question about string spacing

Pete Honychurch · From: British Columbia, Canada

Hi, I bought an Excel 12 string universal last year and I am used to an old National dual 8 string console grand as far as string spacing goes.
I am guessing that 10 string pedal steels probably have a wider string spacing than 12 strings, is that a correct assumption?
I am rather new to the pedal steel, but have played non-pedal for some time (25 years). I like the Excel as far as mechanics go etc but I find it really hard to feel at home on the very narrow string spacing. As soon as I go to my non-pedal my fingers go to the right places like an old friend.
Would I be better off on a 10 string? Or would the difference in string spacing be too small to make a difference....

Thanks Pete

Peter den Hartogh · From: Cape Town, South Africa

The string spacing on my 10 string is exactly the same as my 12 string. No difference.
Therefore the string SPREAD on the 12 string is wider.

Hope this helps
_________________
1977 Sho~Bud D10 ProIII Custom; Sho~Bud SD10 The Professional ; ETS S10 5x5;
Fender 1000; 1993 Remington U12; 1978 Emmons S10 P/P; GeorgeB Weissenborn;
Fluger Cat-Can; Asher Electro Hawaiian; Gibson BR4; Fender FS52; Guyatone 8str;
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Dynalap 8string; Harbor Lights 8string; Aiersi Tri-Cone; Fender Stringmaster

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

The old Emmons PP 12 strings had a narrower string spacing than the 10 strings.

I remember Hank Corwin had a (blue) D-10 Emmons custom built in 1972 with the 12 string spacing. He said he wanted it because of his short fingers.

But, you will find the pedal guitars have a closer string spacing than the non-pedal steels. Most pedal steelers do not use or only use very little bar slants. The narrow string spacing makes it harder to slant and still be in tune. The Pedals and knee levers sort of take the place of the slants.

Dave Hopping · From: Aurora, Colorado

My Mullen RP U-12 has narrower string spacing than on my 10 string per neck steels,and for awhile I couldn't play the others comfortably,but switching back and forth seems to make the transition go easier.To me,the difference in string spacing is something like the scale length difference between Fender and Gibson six-strings.

EDIT:Pete,I think a non-pedal player would have a distinct advantage when taking up PSG.Jack's right in saying the pedals/KLs take the place of bar slants,but since I've taken up Dobro,I'm finding places for slants on my pedal guitars,and I really do think slants have a subtly different(and very cool)sound.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I started out on lap steel (trying to play like Little Roy Wiggins). I can't get some of the slants as clean as I could on the old Oahu with the closer string spacing.

Pete Honychurch · From: British Columbia, Canada

Thanks for the responses you guys. For me it's not the left hand, it's the right (picking) hand. I just find the tight spacing really uncomfortable and all the strings kind of blend in together so I can't tell where I am often. I suppose it's something that you eventually get used to but I find it uncomfortably tight.
Maybe I need to have one built with the wider spacing.....

Benton Allen · From: Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Benton, I was the first one to play that guitar, other than Hank. I was working at Little Roy Wiggins music store on lower Broadway. Hank picked it from shipping and brought it to the store and unpacked it. He set it up and played around with it and then said he had to leave for a recording session. He asked me to play it and help break it in.

Ron Pruter · From: Arizona, USA

Pete-- Old ShoBuds have a nice, wide, comfortable spacing. Ron
_________________
Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112.

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

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