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
Pickup position
Pickup position
Sugartone Guitars
http://www.sugartone.co.uk
http://www.sugartone.co.uk
- Pat Comeau
- Posts: 418
- Joined: Thu Nov 05, 2009 1:49 pm
- Location: New-Brunswick Canada
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Re: Pickup position
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.
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.
Click the links to listen to my Comeau's pedal steel guitars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIYiaomZx3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7U3HwxAldw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2GhZTN_yXI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvDTw2zNriI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIYiaomZx3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7U3HwxAldw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2GhZTN_yXI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvDTw2zNriI
Re: Pickup position
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.
I think the operative word here is finding your own "sweet spot", with a starting point at 2" on pedal steel.
http://benrom.com/
21 BenRom pedal steel guitars, a Nash 112 and a 1967 TOS Milling machine with many cutters making one hell of a mess on the floor.
21 BenRom pedal steel guitars, a Nash 112 and a 1967 TOS Milling machine with many cutters making one hell of a mess on the floor.
Re: Pickup position
Thanks guys. I guess scale length is going to have an effect? What scale lengths are you guys using?
Sugartone Guitars
http://www.sugartone.co.uk
http://www.sugartone.co.uk
Re: Pickup position
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
http://benrom.com/
21 BenRom pedal steel guitars, a Nash 112 and a 1967 TOS Milling machine with many cutters making one hell of a mess on the floor.
21 BenRom pedal steel guitars, a Nash 112 and a 1967 TOS Milling machine with many cutters making one hell of a mess on the floor.