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Topic: Strings spacings on 10 vs 12 string steels |
Parr Bryan
From:
Nacogdoches,Texas
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Posted 10 Feb 2006 7:21 am |
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Hi All,
Is the spacing (distance between strings) on a 10 string different than on 12 string steels?
I'm thinking of a S12U and play a MSA D10 now. Seems if the 12 had a smaller spacing between strings it would be hard to get your fingers (picks) on the strings. I may be totally wrong about this (Not the first time!)
If the spacing is different, which brands would be the closest in spacing to what I have on my MSA now?
Thanks for the help and I hope I am wrong and that all steels have the same string spacing.
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 10 Feb 2006 9:08 am
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| The spacing on my S12U Emmons and my S12U Zum is the same as on my D10 Sho-Bud. That is the way I want it. I think most 12-strings have the same spacing as most 10-strings. However, I have run across a few 12-strings with very narrow spacing, and didn't care for them. One I remember was an old MSA, but not all MSAs are like that. So not all 12-strings, or even 10-strings are the same. If you are buying a guitar from a distance without trying it out, you need to ask carefully about the string spacing, or you could be in for a nasty surprise. |
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Bill Ford
From:
Graniteville SC Aiken
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Posted 10 Feb 2006 9:17 am
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Marlin 10/12 spacing are the same,(as per Mr. Leneard(sp))
Bill |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 10 Feb 2006 10:00 am
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Most builders of 12- and 10-string pedal steels just use a longer axle and two more fingers to turn a 10-string changer into a 12-string changer. Therefore, the spacing is the same and it's determined by the size and shape of the changer fingers for each string.
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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 10 Feb 2006 10:10 am
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Parr,
If you're thinking of a later MSA Universal 12, I had one and the spacing is pretty close. My Sho-Bud spacing is a lot wider. Some people prefer the closer spacing, so it's not actually a bad thing. I just want to give you the heads-up on that particular brand. Mine was called "The Universal".
Larry Bell has discussed this in other threads as well. Do a search and you'll find some stuff. Apparently it's the brand that determines the spacing, as opposed to whether it's a 12-string or not.[This message was edited by Chris LeDrew on 10 February 2006 at 01:36 PM.] |
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Bobby Lee
From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
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Posted 10 Feb 2006 12:21 pm
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The spacing on my D-12 Williams is actually wider than the Williams 10-string models. Bill Rudolph built it that way as a custom job, because I wanted it to match my Sierra. The pedals are spaced wider, too.
Thanks, Bill!! 
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 Bobby Lee (a.k.a. b0b) - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Williams D-12 E9, C6add9, Sierra Olympic S-12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop S-8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6 or A6) My Blog |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 11 Feb 2006 4:13 am
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Some of the 12 string Emmons Push Pulls were built with a closer string spacing. In early 72, Hank Corwin ordered a D-10 Emmons PP custom built with the 12 string spacing. Hank has short fingers and he thought that would help him. It was the Blue Emmons that Hank had and at the time was working with Jim Ed Brown. It took him a long time to get it from Emmons (longer than their usual delivery time back then).
I got to play it the day he got it (just before the first Fan Fair). I didn't really notice any difference. |
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Peter
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Posted 11 Feb 2006 1:50 pm
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The bridge stringspacing on my U12 is exactly the same as my Emmons P/P.
However, the stringspacing at the nut is slightly narrower. So if you move your right hand away from the bridge, the spacing feels slightly narrow. |
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Dr. Hugh Jeffreys
From:
Southaven, MS, USA
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Posted 12 Feb 2006 8:29 am
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| Parr - That's one thing that was overlooked when I had my D-10 Sierra made: the strings are too close together! I play with 4 bare fingers and a th. pick. I play much better on my S-10 Sierra with spacing 9mm; the D-10 is about 7mm. I've really been sorry about that and Tom says nothing can be done. I'm thinking of a custom Excel.---j--- www.steelguitarbyhughjeffreys.com |
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