Frequently Asked Questions

Do you do custom orders?

Yes, contact us to discuss options. electrohawaiian@gmail.com

 

Are these Asher Lap Steels?

Yes—they are designed by Bill Asher, founder of Asher Guitars & Lap Steels and creator of the Electro Hawaiian brand.

The Electro Hawaiian Junior was conceived and engineered by Bill Asher to provide players with an affordable, professional-quality lap steel that reflects the tone, playability, and design philosophy for which his instruments are known.

While the Junior is manufactured to Bill's exact specifications by a carefully selected production partner and undergoes quality control before reaching customers, it is not one of Bill's handcrafted California-built custom Asher lap steels.

If you're looking for a world-class instrument designed by Bill Asher at an accessible price, the Electro Hawaiian Junior was created specifically for you. If you're seeking a fully handcrafted custom instrument built in Bill's California workshop, explore the Asher Custom Lap Steel collection.

 

Are the Electro Hawaiian® Junior lap steels smaller?

No. The Electro Hawaiian Junior is a full-size, professional lap steel guitar. The name "Junior" refers to its streamlined design and exceptional value—not to a smaller body or shorter scale length.

It features a comfortable full-size playing surface and a scale length designed to provide excellent intonation, sustain, and playability for musicians of all skill levels.

The Junior was created to offer the tone, feel, and performance of a professional lap steel at a more accessible price, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced players.

Whether you're practicing at home, recording in the studio, or performing live, the Electro Hawaiian Junior delivers the same confident playing experience you'd expect from a full-size lap steel guitar.

 

What makes Electro Hawaiian lap steels different?

Electro Hawaiian instruments are designed by master luthier Bill Asher, whose guitars have been used by professional musicians on major tours, recordings, and film soundtracks. Every model is designed for exceptional tone, playability, and long-term durability—not just as a beginner instrument, but as a professional tool that grows with you.

 

Is the Electro Hawaiian Junior good for beginners?

Absolutely. The Junior was intentionally designed so a first-time player can enjoy it immediately while offering enough professional features that experienced players continue using it on stage and in the studio.

 

Can professionals use the Junior?

Yes. Many touring and recording musicians use Electro Hawaiian lap steels because they deliver professional tone, reliable tuning stability, and excellent playability.

 

What styles of music can I play?

Our lap steels are used for:

• Hawaiian
• Blues
• Country
• Americana
• Rock
• Sacred Steel
• Ambient
• Worship
• Folk
• Jazz
• Film scoring

 

What tuning does my lap steel come with?

Our standard setup ships in Open D with medium-heavy strings.

 

Can I play C6?

Yes. We recommend a dedicated C6 string set for proper tension and feel.  You can purchase here 

 

What other tunings work well?

Popular tunings include:

• Open D
• Open E
• Open G
• C6
• A6
• E7
• D6

 

Do I need a tone bar?

Yes. A steel tone bar is essential for proper lap steel playing. You can find a few options on the accessories tab.

 

Do I need finger picks?

Many players use finger picks and thumb picks for traditional sounds, although they are optional. (We don’t sell finger picks)

 

Can I add palm levers later?

Yes. Hipshot and Certano Palm Lever systems can be installed if you are also currently purchasing a lap steel from us. Add the lap steel and the lever system to your shopping cart – make sure you select “INSTALLED – Instrument must be at our shop”. OR, you can purchase the level by itself and save installment for later, allowing your instrument to grow with your playing.

 

Where are Electro Hawaiian guitars made?

Our flagship USA instruments are handcrafted in California by Bill Asher. The Electro Hawaiian Junior is designed in California and manufactured in South Korea to Bill Asher's specifications using carefully selected components and tone woods.

 

Why is neck-through construction important?

A neck-through design improves sustain, resonance, stability, and overall durability.

 

What amplifier do you recommend?

Great results can be achieved with clean tube amplifiers, quality solid-state amps, or modern modeling systems. The best choice depends on your preferred style.

 

Do you ship internationally?

Yes. International customers are responsible for applicable customs duties, taxes, and import fees.

 

How quickly will my guitar ship?

In-stock Junior models typically ship the next business day. Installed upgrades may require additional time.

I've never played lap steel before. Where should I start?

Start with:

• Learning proper bar control
• Right-hand picking
• Open D or C6 tuning
• Simple melodies
• Vibrato technique

Consistency is more important than long practice sessions.

 

Do you offer lessons?

We regularly recommend respected instructors and online resources. Contact us and we'll help point you in the right direction.

 

How often should I change strings?

For regular players:

• Every 2–3 months for frequent playing
• Every 4–6 months for occasional playing

 

How do I clean my lap steel?

Use a microfiber cloth after each session. Avoid household cleaners. Guitar polish formulated for finished instruments is recommended.

 

Does my lap steel include a warranty?

Yes. Electro Hawaiian lap steels include a one-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship for the original purchaser.

 

What is the best lap steel guitar for beginners?

The best beginner lap steel guitar is one that is easy to play, stays in tune, sounds inspiring, and won't need to be replaced after a few months of learning.

The Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel, designed by master luthier Bill Asher, was created with exactly that philosophy. Unlike many entry-level lap steels that sacrifice tone or build quality, the Junior delivers professional-level sound and playability in an instrument that's approachable for first-time players.

Its neck-through African mahogany construction, custom Alnico V pickup, and comfortable scale length provide excellent sustain, tuning stability, and expressive tone. Whether you're learning your first notes or performing on stage years later, the Electro Hawaiian Junior is built to grow with you.

