Steel Bar thought

Mark DeMarino · From: Jersey Village, Texas, USA

I'm a newbie and have hand/finger issues. Any thoughts, concerns, comments on this steel bar?

SHUBB GS-1

http://www.shubb.com/gs/more.htm

Thanks..SGF members...MD
_________________
"Eyes up, Chin the same, Looking for Cloudstreets calling my name"
m.a.demarino...oct.2009

2011? Rondo SX C6
Gorilla Amp
Waiting on Custom Gary Swallow steel

Paul DiMaggio · From: Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada

I have a GS1 and intermittent hand issues. I find the handle is very well designed and the only Stevens style bar that is easy for me to do forward and reverse slants with. The down side for me , is that is too light and too pointy for electric steel guitar. It is better for acoustic, hammer ons and pull offs are a breeze. That handle on a bullet bar would be deluxe for folks with hand issues.

Mark DeMarino · From: Jersey Village, Texas, USA

Thanks for your input. I did notice on the link that maker Gary Swallow will customize, so maybe having a heavier bar made on one for a electric lap steel is an idea...MD
_________________
"Eyes up, Chin the same, Looking for Cloudstreets calling my name"
m.a.demarino...oct.2009

2011? Rondo SX C6
Gorilla Amp
Waiting on Custom Gary Swallow steel

Mark DeMarino · From: Jersey Village, Texas, USA

Paul...sorry, the above link didn't have it, but this one does...MD

Does GS stand for â€œguitar steel?â€ It could, but it doesnâ€™t. It stands for Gary Swallows, who designed this bar. Custom made versions of the GS Steel are available directly from Gary at:
GS Custom Steels / gswallows@yahoo.com
www.gssteels.com
_________________
"Eyes up, Chin the same, Looking for Cloudstreets calling my name"
m.a.demarino...oct.2009

2011? Rondo SX C6
Gorilla Amp
Waiting on Custom Gary Swallow steel

James Nottage · From: Indiana, USA

I only recently started using the Schubb SP-1; round nose, heavier weight, I find slants easier than with my bullet bar. At $30 it is worth the try. I like it a lot.
James
_________________
Clinesmith S-8; Pettingill P6; Rick-Style Vintage 47 Amp

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Mark DeMarino · From: Jersey Village, Texas, USA

Ron...sure. I posted on my initial entry post to SGF, but you probably don't know that. Oh Well

Left hand has fingers and thumb amputated at 1st (closest to hand) knuckle. Right hand same, except Lord left me my thumb, fore and middle fingers intact, so far. Both legs too. 1 above knee, other below. PSG probably out of my ability. Sad

No worries...MD
_________________
"Eyes up, Chin the same, Looking for Cloudstreets calling my name"
m.a.demarino...oct.2009

2011? Rondo SX C6
Gorilla Amp
Waiting on Custom Gary Swallow steel

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Sorry, Mark, in my haste I failed to realize we've covered that ground elsewhere with you.
Do you envision having any (beyond the obvious) handling success or grip issues with a Shubb type bar, or were there other options you've considered? You may still be able to stabilize a bullet nose bar even with the extreme loss on that hand, and maybe even be able to manipulate a bullet in normal fashion, or have a Billy-style glove made. He still did forward slants!

Adam Nero · From: Wisconsin

David Matzenik · From: Cairns, on the Coral Sea

Mark, if you see a design of tone-bar that looks manageable to you, and it is not too expensive, you should go with it just to get you started making music. After you have gained some technique you will probably design one of your own. There have been many unusual bars created over the years. Its a whole sub-genre.
Here is a photo of Australian steel guitarist Robbie Porter who had some local hits back in the early sixties. Looking closely, you can see he used a bar with a finger ring probably on a swivel. He played well, so the unusual device was no encumbrance.

_________________
Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother.

Webb Kline · From: Orangeville, PA

Yeah, don't let anyone's preferences dictate whether or not something works. If there is a will there is a way, and I think you have the will.

I always used a 7/8" round nose pedal steel bar until I started getting serious about dobro and console steels about 30 years into it. Even then, I started with an SP2 with a rounded tip, but none of them had the tome of the 7/8. But, I can't do all the fast pull offs with the big bar, or with a round end, so I went with a Lap Dawg. I went through a bunch of them until I found one that worked well with my hand. By that time the fatter tone of the big bar never bothered me.

That Shubb with the wood is light, and I didn't personally care that much for it, but if it's what you need to work with your handicap, try it, modify it, do what it takes, man. Maybe you could put a hole through the wood to accommodate some kind of ring or sheath to go around your finger. If it works, you'll get used to the tone.

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