Gold Tone LS-6 Lap Steel Guitar with Case

If you’ve ever chased the warm, singing tone of a 1950s Oahu Tonemaster lap steel, the Gold Tone LS-6 will stop you in your tracks. Gold Tone’s design team studied the Oahu so carefully that owners of original vintage instruments regularly purchase LS-6 pickups and hardware to restore their prized guitars — that’s not marketing copy, that’s real-world validation of how faithful this instrument is. The LS-6 is set up from the factory in open D tuning (DADF#AD), the classic Hawaiian and blues slide tuning, but it adapts readily to other open tunings simply by swapping to an appropriately gauged string set. Whether you’re a seasoned steel guitarist looking for a dependable gigging instrument, a guitarist curious about the slide and Hawaiian traditions, or a collector who wants the Oahu aesthetic without the vintage price tag, the LS-6 delivers in a way that consistently surprises people.

Construction centers on a solid mahogany body and mahogany neck — a tonewood combination that produces the round, sustain-rich midrange that made 1950s lap steels so beloved. The rosewood fingerboard carries 20 fret markers for visual reference (you’re playing over them, not fretting), and the 2-inch ZeroGlide nut keeps intonation precise across the full 25-inch scale. Kluson-style tuners with metal buttons hold tuning reliably under the heavier string gauges typical of open D, and the chrome-plated hardware gives the whole package a period-correct look. The cream ABS binding and two-tone tobacco sunburst high-gloss finish are simply beautiful in person — this is an instrument you’ll be proud to set on a stand or pull out at a jam. A hard case is included, which at this price point is genuinely appreciated.

Every LS-6 receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida that includes verifying string height and break angle at the nut, checking that the ZeroGlide nut seats perfectly, confirming pickup height and output balance, and making sure the instrument arrives in open D tuning and ready to play. You won’t need to take this to a tech before your first session.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every LS-6 we sell comes with full manufacturer warranty support and is a genuine, current-production instrument — not grey-market stock. I’m Geoff Hohwald, co-owner of Watch & Learn in Atlanta and the author of Banjo Primer, the top-rated beginner banjo method on the market. I’ve been working with stringed instruments for more than 45 years, and I co-designed the Gold Tone OB-Standard, so I have a real relationship with the people who build these guitars and a genuine stake in making sure you get the right instrument. When you buy from us, you’re buying from someone who has played and evaluated these instruments, not from a warehouse picker who’s never touched one. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans — all with no late fees — so you can take your time paying for a quality instrument without stress.

Gold Tone LS-6 Specifications

Body Top	Mahogany
Body Back & Sides	Mahogany
Binding	Cream ABS
Finish	Two-Tone Tobacco Sunburst, High Gloss
Neck Material	Maple
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Frets	20
Inlay	Dot
Nut	2″ ZeroGlide Nut
Tuners	Kluson-Style with Metal Buttons
Scale Length	25″
Pickup	Single-Coil Magnetic
Hardware	Chrome Plated
String Gauge	.056w, .044w, .034w, .026w, .018, .014
Tuning	Open D (DADF#AD)
Weight	6 lbs.
Case	Included
Optional Bag	HBLS (Available Separately)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tune the LS-6 to open G or another tuning instead of open D?

Absolutely. The LS-6 ships in open D (DADF#AD), but it will accommodate other common lap steel tunings — open G, C6, E13, and others — as long as you install strings gauged appropriately for that tuning. The 25-inch scale and 2-inch ZeroGlide nut give you plenty of flexibility. If you have questions about which string gauges work best for a specific tuning, feel free to reach out to us before you order.

Does the LS-6 come with an amplifier, or do I need to buy one separately?

The LS-6 includes the guitar and a hard case, but not an amplifier. It has a standard 1/4-inch output jack so it will work with any guitar amplifier you already own. Many players start with a small practice amp and find it works beautifully. If you need an amp recommendation to pair with it, just send us a message — we’re happy to point you in the right direction.

Is this the same instrument that Oahu vintage owners use for parts?

Yes, and that’s one of the most remarkable things about it. Gold Tone designed the LS-6 so faithfully to the original Oahu Tonemaster that owners of actual 1950s Oahu lap steels purchase LS-6 pickups and hardware components for use in restoring their vintage instruments. The dimensional and electrical compatibility speaks for itself as a measure of how close this design is to the original.

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