C Fouke Lap Steel

Aluminum 6 string lap steel with a single humbucking pickup. Body consists of two aluminum plates separated by some sort of plastic, with machine screws through. The fretboard is also aluminum, with black screws for fret markers - cool! Tuners are Schaller (I think). For mine, the body is a quasi-Weissenborn hourglass shape. Fit and finish are superb, and it's a total head-turner. Everyone who sees it comments on how cool it looks!

As a slight minus, the bridge is also made of aluminum. String tension is slowly cutting notches in it. I'm sure that someday it will need replacing. On the other hand, it's just a carved and polished piece of aluminum channel... it could be easily duplicated by any machine shop.

One feature I'd like to single out is the scale and string spacing. It uses the classic spacing laid down by Valco, Rickenbacker, and other classics. This spacing makes angling the bar for other intervals particularly easy. Some cheaper instruments have scales that are too short, and they're MUCH harder to play. Kudos for sticking to the tried and true!

Mine also came with a middling-quality gig bag. I wish the bag had a zippered pocket rather than velcro... while carrying it upside-down (which feels natural), I dropped and nearly broke my beloved glass slide. But there are other bag options, I'm sure. And it doesn't need much, because the guitar itself is borderline indestructable.

One other nice feature... there's a small hole in the "headstock", so you can hang it by a nail from the wall. I often do.

There are really two sounds to talk about here... electric, and acoustic. Acoustically, it's loud enough for unamplified practice, although not loud enough to accompany other instruments. It has a rather dobro-like tone.

Electrically... it's good. Clear and reasonably fat-sounding. It does NOT have the sustain of a traditional solid-body lap steel, thanks to its quasi-acoustic body. The feel is definitely different.

One issue that matters to me, but maybe not to others, is that the relatively loud acoustic sound can be clearly heard when playing electric at low/moderate volume. If you use a volume pedal a lot at very low volumes, it can be distracting. I often play with unamplified acoustic instruments, and I have to take this into account. It's not a show-stopper, just slightly annoying. But it's also the price I pay for such a lightweight, practical body, AND the ability to practice unplugged!

If you play loud or high gain, it's very feedback-prone. The thicker body Fouke offers is probably less so. On the other hand, you have your legs on one side and your palms on the guitar, so it's easier to damp the feedback as it happens.

I can't help but think it could use a different pickup. The stock (probably Kent Armstrong) is good, but I want something a little more single-coilish. That's a matter of taste, though, and I'm sure I'll start swapping pickups on it one of these days. It's a standard PAF-style humbucker, so there are countless options available.

I tend to compare it to a Valco-made 1950s Gretsch doubleneck I also own. This probably isn't fair, as the Gretsch is absolutely the best-sounding electric guitar I've ever had! But frankly, the Gretsch eats the Fouke for lunch sound-wise. On the other hand, the Gretsch is heavy, awkward, harder to tune, and somewhat fragile. The Fouke actually gets played a lot more, because it's 90% as good sound-wise and 190% more practical. If I didn't have the Gretsch, I'd probably never notice the difference. Don't let my complaining suggest that it's not a good-sounding instrument! It's really, really excellent.

Everything is fitted perfectly and nearly flawless.

It's just incredibly well-built. You know how some people say you could run over their guitar with a truck and it would be fine? In this case, it's literally true!

I expect this instrument to last basically forever.

I bought it used, and haven't had to deal with Fouke directly. However, his reputation is good and I'm not concerned, in the extremely unlikely event that it should ever need repaired. Warranty? Who cares when it's built this well?

I'm very glad to have it, play it almost daily, and I'm just happy as a clam. I will probably try to swap the pickup at some point, but I'm in no hurry. It does lose out a little tone-wise to a vintage classic steel, but makes up for it with its light weight and incredible durability. I have no qualms about gigging with it and often do, and I feel no need for a backup. If it were stolen (since I can't imagine BREAKING it), I'd get another.

Beautiful satin aluminum finish, made in Benton, IL USA! 24 frets with cool round head black allen screws for position markers. Kent Armstrong pickups with a two way switch. Bridge & nut are crome plated brass. Grover machines.

I have been playing/learning guitar since November '03, bought a lot of guitars before finding a sound that "lit my fire" and it is lap style reso/steel. I own a roundneck resonator, a square neck resonator and now this "Tone Dripping" Indy Rail lap steel by Chris Fouke.

It came tuned to open E, all my learning materials were for open G.
Breathtaking right out of the box, absoultly bullit (billit) proof.
;^)#

Absolutly bomb proof, maybe you'd have to replace the strings after the bomb went off. I used to say "What me gig?" now it's "when I get good enough to gig" yes I gig with out a backup.

Chris makes a QUALITY product, however if it became damaged or scrached, he said in a email "send it to me and I'll fix it."

Been playing for less than a year.
Other gear:
Epiphone AJ-18
Epiphone LP Special II
Jay Turser JT-LT
Jay Turser JT-136 Sweet!
Jay Turser "Strat"
Fender CG-7 Classical $86 + S&H on ebay. Sweet!
Johnson 550 Resonator
Flinthill Square Neck Resonator
Fouke Industrial Guitars "Indy Rail"
Epiphone 10 watt amp
Jay Turser 10 watt amp
Marshall MG-30 DFX amp
Danelectro "Daddy O"
Danelectro "PB&J"
Danelectro "Chilli Dog"
Boss BD-2 "Blues Driver"
Fishman "Neo D" sound hole pickup
Various guages of Dunlop finger & thumb picks.

