There are hundreds of thousands of guitar sounds, but I still haven't found a real good one to give my lap steel guitar that typical "old time cosy" sound. Guitar Rig has a preset named "steel guitar" which comes quite close to what I'm looking for. Any ideas? I'm not looking for sample stuff or virtual instruments. Just sounds or presets in Guitar Rig, Amplitube or whatever there is. Thanks.

 

Amplitube 3 setting for pedal steel --> https://gearspace.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/644275-amplitube-3-setting-pedal-steel.html

 

Acustica Aero has some tones that work really well with lap steel. The plugin is old Acustica, so its very CPU heavy, and there are a couple bugs, but to me its the realest of amp sims. Otherwise, i would reach for Amplitube Fender.

I know you said no instruments, but Yonac Steel Guitar Pro can deliver excellent results. Playing with the ipad gives unexpected realism. Yonac's amp plugin is also great.

 

What's preventing you from recording it through an amp? A ribbon mic sounds great with a pedal steel and will give you that sound.

 

Probably related to your reference point.
Post any reference sound here.

If you listen to old records, the best way is using tape emulator after your guitar chain.
https://www.sageaudio.com/articles/top-4-free-tape-emulation-plugins