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Topic: Emergency Tone Bar? |
Mike Heugel
From:
Taylor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2015 2:04 pm |
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For the first time in about a year and a half, I find myself sitting behind a pedal steel that I can call my own. Only problem is, it'll be at least another 3 weeks before that next paycheck comes in and I get my hands on a fine bar.
Anyone have any suggestions on an easy, cheap, readily-available emergency substitute for a standard bar? I thought about digging through my old sockets and beer bottles, but I figured I'd poll the experts first.
Thanks in advance,
Mike
_________________
"No officer, I don't even own a cat... " |
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John De Maille
From:
On a Mountain in Upstate Halcottsville, N.Y.
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Posted 8 Jul 2015 2:14 pm
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| A socket wrench, just the socket, will do nicely. Something bigger than a 13/16's should do it. But it must be a deep socket, like a spark plug socket. Even a short length of brass or uncoated steel pipe. Of course, this is just temporary. |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2015 4:03 pm
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| Mike, I misplaced my bar and had to play a lake party with a craftsman deepwell chrome socket. I used a 7/8. It is not heavy enough for full time use, but worked for my bailout bar. |
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James Sission
From:
Sugar Land,Texas USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2015 5:24 pm
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PM me your mailing address and I will send you a tone bar tomorrow...James
Last edited by James Sission on 8 Jul 2015 6:56 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Tom Quinn
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Posted 8 Jul 2015 5:59 pm
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I played a gig with a beer bottle once after I left my bar and picks at home. Flat pick and a Bud tall...
_________________
I need an Emmons! |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2015 9:25 pm
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| Tom Quinn wrote: |
| I played a gig with a beer bottle once after I left my bar and picks at home. Flat pick and a Bud tall... |
I've done that to show off a few times and it didn't sound half bad! Mine was Miller Lite though!  |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 9 Jul 2015 1:52 am
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Lowell George used a socket, famously published in a German magazine as 'der socket.' It's what got me playing lapsteel, decades ago.
I used it for years; it works as well as a bar, for a beginner; I've still got it on the shelf in front of me--a reminder, I suppose.
Beats a beer can. |
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John Booth
From:
Columbus Ohio, USA
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Posted 9 Jul 2015 3:12 am
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Mike,
I'll send you a bar if you haven't got one yet.
PM me an address if you still need it.
John in Ohio
_________________
Jb in Ohio
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GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
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Len Amaral
From:
Rehoboth,MA 02769
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Posted 9 Jul 2015 4:19 am
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| That's very nice of you John to offer to send a bar. Also, Jow Wright wrote in one of his publishing so that he played a gig with a spark plug wrench. |
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John Booth
From:
Columbus Ohio, USA
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Posted 9 Jul 2015 4:44 am
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I don't doubt it.
A guy like Joe CAN play with a spark plug wrench 
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Jb in Ohio
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GFI S10 Ultra, Telecaster, a Hound Dog, and an Annoyed Wife
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James Sission
From:
Sugar Land,Texas USA
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Posted 9 Jul 2015 6:24 am
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| Mike, check your PM for tracking number. The bar is on its way. Best of luck to you, enjoy your adventure....J |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 9 Jul 2015 9:50 am
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| One time I forgot my little suitcase in the driveway and had to play a four-hour Legion gig with a Bic lighter and no picks. Sounded kind of like a pedal banjo, but nobody seemed to notice but me. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 9 Jul 2015 1:45 pm
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Some of the things I've tried or used:
Spark-plug socket
Shot glass
Wrist pin (piston pin)
Flashlight battery
Bic Lighter
Flashlight
Pocket-knife
Glass pill bottle
Sharpie pen
Broomstick end
Screwdriver handle
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Mike Heugel
From:
Taylor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 9 Jul 2015 2:08 pm
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Thanks for the suggestions gang. James Sission was good enough to ship me a loaner until the end of the month.
On another note, I also scored a like-new Stevens bar, APM made, at the pawn shop today for $2. If nothing else, I can practice my Jerry Douglas licks for a couple days.
_________________
"No officer, I don't even own a cat... " |
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Mike Heugel
From:
Taylor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 9 Jul 2015 2:20 pm
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Looks like Ol' Jeff had what I'd refer to as a multi-tool in his bag...
_________________
"No officer, I don't even own a cat... " |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 9 Jul 2015 2:52 pm
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When I was 16 I built my first lap steel and I used the first thing I had to hand, which was a chunk of rectangular bar stock. I cringe now when I think of how anyone could have been so naive.  |
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James Sission
From:
Sugar Land,Texas USA
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Posted 9 Jul 2015 2:58 pm
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| Mike, how long have you been playing ? |
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Quentin Hickey
From:
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted 9 Jul 2015 5:49 pm
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Side note.
Every time I hear ZZ tops sharp dressed man, I think of Jeff Newman😉 |
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Mike Heugel
From:
Taylor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 9 Jul 2015 8:43 pm
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| James Sission wrote: |
| Mike, how long have you been playing ? |
Only a couple years, so I am still woefully amateur.
_________________
"No officer, I don't even own a cat... " |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 10 Jul 2015 3:33 am
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Mike, a lot of the Sacred Steel players use the Stevens type bars. In the 80s and 90s, it was hard to find a good Stevens bar, as the pre-plating polishing was iffy. Don't know if this is still the case.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Quentin Hickey
From:
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted 10 Jul 2015 5:07 am
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| Dunlop bars will do as well. You can often find a used one fairly cheap at a used store or the online classifieds. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 10 Jul 2015 6:27 am
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As for the OP, if you have mechanic friends, wrist pins work a treat. Hard, smooth, heavy.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 10 Jul 2015 11:22 am
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For the benefit of UK readers, that's a gudgeon pin.
Excellent thought.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 10 Jul 2015 11:51 am
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Sometimes I wish I still had my one inch by four inch one pound twelve string bar.
It was advertised as a twelve pound bar; caught my eye.  |
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