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Topic: Quick Bullet Bar Question |
Dennis Burling
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 2:04 pm |
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I'm going to have to order a Bullet Bar for the Pettingill Lap Steel that's' on the way. I can't find any locally. I have what I would call medium size hands. Is a larger diameter bar easier to use than a smaller one? Or doesn't it make any difference.
What should I order and where's a good place to order from?
Thanks, Denny |
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Mike Harris
From:
Texas, USA
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Dennis Burling
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 8:07 pm
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What diameter should I go with? Chrome or Stainless Steel? Anyone?
I'd like to get this ordered. If I had to go with a guess on my own, I guess I'd go with a Chrome Slide because I think it would have a warmer tone. |
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Jim Konrad
From:
The Great Black Swamp USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 8:44 pm
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Chrome is harder than stainless, because of that I think stainless would have a warmer sound??? Chrome is slicker than stainless but chrome wears out after time. If I had an endless supply of bars I think I might prefer chrome over brass. I have some old stainless bullet bars, that is what I started with. But now I will only use a stevens style bar. One day I want to try a stainless stevens style bar.
I think better tone and sustain is achieved with a larger diameter, however I am not sure what the limit on that theory is.
Is this you first steel? Those Pettingill steels look so nice! |
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Dennis Burling
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 9:00 pm
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| Jim Konrad wrote: |
Chrome is harder than stainless, because of that I think stainless would have a warmer sound??? Chrome is slicker than stainless but chrome wears out after time. If I had an endless supply of bars I think I might prefer chrome over brass. I have some old stainless bullet bars, that is what I started with. But now I will only use a stevens style bar. One day I want to try a stainless stevens style bar.
I think better tone and sustain is achieved with a larger diameter, however I am not sure what the limit on that theory is.
Is this you first steel? Those Pettingill steels look so nice! |
It's my first Lap Steel. I do have a squareneck dobro. I use a Tipton chrome bar for the dobro. I can say with certainty that with the Dobro, The Chrome plated brass bars are warmer sounding than stainless steel bars. I have several of each. All the chromes are warmer than all the stainless.
Unless someone comes up with a suggestion, I'll order a Planet Wave 7/8" diameter, 3 1/2" long, 9oz slide like this:
Link to auction on eBay.
Denny |
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Ray Langley
From:
Northern California, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2009 2:04 am
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Hi Denny,
I am using a Boyett lead-filled (heavy) glass bar from www.glassbars.com
Mine is 7/8" X 3". Tone is in the ear of the beholder. This one makes my ears happier than all the others I have used. Here is my review on this bar:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=149387
You will find the opinions on the choice of bars to vary widely. Everyone has a favorite. |
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Andre Nizzari
From:
Bronx, NY
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Posted 8 Jan 2009 2:52 am
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oh no...bullet bar website is down????...is he out of business? hi chrome bars never chip
_________________
Blues in a doggy bag, is what I got to eat! |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 8 Jan 2009 5:57 am
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I was going to order a few bars from Jim Burden at Bullet Bars but he's a snowbird and won't be 'back home in Indiana' until April.
His bars are my favorite and I'm using nothing but the few of his that I own.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 8 Jan 2009 6:23 am
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After owning and trying many bars, my favorite is the Tribo-Tone bar. Their "signal-to-noise" ratio beats every other bar I've used. I've tipped off several pro players who've bought them too after a test drive. Besides, they have colors for all your moods! 
http://www.tribotone.com |
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Dennis Burling
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2009 7:28 am
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| Andy Volk wrote: |
After owning and trying many bars, my favorite is the Tribo-Tone bar. Their "signal-to-noise" ratio beats every other bar I've used. I've tipped off several pro players who've bought them too after a test drive. Besides, they have colors for all your moods!
http://www.tribotone.com |
After going to the Tribo-Tone website, I like the idea of easy to hold and low noise. Is there any tone loss at all over a Chrome Bar? Are there any compromises with the Tribo-Tone over conventional bars outside of being pricey? |
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Mark Roeder
From:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2009 7:29 am
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| I have found that the Tribo-tone bars are easier to hold as far as round bars go. I have also found heavier bars have more sustain.As far as tone and sustain I found some loss compared to the BJS bar that I use. |
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Dennis Burling
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2009 7:39 am
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Something I read on the Tribo-Tone website stated they now have a 7/8" bar for Peddle Steel guitar. Are the 7/8" bar and longer length (3.33" and 3.5") more for Peddle Steel than lap Steel? The shorter lengths (around 3") are 5/8" and 3/4" diameter.
