#1
Rogue RLS-1 Lap Steel
Budget solid body electric lap steel · Solid body, single pickup, maple neck, rosewood fretboard, 6-string, comes with bar, case, and picks$130–$160 new / $90–$120 usedBest for: Most affordable lap steel entry point, includes accessories for complete beginners, direct to playing
The Rogue RLS-1 is the most affordable complete lap steel guitar package — it includes a steel bar, picks, and a padded bag. For complete beginners who want to explore lap steel playing before committing to a more expensive instrument, the Rogue provides all the necessary components at the lowest cost. Tone and build quality are basic but functional for learning the fundamentals of steel guitar playing. Used at $90–$120.
What to check used: The Rogue RLS-1's quality limitations become apparent quickly for serious players — the pickup has limited tone, and the construction reflects the budget price. It is an appropriate tool for beginner exploration, but players who commit to lap steel will typically upgrade within 6-12 months. Factor this likely upgrade into your initial purchase decision.
#2
Recording King RLP-35
Mid-range solid body electric lap steel · Solid mahogany body, single coil pickup, 25-inch scale, rosewood fretboard, bound body, volume and tone controls$280–$340 new / $200–$270 usedBest for: Best mid-range lap steel, Recording King quality at step-up price, solid mahogany body warmth
The Recording King RLP-35 is the quality step up from budget lap steels — a solid mahogany body with a quality single-coil pickup provides noticeably better tone than the Rogue RLS-1. Recording King focuses on vintage-inspired string instruments and the RLP-35's construction reflects this priority. For players who have confirmed their interest in lap steel and want a more serious instrument without the cost of boutique options, the RLP-35 is the clear recommendation. Used at $200–$270.
What to check used: The RLP-35 is a 6-string standard-tuning lap steel — verify the scale length and string spacing are appropriate for the steel bar technique you want to develop. Lap steel guitar technique varies significantly depending on tuning (C6, E major, A major) and genre (Hawaiian, country, blues). A setup for one style optimizes around specific string gauges and tuning.
#3
Asher Electro Hawaiian Junior
Boutique student lap steel (American-made) · American-made, hand-wound custom pickup, solid alder or ash body, Asher handcraft quality, 6-string$850–$1,000 new / $650–$800 usedBest for: Boutique American-made quality at student price, hand-wound Asher pickup, serious lap steel entry
The Asher Electro Hawaiian Junior is American-made boutique quality at a reasonable price — Bill Asher builds lap steels in Los Angeles with hand-wound pickups that produce exceptional tone. The Electro Hawaiian Junior is Asher's entry-level model, designed for students who want professional-quality tone while learning. For players who are committed to lap steel and want an instrument they will not quickly outgrow, the Asher Junior is the investment. Used at $650–$800.
What to check used: The Asher Junior at $650–$800 used is a significant investment for a beginner instrument — it is appropriate for players who have confirmed their commitment to lap steel and want an instrument that will grow with them rather than requiring an upgrade. Not the choice for tentative beginners.
#4
SX Lap Steel Guitar
Budget-mid solid body lap steel · Solid body, single coil pickup, 6-string, chrome hardware, available in multiple colors$130–$180 new / $90–$130 usedBest for: Budget lap steel with better finish quality than Rogue, alternative beginner entry point
The SX Lap Steel is the alternative budget option to the Rogue RLS-1 — SX instruments are known for their finish quality at budget prices. The SX lap steel produces comparable tone to the Rogue but with better hardware reliability and appearance. For players choosing between budget options, the SX is a competitive alternative. Used at $90–$130.
What to check used: Like the Rogue RLS-1, the SX at this price is a beginner tool. The single-coil pickup character is limited, and players who develop serious lap steel technique will likely want an upgrade within a year. The SX's main advantage over the Rogue is the finish and hardware quality, not the tone.
