Al Terhune
From:
Newcastle, WA
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Posted 14 Dec 2000 10:45 pm |
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Oh, I hate to give my "opinion," because you know what they say, an opinion's just like an a-hole -- everybody's got one. But, I'm just very excited about two things, and if by sharing I can spread some joy, then so be it. First, bars: Red Rajah. Just simply incredible. Warning: When you first get it, it takes a little bit of time spent with the bar to truly appreciate it. At first it seems slippery, but this very thing will soon thrill you. I assure you, though, that once you play with one for 30 minutes, when you pick up your old bar, it will feel like it drags slowly on your strings -- like everything's rusty -- I kid you not. I'll never, ever, ever play with anything other than a Red Rajah, unless I lose mine and they're no longer made. I bought a second one just in case. For those who don't know, it's coated with something (it's claimed to be a special "powder," but I think he's trying to throw us off his track -- it looks like the kind of coating you give a tool -- the plastic kind -- but, whatever, it's incredible). It slides effortlessly over the strings. The only complaint one could have is that, when you first use it, you overshoot where you're going, but give it a little time, and you'll be smitten. Okay, picks. I had been using Dunlops, the thickest they make, and not bending them much at the tips -- well, a little bit. I've seen pictures of Jerry Byrd with picks that seemed so long -- longer than the Dunlops. Recently on a trip to Guitar Maniacs in Tacoma, WA, I found a couple of bags of picks (200 of 'em). Longer picks, for one thing. I got them because they said "Scottys, USA," and I thought, "Wow! Picks from Scottys -- I've never seen them! I'll sell them on eBay!" Well, first, I emailed Scotty, and he says he's never had any made -- although he said he wish he had, come to think of it. BUT, they are longer than Dunlops, and they are smaller -- less metal. Also, I've found that by wraping them around the curve of your finger tip, they slide across the strings better for speed-picking -- a suggestion Jerry Byrd makes for pick formation (I never knew what he meant until I did it). And because they are longer and with less metal, the wrap goes higher up the finger, which gives you less chance of pick noise (contact between the metal and strings), which had really been chaffing my butt -- until now. These are also a lot thinner than the Dunlops, and when I first tried them, it was like playing with all thumbs, mainly because there is less metal and they are thin; but much like the Red Rajah, after about ten minutes, I began to feel the strings with my fingers more, so instead of having this "armor" on my fingers, it felt more like an extension of myself (to be poetic), giving me better feel for picking/placement. Both the bar and picks have made an incredible difference in my playing, although, as we all know, it's really in how many hours we practice, but, boy, let me tell you, having a great bar and the right picks make it so much easier. By the way, these "Scottys" picks are identical to the National picks, I came to find out. If you need info on how to get the Red Rajah, call (972) 286-9703 (I lost the email) or type Red Rajah in your search field. If you'd like a pair of these picks, contact me. I've got lots of 'em (for sell). However, that is not the point of this posting!
Keep praciticing -- and for those who haven't joined, the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association in Hawaii is always looking for new members.
Al[This message was edited by Al Terhune on 14 December 2000 at 10:48 PM.] [This message was edited by Al Terhune on 14 December 2000 at 10:48 PM.] |
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