A Special Bar

[C. E. Jackson]

I am a collector of old bars, Hawaiian and Electric Guitar Course Books, and Vintage Steel Guitars.

In 2007, I bought a 1939 Gretsch Artist 7 string steel, and this bar was in the case. I purchased from an owner in Portland, OR.

Several years ago, I purchased several Steel Guitar Study Courses from the estate of a steel player/collector.

The book shown was written by Alfred L. Greathouse, who had collected material for this and other books through 14 years of teaching experience, radio, orchestra, and entertainment. This book has a 1948 copyright, indicating Mr. Greathouse began his steel guitar career by at least 1934.

I have never found or seen another bar like this bar or the one in the 3 book photos. With a copyright of 1948, bars of this design were manufactured more than 65 years ago, if it was not a private design and make.

My information indicates that Mr. Greathouse had a home in Oregon in 1940. Since my Gretsch and bar came from Portland, could it be the bar owned by Mr. Greathouse?

If anyone owns or has seen this type bar, please let me know.

[Ron Whitfield]

Let's hope that is his bar and the only one left in existance!

[Doug Beaumier]

It looks like he put two bars together, a flat one and a round one. I'm surprised that he uses that bar in the book though. It's kind of confusing to students. Where is the student supposed to get a bar like that? ...unless the guy was selling bars too!

[C. E. Jackson]

Thanks to Ron and Doug for the comments. Research continues to point to the probability that Mr. Greathouse was the owner of this unique bar.

[Butch Pytko]

I also have Book 1, and Book 2:


Book 2 also has a 1948 copyright date. I think I got both books when I took non pedal steel guitar lessons from a local music store owner here in Orlando when I was in high school about 1961-62. Can't remember if he ordered these new, or just had them on file for some time. I guess the book publishers would have just reprinted them for over 10 years after 1948, if that was the line of thinking back then. I remember that the teacher had a D-8 National all set up at the store for students to take lessons on.

About the bar pictured in Book 1. My teacher had the standard "round" bar, as we know of today--can't remember if he commented on that "handle bar" in the book. Also, I'm from a steel guitar family, and my Dad started to play non pedal steel in about the late 40's to early 50's time period, and he used the standard "round" bar from day one! I highly suspect he observed the other local steel players at the time using the "round" bar, plus his all time hero was Jerry Byrd who was using the "round" bar, which firmly justified the use of the "round" bar as the way to go. So, between my Dad and my teacher, I figured not to use that "handle bar" pictured in the book. But, I also look upon that era of 1948 as a time of trial and error, experimentation, and testing, which resulted in how steel guitar evolved to what it is today. That's why I enjoy treasures like these two books, along with other books, pictures, and various write-ups on steel guitar of long, long ago.

[Joe Snow]

hope this doesn't stray too much from the topic, just makes me remember that taking Oahu based lessons as a child in the late 50's, we used a flat bar the first few lessons on the acoustic, then used a round Nick Manaloff child size bar on the electric. I still have that bar from 8 years old.

[C. E. Jackson]

Butch, I like you, love these old publications. I have 4 books with a 1948 copyright. Book 3 has a photo showing how to slant the bar.

[Butch Pytko]

OK, C.E., looks like you're two books "up" on me--good for you! As things come back to me, I've been wondering why I don't have books 3 & 4 as well. I think what happened was after book 2, my Dad started showing me some really cool Jerry Byrd and Speedy West stuff--which was far more exciting than the dry learning material found in these type of books back in the day!

[James Williamson]

I agree with Doug, it looks like he put two bars together...here's a pic of the bar that came in the pocket of my 1935 B6...looks just like the round bar you've got there (if I cleaned it up a bit).