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Topic: Your favorite bars |
Mike Harris
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2023 6:13 am |
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| For you guys that have a lot of different bars--I'm about ready to invest in a new bar for my Stringmaster. I was ready to go with a Clinesmith but now I'm seeing other options discussed here. I'm not looking to have multiple bars with subtle differences, just one great go-to bar. That said, what are your three current favorites? |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2023 7:01 am
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BJS bullet bar.
Erv |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2023 7:07 am
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Edit to specify that I only use my Emmons bars on my 10-string (Emmons, natch) pedal steels. On my lap steels and acoustics I use a combo platter of Broz-O-Phonic and Latch Lake (basically the same thing) bars.
https://latchlakemusic.com/slides/hawaiian-bar/
Last edited by Jack Hanson on 5 Jun 2023 10:34 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2023 10:12 am
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I use the 3/4" X 3" Ezzee Slide polymer bar that Basil Henriques makes on my Stringmaster. I expect that the Clinesmith is comparable. I've got a couple of the original 3" Black Raja bakalite (with lead insert!)tapered bars that I love but they've kind of entered the realm of unobtainium so they rarely leave the house.
I'm definitely game for trying out that Emmons bar that Jack mentioned though. 
Oh, I should mention that I have a half dozen of Michael Hillman's colorful powder coated bars that I keep as a back-up bar in my lap steel cases. Very nice playing bar as well. |
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Frank James Pracher
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2023 12:30 pm
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My top three are (in no particular order) Clinesmith, Michael Hillman's powder coated bar, and Ezzee Slide.
(I left out my Tribo-tone bar as these are not manufactured anymore and pretty hard to find)
My go to size is 3/4 x 2 3/4
_________________
"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one" |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 5 Jun 2023 6:20 pm I’m a weirdo
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For my 8-string Stringmaster, I like the Shubb SP-2
_________________
To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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Joe Burke
From:
Toronto, Canada
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Posted 5 Jun 2023 6:49 pm
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| I have a few bars, but like Dunlop as much as any. |
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Matt Berg
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2023 7:23 pm
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| Eezee, Chase, Black Rajah. |
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David Matzenik
From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
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Posted 6 Jun 2023 1:05 pm
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If its only one, for me, it would be Clinesmith, although I would have liked indent to be curved like the end of my thumb.
Ezzee Slide is probably the same.
_________________
Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother. |
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Rich Arnold
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 7 Jun 2023 5:49 pm
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| I don't care for anything I've ever bought so I make my own. |
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Jim Fogarty
From:
Phila, Pa, USA
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Posted 7 Jun 2023 6:24 pm
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In order.....
Clinesmith (far and away)
BJS
John Pearse
I like Shubbs SP1,2 and 3 for dobro and occasional non-pedal steel (mostly more bluesy playing with lots of bar lifting) |
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K Maul
From:
Hadley, NY/Hobe Sound, FL
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Posted 7 Jun 2023 6:46 pm
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I love the 3/4" X 3" Ezzee Slide and also use the Pearse SP-2 on my Dual Professional and Supros. The Ezzee Slide really glides over the strings but is warm and bonds with my hand like no other I’ve ever used.
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KEVIN MAUL: Airline, Beard, Clinesmith, Donner, Evans, Excel, Fender, Fluger, GFI, Gibson, Hilton, Ibanez, Justice, K+K, Live Strings, MOYO, National, Oahu, Peterson, Quilter, Rickenbacher, Sho~Bud, Supro, TC, Ultimate, VHT, Williams, X-otic, Yamaha, ZKing. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 7 Jun 2023 6:50 pm
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I dumped all my other lap steel bars for these two.
1. Chase tapered bar
2. ?? black tapered bar
I just love the way these feel in my hand and maneuver so easy. I'd be interested to know who made the little black one if anyone knows. I actually like it the best. Just feels so natural. It's shorter than the Chase, around 2 7/8, and heavier.
All my lap steels are 6 string, no 8s however and these bars not available anywhere I know of if you're looking for new.
Last edited by Jerry Overstreet on 9 Jun 2023 2:58 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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D Schubert
From:
Columbia, MO, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2023 10:12 am
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I started out on a Dobro, and a shaped bar feels better in my hand than a round bar. My hands are not huge, I like the large size and weight of the Shubb RR2 Robert Randolph bar.
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GFI Expo S-10PE, Sho-Bud 6139, Fender 2x8 Stringmaster, Supro consoles, Dobro. And more. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 8 Jun 2023 4:44 pm
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I love my Clinesmith bar and also my Jim Burden Bullet Bars, which fortunately I have a few of (since they are no longer made). But my favorite bar, just out of its sheer existence, is a bar that was handmade and sent to me by luthier extraordinaire Ken Parker. It is a piece of art.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Dennis Brooker
From:
Iowa, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2023 6:55 pm
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| Mike Neer wrote: |
| I love my Clinesmith bar and also my Jim Burden Bullet Bars, which fortunately I have a few of (since they are no longer made). But my favorite bar, just out of its sheer existence, is a bar that was handmade and sent to me by luthier extraordinaire Ken Parker. It is a piece of art. |
Photos of the bar?? |
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David Renson
From:
Louisiana, USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2023 7:11 am
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I love my Paloma Stone grooved slide. He appears to be out of business. If anyone has a 3-1/2" one that they don't use and want to sell, let me know.
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MajorBacon |
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Terry VunCannon
From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2023 10:13 am
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I have many bars, and enjoy almost all of them from time to time at gigs.
But my fave & go to bar is my SP1, custom drilled to weigh a little less than stock.
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Dale Rottacker
From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 11 Jun 2023 6:07 am
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I have so many fine bars: Zirconia bar, Groner bar , Baz 's bar, Tribotone, various Hillman powder coated bars, BJS Jerry Byrd bar, Pearse Cryo , etc etc (I have a lot of bars)
My custom Jim Burden bar ... 7/8" x 2 3/4" ... that I sent to be "hard" chromed is my favorite .. it's the size and the "cup" end that keeps me coming back
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David Rattray
From:
Ontario, Canada
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Posted 11 Jun 2023 6:23 am slidin
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Terry you are not alone we have never been alone 
 ....oh... |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2023 6:49 am
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Now that's just plain crazy. 
Erv |
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Keith Aiken
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2023 9:09 am favorite bar
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| clinesmith. but no cupped end. i need a groner he groans |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 12 Jun 2023 9:28 am
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 Sorry you missed the boat by a month. I retired end of April. These were a couple of the last bars I made.......and they are "Moaners"
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Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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Mike Harris
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 18 Jun 2023 7:48 pm Your favorite bars
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| I would like to thank everyone who posted on this thread. This was so educational and entertaining. Steel Guitar Forum is the best instrument discussion forum I've seen on the internet, hands down. |
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