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Topic: What type of bar for a Lap Steel? |
Kenn Geiger
From:
Salem, Oregon, USA
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Posted 27 Oct 2009 7:47 pm |
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I am now doing some serious work with my lap steel and I have noticed that the shubb bar I am using is awkward to cover just one or two strings leaving the rest free to ring out. (except for the first two - they are easy)  It also leaves a lot to be desired on reverse slants as well. I think it would be better used on a Dobro, but I would welcome your comments that are germane to the question. 
Is a round nose (like the Dunlop 920) more preferable to a bar with a slanted nose? I tried the search first and either used the wrong arguments or the answer isn't there.
Please help, I can't afford to buy multiple bars. 
Kenn |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 27 Oct 2009 7:56 pm
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Ken, I prefer a bullet bar by a mile for steel guitar. For me, there's no use for a Stevens type Dobro bar because I like to glide the bar across the strings. Some folks have difficulty holding onto the bar and lack confidence in this, and for some there are legitimate reasons, but I've found that with practice you can gain confidence in your ability to control the bullet bar. You might want to start off with a bar no longer than 2 7/8" and something with a recess for your thumb, in the event you'd like to try slanting. The Dunlop 919 bar would probably be a better place to start (3/4" x 2 3/4" for the 919 vs 7/8" x 3 1/4" for the 920).
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Ryan Barwin
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 27 Oct 2009 8:23 pm
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Definitely a bullet bar. Stevens and Shubb style bars are good for dobro, because you're using a lot of open strings and hammer-ons and lifting the bar, but for lap steel, you need a bullet bar. This will make backward and split slants much easier. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it'll help a lot.
Dunlop bars are good. I have one, but my favourite is the Brozophonic bar.
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www.pedalsteel.ca |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 27 Oct 2009 8:44 pm
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| Definitely a bullet bar. Either a Broz-o-phonic or TriboTone.You can't go wrong with either. |
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Twayn Williams
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 27 Oct 2009 11:02 pm
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A Shubb SP-2 is what you want. Every player should have one even if they usually and mainly use a bullet bar.
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Primitive Utility Steel |
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Josh Cho
From:
New York, NY (orig. Honolulu, HI)
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Posted 28 Oct 2009 4:03 am I prefer the Jerry Byrd
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Kenn,
Get the Dunlop Jerry Byrd Model 918
7/8" x 2 7/8" @ 7.5 oz
You're going to need it 
Josh
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Lap-n-Console Steel Guitar Lessons |
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Jon Nygren
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2009 5:09 am
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I also use the Dunlop Jerry Byrd. Josh, Is it really 7/8"?? I coulda swore it was 3/4". I think you may be referring to the 920.
Thinking of trying a brozophonic. |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 28 Oct 2009 6:49 am
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This is really a loaded question to ask around here  |
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Mark Mansueto
From:
Michigan, USA
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Howard Hughes
From:
Roanoke/South Norfolk, Virginia - Now Living In Junction City, Kansas USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2009 7:30 am Dunlop Tone Bar
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I Also Use A Dunlop Jerry Byrd Model 918 Tone Bar, and My Bar Is 3/4" X 2 15/16" @ 5.5oz. Thanks, "Keep On Steelin", From The Land Of OZ - Howie 
_________________
Italia Maranello Gold Sparkle Guitar/6-string Lap Steel Guitar (LDG-Green)-Custom Made By Andy Hinton, (August 10, 1933 - July 3, 2011). "RIP My Friend!!", "I Think Of You Everyday & Really Miss Our Talks!!"/Coated Finger Picks By Andy Hinton/"KEEP ON PICKIN"/Blessings!/ "May You Always Have Love & Wealth To Share, Health To Spare and Friends Who Care!"/Your Fan & Friend - From The Land Of OZ - ♫Howie- "The Wizard"♫ ☺ ♥
Last edited by Howard Hughes on 28 Oct 2009 8:43 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Josh Cho
From:
New York, NY (orig. Honolulu, HI)
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Posted 28 Oct 2009 8:30 am
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| Jon Nygren wrote: |
I also use the Dunlop Jerry Byrd. Josh, Is it really 7/8"?? I coulda swore it was 3/4". I think you may be referring to the 920.
