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Topic: Where to buy a bullet bar? |
Roger Marshall
From:
Arroyo Grande, California, USA
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Posted 25 Sep 2004 5:02 pm |
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Does anybody know of a good source. I swear, San Diego is like a vast wasteland when it comes to finding anything lap steel. I'm currently using a Shubb SP-2 that I purchased for my Dobro. I'm interested in a JB style Dunlop, 2 3/4 x 3/4. Elderly lists it, but it's currently out of stock. Never used a bullet before. I'd like to check one out without spending too much. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Roger |
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Kenny Brown
From:
Auburn, Alabama, USA
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Posted 25 Sep 2004 5:36 pm
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Glad you asked I just rec'd my Bullet Bar today and I would suggest getting one straight from the source:
www.bulletbars.com
I am more than impressed--the balance across the strings was the first thing I noticed. What fine quality and I can't say enough thanks to Jim for his craftmanship and professionalism.
go get one, you won't be disappointed!
[This message was edited by Kenny Brown on 25 September 2004 at 06:42 PM.] |
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Roger Marshall
From:
Arroyo Grande, California, USA
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Posted 25 Sep 2004 9:32 pm
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Thanks for the tip Kenny. I checked the web site. They look very nice. Especially now that I've noticed that the price includes shipping! Seems more than fair to me. Thanks again.
Roger |
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Travis Bernhardt
From:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 25 Sep 2004 10:59 pm
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Yeah, that's a good deal. A very fair price, and from all accounts a good product. I keep meaning to put in a custom order, but can never decide which size I want...
-Travis |
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Kenny Brown
From:
Auburn, Alabama, USA
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Posted 26 Sep 2004 5:31 am
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I chose a 1 x 3 1/4.
although I can't take a good picture here's a few:
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 26 Sep 2004 6:17 am
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So which one did you get Kenny, the stainless steel or the hard-chrome model?
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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 26 September 2004 at 07:17 AM.] |
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Kenny Brown
From:
Auburn, Alabama, USA
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Posted 26 Sep 2004 9:05 am
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Hey Gerald, I went with the hard chrome and really love it.
I'm trying to get my housework done quickly today so I can get back on my steel!!!
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 30 Sep 2004 8:37 pm
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Jim Burden Bullet Bars are the best there is. His stainless bars are excellent, and his hard chrome bars are as good as it gets.
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Rick Alexander
Fender Stringmaster, National New Yorker, Fender Champ
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Mike Black
From:
New Mexico, USA
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Posted 1 Oct 2004 7:00 am
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I have to agree with the crowd Jim Burden's bars are the best. I've never given him Kudos for the great bar he made for me. Bullet Bars are great, the deep end recess makes slants a breeze. It seems most commercial bars are made for Pedal players and feature a sharp "chine" line at the point where the bullet end starts. I never really liked that. The Bullet Bar does not have this line, that was the first thign I noticed about his bars.
Jim Burden is a pleasure to deal with. He'll answer email promptly and ships your bar as promised.
I've got a box full of assorted bars, some old, some new. Almost any style you can think of. But the one resting in my headstock is the Bullet Bar! My only complaint is I don't have more of them! |
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Rick Collins
From:
Claremont , CA USA
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Posted 1 Oct 2004 8:39 am
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I know Jerry Byrd uses a 3/4" diameter bar. He plays a lot of chords with split-string position at the tip of the bar. I play some split-string; but I use a 7/8" bar. It's a stainless 2 & 3/4" long.
I have a Jim Burden hard chrome bar 7/8" x 3" and it has a better feel and a tad better sound than the stainless; but it's a little too long for my hand.
I cannot have the chrome bar cut down. It is too hard to machine cut; and if you grind it the heat will cause the chrome to separate from the steel.
I need a hard chrome 7/8" bar, custom cut to 2 & 3/4" with a deeper recess at the thumb end, before the hardening and chroming process.
When you make up your next batch of bars for the treating process, you are going to custom make a bar like this for me; aren't you Jim? Jim, oh Jim!  [This message was edited by Rick Collins on 01 October 2004 at 09:39 AM.] |
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Dwayne Martineau
From:
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 1 Oct 2004 10:05 am
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I'm shocked that you can't find that tone bar in San Diego!
I started 8-string lap with a Shubb SP-1 (that crazy bevelled, bullet-tipped deal).
Once I started into slants and split-chords, I switched to the 2-3/4" x 3/4" bullet bar that you're looking for, and it worked the best for me.
I was confused as hell when I got it, though-- I couldn't get a grip on it, it kept rolling and falling all over. Jerry Byrd's video set me straight on how to hold it with a properly light and loose touch, but it took a while.
I would suggest carrying it around with you everywhere-- to work, walking, in bed, the bar, play with it in your pocket (you'll raise some eyebrows).
I used to rest the bar on top of my right arm and practice forward and reverse slants while I was away from my steel.
It's worth the effort. Good conversation piece, too.
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 1 Oct 2004 12:24 pm
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| Quote: |
| Shubb SP-1 (that crazy bevelled, bullet-tipped deal) |
Used "un-conventionally" ... i.e. not gripped as intended ... the SP1 can generate some amazing results.
Guess one of my secrets will be "let outta the bag" in a couple weeks 
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Paul Arntson
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 2 Oct 2004 12:39 am
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OK Rick I am busting with curiosity now...
I picked up a SP1 today and used it tonight for the first time at a jam session (supposed to be band practice, but you know how that goes). It's not so heavy, but still seems to sustain OK. And my slants and splits were in tune as never before. It's quite an interesting invention. |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Roger Marshall
From:
Arroyo Grande, California, USA
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Posted 2 Oct 2004 9:38 am
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Thanks for the tips Dwayne. I don't know about that "play with it in your pants" technique though. It reminds me of that old line,"is that a bullet bar in your pants, or are you just happy to see me."
Rick, I agree with you about the SP-2. I always felt that it's high center of gravity made it harder to control. It was an improvement though, on my old Stevens. I'm sure I'll still use it for Dobro. My bar from Jim should be arriving any day. Can't wait to try it out.
Roger |
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Dwayne Martineau
From:
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 5 Oct 2004 12:20 pm
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Hmmm... I do like the weight of those bars. I wish it were shorter.
Is there any happy medium bar out there...?
I'd like to try a bullet bar (with a recessed butt end for reverse slants) but with a single routed top edge like on the SP-1. Basically, just a bullet bar with a nice solid place to put your index finger.
Or even just a bullet bar with a single divot for the tip of the index finger. That'd be handy for doing fast and stable slants, I think.
Has anything like this ever been made? |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Dwayne Martineau
From:
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 6 Oct 2004 1:36 pm
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| Quote: |
| Its length is the key feature for my "crazy ways". |
What? Aw, c'mon...! I'm getting curious.
Maybe I'll try holding further back, and putting my index finger more to the center, rather than on the very front of it. It kept whacking my hand when I tried to slant.
Am I close?
Maybe I'll just get out the hacksaw. |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Bill Leff
From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 8 Oct 2004 10:44 am
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Rick:
Show us your Flattie! |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 8 Oct 2004 2:44 pm
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Only if you throw strings of beads to me  |
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