Original source: Paul Davids
This video from Paul Davids covered a lot of ground. Streamed.News selected 8 key moments and summarises them here. Everything below links directly to the timestamp in the original video.
Understanding how each bender alters a specific string is the key to unlocking the rich, chordal vocabulary of modern lap steel playing. Here’s a clear breakdown of the mechanics.
Luke Cyrus Breaks Down the Mechanics of Lap Steel Benders
Luke Cyrus provides a detailed mechanical breakdown of the multi-bender system on his lap steel. One lever is set to raise the F-sharp string a half step to G, while another raises the A string a whole step to a B, forming the basis for many common chordal movements. A third lever offers a more specialised effect, lowering the high D string by a half step.
This mechanical system gives players the ability to execute precise, pedal steel-like bends and create smooth chord transitions. It's a solution that opens up immense harmonic possibilities that would be nearly impossible to achieve with manual string bending alone, given the high action of the instrument.
"This one does this. Half a step. So, it's an F sharp to a G."
The Volume Pedal is Key to Vocal-Like Expression on Lap Steel, Luke Cyrus Demonstrates
Luke Cyrus reveals that much of the expressive magic in his lap steel playing comes from constantly “riding” the volume pedal. By creating swells and manipulating the attack of each note, he transforms simple licks into phrases that mimic the character of a human voice. A direct comparison shows that playing the same line without the pedal sounds abrupt and lacks the instrument's signature smoothness.
This technique, combined with subtle movements of the steel bar around a root position, is what gives the instrument its unique, singing quality. It serves as a powerful reminder that the lap steel's expressiveness is as much about articulation and dynamics as it is about note choice.
"I'm always riding the volume."
Lap Steel Benders Offer a Solution to the Challenge of Manual String Bending
For years, lap steel players like Luke Cyrus attempted to bend strings manually to achieve certain notes, a process he describes as “frantic” and difficult on an instrument with high action. The introduction of bender mechanisms provides a clean and precise way to raise a string's pitch by a half step, such as turning a B minor chord into a B major with the flick of a lever.
This innovation fundamentally changed what was possible on the instrument, allowing for the easy execution of pedal steel-style licks and chord changes. What Paul Davids loves about this is how a mechanical solution solved a physical playing problem, unlocking entirely new musical avenues for the lap steel.
"It's hard to do. I got to be honest. I was very happy when these things came out."
Luke Cyrus Recommends NYXL Strings for Lap Steel Bender Durability
Luke Cyrus explains that the strings connected to his lap steel's bender system break far more often than the others due to the constant stress of being bent mechanically. To combat this, he recommends D'Addario NYXL strings, which he has found to offer superior durability and last significantly longer under these demanding conditions.
This makes string choice a crucial and practical consideration for any player using a bender system. While the non-bender strings on his instrument can last for years, the bender strings become a regular replacement item, making durability a key factor in both playability and cost.
"They break more often. Really, they do? Because you're bending them all the time."
You Can Convert a Standard Guitar into a Lap Steel Using a Simple Nut Extender
For guitarists curious about trying lap steel without buying a new instrument, Luke Cyrus points to an accessible solution: a nut extender. This simple device fits over the existing nut on a standard electric guitar, raising the string action and widening the spacing to make it playable horizontally with a slide.
This offers an approachable pathway for players to experiment with the unique sounds and techniques of the instrument. Furthermore, the multi-bender systems themselves are modular and can be purchased and installed separately on lap steels or even standard electric guitars for further customisation.
"If you really just want to try it out for yourself, they have these things they're called nut extenders... you just put it over the top on a regular guitar... and it becomes a lap steel."
Luke Cyrus's Lap Steel Features a Split-Coil Pickup Design Akin to a P-Bass
The pickup system on Luke Cyrus's Duesenberg lap steel operates on a different concept from a standard humbucker. It features two coils, but each coil is dedicated to only three strings, a design principle that functions much like the split-coil pickup on a P-style bass guitar. This provides a unique tonal character distinct from traditional pickup designs.
This split-coil bridge pickup, combined with a separate, more conventional neck pickup, offers a range of tonal flavors. The bridge setting delivers the characteristic “bite” and twang associated with lap steel, while switching to the neck position provides a warmer, more rounded sound familiar to any guitarist.
"It's also with two coils, but they only do three strings each."
Luke Cyrus Reveals His Hybrid Lap Steel Tuning, Blending Open D, C6, and G
Luke Cyrus employs a unique hybrid tuning on his lap steel that combines elements from several traditional setups, including Open D, C6, and Open G. The core of his tuning is a G major triad (G-B-D) on the lower strings, paired with an Open D structure on the higher strings, which he describes as getting the “best of both worlds.”
It’s like a mix of all those things, providing a harmonically dense foundation before even touching the benders. This specific arrangement is rich in major and minor thirds, allowing a player to access three different chords—D major, B minor, and G major—simply by barring straight across the strings.
"This is kind of a mix of all those things. So if you look at the bottom strings, it's a G chord... And then that's paired with a open D. Best of both worlds."
Angling the Bar on Lap Steel Unlocks New Chord Voicings and Inversions
The unique tuning on Luke Cyrus's lap steel allows for creating different chord inversions and voicings, much like on a standard guitar. By angling the steel bar, a player can selectively fret notes on different strings at different positions, breaking away from the limitation of playing straight across all six strings.
For instance, one can play just two notes of a chord, like the third and the fifth, to create a different harmonic texture. This technique opens up a host of melodic and chordal possibilities beyond standard barre chords, adding nuance and complexity to the performance.
"Basically, what the tuning lets you do is that you have like on a regular guitar that you can have your different inversions."
Also mentioned in this video
- Luke Cyrus, a lap steel player known for his melancholic sound, and explains… (0:03)
- Luke Cyrus shares the story of how he acquired his first lap steel from an… (0:30)
- The Lollar pickups on his Duesenberg lap steel, noting their mid-49s design,… (5:37)
- A humorous incident where Paul's tuner was accidentally set to 441 Hz instead… (6:59)
- The various expressive techniques possible on the lap steel, including using a… (10:09)
- Paul Davids attempts to play the Duesenberg lap steel, with Luke Cyrus guiding… (10:42)
- Paul Davids and Luke Cyrus discuss the historical significance of the lap… (12:02)
Summarised from Paul Davids · 16:47. All credit belongs to the original creators. Streamed.News summarises publicly available video content.
