Build Quality: | |
Hardware: | |
Electronics: | |
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Value: | |
Average: |
Pros:
- Great design
- Versatility
- Quality electronics
Cons:
- Pricey
- Maybe don’t get it if you have never played lap steels
How do you achieve greatness without breaking a couple of rules? Well, you don’t. With instruments, there are a thousand and one ways to get out of the standard and create something that catches an eye and sounds like heaven-made harmony. Craftsmen of Vorson LT2308 TR 8-String Lap Steel Guitar break rules by creating an instrument that does not look like your regular lap steel and sounds close to perfect. This model is one of the best lap steel guitars not only because of its interesting aesthetics but because it just sounds and feels that damn great.
Build
This Vorson lap steel is an 8-string model which makes it not the best option for beginners (unless you are a very ambitious beginner). While 8 strings are harder to master the payoff is amazing. This model offers richer tones and better range and it is not only due to a more “complicated” playing but also because of exquisite craftsmanship and quality of the tonewood.. Material-wise, you get a gorgeous-looking solid mahogany body that is durable and adds to rich, full sound, quilted maple top, and rosewood neck. The neck is playable while the fretboard is specifically designed for 8 string lap steel to avoid any spacing issues.
Hardware
This 8 string lap steel offers a pretty basic hardware selection but what matters is that the nut and bridge are specifically made for an 8-string instrument. This shows because the spacing is amazing and playability on this model is great. So even though I said that beginners usually don’t feel as comfortable with 8-strings, if you have been using a 6-string before, this model would be perfect for your first 8 string model. Apart from that this model ships with a bag and cable. The bag itself is pretty okay, I would not say it is the best protection for your $500 lap steel but it will do the job for a little while.
Vorson Lap Steel Sound
Since this is an 8 string lap steel you can expect more versatility and more nuanced sounds. You can expect it and you will get it. This model has crisp sound, balanced tone, and richness that is only possible with great workmanship. The solid wood and quality neck construction are what makes this model sing like you would not believe it.
Electronics
So far this model has offered great tonewood, nice construction, 8-string specific hardware and some accessories. So what else can it offer? Electronics and more electronics! This lap steel has nice VSY-03 active electronics. The model uses EQ with Master 100 pickup as well as tone circuits and speed knobs. The electronics on this baby are easy to handle and create an authentic, clear sound not to mention an amazing design that fits the instrument to perfection.
Conclusion
Let’s be honest, not everyone has $500 laying around to spend on the first lap steel they find online. That’s just impossible, so even if you find a good model with nice construction that is only a part of a beginner picture. That’s where the hardware comes in and then electronics… and finally, you get the sound that you hear and feel and realize that the lap steel was well worth the money. Vorson LT2308 TR 8-String Lap Steel Guitar is one of the models that are so damn worth the money you pay. It has great features, nice playability for the price you pay. We would definitely recommend this model to an intermediate player or someone who is just getting into 8 string models.
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The model that zZounds sent me was a watered down version of this model. No fret board name badge next to pickup instead 4 tiny finishing nails which was probably to hold down the fret board due to a bad glue job’ just a different fret board period! No head stock name badge just a cheap screen printed name. Different brand tuners then advertised, Different pickup with no name (probably generic), Cheap crappy bridge that already looks like it’s starting to pit from cheap chrome job, Light surface scratching and paint runs plus various other blemishes! All in all Not worth $479.99 Hardly any information available on the Net about this brand with only 3 companies selling it. No videos and only a handful of reviews that are about half Negative! Keep Looking is my advice to anyone wanting a 8 or 6 string Lap Steel.
Sorry for your experience but this is a good instrument.