Steel Guitar Builder

I get the impression looking at a lot of steel guitars that the pickups are often closer to the bridge than you find on a standard guitar. Am I right or am I just imagining this, and if so, is anyone able to explain why?

Anybody got any ideas on where the optimum position is before I get the router out?

thanks, Andy

Hi Andrew,
I'm not sure the distance on a lap steel but...on a pedal steel i have used 1" 7/8 from the middle of the bridge and middle of pickup, i also seen 2" and more but 1"7/8 and 2" seems to be more common.

hope this help............Pat C.

Pat I agree. I think I used 2". I was also told by builder Eddie Fulawka that moving the pickup as little as 1/8" either way will change the tone.
I think the operative word here is finding your own "sweet spot", with a starting point at 2" on pedal steel.

Thanks guys. I guess scale length is going to have an effect? What scale lengths are you guys using?

Andrew, I have settled for 24 1/4" scale length on my pedal steels. No particular reason. In all practicality, I don't think a 1/4" difference is going to make a difference to the tone, string life etc