The Duesenberg Fairytale Lapsteel Split/King Edition: A Modern Classic Reimagined
This isn’t just a lap steel—it’s a bold rethinking of what the instrument can be, blending traditional slide guitar soul with forward-thinking engineering.
Whether you’re a seasoned lap steel player or a guitarist curious about expanding your sonic palette, the Fairytale Split/King offers a compelling mix of versatility, playability, and unmistakable style.
A Lap Steel That Refuses to Be Limited
At its core, the Fairytale Split/King is designed to eliminate compromises. Traditionally, players have had to choose between the warmth of humbuckers and the clarity of single coils. Duesenberg sidesteps that entirely with its innovative Split/King pickup system.
Rather than a typical coil-split design, this system houses a true single-coil and a full humbucker within the same pickup—giving you authentic tones from both worlds at the flick of a switch
The result? A lap steel that can move seamlessly from glassy, articulate country tones to thick, sustaining blues leads without missing a beat.
Built for Expression, Not Just Notes
One of the standout features of the Fairytale is the Multibender bridge system.
This clever mechanism allows you to bend individual strings up or down in pitch using levers controlled by your picking hand. It brings pedal steel-style expression into a compact lap steel format, letting you shift chords, add harmonies, or create fluid melodic movement on the fly
In practical terms, it means:
- Turning minor chords into major mid-phrase
- Adding pedal steel-style licks without a full rig
- Unlocking entirely new phrasing possibilities
For players chasing expressive, vocal-like playing, this feature alone is worth serious attention.
Smart Design Meets Real-World Playability
The integrated Easy-Shift Capo is a subtle but powerful addition. Mounted on a rail within the fretboard, it allows instant key changes without needing external accessories—and without the risk of losing it mid-session
Meanwhile, the Speed-Pot tone control—with its short 70° sweep—makes smooth volume swells and tonal shaping feel intuitive and responsive, especially during live performance.
Premium Materials, Purposeful Construction
The Fairytale Split/King isn’t just innovative—it’s built to last.
With a korina body, aluminum fingerboard, and a full 25.5" scale length, it delivers both sustain and clarity. The included custom case underscores its premium positioning, designed to handle the realities of touring and travel.
This is very much a “lifetime instrument”—one that feels as solid as it sounds.
Who Is This Guitar For?
While undeniably high-end, the Fairytale Split/King isn’t just for lap steel purists.
It’s especially appealing to:
- Blues, country, and Americana players looking for expressive slide tones ()
- Guitarists exploring new textures without jumping to a full pedal steel
- Studio musicians who need tonal flexibility in a single instrument
If your playing leans toward emotion, nuance, and sonic exploration, this guitar meets you there.
The Verdict: Innovation That Actually Matters
The Duesenberg Fairytale Lapsteel Split/King Edition earns its place not just through premium craftsmanship, but through meaningful innovation.
It solves real problems:
- Tone limitations → solved with Split/King pickups
- Expressive constraints → expanded via the Multibender
- Workflow friction → reduced with integrated capo and intuitive controls
The result is an instrument that feels less like a niche tool and more like a creative platform.
In short, this isn’t just one of the most advanced lap steels available—it’s one of the most inspiring.
If you’re looking to push beyond traditional slide playing and into something more dynamic, the Fairytale Split/King might just live up to its name.