Selecting the correct lap and pedal steel guitar strings is crucial for achieving the desired tone, sustain, and playability. The right strings can enhance your instrument's responsiveness and make complex techniques more accessible, ultimately improving your overall playing experience.
- ICONIC BUDDY EMMONS SOUND: Developed in collaboration with the legendary Buddy Emmons, these pedal steel strings capture his signature tone — clear, sustaining, and full of character. Available in Nickel for classic warmth or Stainless Steel for bright...
- GREAT FEEL & EXCEPTIONAL SUSTAIN: Designed specifically for pedal steel, each string provides consistent tension and a precision surface for effortless slides and bends. Expect long sustain, articulate note separation, and precise control across the neck.
- STAY IN TUNE – BUILT FOR PROFESSIONALS: Every set is precision-wound for rock-solid tuning stability, accurate intonation, and dependable performance under tension. Whether you’re performing live or recording in the studio, these strings stay...
- MADE IN THE USA – CRAFTED FOR PROFESSIONALS: Proudly manufactured in Akron, Ohio, each set of Buddy Emmons Strings is precision-wound, inspected, and tested to meet the highest standards of tone and reliability. Built to deliver the quality and...
- Great for 23" Scale lap steels
- Open C - CEGACE - Tuning - Great for Country and Hawaiian style play!
- String specs: 034 Nickle Wound,.030 Nickle Wound.024 Nickle Wound, .020 Plain Steel, .017 Plain Steel, .014 Plain Steel
- High-quality, medium-gauge strings
- These guitar strings are made in the USA!
- Gauges: .015p .018p .028w .038w .048w .058w
- Sealed in plastic sleeve for protection, freshness and extended life
- Nickel Round Wound, Medium Gauge for 6-string electrics
- Ideal for electric lap steel guitars with scale length 23" - 25"
- Supports various tunings for a variety of styles of music
- ROUNDWOUND – Roundwound strings produce hearty, vibrant tone.
- DYNAMITE ALLOY – GHS’s proprietary “dynamite alloy” nickel-plated steel retains punch and clarity between string changes.
- CORROSION-FREE – These strings are sealed in corrosion-free “NitroPack” packaging, so you can count on a fresh set of strings every time.
- GAUGES: This set is designed for Open E tuning. Gauges: 013 017 024 032W 042W 056W.
- NITRO-PACKED for FRESHNESS
- .013 .015 .011 .014 .017 .020 .026 .030 .034 .036 - Set / Pedal Steel Guitar 10-string Fis Dis G E B Gis Fis E D BE9th TuningStainless Steel roundwoundHexagonal CoreRegular Ball EndMade in USA
- ICONIC BUDDY EMMONS SOUND: Developed in collaboration with the legendary Buddy Emmons, these pedal steel strings capture his signature tone — clear, sustaining, and full of character. Available in Nickel for classic warmth or Stainless Steel for bright...
- GREAT FEEL & EXCEPTIONAL SUSTAIN: Designed specifically for pedal steel, each string provides consistent tension and a precision surface for effortless slides and bends. Expect long sustain, articulate note separation, and precise control across the neck.
- STAY IN TUNE – BUILT FOR PROFESSIONALS: Every set is precision-wound for rock-solid tuning stability, accurate intonation, and dependable performance under tension. Whether you’re performing live or recording in the studio, these strings stay...
- MADE IN THE USA – CRAFTED FOR PROFESSIONALS: Proudly manufactured in Akron, Ohio, each set of Buddy Emmons Strings is precision-wound, inspected, and tested to meet the highest standards of tone and reliability. Built to deliver the quality and...
- USA crafted electric lap steel strings for 8-string lap steel guitar for 23" to 24" scale instrument
- High quality, long lasting, nickel round wound string in medium gauge
- .015P .017P .020P .024P .028W .036W .048W .068W, produces bright, well balanced tone
- Tunings to use are c6 (Hawaiian), c13, c6 (western swing)
- PREMIUM GUITAR STRING - NYXLs are our premium uncoated strings, delivering unrivaled strength and tuning stability, plus enhanced mid-range.
- CUT THROUGH THE MIX – The premium nickel-plated steel wrap wire used for NYXLs provides accentuated frequency response.
- STAYS IN TUNE, STRONGER STRING - Stays in tune 131% better than standard strings, while the NY Steel core wire makes them up to 40% stronger—bent two whole steps higher, NYXL strings are still at less than 75% of their breaking point.
- EARN REWARD POINTS - NYXL sets come with a code which you can register to earn Players Circle points.
- MADE IN THE USA – NYXL strings are made in the USA—drawn to our exacting specifications at our New York production facility.
- ROUNDWOUND – Roundwound strings produce hearty, vibrant tone.
- DYNAMITE ALLOY – GHS’s proprietary “dynamite alloy” nickel-plated steel retains punch and clarity between string changes.
- CORROSION-FREE – These strings are sealed in corrosion-free “NitroPack” packaging, so you can count on a fresh set of strings every time.
- GAUGES: This set is designed for Open E tuning. Gauges: 013 017 024 032W 042W 056W.
- NITRO-PACKED for FRESHNESS
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Last update on 2026-07-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How to Choose the Best Lap & Pedal Steel Guitar Strings
Gauge Matters
String gauge refers to the thickness of the strings. For lap and pedal steel, players often opt for heavier gauges than standard electric guitar strings. Heavier gauges provide increased volume, sustain, and a fuller tone, which are desirable qualities for these instruments. However, they also require more finger strength and can put more tension on your guitar's neck. Lighter gauges are easier to bend and fret, offering a brighter tone and less physical strain, but may sacrifice some fullness and volume.
Material Composition
The materials used in string construction significantly impact tone and feel. Common materials include:
- Nickel-Plated Steel: Offers a balanced tone with good brightness and warmth, and is a popular all-around choice.
- Pure Nickel: Tends to produce a warmer, mellower tone with a smoother feel.
- Stainless Steel: Known for its bright, cutting tone and excellent durability, though it can be harder on frets (less of a concern for lap steel).
- Coated Strings: Feature a protective coating to extend string life and resist corrosion, often maintaining their tone for longer periods.
Core Type and Winding
The core of the string (the inner wire) and the winding method (how the outer wire is wrapped around the core) also influence sound. Roundwound strings, the most common type, offer a bright, articulate tone and prominent overtones. Flatwound strings, with a smoother outer surface, produce a warmer, mellower sound with less finger noise, often preferred for vintage tones. Some players also consider the hex core versus round core, which can subtly affect flexibility and tone.
Number of Strings
Lap and pedal steel guitars come in various string counts, most commonly 6, 8, or 10 strings. The number of strings will dictate the type of string set you need. Ensure you purchase strings designed for the specific configuration of your instrument to ensure proper fit and tension across all strings.