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Topic: Wider string spacing on 8 string steels? |
David DeLoach
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2016 3:15 am |
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Do any 8 string steels have the wider string spacing that the typical 6 string steels have? If not, why not?
Thx!
Dave |
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Rich Sullivan
From:
Nelson, NH 03457
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Posted 15 Apr 2016 4:01 am
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| In regards to 8 string models, most Magnatones I've seen have very wide spacing, maybe close to 7/16". Gibson Console Grandes are about 3/8". In general, 8 strings have closer spacing than 6 strings only because the manufacturer is trying to squeeze the strings into the same or almost the same space. |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 15 Apr 2016 6:45 am
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| Rich Sullivan wrote: |
| ... In general, 8 strings have closer spacing than 6 strings only because the manufacturer is trying to squeeze the strings into the same or almost the same space. |
Unfortunately that has been the case for some time and one of my pet peeves. Too often a company's 8 string was just a 6 string model with a couple extra strings shoehorned in.
As a builder, I can certainly see the appeal in that approach. Its less work and cheaper than developing a new model with the associated new molds, templates, die's, etc. And its more than just bolting a fatter neck on the same body too. When I do an 8 string version of one of my models I go through great pains to scale everything up in proportion so as not to lose the lines that made me smile in the first place.
My P6 and P8 would be a great example of that. The changes are subtle, but everything on the P8 is slightly larger than its 6 string sister.
.
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Robert Allen
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2016 7:50 am Re: Wider string spacing on 8 string steels?
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| David DeLoach wrote: |
Do any 8 string steels have the wider string spacing that the typical 6 string steels have? If not, why not?
Thx!
Dave |
Money. Manufacturers design their products to sell in a given price range. If a company offers everything a customer wants, the price will be higher and people will buy a cheap import instead, and then the company loses sales. Any custom shop will build exactly what a customer wants but many customers are not willing to pay for exactly what they want. |
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Scott Duckworth
From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
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Posted 15 Apr 2016 10:42 am
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For those that have the cheap Rogue steels, if you will make an aluminum angle nut and space it the same as the bridge spacing, it will play and sound better.
I use a piece of aluminum angle (3/4" x 3/4), a file, and a set of ox / acetylene torch files to make mine.
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it
I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus! |
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Keith Glendinning
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 15 Apr 2016 10:49 pm
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Thanks for this thread.
I have a modified Bibson BR3 and want to make an 8 String in the same proportions. I'm thinking of a 24" scale and then just "widening" the original dimensions of the body and neck. I'd love comments on increasing the scale length from 22.5" to 24.5"?
Keith |
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Kirk Francis
From:
Laupahoehoe
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Posted 16 Apr 2016 2:02 pm
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| interestingly, the 7-string rick fry pans from the '30s have the same string-to-string spacing as the 6-string models. i wonder what they would have done had they built an 8-stringer. |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 17 Apr 2016 7:31 am Re: Wider string spacing on 8 string steels?
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| Robert Allen wrote: |
| ... If a company offers everything a customer wants, the price will be higher and people will buy a cheap import instead, ... |
While that is certainly true for a lot of possible options, good playability and string spacing need not be a costly upgrade. The steels that you build are a great example of just that, a good playing and solid platform.
| Scott Duckworth wrote: |
| For those that have the cheap Rogue steels, if you will make an aluminum angle nut and space it the same as the bridge spacing, it will play and sound better. ... |
Good job Scott! ... and good advice. A nut upgrade on those is a worthy mod. Angle aluminum can make for a good nut and bridge material. The only thing I'd suggest is to use a 6061 T6 alloy. Its considerably harder than the more common 6063 architectural angle.
| Keith Glendinning wrote: |
Thanks for this thread.
I have a modified Bibson BR3 and want to make an 8 String in the same proportions. I'm thinking of a 24" scale and then just "widening" the original dimensions of the body and neck. I'd love comments on increasing the scale length from 22.5" to 24.5"?
Keith |
Ultimately, whatever looks good to you is the correct answer. I'd suggest drawing it out full scale on some poster board first. A neat trick for tracing something in a larger scale is with a washer and a pencil. Place the pencil in the center ring and let the outer part of the washer ride the item you are tracing. In your case, I'd guess something between a typical M7 to M10 flat washer will get you there. And of course it does not need to be a washer, anything round with a hole in the middle can work.
| Kirk Francis wrote: |
| interestingly, the 7-string rick fry pans from the '30s have the same string-to-string spacing as the 6-string models. i wonder what they would have done had they built an 8-stringer. |
Probably the same as they did with the B8, cut the heads off a couple nails, stuff them on the ends of a 6 string pickup bobbin, and bolt it all onto a 6 string body. Rickenbackers Bakelite 8 stringer is the poster child of stuffing an 8 onto a 6 string platform.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here |
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Former Member
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Posted 17 Apr 2016 7:49 am
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I got a 6 string from DL:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=296445&highlight=
Asked Dan for real wide string spacing, I think it's around 1/2" parallel on a 25" scale. Works great!!
Trying to get someone to make a 10 string with the same spacing.---And a hollow box.
Slants seem easier, I'm not sure what the trade-offs are, But having a lot of newbie fun with it! |
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Jim Behnke
From:
SW USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2016 10:10 am
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I had a luthier convert my 1984 OMI 10-str Dobro to 8 as the strings were just too close together on the 10-string.
BTW, a Beard Wave capo isn't long enough to hit all 8 on that instrument tho' works on 6-string squarenecks. |
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Bob Stone
From:
Gainesville, FL, USA
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Posted 18 Apr 2016 5:29 pm
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Hi,
My Sierra and Allison 8-strings both have wide spacing. |
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Tony Boadle
From:
Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland
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Posted 19 Apr 2016 10:51 am
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My SX 8-string has a wider neck than the 6-string model, and I managed to increase it slightly when I fitted my home-built roller nut. (there's a Deusenberg Multibender at the other end BTW).
I even used the original SX nut to hold my roller but in place....extreme recycling!
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Wayne D. Clark
From:
Montello Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 19 Apr 2016 4:16 pm
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| I have a Melbert 8 string made by Robert Allen and I have no problem with the string spacing, I never thought about checking it. I just sat down and started playing. Maybe I should get out the ruler. But then why bother. What ever the spacing is it works for me. |
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David DeLoach
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 20 Apr 2016 3:13 am
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| Wayne D. Clark wrote: |
| What ever the spacing is it works for me. |
I'm trying to get to that point. The spacing on my Stringmaster vs. that on my Gibson BR9 and Oahu is significantly tighter. I'm getting there, but its taking time. |
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Alan Simon
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 20 Apr 2016 2:53 pm
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I agree with you about the Stringmaster string spacing is way to close. I had 2 single neck Deluxe 8s and I never got use to the tight string spacing. I have a Rukavina 8 string that is currently in the for sale section that has a wider string spacing and is way easier for me to play. Then why am I selling it you ask? Cause I am attempting to play pedal steel more these days and am selling off a few of my laps.
Later, Simon |
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