Hello from way out west and string spacing

[Gerald K. Robbins]

Hi,
This is my first post.
I do not see any "intro" threads, so I'll start here.
New to lap and pedal steel .

[Gerald K. Robbins]

Hi,
I found the answer to the string spacing question by entering the question into the search bar at duck duck..
That led me back to The Steel Guitar forum and a post from May 2009.

11/32 is the most common spacing at the changer.

Thank you Steel Guitar Forum for so much info.

kentr

[George Piburn]

Your research is close but not quite there.

For an open E-D-G type tunings a modern standard is 3/8 (.375) at the nut and .390 at the bridge

C6-A6 type tunings .340 nut (11/32-ish) and .375 3/8 at the bridge.

Pedal steels are an entirely different spread. If you ever get to that level of making a pedal steel, then go back here to the builders corner and ask about it then.

Side note, GeorgeBoards strongly suggests using some sort of a roller nut and bridge with palm pedals. The nut and bridges you have shown are "Pushing Mud Uphill" in terms of friction and string breakage , no good for string return to true pitch after a bend action. As well as discussed by Master Builder - Player Bill Hatcher, the strings will be literally Sawing the notches on your nut and bridge.

Of course we sell some , but that is another story.

Hope this helps you George Boards

[Gerald K. Robbins]

To George P,
Thank you kindly for your reply.
I ended up using 11/32 for my second lap steel build as this matches the pickup purchased for that build.

[Chris Clem]

"George Piburn"]Your research is close but not quite there.

For an open E-D-G type tunings a modern standard is 3/8 (.375) at the nut and .390 at the bridge

C6-A6 type tunings .340 nut (11/32-ish) and .375 3/8 at the bridge.

Different spacings for different tunings? You might want to explain this!