Is there a bullet/rail bar hybrid out there?

Justin Douglas · Post by **Justin Douglas** » 11 Jul 2008 12:47 pm

I'd like a rail style bar but with the round nose like a bullet. All I've found is the Rocky Mountain Poncha. Seems like this would be something many people would be looking for.

Thanks!

Rich Hlaves · Post by **Rich Hlaves** » 11 Jul 2008 1:26 pm

I'm using a Shubb SP1 with good results. They are on ebay all the time for $20 or less. The bar works real well with an eight string lap but is a little long for a six. Just my 2C.

Rich

Terry VunCannon · Post by **Terry VunCannon** » 11 Jul 2008 2:17 pm

I have luck with the Shubb SP1 also...I like to lift the back of the bar, & use the rounded nose to point at single notes for hammer ons & single note lines...Terry V

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 11 Jul 2008 5:17 pm

I use the Shubb Pearse #2. It has one semi-bullet end, and the grip is a little higher and less cramped for me, just like a Stevens bar with one round end.

Charley Wilder · Post by **Charley Wilder** » 11 Jul 2008 6:44 pm

David Doggett wrote: "just like a Stevens bar with one round end".

I just file one end of a Stevens round. Takes about ten minutes as I recall. It's been a while. An old Norman Blake trick. (And probably somebody before him)

Justin Douglas · Post by **Justin Douglas** » 12 Jul 2008 9:56 am

how do you go about filing down and rounding a bar?

Charley Wilder · Post by **Charley Wilder** » 12 Jul 2008 11:40 am

You stick it upright (at an angle) in a vise and start filing the edge of the bar until it's round. How difficult can that be? Touch it up with some crocus cloth or whatever and there you are.

Billy Gilbert · Post by **Billy Gilbert** » 12 Jul 2008 1:10 pm

It isn't too hard to epoxy a wood "handle" on a round bar, ala Gary Swallow, especially if you have a drill press and a 3/4" bit.

Rick Abbott · Post by **Rick Abbott** » 12 Jul 2008 2:25 pm

I sold a bullet bar on ebay a year ago that was 7/8 stainless with a hollowed groove in the sides. I am sure that I got it from Carter Steels, say 5 years ago. I think that it was a Robert Randolph model, his bar, at that time. Very nice, but I went to a 1"-3/4 tapered bar.

Justin Douglas · Post by **Justin Douglas** » 13 Jul 2008 11:20 am

Hi Rick,

Thats very interesting. Could that possibly be their "Perfect Balance" bar?

http://www.steelguitar.com/accessor/acc ... BalanceBar

Thanks!

Mark White · Post by **Mark White** » 13 Jul 2008 4:37 pm

I'd like one of those too. The description only mentions a beveled back edge. Anyone know for sure?

Justin Douglas · Post by **Justin Douglas** » 14 Jul 2008 6:56 am

Carter Guitars just wrote me back saying they no longer make that bar.

Bob Simons · Post by **Bob Simons** » 14 Jul 2008 8:15 am

Here's one I made...

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 14 Jul 2008 8:19 am

Gary Swallows will make a bar like that, or just about anything. I have a couple of his with rounded ends that are very nice.

Bob Simons · Post by **Bob Simons** » 14 Jul 2008 8:41 am

Gary Swallows? More info please...I'd like to find someone who can do some more experimental bars with me...

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 14 Jul 2008 10:27 am

Bob Simons wrote:Gary Swallows? More info please...I'd like to find someone who can do some more experimental bars with me...

http://www.gssteels.com/

Rounded bars will need to be custom ordered, all his standard bars are 'sharp-nose' models.

AJ Azure · Post by **AJ Azure** » 14 Jul 2008 11:35 am

Gary calls it the Azure steel...guess why hehe

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 22 Jul 2008 7:13 pm

Here is an old Carter bar they used to sell. They have not offered it in a long time. It has a flute on the top and on both sides. The front is round

John Bushouse · Post by **John Bushouse** » 22 Jul 2008 8:23 pm

That looks very cool. I'm betting they're pretty hard to find. I wonder if someone is interested in making a small run?

Mark White · Post by **Mark White** » 23 Jul 2008 12:10 am

Put me on the list!

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 23 Jul 2008 3:28 pm

I have the Carter bar,I kept an ad on the [want to buy] here on the forum,took about six months or longer,but finnally found one,they are hard to find,Can't understand why someone won't make them,They are heavy enough to get a great tone,and so easy to hold without slipping out of your hand.Seems to me there would be a market for them,even if they would cost a little more,it would be worth it.DYKBC.

Chuck Fisher · Post by **Chuck Fisher** » 23 Jul 2008 5:08 pm

wasnt there a red rajah in this shape, with theflutes kinda ribbed for traction?

Mark White · Post by **Mark White** » 23 Jul 2008 5:38 pm

I asked Chuck for a description or picture of those bars a while back but never got a reply. Wasn't it called a Groovy Bar or something? There wasn't a picture on his site of one.
His site seems to be down right now.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 23 Jul 2008 7:26 pm

The Groovy bar had FLAT sides,I had a black one and the red one,they were confortable to play,but the slick coating wore off very fast[at least the ones I had did]DYKBC.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 23 Jul 2008 10:03 pm

Ron Tipton will make you one to your specs. His phone # is 270 570 1730. The last ones he made for me, several years ago were $50.00 each.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Is there a bullet/rail bar hybrid out there?

Is there a bullet/rail bar hybrid out there?

Round nosed grooved bar