If it were stolen I "Loose the hounds" I have six, and track the scoundrel scum down and beat him to within an inch of his life with the Indy Rail and then tune it up and go play it.

What is your favorite feature? It's art as well as an instrument of music.

Anything you wish it had? A Shubb SG-2 steel, the Stevens steel I have is a bit awkward in my hand.

Anything else you'd like to share? Check out Foulk Industrial Guitars.

2003 Industrial Guitars Indy Rail lap steel, model IR222AL made in US by Chris Fouke.

6 string electric lap steel with 22.22" scale length, all aluminum, heavy wall aluminum tube frame, aluminum plate construction, brushed silver finish, rear mounted control access plate, Chrome Grover Rotomatic model 102c tuners, 1 PAF style, humbucking pickup, 8 ohm with ceramic magnet, and chrome Vol and Tone knobs. Dimensions: 32" L x 6" W @ base, 4" @ headstock x 1 1/8" total body depth (not including height of tuner knobs). Weight = 7lbs.

A tone monster. I play a variety of musical styles using a Fender LE Blues Jr. Lacquered Tweed Jensen, a Roland JC-55, a POD Line 6, and a Sansamp GT2. The instrument is quiet and has incredible sustain. Equally wonderful for overdriven and clean applications. Nice bite and presence.

Perfect in everyway. I am amazed at the design, the use of alternative materials, and the exceptional construction.

This instrument is built like a tank. My original interest was in its toughness, however, the tone is really the selling point and the durability is an added bonus.

A quote from Chris -

"About the only maintenance needed is to wipe it down with a little window cleaner (or similar) and a paper towel after heavy use to keep the finish looking new. I encourage my customers not to worry about inevitable scratches or marks in the aluminum that will result from normal use and transport. The instruments are easily broken down into component parts and refinished, if ever needed in the future, and I offer that service for free."

I have no concerns about customer support from Industrial Guitars!

I smile everytime I pick up the instrument. The playability and the tone are outstanding. I would absolutely replace it if lost or stolen. I'm considering picking up another model from Industrial Guitars.

Chris Fouke made this to the specs we discussed. Recieved it a week after ordering!(10/16/03) The Lapro Big Boy model. A lap steel/dobro hybrid kind of thing without the resonator. He added a soundhole under the f holes. Projects well and has a great tone acoustically, and the hubucker sounds great plugged in distorted or clean.Can really be played dynamically! Brushed aluminum finish. Grover tuners.
Ordered with a gig bag and Dunlop strap locks.

The Lapro Big Boy has a great tone and sustain both plugged in and acoustic. I run it through a Pignose 20 amp both clean and distorted. Also run it through a Roland 100 watt keyboard amp. Full range of tone from the pots. Easy to turn the tone bassy while accompanying, and hit it up treble for a lead.

All top notch construction. It a brick house!

I would put this up against anything! Its industrial!!! Check out the website photos!
http://www.industrialguitar.com

Chris is the best! Worked with me on the specs and delivered as promised.

I just picked up lap steel/dobro. Played guitar and bass for 20 years and mandolin for 6. I would recommend Industrial guitars to everyone. Made in the USA! This is a unique instrument, and I plan to play it for the rest of my life.

mine is a 2002 fouke lap steel.
6 string acoustic/electric
Aluminum top and back plates, brushed finish
Hollow, classic white, composite core
Headstock Acoustic Port
Full size Grover Rotomatic tuners
22.22" scale length
1 Kent Armstrong humbucking pickup
Black Chrome Vol and Tone knobs
Coil tap switch for single coil operation

i play a different genre everyday
i can get a twangy blues feel acoustically
i can amp it clean with the tap switch set to single coil for a nice country - bluegrass tone
or i kick on both coils, add some drive, and this thing is a monster
if you want a variety of tone, this is your machine
i play it with a shubb sp2 bar, and the tones ring for days

chris really set this up beautifully
i have done no mods to it yet
and if you have't seen one, go to his site
it is an eyecatcher
i expect to be asked quite often about where i got it, and who made it

did i mention this is made of thick plates of aluminum?
it could withstand just about anything
it's going to be my new road steel for sure
still love the old gibsons and supros, but no more worrying about shorts and buzz and brittle antique gear

i had a few questions early on, before i actually bought it
he was quick to respond via email and very helpful
very trustworthy

i play mainly electric guitar, i wanted a nice steel to round out my sound and add some nice sustained creamy tones to fill my tracks out.

this has delivered
i've not had it a few days and can't stop raving about it
usually new toys show their limitations by now
i can't put it down

it really does deserve all these 10's

This is a 2002 lap steel model made by Chris Fouke, made in Ill. USA.
The model I have is a 6-string long scale, one split coil humbucker acoustic/electric. It's made from aluminum,has 1 volume,1 tone and a coil tap switch. All the features it should.

Acoustically the sound is sweet, kind of like an old National/Dobro (just not as loud). Plugged in, well it rocks! Or you can get warm clean sound. The pickup was voiced just right for this guitar. With the coil tap I can get a humbucker or single coil sound. I play it through a Peavey Delta 210. You can play whatever style you like on it.

Chris know's how to build them and set them up.

It's built well

I've had contact through phone and email.

I have a Dobro that I play lap steel on. Trying to find a good sounding pickup for that was useless. When I read about Fouke Industrial Guitars it seemed like an answer. It WAS! I enjoy the guitar both acoustic and electric. Solo or with a band. Thanks again Chris for fine guitar.