
American swamp ash body with rosewood fretboard
Diecast chrome tuners plus Volume & Tone knobs
P90 pickup
Removable lap steel stand and padded carry bag included

User questions & answers

Question:	What tuning does this come with
Answer:	Q: How do you tune it?A: The lap steel comes from the factory tuned to Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D). However, unlikely most any other lap steel available, this model comes with an ADJUSTABLE BRIDGE, which means a variety of tunings are possible. Blues and Rock players tend to favor Open G and Open A. Open A raises each of the notes a whole-step (2 frets) to E-A-E-A-C#-E. Open D and Open E are also commonly used. Open D is tuned D-A-D-F#-A-D, and open E is a whole-step higher: E-B-E-G#-B-E. Joe Perry of Aerosmith uses Open E on his electric lap steel. David Lindley is another player who uses transposed variations of these tunings. Bluegrass and Country Dobro players tend to favor an altered G tuning, often called "High-G", where the 6th string is tuned up to "G" instead of down to "D", and the 5th string is also tuned up, to B: G-B-D-G-B-D. They also sometimes raise it up to "High-A": A-C#-E-A-C#-E.
Question:	Does this one have an adjustable bridge
Answer:	Yes it does - please see photos in listing. Each string is individually adjustable. Almost no other lap steel on the market has this feature.
Question:	Has anyone replaced the p90 pickup with a seymour duncan or other humbucker pickup. any serious problems making this change
Answer:	Yeah I have an eight string it was a single coil pickup I had a replaced humbugging pickup it made a big difference
Question:	The discription reads ash body and maple fret board, the photo shows rosewood fret board, which is correct
Answer:	It's rosewood on mine. Perhaps the natural finish version has a maple neck...

Shubb SP1 Pearse Guitar Steel Bar Chrome, standard

Shubb

Based on 130 reviews Check latest price

Product description

These guitar steels are designed by musicians with the special demands of today's playing styles in mind. They offer unique design features not found on any other bars, including cutaway ends for improved control, and a semi-bullet tip which facilitates movement across the strings. Shubb-Pearse steels are machined, not extruded, so the playing surface has a true radius. Made of brass for warm musical tone, and heavily chrome plated (not nickel) for abrasion resistance.SP1 The original Shubb-Pearse Steel designed by John Pearse is favored by many 8-string lap steel and Hawaiian guitarists for its extra length (3 3/8") and cutaway bullet tip.

Brand: Shubb
Manufacturer Part: SP1
Designed by John Pearse
Cutaway bullet tip
Favored by many 8-string lap steel and Hawaiian guitarists for its extra length (3 3⁄8")

User questions & answers

Question:	Will this work for small hands
Answer:	I have rather large hands, so it's hard for me to judge, but I don't feel that someone with small hands would find the Shubb overly large.
Question:	Does this work OK for 6-string lap steels
Answer:	This bar will work on either the six or eight string guitar. Don't know about any higher string instrument. In fact all the steels on this page will work on either. Find the one you think you would be comfortable with and go with it.

SX LAP 3 Black Lap Steel Guitar w/Free Carry Bag

Based on 39 reviews Check latest price

Product description

This full size basswood body lap steel features 36 frets and offers a single coil pickup for clear and bright sound. It is perfect for Blues, Rock, Hawaiian, Country, Bluegrass, and Western Swing. This lap steel includes a convenient carry bag and glass side to it's ready to start playing as soon as you receive Measurements Overall length: 33 1/8" Body length: 12 7/8"" Scale length: 22 3/4" Width at lower bout: 8 1/4" Width at upper bout: 5 7/8" Width at the nut: 2" at the 12th fret: 2 1/4" String spacing at the nut 5/16" (1 3/4" overall) String spacing at the bridge 3/8" (2" overall) Body thickness: 1 1/16" Body width at lower bout: 7 1/8" upper: 5 3/4" String sizes: .011, .015,.022w,.028,.036,.052

