Lap Steels currently available are listed here, as well as details on how to order an instrument.


Royal Blue 6 string lap steel with high output single coil pickup (Serial number 6292)

Click HERE for further information.

6 string lap steel with birdseye top cap and P-90 style pickup (Serial number 6236)

Click HERE for further information.


Ordering a Bluestem lap steel

You may order an instrument directly using the options as presented below. After you have decided on exactly what you desire, you can e-mail me by using the contact information located at the bottom of this page. I'll outline the purchase process and provide an estimate as to when the instrument will be ready to ship, usually 3 to 4 weeks after an order is placed. After your lap steel is completed, I'll send a link to photos of the finished instrument. If you choose not to purchase for some reason, I will then advertise its availability to others. This works out nicely, as I can always sell basic instruments here.

A few of the features that set Bluestem laps apart:

  1. Figured maple top wood (birdseye or flame maple) with triple contasting center seam inlay
  2. Stainless steel control plates and stainless steel top loading bridge assemblies
  3. Split single coil pickup... Simply the best sounding pickup I've heard, but without the noise.
    A short MP3 demonstration of the split single coil hum cancelling pickup can be found HERE.
    A longer demo can be found on the "Just the FAQ's ma'am..." page.
  4. Solid brass bridge and nut for maximum tone
Each instrument is individually crafted and features quality construction with only the finest components and materials used. If I didn't think my laps offered something beyond what's currently offered I wouldn't build them.

Standard Bluestem lap steel with birdseye maple top cap.



Bluestem lap steel standard features:

Current base price: $450.00 plus USPS Priority shipping charge, which is usually around $30.00

Available options:


Please visit my other website designed to provide information on musical instrument construction. There are free plans as well as construction tips and techniques available at the present time.

Rudy's Sketchbook of Musical Instrument Plans, Ideas, and Inspiration


If you desire to contact me about Bluestem Strings products:

Due to scoundrelous spammers actively mining sites for e-mail addresses, I'm forced to include the following text version of my e-mail address meant to confuse the automated robo-search of websites for e-mail addresses. Please e-mail me at:
rcordle (substitute the at symbol here) fastmail (substitute the dot here) fm
Please include "Bluestem Info Request" in the subject line, Thanks!