Playing an Asher guitar is something every "lap steeler" should try to achieve
some day. Their efforts on building great guitars and lap steels and their commitment for lap steel´s expansion deserve all our best support. Asher Guitars make some of the coolest looking and best sounding instruments that are currently being developed inspired on Hermann Weissenborn/Kutsen´s designs from the 1910´s.Their guitars are handcrafted in Santa Monica, CA, and have long long sustain, receiving all types of aclaims. You could keep notes till tomorrow if you wanted them to!!

Besides, they have a lovely customer service that make you feel you´re buying at the corner´s shop, even though you can be 9000 miles away.

When we first contacted them, they told us about this beauty we´re showing. We thought this guitar deserved a page in our site, and obviously serves as well to thank Asher Guitars for their efforts (and Ben Harper for signing it for us). The featured piece is, by far, the most affordable pro-lap steel Ben Harper uses.

It´s an Asher Electro Junior Deluxe (#144) initially built for Ben Harper by Bill Asher with a Gibson bridge and tailpiece, wich is what Ben Harper had requested. Three were made for him by Bill Asher to choose from. Two where selected and given to Ben Harper, and this is the poor one left!!! So, this one´s considered on the hang tag as the first one on production after the two Ben Harper prototypes. You can see one of the other two at the Live at the Apollo DVD (Wicked man).

It´s made of a single honduras mahogany piece (hand rubbed finish) with two ´59 Duncan pickups. This "Junior" lap steel is definitely not a toy.

You never know when a rare guitar, with a little nice story, is going to come across your life. But, no doubt, chances are just a few. Even though this protoype was a little more expensive than the regular ones, we just didn´t think it twice and here it is.

Ben Harper even had it signed for us!!! Treasures (Yes, this is a treasure for us!!) have to be kept the longest you can... So, we´re sorry but this item is not on sale. We´ll hopefully be keeping it forever...The sisters of this guitar are touring worlwide on the best hands possible!!!

This is an instrument to be proud of. Just watching it rises everyone´s morale. Bill Asher has, no doubt, a great taste. Take a look at their site...you might find your treasure!!!