Caring for your Electric Lap Steel

Your has be instrument has been expertly crafted by hand and with just a small amount of care and attention will provide a lifetime of music and enjoyment.

Tuning & Strings

Our Electric Lap Steels are strung with D'Addario EXL115 medium gauge strings as standard. These strings feature the following gauge, from 1st to 6th:

.11" - .14" - .18" - .28" - .38" - .49"

Your Electric Lap Steel has been crafted with stability and longevity in mind, with a carbon fiber reinforced neck that is able to withstand most medium and heavy gauge lap steel or electric guitar strings.

There is an almost limitless number of tunings that can be used and we encourage you to be creative! Note that different strings may require adjustments to the nut slotting, or a new nut, for optimal seating of each string.

Most guitar repair shops will offer a nut slotting or nut replacement service but feel free to contact us if you would like more assistance with string gauges.

String Replacement

You should regularly replace your strings to ensure optimal tone, and to ensure that string corrosion doesn't damage the instrument.

You should use a dedicated bridge pin tool to remove the pins as pliers, screwdrivers and other implements may damage the pins or guitar.

Care & Maintenance

With proper care and a small amount of ongoing maintenance, your guitar will provide a lifetime of enjoyment.

Temperature

Hot temperatures should be avoided. A guitar left in a car even on a mild day can reach temperatures that weaken glue joins in a matter of minutes, particularly when under the tension of guitar strings.

Humidity

It’s important to keep your guitar in a neutral humidity. Your guitar was crafted in approximately 45% Relative Humidity and we would recommend your guitar is always kept between 40-60%.

You should avoid direct contact with water and other liquids at all times.

In locations with low humidity is is advisable to store your guitar in a case with a humidifier. Prolonged exposure to low humidity can cause the guitar top and back to sink and cracking to occur in the tonewood.

Lacquer Finish

The finish requires only an occasional wipe with a lightly damp cloth to remove dust. Avoid solvent or oil-based products as these can damage the finish; use only mild soapy water if necessary.

Storage

When not being played you should always store your guitar in a hardshell case away from direct sunlight, extremes or fluctuations in temperature or humidity.