Lap Steel Guitar, Electric Slide Guitars 6 String Slotted Headstock Guiter With Gig Bag Sunburst

My review is totally independent and I don't receive any kudos or payment.In MHO: This "Batking" lap steel guitar has good weight and solid construction. The lacquered finish is very professional and very clean except for in the spool channels as described below. When I purchase the item, it was advertised as mahogany. When I contacted the seller to be sure AFTER my purchase, The seller said it was advertised in error and it is actually poplar wood. The seller said they would change the ad but I have not seen that description change yet.Be that as it is, here are some pros and cons of the top of my head:Pros: Overall the solid construction is very sound. It has plenty of weight and heft to it and you are not getting a cheap imitation. There is decent construction in this model for it being a "off brand" and it seems to be similar to the Gretsch model that was reviewed in Amazon and almost identical to the Rogue RLS-1 model I've seen elsewhere. I have not seen the Rogue RLS side by side with this model so I don't know if the sizes are the same but they look identical in design. I handled the Gretsch in a guitar shop (brought mine to compare to the Gretsch) and although this model is a bit shorter, it has a better weight with the same thickness as the Gretsch. My opinion is the wood is denser and better quality than the Gretsch model, or at least the same, as I handled them side by side.The knobs on the volume and reverb feel like metal. Playing with an amp, the resonance of the volume and reverb are not real strong. My amplifier is plenty strong for my needs and makes up for this. I bought new C6 strings for this because it came with regular guitar strings and I needed C6 strings for the type of music I want to play.Minor cons: It is a bit rough shod inside the headstock cutout where the string spools wrap. This doesn't affect the string wrap. In comparison to the more expensive Gretsch lap steel guitar, the nut is plastic and the Gretsch guitar has a shiny nice metal one. On mine it came with some cosmetic imperfections on the nut but this did not affect the overall tone and function of the guitar. The tuning knobs are brushed metal like the Gretsch.Big Difference: I compared it to the Gretsch model side by side and this model is about 4" shorter than the Gretsch. So size may matter for some people. Read on!What I liked asthetically: The Gretsch has the string coils on the head stock while this model has the string coils down inside the channels of the head stock. I like the idea of the strings tucked inside the channels of the headstock because you don't see the spools sticking up which I associate with much older designs. This model in that regard looks much better aesthetically. This model also has a much more classier elegant fretboard compared to the Gretsch model! It is beautiful and glossy with the fret lines raised in a more traditional guitar like style. The Roman numerals also add a bit of elegance to this model while the Gretsch model has a flat white board with black lines that appear painted on. In this respect, it is identical to the Rogue RLS1. So more points for the aesthetics of this model in that regard, especially considering the price point.Con: This model has a smaller right hand area to work than the Gretsch (the saddle and bridge area) because the overall design in shorter in length. There is no hand rest to cover this area like the Gretsch so your right hand will be resting on the bridge. The fretboard is shorter in length than the Gretsch. The 4" difference in total size may make it a bit cramped for a large person or a person with large hands. I have medium small sized hands and it feels a bit cramped for me but workable. I've watched shows where these tall robust western lap steel guitar players work on a small lap guitar so I guess it's whatever you get used to.More Pros: It has a good sound. Sound has a lot to do with the electronics inside along with the structure and I think this instrument does well on both for what you pay for. Your amplifier (which is the only way to hear and play these things) will make up for the desired effects.I also bought a right angle cable because the cable plug is on the front face of the guitar. The Gretsch model has more room altogether and the amp plug is on the side). A regular cable would stand upright and interfer with the space given for the right hand on this model. Some people find the plug on the front a problem but a right angle cable minimizes this issue.Some lap steel guitars of the more expensive kind may have more length and fret board space but this item, like the others mentioned, is okay and will get the job done for less than half the price. It's not a bad deal to start with and I think it is a better model than the Rogue RLS-1. I think it's a matter of what you get used to.As I learn more and work with this guitar, I'll return to this review but from my perspective, it's a good deal for what you pay for.Other insight: lap steel guitar teachers and lap steel music books are not very common. Many "old timers" who brought this instrument to its amazing popularity years ago have gone on to play in heaven. It is much more difficult than regular guitar and there is no strumming. Everything in the books and discipline is about picking - finger picking up and knowing the keys and chores on the fretboard. You need accuracy on the slide hand and picking or everything goes awry. On a regular guitar, you can strum your way through and just read tabs. But not in a lap steel guitar. It is more complex than a uke or regular guitar. If you can keep the discipline the instrument demands, you will eventually play some music and make some cool slides but you will eventually have to learn to read notes to do it right. It's just the nature of the instrument.Overall, it is a great beginning instrument and I would say learn everything on the less expensive end and if, over time and practice, you find you can stick to it, then upgrade to a more expensive (larger) instrument.If this review was helpful, please give a thumbs up.

Great guitar. Love the looks an performance .

Stays in tune, harder to play than a person thinks. Makes great music.

I'm just starting to learn lap steel guitar and this is a great instrument to start with. There is a missing screw on the fretboard that I hope the seller will send since I couldn't find it locally (no, Home Depot doesn't have them). Tried to upload photo but it didn't work. The missing screw doesn't affect the playing of the instrument so I still gave it 4 stars.

Excellent build

Well constructed and beautiful finish. Would recommend!

It does all it should

It’s perfect entertainment great value for price