Playing Height For Your Steel

[Rock Able]

I'm new to lap steel and I started out playing it on my lap. Unfortunately, I have some arthritis in my neck that does not like for me to have it in that position.

I've now moved it up on a stand about 4" above my lap, which helps. Now, I'm having problems with my muting fingers on my left hand inadvertently pressing down too hard far and muting behind the tone bar. When I consciously think about it, I can get around it. I'm wondering if I'm too high.

What height works best for you? Is there an accepted level?

[Brad Bechtel]

I like my guitar to be positioned so that my forearm is pretty much parallel to the floor, sometimes a bit lower. If it's too high up, you end up straining your arms.
Here's a good article on injury prevention by Lorene Ruymar, hosted on John Ely's excellent web site.

[Rock Able]

Thanks, Brad.

[Bill Leff]

Rock:

I strongly advise that you play standing up with your lapsteel on a stand (or even better, get a steel with legs). I have some of the same issues with my neck and shoulders and they are greatly alleviated when playing standing up.