Studio Ratt and Tele Ratt I/II

Didi Waechtler · Post by **Didi Waechtler** » 25 Jan 2001 4:43 am

Hi everybody,

please can tell me anybody from the forum members the difference between the Melobar Studio Ratt and the Tele Ratt I /II.
I'm looking for a Lapsteel with a wide range of sound possibilitys (out of phasesound-stratsound-Telesound-sweet Hank Williams sounds-aggressive sound rocky-blues sound...)with a switch for select different pickups.
I'm very like Pauls sound on the last recordings.
1. What lapmodel I need to be flexible ?
The most inexpensive model from Melobar in this advanced category is the Studio Ratt.
2. Is the soundquality and the Possibilitys with the Studio Ratt are the same as
with the Tele Ratt I/II.
3. What is the most inexpensive way to get a instrument from the Smith company for my claims ? (The Dollarrate is very high this time for europeans...)
4. How works the Dobroism-preamp ?? I use a Goodrich Dobrosimulator for steel and Lapsteel.
5. Is the Dobroism preamp comparable with the Goodrich Dobro-Simulation ??

Please I need your statement about the distinctions and your opinion, experiences about these models.
Thanks in advance.

Dietmar "Didi" Waechtler, Germany
JCH D10/10FP/9KL

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Joe E · Post by **Joe E** » 25 Jan 2001 7:15 am

Best thing to do is just talk to Ted himself. His e-mail is ted@melobar.com

He's a great guy to do business with and he's extremely knowledgable about the industry (tone, sound, what's avaliable)

Joe

Ps I bought a lap steel from him last year and love it.[This message was edited by Joe E on 25 January 2001 at 07:17 AM.]

Ted Smith · Post by **Ted Smith** » 25 Jan 2001 10:13 am

Thank you Joe,
I'll answer your questions here, Didi, because they are good ones.
The biggest problem with Melobar is TOO many different models, but that is the only way to satisfy everyone's taste in tone.
1. Flexible=multiple pickups, we have over 20 lap steels being built right now with a Rhythm pickup which is unusual on Steel guitars but what a important tone difference. If you've played standard guitar you know how limited a guitar with only a bridge pickup is.
2. The Studio Ratt has the same XL-500 Lawrence pickup which is more of a Steel guitar type pickup -- The Teleratt's have Telecastor pickups known for a more twangy county sound but with that much wood mass, and the way a Melobar lap steel is built, you get a bit thicker tone with more sustain.
3.European orders get a discount to help out with the shipping cost, I think you'll see though that the guitars are a good value for the price. I'll make sure you get your moneys worth.
4.There is little difference between the Matchbro and the Dobroism, it's Buddy Emmons design and basically just a pre-set EQ with a wide band. We will not build it in a box to protect the folks at Goodrich, but Goodrich didn't want to make a model to build into a guitar.
5. If you can run VHS format we can send a free video.
Thanks for your interest Didi and the nice comment, Joe-I sure don't forget those.

Ted

Joe E · Post by **Joe E** » 25 Jan 2001 1:58 pm

Ted, I think real players know a good axe when they play one. Your company doesn't need to be big to be great.

Folks,
I bought one of the first Rattlers with the Red deep finish. Got it as a special during tax time last year. Ted and his team worked and reworked this guitar until it was just right. You may have a short wait for a Melobar, but you'll kick yourself if you choose not to wait and shop elsewhere.

I suppose thier may be fancier guitars, but these are the real deal. Sound great and are real work horses, night after night.

Joe[This message was edited by Joe E on 25 January 2001 at 02:01 PM.][This message was edited by Joe E on 25 January 2001 at 02:03 PM.]

Didi Waechtler · Post by **Didi Waechtler** » 26 Jan 2001 12:51 am

Hi Ted,
thank you foryour quick and detailed responce. Now I know what I need. I have two more questions :
1. If I don't like the Telecaster Pickups on the Tele Ratt I, do your company exchange the Telecaster Pickup(s) in Bill Lawrence pickup(s) like in the Tele Ratt II ? (Jeff Peterson wrote 28 April 2000)
2. Have the Tele Ratt I a 3 way select switch ? I can't find it in your webpage description under Tele Ratt I.
3. The only main-differences between Tele Ratt I and TR II are the sidejack TRII and the Lawrence Pickups, right ?

Ted, Thanks for your great support.
I'm sure, I would be have fun with one of your brilliant instruments.

Joe, big thanks for Ted's e-mail !

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Ted Smith · Post by **Ted Smith** » 26 Jan 2001 9:03 am

You can use any standard guitar pickups in those models.
The Tele-I is also a plain oil finish like a stock Rattler.

Ted