#5
National Style 1 Lap Steel
Premium American lap steel (aluminum body) · Spun aluminum body, National lap steel pickup, chrome hardware, 6-string, Made in USA$1,400–$1,800 new / $1,000–$1,400 usedBest for: Professional Hawaiian and country lap steel, National heritage and craftsmanship, aluminum body resonance
The National Style 1 is a professional-grade lap steel from the company that invented the resonator guitar — National Reso-Phonic builds their lap steels with the same craft as their resonator guitars. The aluminum body provides a bright, clear tone with the natural resonance of metal. For professional players who perform Hawaiian, country, or pedal-steel-influenced music and want an instrument worthy of the stage, the National Style 1 is among the finest available. Used at $1,000–$1,400.
What to check used: The National Style 1 is a serious professional instrument at a serious price. Not appropriate as a first lap steel — the investment should be made after confirmed commitment to the instrument. The aluminum body character (bright and clear) suits Hawaiian and country styles specifically; blues players often prefer wood-body lap steels.
#6
Goldtone GL-H Hawaiian Lap Steel
Mid-range wooden body lap steel · Wooden body, Goldtone pickup, 6-string, multiple finish options, includes gig bag$250–$300 new / $180–$240 usedBest for: Warm wooden body tone, includes gig bag, Goldtone quality, good value mid-range option
The Goldtone GL-H is a mid-range wooden body lap steel with a more consistent quality than budget alternatives. Goldtone (Gold Tone) makes a variety of folk, bluegrass, and traditional string instruments and the GL-H reflects their attention to traditional string instrument construction. The wooden body produces a warmer, less metallic tone than aluminum-body steels. The included gig bag is a practical bonus. Used at $180–$240.
What to check used: Wooden body lap steels have a warmer, less cutting tone than metal-body alternatives — appropriate for country and blues lap steel but less appropriate for Hawaiian music where the bright aluminum-body tone is traditional. Select based on your intended genre.
#7
Jerry Byrd MSA Classic S
Professional console pedal steel (lap steel adjacent) · Console pedal steel, MSA construction, knee levers, professional country and western music specification$2,500–$4,000 new / $1,500–$3,000 usedBest for: Professional pedal steel / country and western music, serious progression from lap steel, studio and stage quality
The MSA Classic S is a professional console pedal steel — the logical progression for lap steel players who commit fully to steel guitar. Pedal steel guitars add foot pedals and knee levers that change string pitches while playing, creating the complex sound of professional country and western steel playing. MSA is one of the leading American pedal steel manufacturers. This is listed for context: serious lap steel players who commit to the instrument often transition to pedal steel. Used at $1,500–$3,000.
What to check used: Pedal steel guitar is a different instrument from lap steel with a significant additional learning curve. Pedal steel requires understanding and controlling pedals and knee levers simultaneously with steel bar technique. It is not a casual instrument — professional pedal steel players typically study the instrument for years. Approach with realistic expectations of the time investment required.
#8
Fender PS-210 Pedal Steel
Vintage Fender pedal steel (collectible) · Fender pedal steel vintage production, American quality, vintage country and steel music specification$1,200–$2,000 used (vintage)Best for: Vintage American pedal steel collection, Fender heritage, 1960s-1970s country music aesthetics
Fender produced pedal steel guitars during the 1960s–1980s that are now collectible vintage instruments. The PS-210 and similar Fender pedal steels are sought by collectors and players who want vintage American country steel tone. For players who want a vintage instrument with Fender provenance at lower cost than new MSA or Excel steel, vintage Fender pedal steels provide access to quality at varying prices depending on condition and model. Used at $1,200–$2,000.
What to check used: Vintage Fender pedal steels require maintenance and often need mechanical work on the pedal and lever mechanisms, which have many moving parts. Budget for professional pedal steel maintenance ($100-300 per session) when purchasing vintage pedal steels. The Fender brand recognition is primarily collector value; for serious playing performance, newer instruments from MSA, Excel, or Carter are preferred.
