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Post new topic Sharpie Marker as a Tone Bar
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Author Topic:  Sharpie Marker as a Tone Bar
Jeff Metz Jr.


From:
York, Pennsylvania, USA
Post  Posted 27 Aug 2016 11:14 am    
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I recently saw a post on here where someone mentioned using a Sharpie Marker to get a banjo sound on the steel. I didn't have a traditional round sharpie , but rather a Larger Oval shaped one (chiseled Tip , I believe) . WOW I didn't necessarily get banjo sounds( more like sitar, banjo , and dobro mixed. It definitely gives a good effect when looking for a different sound. Deadens strings just enough to have staccato sounds and get clear sounding arpeggios, but it rings enough for some other variations. Give it a try! Worth it.
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Ken Metcalf


From:
San Antonio Texas USA
Post  Posted 27 Aug 2016 11:16 am    
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I use a plastic comb for banjo simulation. ^_^
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Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 27 Aug 2016 12:05 pm    
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I made a wood bar from the tip of a broom handle.
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Ian Rae


From:
Redditch, England
Post  Posted 27 Aug 2016 1:36 pm    
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So impersonating a banjo is legal in certain states?
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Jeff Garden


From:
Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA
Post  Posted 27 Aug 2016 2:24 pm    
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In the hierarchy of musical instruments, I'm sure b0b would place the "ban-faux" at the very bottom Smile
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Donny Hinson

 

From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
Post  Posted 27 Aug 2016 7:23 pm    
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Jeff, that "someone" was me! I've been using that technique since the early '70s (when someone stole my banjo). For the best banjo sounds, add some treble, use more pressure on the sharpie, and do rolls using the first five strings on E9th.

Works great for "Rocky Top" at around 140 B.P.M. Cool
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Bill Sinclair


From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
Post  Posted 27 Aug 2016 9:40 pm    
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I have used a long thin vacuum tube like an EL84.
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Mike Wilson

 

From:
Mansfield, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 28 Aug 2016 3:56 am    
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I made a bar out of a wood broom handle to get a simulated banjo sound. Sometimes, when I can find it I use a Vicks inhaler that's shaped like a miniature bar. They work real well.
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Henry Matthews


From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
Post  Posted 29 Aug 2016 7:17 am    
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Take a piece of paper about one half inch wide and weave in in and out of strings below pickup and use your regular bar works also. Used to do that on six string. Gets a sorta banjo sound.
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Henry Matthews

D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
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David Mason


From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
Post  Posted 29 Aug 2016 7:58 am    
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The old ones were better.... Crying or Very sad
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Bob Cox


From:
Buckeye State
Post  Posted 30 Aug 2016 6:34 am     bar
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A M&M plastic tube works great and also will store your regular bar. Get them at the candy counter.
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Emmett Roch

 

From:
Texas Hill Country
Post  Posted 2 Sep 2016 7:59 am    
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I use a Bic lighter to simulate steel drum/marimba sounds in some of Gary P. Nunn's songs. The blue ones have the best tone.
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Leo Melanson


From:
Massachusetts, USA
Post  Posted 6 Sep 2016 1:40 pm     Dueling Sharpies !!!
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Whoah .. just gave the Sharpie trick a try .. it really does sound like a banjo !!!!!
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