Should I be going with a 3/4" long and 3/4" diameter no matter what bar I go with. |
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Andre Nizzari
From:
Bronx, NY
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Posted 8 Jan 2009 8:22 am
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the bar size is strictly a personal preference. i like 7/8" diameters and i only play lap steel. a lighter bar will generally make you play faster. i like my bars under 3 inches and 7/8 diameter because it works with the style of music i'm playing. the 7/8" bar feels good in my hands. Everybody is different.
One more thing, i spent a lot of money, and tried many bars and sizes in the past trying to find my favorite size . Be prepared to try a bunch.
_________________
Blues in a doggy bag, is what I got to eat! |
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Stephan Miller
From:
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2009 2:14 pm
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Yes, the Planet Waves bar you're considering is more suited to pedal steel. When it comes to bars, just 1/4" in length, 1/8" in thickness, or 1 1/2 oz. in weight can make a huge difference. Starting out with a bullet bar, you can save yourself a lot of frustration by getting a smaller bar that's easier to manipulate. I have large hands and use a 3/4" by 2 7/8" bar most of the time (and played a 2 3/4" bar for the first couple years).
The bars I've used the most are #1) Tribotone #2)Brattain's Red Rajah and Black Phoenix powder coated #3)Boyett's glass #4)Burden's hard-chrome. The first 3 are very "quiet" and grippable, and warm up quickly in the hand. The Burden bar has a small edge in tone, IMO.
They're all really good bars. The Tribotone is my favorite. Like they say, you're gonna wind up with a lot of bars! But--my 2 cents-- start with something 3/4" thick, and (for medium-size hands) less than 3" long. Spend lots of time learning accurate bar movement and slanting technique, and don't try switching to a bigger bar until the one you've got is "behaving" for you!
And congrats on the Pettingill... |
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Marty Smith
From:
California
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Posted 8 Jan 2009 5:33 pm
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| Planet bars look nice but do not perform well. |
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Eric Ebner
From:
Texas Republic
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Posted 13 Jan 2009 7:14 pm
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Hi Andre!
Your new bar is leaving Austin Texas tomorrow. First of its kind to be sure. I couldn't put it down! You're going to like it I guarantee.
On topic... You need a few different bars and there are some nice ones out there. Size and weight is generally a personal preference. Eventually you'll find the one you like and enjoy playing. Have fun experimenting. It's what inspires and keeps you playing that ends up being "The one." Everybody's different.
_________________
Tribo-Tone™ Bars |
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Andre Nizzari
From:
Bronx, NY
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Posted 14 Jan 2009 6:08 am
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Cool Eric! Really looking forward to it! Everyone talks real great things about these bars! I'm sure I will love it!
Hopefully i won't drop it on my wooden floor as much as I drop my steel bars so I don't wake up my girlfriend late at night when i'm steelin' in the other room! 
_________________
Blues in a doggy bag, is what I got to eat! |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 14 Jan 2009 6:47 am
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I would say that in general, there's a slight loss of high-end with the Tribo-Tone compared to a stainless or chrome bar but it's not very much. I have the medium weight bar so can't comment on the other weights. Personally, I usually like a little less brightness on electric steel. On acoustic, the Tribo-Tone reduces string noise on the wound strings in a noticeable, dramatic way. I still use a stainless or chrome bar as the mood strikes. The John Pierce bar is my other go-to bar. As Eric says, try a bunch of bars and see what you like. It's likely to change on any given day.
Last edited by Andy Volk on 14 Jan 2009 8:46 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Dennis Burling
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 14 Jan 2009 7:48 am
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I have a Tribo-Tone bar on it's way from Eric. He recommended a 3/4" diameter, 5oz, 3" bar to get started. I also bought a Dunlop 919 bullet bar off ebay so I can experience the difference.
My Teardrop Penningill is do to arrive on Thursday. I've already received the instructional 12 disc set from George Boards. I'm anxious to get started. |
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