I also had some trouble deciding on the pickup, but ended up with the Bigsby style.
My decision was because I felt the horse shoe would block off the strings a bit more than I wanted.
The tone of both are very very good. The difference is slight to my ear. Others might disagree?
As you said, "The sustain and power of these guitars is really something as is the weight" though the weight I think has a lot to do with the incredible sustain.
When I ordered the T-8, I decided on the same Bigsby style pickups, but with the pickup covers.
I liked the look a lot and that was the deciding factor for me there.
They do get in the way a bit, but they also provide a nice palm rest for some kinds of picking. Also I do most of my picking around the end of the fretboard except when playing way up the neck.
I prefer the wider spacing of the lap steel and have started a 10 string pedal steel with that same 3/8" spacing (About 11mm) because I like that so much better than that of my pedal steels with the too close 8mm spacing. Really a personal preference. None is really right or wrong.
I keep mine on my desk and play it every day a few times when I really should be getting some work done.
My only questions are after a week have you fallen in love yet, and has your wife gotten jealous of your new friend?
Best wishes,
Andy
