Vintage Lap Steels, Pedal Steels & Table Steels for Sale | Buy & Sell Classic Steel Guitars
Discover our curated selection of vintage lap steels, pedal steels, and table steel guitars. We cycle through instruments from renowned makers like Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker, Sho-Bud, and National, and while our stock changes we usually have the largest inventory in Northern California. Whether you're looking to buy a vintage steel guitar with rich tone and character or sell your lap or pedal steel for top market value, we offer fair pricing, and nationwide service. Our inventory includes collectible steel guitars from the 1930s through the 1980s—ideal for collectors, country, western swing, and Hawaiian players. Trusted source for original vintage steel guitars with verified components and professional setup.
Buying Guide: What to Know Before You Buy a Vintage Lap Steel
A brief history
Lap steel guitars were among the first electric guitars ever produced, with companies like National and Rickenbacker (originally Rickenbacher) pioneering electric amplification in the early-to-mid 1930s specifically for Hawaiian and steel guitar styles years before the electric Spanish guitar became common. That early electrification history makes some of these instruments genuinely significant pieces of guitar history, not just accessories to a style of playing.
What to know across styles and makers
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Cast aluminum vs. wood body construction — early Rickenbacker "Frying Pan" style lap steels used cast aluminum bodies for their electromagnetic pickup design, while most other makers, including National, used wood construction; each has a distinct look, weight, and tonal character.
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Single-neck vs. double-neck — double-neck lap steels, like the National Grand Console, offer two different tunings or ranges without retuning mid-song, popular with Western swing and Hawaiian players who needed to switch quickly between parts.
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Pickup design — lap steel pickups from this era vary significantly between makers and even between models from the same maker, directly shaping the instrument's characteristic tone; this is worth researching for the specific model you're considering.
What drives value in a vintage lap steel
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Originality — original pickups, tuners, and finish matter significantly for both tone and collector value, especially given how early and historically significant much of this electric guitar technology is.
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Playing condition — check that the pickup still functions properly and electronics are original or period-correct, since replacement parts for 1930s-40s electronics can be difficult to source authentically.
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Rarity and provenance — some models, particularly early Rickenbacker Electros and specific National models, are historically significant as some of the first electric guitars ever produced, which can carry a premium beyond simple age or condition.
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Case and accessories — an original case adds both protection and collector value, particularly for models where cases are hard to find today.
How we grade and document our instruments
Every lap steel in this collection is inspected in-house before listing. We test playing condition, note any non-original components or repairs clearly, clean pots, change strings, and photograph construction details so you know exactly what you're buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a lap steel and a pedal steel?
A lap steel is a simpler, non-pedal instrument played flat on the lap or a stand, typically with a fixed tuning and no mechanical pitch-changing hardware. A pedal steel adds foot pedals and knee levers that alter string pitch in real time, enabling the pitch-bending sound closely associated with modern country music. Lap steels predate pedal steels and remain popular for Hawaiian, blues, and Western swing styles that don't require the pedal steel's added complexity.
Do I need special amplification to play a vintage lap steel?
Most vintage electric lap steels use a standard 1/4" output and can be played through any guitar amplifier, though many players favor smaller vintage-style amps for a period-appropriate tone. Some early models, like certain Rickenbacker Electros, were originally sold as matched sets with a specific amp, which can add to their historical interest if you're able to find the original pairing.
Do you ship instruments internationally, and how are they insured?
Yes — we ship internationally, and every instrument is insured in transit, packed carefully to protect it from damage during shipping. Import duties and taxes are the buyer's responsibility and vary by destination country.
What's included before an instrument ships?
Every instrument is inspected and tested for proper electrical function before it ships, with any issues disclosed in the listing rather than discovered after delivery.
Can I trade my current instrument toward one of these?
Yes, we accept trades toward the instruments in this collection. Reach out with details and photos of your instrument and we'll provide a trade valuation. You can use our Sell My Vintage Guitar form to make it super easy.
