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Topic: Newbie bridge questions |
Jim Rossen
From:
Iowa, USA
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Posted 8 May 2012 5:11 pm |
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What are the merits of a flat vs arched bridge for a 6 string lap?
What is the purpose of a compensated bridge? How does it work for different tunings?
What is the optimal string spacing for a beginner?
Thanks |
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Jerry Gleason
From:
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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Posted 9 May 2012 12:52 am
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| There is certainly no need or reason for an arched bridge on a steel guitar. There is also no need (in my opinion) for a compensated bridge on a steel guitar. Some cheap import lap steels are just built with available off the shelf parts intended for regular six string guitars. I don't really have an opinion on the string spacing question. |
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Karl Fehrenbach
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 9 May 2012 5:27 am
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| As Jerry said, the bridge and the nut should have no radius at all. The strings should be as "flat" as possible in relation to each other. Filing the grooves that define the string spacing to various depths to accommodate the diameter, or gauge, of thew string helps to insure that. However, in most cases, your bar hand pressure is adequate to keep all strings in contact with the bar. Compensated bridges have no function with steel guitar. Your tone bar will do all of the compensation by adjusting for micro tone anomalies due to string gauge caused intonation. Physics at play. As Jerry also said, often inexpensive lap steels are manufactured using off the shelf components that keep the development costs at a minimum. That is why an entry level steel guitar can be had for $125 and a designed for the purpose guitar needs to sell for $1000. There are some mid range steel guitars out there, however, that give a pretty good bang for the buck and are properly set up. String spacing is really hard to define as 6 string guitars and eight string guitars have different spacing at the nut. 3/8" at the bridge seems to be a favorite and commonly available. The more strings you add, the tighter that spacing gets. It can be minute, but you can see and feel the difference. Scale length is another aberation that enters into the picture that we all love to discuss. Lots of older threads here about that. |
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Thomas Temple
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 9 May 2012 5:36 am
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| As stated flat is where it's at and as for string spacing again like stated depends on 6 or 8 strings. But checking on Bob Allen's web site (builder of Melbert Laps Steels) for a 6 string he list: .375 at pickup, .318 at nut. I own one and the spacing seems to be great for me but I have big hands. Hope this helps a bit, I am sure that if you can find a decent starter for under $200, check the for sale section here on the forum... see a Rogue Lighting for BO and they have a good rep for a low end guitar. Good luck and welcome. |
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