String widths at the playing position

[Dwight Shackelford]

Here are several lap steels I'm looking at. What I normally cannot find is the spacing of the strings at the playing position. I see nut width usually. For those of you who have these units, if it's not a big pain, could you post the total width of the strings at the normal position of the playing hand?


"Epiphone Electar Inspired by ""1939"" Century Lap Steel Outfit"

Vorson SL-100E Straight Lap

Recording King RG-32

Gold Tone LS-6 Lap Steel Guitar - High Gloss Tobacco Sunburst

SX Lap 2 Ash

Gretsch Electromatic Lap Steel Guitar - Vintage White

Gretsch G5700 Electromatic Lap Steel Guitar - Vintage White

[Michael Kiese]

Hi Dwight,

As long as the string positions on the nut and saddle are properly placed, I wouldn't worry about the string widths in the playing position.

It's like going between a nylon string classical guitar vs an electric guitar. You just get used to the string spacing after 5-10 minutes of playing.

The only odd string spacing steels I've played are the 7 and 8 string Rickenbacher Bakelites. Their string spacing is very tight. They used the same bodies and nut widths of a 6 stringer and just slapped wider pickups in em with more pole pieces.

My recommendation to you: make sure you get a steel with a standard scale length. Usually that means 22.5" or 24.5". 22.5" is considered to be "short scale". 24.5" is considered to be "long scale".

If you're beginning and starting out with your first steel, focus on making sure it just works properly and is either 22.5" or 24.5" and doesn't cost too much. There's nothing wrong with the cheap lap steels on Amazon or the SX steels on rondo music.

There are some cheap lap steels like Harley Bentons that have 21" scale lengths. That's abnormally short. I don't know why they make them that way, but it is unfortunate to be a beginner and get used to a non standard scale length and then have to adjust later.

Some people recommend vintage steels in the $400-$500 range, and that's another good route to go, just keep in mind a lot of those steels are 70 years old and may need work. (most do need work).

The steels you're looking at are around the similar price point of $400-$500. They're just fine.

Just decide on the tuning you want, and make sure you get a proper custom set of strings for YOUR tuning with the scale length of YOUR steel guitar.

String calculator apps help with that:
https://tension.stringjoy.com

Good luck and Enjoy!

[Dwight Shackelford]

In the past, normal guitar string spacings have been too tight for me. As a result, I don't play guitar currently. Thus, I'm looking at some sort of "ruler" to help me compare these instruments, since for 4 of them I can't see them physically, nor find that particular spec listed for them online.

[Gary Meixner]

Dwight,

I think you will find most 6 string lap steels made today use standard guitar pickups making the string spread between 50-52 mm. There is more variation on older guitars.

G. Meixner

[Michael Kiese]

In the past, normal guitar string spacings have been too tight for me. As a result, I don't play guitar currently. Thus, I'm looking at some sort of "ruler" to help me compare these instruments, since for 4 of them I can't see them physically, nor find that particular spec listed for them online.

Hi Dwight,

BLUF: if you can't play it before you buy it, go with a long scale steel. The longer the scale, the more the strings widen out towards the saddle.

I feel your pain about not being able to try steels out in person! Makes me recall my own frustration when I started out.

Here's some good news: I've seen those Gretsch steels being sold brand new in-person at mom and pops and even guitar centers around the country. Lap steels can actually be found around town if you pop your head in at enough local music shops. They're always on consignment or in the used section. Searching for steels at music stores gives you a great excuse to get out of the house and explore the world.

Steels are indeed harder to find than electric guitars, but they're out there! Makes for a fun treasure hunt to spend a day with a friend!

The main thing is, if you know the string spacing at the nut and bridge, you'll get a good idea of the spread. The only tight string spacing I experienced are on the 7 and 8 string Rickenbacher Bakelites for reasons I mentioned above.

Perhaps you should go with a long scale guitar, 24.5" or 25". The longer the scale, the more the strings widen out towards the nut.

I just took some pics with measurements of my digital caliper of 3 of my Rickenbacher steels for you.

I suppose the old Rickenbachers can serve as a good measuring stick, seeing as how they were the first mass produced electric guitars. They created the standard so to speak.

The ACE and the 6 string Bakelite are 22.5" (short scale), the A25 Frypan is 24.5" (long scale).

I'll post in separate messages with pictures for you.

[Michael Kiese]

STRING SPACING

Rickenbacher A25 (24.5" long scale)

Nut: 0.83"
12th fret: 1.03"
Saddle: 1.28"

[Michael Kiese]

STRING SPACING

Rickenbacher B6 Bakelite (22.5", short scale):

Nut: 1.07"
12th fret: 1.135"
Saddle: 1.29"

The spacing is thrown slightly off by my very large 6th string. I keep this B6 in David "Feet" Rogers's tuning. It's also the same type and model of Bakelite he liked best.

[Michael Kiese]

STRING SPACING

Rickenbacher ACE (22.5", short scale):

Nut: 1.036"
12th fret: 1.193"
Saddle: 1.298"