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Topic: Prefered string spacing? |
Don McClellan
From:
California/Thailand
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Posted 6 Oct 2011 5:50 pm |
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| What is the most often prefered string spacing for 6 string, 8 string, 10 string and 12 string lap steels? Is there a standard for 8 strings? Thanks a lot, Don |
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Don McGregor
From:
Memphis, Tennessee
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Posted 7 Oct 2011 6:07 am
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Don,
For lap and console non pedal, 3/8" string and pickup pole spacing is the most common choice, as it lends itself best to the playing of slants in tune. On a 22-1/2" scale length, even playing slants within the frets near the nut is possible. Longer scale lengths tend to make this more difficult.
If you do not use slants much, then a narrower spacing might be fine. Pedal steels string spacing is usually narrower, as pedals, for the most part, take the place of slants.
I prefer a consistent 3/8" spacing all up and down the neck. I am currently playing 8 string instruments, but am about to begin building some 10 stringers as soon as I finish the ones I'm currently working on.
Good luck.
Don |
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Don McClellan
From:
California/Thailand
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Posted 8 Oct 2011 8:31 am
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| Thanks Don |
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Steve Ahola
From:
Concord, California
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Posted 8 Oct 2011 3:09 pm
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Many 6 stringers have a spacing slightly wider than 3/8" to match up with all of the pickups out there for regular guitar. But other than that, 3/8" (.375") is preferred by many or most players of non-pedal steel.
Steve Ahola
P.S. Many or all of the Gibson Century 6's and BR-9's used an even wider spacing than regular guitars, which is really great for slants.
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