Thinking of trying a brozophonic. |
John,
Yes it's 7/8", I still have the tube my bar came in--however, now that I think of it, there could be many "Jerry Byrd" models 
Josh
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Lap-n-Console Steel Guitar Lessons |
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Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
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Posted 28 Oct 2009 8:38 am
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Dunlop makes a bunch of different bars....from
4.5 oz up to a whopping 11.0 oz bar. |
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Josh Cho
From:
New York, NY (orig. Honolulu, HI)
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Posted 28 Oct 2009 10:28 am are they "Jerry Byrd" models?
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| Stephen Abruzzo wrote: |
Dunlop makes a bunch of different bars....from
4.5 oz up to a whopping 11.0 oz bar. |
understood that this is the case, but are they emblazoned with the "Jerry Byrd" moniker as such?
My 918 came in a tube that states in big letters: JERRY BYRD model, which made me immediately buy it...I'm glad I did.
(*still didn't make me sound like him tho  )
Josh
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Lap-n-Console Steel Guitar Lessons |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Charley Wilder
From:
Dover, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2009 10:55 am
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| Bill Creller wrote: |
| This is really a loaded question to ask around here |
It's about time for the opposition to be heard.
I've used a Stevens on both Dobro and lap steel for years and have no problem with slants, forward or backward. Bullet bars are too hard to control in ANY situation for me. If you have to work too hard to adapt from one to another, why do it? |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2009 11:17 am
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| which ever bullet bar you buy, make sure it's got an indentation at the back of the bar for your thumb. The indentation helps with slants |
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Josh Cho
From:
New York, NY (orig. Honolulu, HI)
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Posted 28 Oct 2009 1:38 pm this says 2 7/8
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I bought this bar over two years ago, maybe Dunlop changes the specs
when I get a chance (and find a ruler) I'll measure to verify if it's 2 7/8
What Would Jerry Byrd Do 
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Lap-n-Console Steel Guitar Lessons |
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Aled Rhys Jones
From:
Berkeley, CA
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Posted 28 Oct 2009 2:48 pm
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I just bought a Dunlop 919: 3/4" x 2 3/4" (had to be careful to avoid Nigel Tufnel dimension error there), 4.5oz. It works fine. You can't knock the Dunlop price for a tryout.
The reason I went for the 919 - I read on another thread that Jerry Byrd preferred the 2 3/4" length. |
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Roman Sonnleitner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Posted 28 Oct 2009 3:56 pm
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| Shubb SP2 - best of both worlds: rounded nose like a bullet bar (for single note playing, split slants, etc.), grip like s Dobro bar (easier to hold on to). |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 28 Oct 2009 6:23 pm
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| Quote: |
| I've used a Stevens on both Dobro and lap steel for years and have no problem with slants, forward or backward. |
...what about split slants? How are you going to play this with a flat nose Stevens bar?
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We've been through this many times on this forum, and I think it boils down to the style of music you want to play and the style of bar you are most comfortable with. I like a smooth, rolling sound and I use a lot of split slants, so I prefer a round (no slot) bar with a round nose. Some players say they have a hard time holding on to a round bar and they like the slotted ones. I start all of my new lap steel students on a Dunlop 918 JB bar.
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Charley Wilder
From:
Dover, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2009 6:42 pm
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[quote="Doug Beaumier"]
| Quote: |
| I've used a Stevens on both Dobro and lap steel for years and have no problem with slants, forward or backward. |
...what about split slants? How are you going to play this with a flat nose Stevens bar?
I don't do them and if I did it would be no problem as I've filed one end of my Stevens round so I REALLY have the best of both worlds! |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Fontaine Burnett
From:
Germany
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Paul DiMaggio
From:
Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 29 Oct 2009 8:31 am
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| I have 3 tone bars,a Dunlop 920,a Shubb GS[wooden handle]and a newly acquired SP2.I'm just a beginner, but this is what I have found; Forward slants-all work well.Split slants[forward] all work well. Reverse splits I haven't tried yet. Reverse slants-the 620 and the GS work well,the SP2 I find very awkward."In and out"-the 620 is the best, the SP2 works well forward not so well backward,the GS has to be lifted in either direction. Anytime the bar needs to be tilted or lifted I have some difficulty with the 920,none with the other 2. I think the previous comments about trying many different bars until you find one that fits you is the best advise. |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 29 Oct 2009 10:20 am Okay, we're waiting!
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There are more than 8,875 opinions among Steel Guitar Forum members that are still luking out there in the grayness of cyberspace. Let's hear from you.....'cause that's what makes a Forum function.
You're conflicting points of view are still valid.
Let's hear it from you! Quit holding back. Don't be shy! |
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