| Author |
Topic: String Spacing |
Jay Seibert
From:
Woodland, WA, USA
|
Posted 30 Jan 2011 8:55 am |
|
As a new player to 8 string lap steel, I have become interested in pursuing the possible advantages of a wider than normal string spacing. I have noted that some players find that some slants are easier to "nail". Anyone like to comment?
Also in this regard, I'd like contact any makers who offer a wider spacing option or perhaps make the head and bridge pieces that I could use to fashion my own instrument.
I also noted a recent string on palm benders but am having a difficult time connecting with those makers' web sites. Anyone have some links they'd like to share?
_________________
www.stoneslides.com is my Paloma Tone Bar and Bottleneck Slide web site
www.clayrabbit.com is my Pottery web site |
|
|
 |
Jason Hull
|
Posted 30 Jan 2011 6:14 pm
|
|
| Your local luthier can make a new nut. |
|
|
|
Mitch Crane
From:
1000 Oaks, CA
|
Posted 30 Jan 2011 6:22 pm
|
|
| The Sierra Laptop 8 and the GeorgeBoards guitars offer wider than 'normal' string spacing I believe ? There may be others ... |
|
|
|
Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
|
Posted 7 Feb 2011 5:31 am
|
|
I prefer 3/8" string spacing on all of my lapsteels, 6, 8 and 10 string. However my pedal steel (Shobud LDG) has much closer string spacing.
Sometimes when playing in a band situation at a live gig, I have to switch from lap steel to pedal in the same song, I just naturally adapt to the closer spacing and don't even notice it.
I do believe that slants are easier with the wider spacing... not sure why.
Dom 
_________________
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYG9cvwCPKuXpGofziPNieA/feed?activity_view=3 |
|
|
|
Steve Ahola
From:
Concord, California
|
Posted 7 Feb 2011 9:05 am
|
|
| Dom Franco wrote: |
| I prefer 3/8" string spacing on all of my lapsteels, 6, 8 and 10 string. |
3/8(.375") seems to be the most preferred spacing- that is what George uses on his Boards.
| Quote: |
I do believe that slants are easier with the wider spacing... not sure why.
Dom |
It is a matter of mathematics- there is a webpage that allows you to type in the scale length and string spacing and you will get a "slantability" rating.  My 1947 Gibson Century 6 has a spacing of 0.460" at the nut and a scale of 22.75"- the slants on it are as easy as π.
Steve Ahola
_________________
www.blueguitar.org
Recordings on electric guitar:
http://www.box.net/blue-diamonds
http://www.box.net/the-culprits |
|
|
|
Jay Seibert
From:
Woodland, WA, USA
|
Posted 7 Feb 2011 9:56 am
|
|
Thanks for the info, guys... I appreciate the input. Does anyone know what spacing Billy Robinson uses?
_________________
www.stoneslides.com is my Paloma Tone Bar and Bottleneck Slide web site
www.clayrabbit.com is my Pottery web site |
|
|
|
Kekoa Blanchet
From:
Kaua'i
|
Posted 7 Feb 2011 12:42 pm
|
|
| Steve Ahola wrote: |
| My 1947 Gibson Century 6 has a spacing of 0.460" at the nut and a scale of 22.75"- the slants on it are as easy as π. |
So is there a downside to the extra-wide spacing on a 6-string guitar? I presume that with an 8-string, if the strings get too wide you'll need a longer bar. Steve, is there a disadvantage to that Gibson Century 6 that negates the advantage of those easy slants? |
|
|
|
Steve Ahola
From:
Concord, California
|
Posted 7 Feb 2011 3:40 pm
|
|
| Kekoa Blanchet wrote: |
| Steve Ahola wrote: |
| My 1947 Gibson Century 6 has a spacing of 0.460" at the nut and a scale of 22.75"- the slants on it are as easy as π. |
So is there a downside to the extra-wide spacing on a 6-string guitar? I presume that with an 8-string, if the strings get too wide you'll need a longer bar. Steve, is there a disadvantage to that Gibson Century 6 that negates the advantage of those easy slants? |
Well, I did have to rent a larger apartment. 
I think that wider spacing contributes to the sound of the pre-50's pickup with the non-adjustable pole pieces- the footprint of that coil is huge. I believe that the pre-50's BR-9's used the same pickup, too.
This might or might not be common to other Century's of this vintage, but once you get up to the 7th fret, you do need to hold the bar at a mild reverse slant angle for it to be in tune. I suppose I could realign the bridge but it really hasn't been a problem. My 1937 Rickenbacher Silver Hawaiian is the same way... go figure!
Steve Ahola
_________________
www.blueguitar.org
Recordings on electric guitar:
http://www.box.net/blue-diamonds
http://www.box.net/the-culprits |
|
|
|
HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
|
Posted 11 Feb 2011 12:24 pm
|
|
I also like parallel spacing at the nut.....3/8
I have a 10 string pedal steel (a Lamar) with 3/8" parallel spacing....and it's a wide neck alright.... |
|
|
|
Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
|
|
|
|
