Issues with narrower string spacing
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- Kathy Freeman
- Posts: 21
- Joined: 17 Dec 2019 5:45 pm
- Location: London England, living in Germany
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Issues with narrower string spacing
I've played an 8 string ABM lapsteel with 3/8" string spacing (nut 3.25") for two years now. I use a bullet bar.
I recently bought a Framus 8 string with narrower spacing (5/16") and practiced it at least an hour a day for three weeks. But I still didn't feel OK to play it at rehearsal let alone a show. I can pickblock and do passable harmonics on the ABM but I'm glitching a lot on the Framus.
Before I sell the Framus and also give up on acquiring a Clinesmith Joaquin 8 (nut 2.125 max) I'd like to know if anyone here resolved a similar problem? Tips and feedback welcome, thanks.
PS I'm cautious about overworking my fingers so would avoid extra strenuous techniques
I recently bought a Framus 8 string with narrower spacing (5/16") and practiced it at least an hour a day for three weeks. But I still didn't feel OK to play it at rehearsal let alone a show. I can pickblock and do passable harmonics on the ABM but I'm glitching a lot on the Framus.
Before I sell the Framus and also give up on acquiring a Clinesmith Joaquin 8 (nut 2.125 max) I'd like to know if anyone here resolved a similar problem? Tips and feedback welcome, thanks.
PS I'm cautious about overworking my fingers so would avoid extra strenuous techniques
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- Mike A Holland
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Interesting Kathy. I really only play 6 string guitars but I do have an 8 string Dynalap which is a lovely guitar for a budget steel. The Dynalap has a 3/8"(10mm) string spacing parallel from the nut to the bridge. However when I do play this instrument it feels too wide at the nut. The string spacing on my 6 string laps are all between 9 and 10mm and all feel very comfortable to play. I dont really understand why I feel the Dynalap is too wide but I think one of the reasons is that I do not play it enough therefore it feels strange every time I play it. I have a feeling that if you play the Framus solely for a continuous period of time you will get used to it. 5/16"(8mm) does not sound too narrow to me but I have not played the instrument. Interesting to know what other 8 string players think!
- Kathy Freeman
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- Location: London England, living in Germany
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- Kathy Freeman
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- Joined: 17 Dec 2019 5:45 pm
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Interesting to hear about the Aluminium Clinesmith, will have check that out. Do you have any videos where you are playing it? I actually considered "relearning" six strings to be more versatile - but I still have a way to go with the eightSebastian Müller wrote:Hi Kathy, the string spacing is pretty important and it's one of the reasons why I stick to 6 string steel guitars. But the string spacing of my Clinesmith Aluminum Cast (8strings) is rather wide, it is 6 cm at the nut and around 7,2 cm at the bridge. I just bought a Emmons pedal steel, so I get more and more used to narrower string spacing, but I don't play many slants on the pedal steel.
- Kathy Freeman
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I guess it's all down to habit and familiarity. The ABM was the first "serious" steel I came across so I never knew anything different and assumed that was the norm...I was in for a shock! While you've had something like the opposite experience.Mike A Holland wrote:Interesting Kathy. I really only play 6 string guitars but I do have an 8 string Dynalap which is a lovely guitar for a budget steel. The Dynalap has a 3/8"(10mm) string spacing parallel from the nut to the bridge. However when I do play this instrument it feels too wide at the nut. The string spacing on my 6 string laps are all between 9 and 10mm and all feel very comfortable to play. I dont really understand why I feel the Dynalap is too wide but I think one of the reasons is that I do not play it enough therefore it feels strange every time I play it. I have a feeling that if you play the Framus solely for a continuous period of time you will get used to it. 5/16"(8mm) does not sound too narrow to me but I have not played the instrument. Interesting to know what other 8 string players think!
I'm currently having a second stab at getting used to the Framus, though it makes my hands feel like dinner-plates. May I ask how you came by the Dynalap? I heard that some people make them from a kit.
- Steffen Gunter
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I have the same 8-string Clinesmith as Sebastian and the wider spacing improved my playing a lot. I started with an old GDR Herrnsdorff Guitar, followed by a Fender Custom and a Fender Stringmaster D-8, all quite narrow (the Custom's spacing ist a bit wider and better to play). But slant intonation and hitting the wanted string only is way better on my Clinesmith. That's one reason why I don't play any other of my guitars anymore (the other reasons are sound, looks,reliability).
My YT channel: www.youtube.com/user/madsteffen
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- Mike A Holland
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[/img]Kathy Freeman wrote:
I'm currently having a second stab at getting used to the Framus, though it makes my hands feel like dinner-plates. May I ask how you came by the Dynalap? I heard that some people make them from a kit.
I think they are a kit. Apparently this one was made by the kit designer from USA. Or that is what I was told when I bought it. It is a very nice guitar and that pickup is great. I have hadit a few years now. I bought it from a guy who plays pedal steel guitar in the midlands. It needs to be played really!
- Stefan Robertson
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Hmmm... Call me crazy but I found reasonably narrow spacing more reliable for slanting, split slanting, split reverse/forward slanting, wide grip chord voicings.
Wide string spacing was a no go for me. When I first moved to more narrow string spacing it just took practice like anything else. Plus there was less effort and bar movement.
Wide string spacing was a no go for me. When I first moved to more narrow string spacing it just took practice like anything else. Plus there was less effort and bar movement.
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist"
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist"
- Kathy Freeman
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Good to know, thanks. I looked up the Herrnsdorff out of curiosity because I live in Germany - was surprised to see that it looks pretty cool. But I guess a Clinesmith is the best option - vintage guitars have too many quirksSteffen Gunter wrote:I have the same 8-string Clinesmith as Sebastian and the wider spacing improved my playing a lot. I started with an old GDR Herrnsdorff Guitar, followed by a Fender Custom and a Fender Stringmaster D-8, all quite narrow (the Custom's spacing ist a bit wider and better to play). But slant intonation and hitting the wanted string only is way better on my Clinesmith. That's one reason why I don't play any other of my guitars anymore (the other reasons are sound, looks,reliability).
- Kathy Freeman
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yeah maybe I'm trying too hard when I play it. Thanks Stefan.Stefan Robertson wrote:Hmmm... Call me crazy but I found reasonably narrow spacing more reliable for slanting, split slanting, split reverse/forward slanting, wide grip chord voicings.
Wide string spacing was a no go for me. When I first moved to more narrow string spacing it just took practice like anything else. Plus there was less effort and bar movement.
- David Matzenik
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I played Flamenco guitar from age 14, so growing up with fingerstyle acoustic guitars, I never understood the narrow spacing on steel guitars. Some videos show guys with big meaty hands "knitting" tiny patterns. I gave my 8 string guitar 8mm at the nut and 10mm at the bridge. I like the extra room to move, and slightly more comfortable slant grips.
Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother.