Clinesmith Frypan question

Peter Krebs · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Howdy! Iâ€™d like to get some perspectives on which configurations youâ€™d prefer to have on a Clinesmith Frypan and why. Long scale or short? 6-, 7- or 8- strings? Thanks in advance for your opinions/help (and Happy New Year!). Pete

Nick Fryer · From: Ohio, USA

I canâ€™t speak for all the options but I will say that I love my 8 string long scale! Super easy to play and amazing sound and feel. Slanting is a little trickier on the low frets but for me, the long scale is worth the sacrifice.

Nic Neufeld · From: Kansas City, Missouri

I'd be another vote for the 8 string long. You are right, slants down low are a challenge. I think the decision is going to end up quite personal though...if you are used to or prefer 6/7/8 strings, and if you are more accustomed to 22 vs 24" scales, that kind of thing.

I imagine they all sound great, though. Loads of sustain!
_________________
Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

The longer the scale, the longer the sustain. Very Happy

Erv

Steve Lipsey · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Mine is a long 6...for a couple of reasons...
Slanting low down is harder (but can be mastered with a little practice). Hitting notes high up accurately is easier - on a short scale you have to be more exact, and there isn't much room for error with tiny fret spacing.

I like having the same scale on my dobro, Weissenborn, and lap steels - makes muscle memory easier to create, which makes everything (including low-down slants) easier to do.

I also use the same tuning (dobro GBDGBD) on all, same reason...and doing forward and reverse and split slants gets me the chords I miss by not using a 6th tuning...

Basically, I'm not a guy who can adapt instantly on the fly to string number and spacing and tuning....I envy those who can...

Can't compare the tone to a short scale, but that long scale sure does ring out and sustain forever....
_________________
https://www.lostsailorspdx.com
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham Resos, 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor

Jean-Sebastien Gauthier · From: Quebec, Canada

I don't have the Frypan, yet, I will have one in the future for sure, but I have the JM cast aluminum 8 strings long scale tuned to C13 and I LOVE it!!!

I just ordered a D8 console just because they look amazing, I want an E13 neck and I'm really sure I will love it because its almost like my JM but on a console!

I will order a Frypan when I will have an hawaiien music band!

Jim Rossen · From: Iowa, USA

I started with an 8 string long scale b/o tone/sustain concerns. I then tried a short scale, found slants to be much easier and now play only short. The sustain of my short scale guitars is fine for me (one is a Clinesmith aluminum). The benefit for slants trumps the sustain concern.

Jim

Steffen Gunter · From: Munich, Germany

I love my short scale 8 string. The wide string spacing is perfect for me and my intonation improved on 3-point and split slants. I do much more slants on string 1 & 2 now (even on the second or third fret). Sustain is long enough (I don't play spheric western stuff or Americana â€“ guess a pedal steel would be better for this anyway). But for a Swing related vintage sound I personally like it when a tone is fading out. It's part of the dynamic feeling. And it's got the sound I was after. If I wanted a new steel it would be the same model again.
_________________
My YT channel: www.youtube.com/user/madsteffen

Daniel Baston · From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I don't have one yet, but I do plan to get one, hopefully sooner rather than later. My thought is to go with an 8 string long scale because it is sort of the 'ultimate' setup. If you end up wanting a shorter scale or fewer strings, the best way to find out is to try it out. In my experience, even if you get to try a guitar out before buying, you only really know how you feel about it after you have lived with it for a while. If you change your mind, you will have no problem selling your guitar and you can get one that has the specs that you want. Not sure how helpful that is, but it's a perspective I guess!

Kevin Glandon · From: New York, USA

In my opinion it doesn't matter at all. I've both long scale and short scale steels and have played them for many many years. It doesn't matter. Play what you are comfortable with.
I don't buy the sustain argument on the long scale. I've short scales that sustain beautifully, I've long scales that sustain beautifully. I think that argument comes from the fact that a long scale guitar using the same tuning and string gauges as a short scale instrument will have a higher string tension. You can make either scale have equal tension just by adjusting the gauges of strings being used.
Yes, slants on each of the guitars are different....positive and negatives in each case. You get used to the scale length you are playing. Tone....some of the very best sounding guitars are short scale. Rickenbacher Bakelites are the best example of this. Same for the Ric Frypans. Fender Dual Pros have stunning tone with their trapezoid pickups and short scales.
Jerry Byrd is regarded as the best steel player to ever come along. His tone is magnificent as well as his intonation. He plays 22.5 inch scale length. Always did. Chris Scruggs, same thing.
I believe there is a lot of "hype" over scale length. Don't get trapped in it.

Peter Krebs · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Thanks for all the feedback! This is such a great resource. I went against the grain of some of the advice given, and ordered a long-scale 7-string from Todd. All my other steels are short scale, and Iâ€™d like to have a little variety. Looks like Iâ€™ve got my work cut out for me!

Forum Index > Steel Without Pedals		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: