string spacing

Marc Weller · From: Upland, Ca. 91784

Group,

As I'm learning to do single note playing, I'm finding it much more difficult to play my Stringmaster than my six string prewar Gibson as the strings on the latter are more widely spaced. Do most eight strings have the spacing of the Stringmaster or are they particularly tight on these instruments? Is there a reason for the tight string spacing?

MW

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

String spacing has varied all over the place down thru the years. I have no idea what determined the spacing on a given guitar. I imagine that with the 6 strings, at least, it was patterened after the Spanish Guitar.

But with the advent of 7, 8 and 10 (and higher) strings, I believe each manufacturer simply did "his" thing.

I agree, it can be a difficult thing to try and play a steel with a different string spacing from what one is used to. I have never gotten over it having started on a 6 string National New Yorker. And it has been over 50 yrs since I traded my National for a triple neck Fender custom.

And it tore me up trying to get used to the different string spacing. Then my 69 Emmons' D-10 was different again. Been fighting that spacing ever since. My new Excel U-12 is yet different. So more mind boggling.

Another caveat is getting used to the middle finger having much freedom in picking the 1st string only to have that first string NOT be the first string on the next guitar. Because of adding an F#, D# and G# on top of it

. Still causes me problems trying to keep the top of the tip of the pick from catching the upper strings while trying to pick strings inside.

So I can equate with this thread's author. One thing I have noticed though. It does NOT seem to bother some players. More gifted I always said about them. Probably some truth to that.

But I do have a problem with it, and always have had.

God bless all of you who do,

carl

Chris DeBarge · From: Boston, Mass

I'm having problems too, having recently gone from a Fender 1000 to a Sho-Bud which much closer string spacing. The Fender spacing was identical to a Stringmaster, which I always found to be a comfortable layout. But now with 10 strings in about the same space as were 8, look out! And the extra stings too, I totally agree with you Carl about the 1st strings now being different - now with a D for a high string on the C6 I gotta watch out. I feel like my playing has gone back 6 months.

Marc Weller · From: Upland, Ca. 91784

Group,

I guess I'm not alone in this problem !!!
I've promised my wife I'm only buying one more of these things (sure Marc), and it's gonna be a single eight. So can anyone tell me if there is an eight with spacing similar to my Gibson (actually there are TWO Gibsons thanks to Tom Ward but the Mrs. doesn't know yet)

MW

Maurie Junod · From: Oak Forest, Illinois, USA

Hi Marc,

This is the very reason that I chose a Cougar
guitar four years ago. The 3/8" spacing plus
the beauty, great tone, sustain, and low
price.

I was accustomed to playing the wide spacing
on my 1937 EH100 Gibson. The picks are less
easy to get tangled up, and the harmonics
are much easier to pick.

Here is Freeman Cowgar's website: www.cougarguitars.com
Maurie

Marc Weller · From: Upland, Ca. 91784

Thanks Maurie,

Which model do you own ?

MW

Maurie Junod · From: Oak Forest, Illinois, USA

Hi Marc,

I bought the Big Boss "8" done in the blue
mica finish. That blue color never fails to
bring compliments on the guitar,s appearance.

It came with a clip on full length pad arm
rest, however, I ordered the optional clip
on Little Boss 8 string "Add-A-Neck" which
converts the Big Boss into a double 8. It
clips right on where the arm rest normally
fits.

When I want to travel light I simply take
the little Boss neck with me for a powerful
8 string lap steel.

Freeman Cowgar is a fine man to deal with and
offers other options such as volume and tone
controls, various cases etc.
Maurie

Marc Weller · From: Upland, Ca. 91784

Maurie,

I appreciate the info.

MW

Tim Rowley · From: Pinconning, MI, USA

Not to stray far from the original topic, but would just like to say that Freeman Cowgar's new Cougar "Elite" is one FINE pedal steel, I know because I have played one on-the-job. Back to the topic of string spacing, Freeman is now building an extremely interesting 6-string steel guitar, the "SlideMaster" a.k.a. "Super-6", to appeal to players of the spanish guitar who want to learn the basics of how to play steel on their own. The string spacing on this steel is like that of a Fender Stratocaster. The "E" tuning on the "SlideMaster" corresponds to the old E major lap steel tuning and of course makes a fine hawaiian steel, but this baby also has pedals and knee levers and all the basic pulls of the E9th pedal steel tuning (but it isn't complicated). Furthermore it has the ability to be pulled into the familiar E A D G B E spanish guitar tuning with a knee lever. I have sat down to this instrument and can testify that it has a huge beautiful tone, beautiful formica-covered maple cabinet, great hardware, and also features a universal changer and NO AUDIBLE CABINET DROP. Freeman told me that his hope would be that the player would use the "SlideMaster" steel for a year or two, then advance to a ten-string E9th pedal steel (Freeman of course hopes it would be another Cougar) which would be similar in many ways other than the string spacing and number of strings. But anyway, check it out! Tim R.

[This message was edited by Tim Rowley on 22 October 2000 at 07:41 PM.]

oj hicks · From: Springville, AL

Hi, Marc.

Regarding string spacing on lap steels:

I have and Excel Frypan, a six string Rick bakelite, and a new Sierra 8 string. On the eight string guitars the Sierra has significanlty wider string spacing. It is about as easy to play as the six string Rick. The Frypan takes some getting used to, although it, too, is an excellent guitar. But the string spacing on it is considerably closer than the Sierra. And the tone and sustain on the Sierra is superb, as I am sure you have heard bOb say on this forum.

ojhicks

Bob Kagy · From: Lafayette, CO USA

I don't have a Rick, but yeah oj, I agree on the Sierra 8 string spacing.

By measurement, the Sierra has a string spacing equal to my two 6 string fretted guitars, a strat knockoff and a Martin D28.

It makes getting a finger in there for string pulls easier, and low fret bar slants come easier IMO.

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