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Topic: Steel Bar for lap steel guitar |
Billy Murdoch
From:
Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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Posted 16 Jul 2009 2:07 pm |
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I am awaiting delivery of My first lap steel(8 string)
I already have two pedal steels and I have three bars.
1 a 15/16" BJS John Hughey
2 a 7/8" BJS
3 a 3/4"(guess)lightweight no name.
Are any of these suitable or do I need a "grooved" Shubb bar.
Thanks
Billy |
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Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 16 Jul 2009 3:54 pm
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Billy, I use a 3/4" BJS bar for lap steel. I prefer it's light weight for hammer-ons and for lifting for single string stuff. I find the larger heavier bars aren't as well suited for lap work. I think you'll do fine with your 3/4" bar. Just my opinon.
_________________
Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 16 Jul 2009 4:19 pm
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| Try em all out Billy and see which you suits you the best, But the smaller of the three would be my choice. |
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Archie Nicol R.I.P.
From:
Ayrshire, Scotland
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Posted 16 Jul 2009 4:25 pm
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Don't encourage him. 
Arch.
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I'm well behaved, so there! |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 16 Jul 2009 5:06 pm
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| Archie Nicol wrote: |
Don't encourage him.
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Why not ? He has room in his sporran for several.  |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 16 Jul 2009 11:32 pm
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Back when I played only lap guitars I used the lighter 3/4 bar. But when I got a pedal guitar and a couple of different 7/8 bars, I began to use the 7/8 bars on lap as well. Works great for me. I love the bigger, heavier bar for both the feel and the tone.
But Andy is right. Do try them all. And see which one suits YOU best.
_________________
Amor vincit omnia |
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Billy Murdoch
From:
Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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Posted 17 Jul 2009 12:41 am
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Thanks everyone(except Arch)  |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 17 Jul 2009 7:38 am
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I don't know if Bill still makes them or not, but I have a couple of his BJS "lap" steel bars.
A fine example of the outstandiang work that he does when it comes to bars, they are the best bars for lap playing I have found.
They are 3/4" in diameter and approx. 2 7/8" long. Very smooth and dense. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 17 Jul 2009 9:09 am On the topic of bars for this guitar or that one............
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YOUR LAP STEEL shold not be viewed as anything but an electric Hawaiian steel guitar. (Nothing added; Nothing left off!) The smaller bar will likely be best 'suited' for your (lap) steel guitar so that necessary slants can be made effortlessly and at will. (Also, if you per chance you should happen to drop it, it will make far less noise when colliding with the floor!)
When moving to your electric Hawaiian steel guitar that has LEGS and pedals added to it and most likely 8-10-12 strings, a slightly longer and slightly heavier bar might be recommended because of the additional widths of the strings and the higher tension thereon.
As ANDY suggests.......I'd try one or two different ones and, determine for yourself which one you prefer.
At $35.00 or more a pop, a guy need not buy a warehouse full of bars to find the one he likes best.
After all my years, I have only 3-4 from when I was a tiny little kid. Since then, I have only the JERRY BYRD Dunlop bar (see JERRY'S GUITARS on the jerrybyrd-fanclub.com/ site), and an Emmons bar that was gifted to me and another that is slightly lighter in weight.
Don't overwhelm yourself with a 1,000 possible choices. Bars are like women, after you've tried them all, only one special one will suit you best.
The railraods learned decades ago that steel on steel is the only way to go. Good Luck to you. |
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Danny James
From:
Summerfield Florida USA
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Posted 17 Jul 2009 11:17 am
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Well here is a different slant on bars. ( pun intended )
Some of us old timers have very dry hands and because of that I tried a 7/8 Boyett glass bar. (Pyrex)The glass is very slick, but never the less is much easier to hold onto. They say they can break if dropped on concrete. I have dropped mine several times and so far it has not broken. I have been using it exclusively for about 2 1/2 years now. If mine ever does break you can bet the Boyetts will be getting an order for another one. I like mine that much. 
Some may disagree, but to my old tired ears the tone and sustain are equal to any steel bar that I have which is several.
They glide very smoothly on the strings and are reasonably priced. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 17 Jul 2009 11:59 am Danny..........here's what I encountered...............
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Danny......I'm older than dirt and from time to time, my hands get quite dry as I'm on 'water pills' to work with my barrell full of blood pressure medications.
I'm aware of what you speak.
I've found thro' pratical experience that my hand needs to be just a little tacky to hang on to the bar.
One night I strolled into a dimly lit, smoke filled, way out in the woods little bar and after touching the sticky door knob while entering the club, I went directly into the restroom and lathered up my hands with plenty of soap and warm water. From that moment on I was incapable of hanging onto the bar no matter what I did or attempted to do.
I make it a point to never wash my hands prior to playing the electric Hawaiian steel guitar. This natural tackiness most likely consisting of residue of icing from cinneman rolls, or special sauce off of my last BIG MAC, enables me to hang onto the bar with minimal difficulty. I strongly recommend normal wear and tear on your left hand prior to attempting to play your electric Hawaiian steel guitar. I've never used any of the 'popular', 'oft recommended' commercial sticky products.....like football receivers use. |
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Mark Bracewell
From:
Willow Glen, California
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Posted 17 Jul 2009 6:00 pm Re: Danny..........here's what I encountered...............
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| Ray Montee wrote: |
I make it a point to never wash my hands prior to playing the electric Hawaiian steel guitar. |
Reminds me of that other thread about putting non-slip stuff on the bottom of a steel. I make it a point never to change my jeans after working on my truck, and my steel never slips around on my lap (not to mention the authentic greasy tone you get).  |
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Danny James
From:
Summerfield Florida USA
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Posted 17 Jul 2009 7:36 pm
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I used to think I would like to meet and shake hands with you guys.---??? 
Kidding aside, I have heard Ray playing his Bakelite Rickenbacher on youtube just today. He plays some awsome music on it. Really good stuff.
This old timer has very dry hands too. I find liking my fingers helps to keep the picks on and the bar from slipping. I'll be 72 in Jan. |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 18 Jul 2009 2:33 am Re: On the topic of bars for this guitar or that one........
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| Ray Montee wrote: |
Bars are like women, after you've tried them all, only one special one will suit you best.
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I know you've been around alot longer than me. But after you've tried them ALL!! 
_________________
Amor vincit omnia |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 18 Jul 2009 9:36 am
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You mean has he tried bars and women ?  |
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