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Topic: Brass Bars |
Alvin Sydnor
From:
Boothwyn, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2006 6:36 pm |
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How many have used or are using solid brass bars.
Thanks
Alvin |
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A. J. Schobert
From:
Cincinnati, Ohio,
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Posted 10 Oct 2006 6:37 pm
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| Besides a machine shop where can you buy one? |
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Paul Redmond
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2006 7:50 pm
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Brass retains abrasives created from the movement of the bar moving up and down the strings mixed with sweat and dust. Strings are made from various grades of stainless steel. Brass is used to "lap" holes in SS to size because it does retain the abrasive medium well. I can't think of a much worse material to use for a bar. Over 25 years ago I made several 15/16" dia. bars from S-7 tool steel, had them heat-treated to 55-57 Rockwell C, cylindrically ground them, then literally sanded and buffed them to a 1/1.5 micron finish in my lathe. I then had a friend who owned a "hard chrome" shop at the time put .0009"/.0011" per side Tibon chrome on them. Those bars will still be in good shape when my great-great grandchildren have gray hair. Keep all bars off of concrete floors!! Does NOT enhance their longevity. Want a mellow sound?? You don't need a heavier bar. You need only get off of the pickup and/or changer and start picking at the 17th/18th fret instead. The late Billy Bowman taught me that little trick eons ago and it works fine. The weight of the bar has a lot to with tone for sure, but not nearly as much as where you actually pick the strings themselves.
Use .018" picks and pick the strings a little more gently up the neck. You'll be amazed at the difference in tone quality.
PRR |
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Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
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Posted 11 Oct 2006 4:01 am
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I had a brass bar many years ago.
The problem was that the brass made my hands smell pretty bad.
It had a brand name, "Nick Manoloff" I think.
Blake |
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Roy McKinney
From:
Ontario, OR
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Posted 11 Oct 2006 4:34 am
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| Had my first brass bar back in the late 40's. After trying to start in again with the PSG after a 33+year hiatias, I got the brass bar out again. Tried to use the SS and chrome ones and don't like them. Just had a new brass bar made a couple of weeks ago. The only thing I use now. |
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Wayne D. Clark
From:
Montello Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2006 6:32 am
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I agee with you Paul, Move away from the pickup for a mellower tone. I learned this in the 40's when I was taking Hawiian guitar lessons befor i started playing lap steel, Still works to day on the PGS. A hice heavy bar feels good in the balm, but it is only part of the equasion, I would use Plastic picks at times. Not so today on the PSG I use brass, or Stanless, since I have a Dobro and pick a little on Bjo.
Desert Rose S10 3/5
Goodrich 120
Nashville 400
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Alvin Sydnor
From:
Boothwyn, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2006 9:42 am
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A few years ago when I got my Fender D-8 Pro there was a brass bar in the case and I have been using it since. The bar is 1" dia. and 3.5" long with an indention in the end for slants. The only problem I have encountered is that the bar must be kept clean and polished. I use Mothers polish which seems to last quite a while and when not in use I keep it wraped in cloth.
Thanks for your responses
Alvin |
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