In some cases this is true for 8 to 12 string pedal and lap Steels. The 6 string lap steels can use a traditional guitar style pickup with standard winding specifications. On instruments with extra poles the pickup is usually longer as it takes a longer length of magnet wire to wrap around the wider spaced poles. Also, if you listen to a pedal or lap steel you hear the notes can sustain for a longer time. The steel pickups often have many more turns of magnet wire and the pickups are placed closer to the bridge to retain the high end (brighter tone).

Most all pedal and lap steels use 42 AWG gauge of magnet wire. On older pickups Plain Enamel and Formvar insulation’s were used on the magnet wire. In future articles I will be doing extensive articles on various pedal and lap steel pickups, so get your questions in.