Many experienced players keep their Junior even after purchasing more expensive instruments because of its exceptional sound and reliability.

 

Why choose an Electro Hawaiian lap steel over other brands?

Electro Hawaiian lap steels are designed by Bill Asher, one of the world's most respected builders of electric guitars and lap steels. His instruments have been played by touring professionals, recording artists, and session musicians across multiple genres.

What sets Electro Hawaiian apart is the combination of:

• Professional-quality tone
• Neck-through construction for incredible sustain
• Custom-designed pickups
• Excellent tuning stability
• Comfortable playability
• Affordable pricing without sacrificing quality
• Decades of lutherie expertise behind every design

Rather than simply producing another budget lap steel, Electro Hawaiian focuses on building instruments that musicians can enjoy for many years.

 

Is the Electro Hawaiian Junior only for beginners?

Not at all.

While the Junior is an outstanding first lap steel, it was designed to meet professional performance standards. Many experienced players appreciate its lightweight design, excellent sustain, responsive pickup, and dependable tuning stability.

Whether you're practicing at home, recording in the studio, or performing live, the Electro Hawaiian Junior is capable of delivering professional results.

 

Can guitar players learn lap steel?

Absolutely.

Many lap steel players begin as traditional guitarists. While the playing technique is different—you use a steel tone bar instead of pressing the strings against frets—your knowledge of rhythm, scales, chords, and music theory transfers easily.

The Electro Hawaiian Junior is an excellent transition instrument because its comfortable design allows guitarists to begin exploring slide technique without feeling overwhelmed.

 

Is lap steel easier to learn than guitar?

Lap steel and standard guitar each have unique learning curves.

Many beginners find lap steel easier in some ways because there are no difficult chord shapes or barre chords to master. Instead, players focus on tone production, bar control, vibrato, and picking technique.

Because the instrument naturally encourages expressive playing from the beginning, many students experience rewarding progress early in their learning journey.

 

What tuning should beginners use on a lap steel?

For most new players, Open D tuning (D-A-D-F#-A-D) is one of the easiest and most versatile tunings.

The Electro Hawaiian Junior is shipped professionally set up in Open D, making it ready to play right out of the box.

Open D works beautifully for:

• Blues
• Rock
• Americana
• Folk
• Worship music
• Singer-songwriter accompaniment.

 

What is the difference between lap steel and pedal steel?

Although they look similar, lap steel and pedal steel are very different instruments.

A lap steel is played across the player's lap or on a stand using a steel tone bar. Notes are changed by moving the bar along the strings.

A pedal steel includes foot pedals and knee levers that mechanically change string pitches while playing, making the instrument significantly more complex.

Many musicians recommend learning lap steel first because it develops strong bar control, intonation, and musical expression before moving to pedal steel.

Electro Hawaiian specializes in high-quality lap steel guitars designed for players of every experience level.

 

What accessories do I need for a lap steel guitar?

To get started, we recommend:

• A steel tone bar
• Thumb pick (optional)
• Finger picks (optional)
• Electronic tuner
• Instrument cable
• Guitar amplifier
• Gig bag or hard case
• Extra strings

The Electro Hawaiian Junior includes a padded gig bag and an extra set of strings - making it ready to travel from your first lesson to your first performance.

 

What amplifier sounds best with an Electro Hawaiian lap steel?

The Electro Hawaiian Junior performs exceptionally well through a wide variety of amplifiers.

Many players enjoy:

• Clean tube amplifiers for vintage warmth
• Fender-style amplifiers for classic lap steel tones
• Boutique tube amps for dynamic response
• Modern digital modeling systems for versatility

Our custom Alnico V pickup is designed to deliver excellent clarity, sustain, and touch sensitivity through virtually any quality amplifier.

 

Why does neck-through construction matter?

Neck-through construction is one of the defining features of the Electro Hawaiian Junior.

Instead of attaching the neck to the body with bolts or glue joints, the neck extends through the entire length of the instrument.

This provides several important benefits:

• Longer sustain
• Improved resonance
• Greater structural stability
• Better tuning consistency
• Enhanced playing feel

It's a construction method often found on much more expensive instruments and contributes significantly to the Junior's professional performance.

 

What makes Bill Asher's lap steels unique?

Bill Asher has spent decades refining the design of professional lap steel guitars.

His instruments are trusted by recording artists and touring musicians because they combine exceptional craftsmanship with practical performance features.

Every Electro Hawaiian model reflects Bill's philosophy of creating instruments that inspire players while remaining dependable, comfortable, and musically expressive.

That commitment to quality has made Electro Hawaiian one of the most respected names in modern lap steel guitars.

 

Can I upgrade my Electro Hawaiian later?

Yes.

Many Electro Hawaiian owners personalize their instruments as their playing evolves.

Popular upgrades include:

• Electronic upgrade (swap stock electronics with high end USA components. Our electronic upgrade comes with 2 Jason Lollar Imperial Humbuckers, USA CTS and Pots.
• Hipshot palm levers
• Certano palm levers
• Belly Bar (play standing up)
• Hardshell case (custom made by G&G Case Company)
• Universal Stand
• Different string gauges
• Alternative tunings such as C6 or A6
• Premium straps and accessories

The Junior was designed as a long-term instrument that can grow alongside your musical journey.

How long with my lap steel last?

With proper care, an Electro Hawaiian lap steel can last a lifetime.

Built with quality tonewoods, durable hardware, and professional construction techniques, these instruments are designed to provide decades of dependable performance.

Many musicians consider a well-built lap steel not just a purchase, but a lifelong musical companion.