Full Size, 36 Frets, Lap Steel Guitar!
Includes carry bag and glass slide
One piece neck-through design
One volume control and one tone control

User questions & answers

Question:	What guage strings does it ship with? What tuning is the factory strings made for? G? C
Answer:	Ships with String sizes: .011, .015,.022w,.028,.036,.052
Question:	Is the cable included
Answer:	Sorry, no only the items show in the photo and included in the description are included. A standard guitar 1/4" guitar cord is what is used.
Question:	Does this require a special kind of tuner; or will a regular Snark guitar tuner work
Answer:	That will depend on the tuning you set on the lap steel - if you use regular guitar tuning E to E then the tuner will work - otherwise, and more likely, you will need a chromatic tuner.
Question:	What country is the SX lap steel guitar made
Answer:	All SX products are made in China

S.I.T. String BEC6th Buddy Emmons Pedal Steel C6th Tuning Guitar String

SIT Strings

Based on 71 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The Buddy Emmons pedal steel strings are made with nickel plated steel over a hex core. Designed to meet the needs and demands of the Steel players everywhere. This set is gauged and tuned to C6th according to Buddy Emmons original spec and endorsement.

Nickel plated steel over hex core
Round wound strings for bright sound and great tone
Includes .068 Compound wrapped strings
C6th tuning
Plain strings stress tested for durability

User questions & answers

Question:	Will they work on a lap steel
Answer:	It is a 10 string set so if you have a 10 string lap steel they will work perfectly for C6th or Am7 tunings

Product features

The original Buddy Emmons signature set

We believe that great tone starts with great strings. S.I.T. (Stay-In-Tune) Strings was founded on a belief that a guitar string is more that just an accessory, but rather an integral part of a musician’s sound and voice. That is why since 1980, we have been manufacturing strings one at a time, all here at the S.I.T. Strings factory in Akron, Ohio USA.

These Buddy Emmons signature strings were originally designed along side Buddy and now are the go-to strings of steel players around the world.

Morrell JMLS-E Premium 6-String Lap Steel Guitar Strings for E-Tuning 14-58

Based on 30 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The JMLS-E Lap Steel String set is for a 6-string lap steel and is intended for an E Tuning. All Morrell strings are manufactured by the makers of most major brands of guitar strings sold worldwide. The only difference between the big label brand strings and Morrell strings is the money you save! .014, .018, .022P, .034N, .046N, .058N This string set is packaged for E tunings. Below are are optional tunings depending on preference and style of play. Alternate tunings may require substitution of string gauges. Tunings: Low to high or 6th through 1st: E: E B E G# B E A6: C# E F# A C# E C6/Am7: C E G A C E E13: E G# B C# E G# E7: B D E G# B E

Custom String Set to be used with E Tunings
6-String Set
Manufactured by the makers of most big brands of strings
Nickel Strings
Perfect for Lap Steel Guitar

User questions & answers

Question:	What does the letter N mean after the gauges? i've seen p (plain) and w (wound), but what is N
Answer:	Not 100% sure but if you look at the lower right corner of the package it says Nickel Streel, so I'm guessing Nickel

Morrell JMLSG Premium 6-String Lap Steel Guitar Strings for G Tuning 16-58 (3-Pack)

Based on 16 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The JMLS-G Lap Steel String set is for a 6-string lap steel and is intended for an G Tuning. All Morrell strings are manufactured by the makers of most major brands of guitar strings sold worldwide. The only difference between the big label brand strings and Morrell strings is the money you save! .016,.018,.026,.040N,.050N,.058N This string set is packaged for G tunings. Below are are optional tunings depending on preference and style of play. Alternate tunings may require substitution of string gauges. Tunings: Low to high or 6th through 1st: E: E B E G# B E A6: C# E F# A C# E C6/Am7: C E G A C E E13: E G# B C# E G# E7: B D E G# B E