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Topic: Anyone use a bar like this |
Charlie Campney
From:
The Villages, FL
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Posted 31 Aug 2004 12:15 pm |
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I hope the link works, this is my first try to post a pic.
This is a bar that my Dad used to play Hawaiian back in the 30's. It is too small for my hand. It a REE-LAX
The round one is an Elton. I have trouble with this one too. Using a Stevens now.
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Richard Shatz
From:
St. Louis
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Posted 31 Aug 2004 12:27 pm
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| I have two of those both made by Elton. One is brass and the other is plated steel. They don't work well for me either, but they sure look cool. Great example of 30s ergonomics. |
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Paul Arntson
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 1 Sep 2004 9:29 pm
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Wow! That's the first time I've ever seen another ree-lax. I have a one I found in the dirt on a construction site in West Seattle about 25 years ago. It's too small for me, too, but isn't it cool? I have one of the others, too, but the lack of a bullet nose makes it not too useful for slants and splits. Lots of character,though.
Nice picture. Thanks for posting it.
Do you have any recollection of the way your Dad used to hold the ree-lax? I have never been sure about which side was intended for the thumb. It seems to fit best with the index finger folded back into the groove, but still not quite right...
-paul arntson |
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Charlie Campney
From:
The Villages, FL
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Posted 2 Sep 2004 3:30 am
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| Hi Paul--When I look at that bar it brings back a lot of memories. Dad held the bar between his thumb and index finger when he played, mostly tilted up as he played a lot of single string stuff. It sure was pretty. I think he used an EAEAC#E tuning. He tried to give me lessons but as a young fellow I had other "more important" things to do. Kicked myself a lot over that. |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 2 Sep 2004 4:55 am
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Back in 1976 I bought a 1931 National Duolian ($40, mint condition). Inside the case's string box was a "Ree-Lax" bar like the one pictured. It was very easy to hold but had a very thin tone.
------------------
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
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Paul Arntson
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 2 Sep 2004 5:50 am
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Hi Charlie,
Did your Dad keep the pointy end that says "REE-LAX" toward his hand or away? I've never been able to figure which way it was intended to point.
My Dad used to actually give lessons in the 20's, but by the time I got around to asking him questions, he had forgotten the details. All he could remember was that it was tuned to some kind of a 6th chord and you could sometimes slant the bar. I also wish I'd asked earlier. He changed over to saxophone in 1927 and never looked back. So by the time I came asking it was ancient history.
Is Auburn anywhere near Louisville? My Mom's family used to live in the Knob Hill area just outside of Louisville.
-paul[This message was edited by Paul Arntson on 02 September 2004 at 06:51 AM.] |
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Charlie Campney
From:
The Villages, FL
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Posted 2 Sep 2004 10:07 am
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Paul, just the way the bar is shown in the pic is how he held it in his left hand with the logo near tha base of his thumb. Dad also gave lessons, in fact, that is how he met my Mom. She took lessons from him back in the 30's. You can probably guess I'm just an old codger (61), LOL. I have lately taken up Dad's guitar now and am just a beginner but am enjoying it.
Auburn is about 20 miles West of Bowling Green in South Cent KY. About 50 miles North of Nashville.
Regards |
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Charlie Russell
From:
El Paso, Texas, USA
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Posted 2 Sep 2004 2:30 pm
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| ..I WENT BACK TO MY BAR COLLECTION, AND FOUND MY OLD BLACK RAJA, AND A BAR THATS ROUND, LARGER ON ONE END...ONE INCH...DOWN TO 3/4 IN STEEL.i USED IN THE 50'S.AND A NICK MONALOFF (OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT) ...BAR THAT WAS..COVERED IN A COLORFUL PLASTIC..ABOUT 3/4 OF AN INCH THICK...ROUND AND SMALL..MAY HAVE BEEN A CHILDS BAR..AND THE STANDARD FLAT BEGINNERS BAR..AND ONE LIKE CHARLIE'S ROUND BAR... I FORGOT I HAD 'UM..cr |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 5 Sep 2004 11:03 am
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Those bars are so old, only ONE person living today was around when they first came out and he's still using them...his name ? George Rout, of course!  |
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George Rout
From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 5 Sep 2004 6:33 pm
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| Yup. Been around a while, and hope to be around for some time yet!!!!! Geo |
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