Tone bar for MXR Bradshaw pedal

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 30 Mar 2015 4:00 am

What is the recommended tone bar for use with the Bradshaw dobro box ? Looking for less sustain than my BJS bar. Thanks !

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 30 Mar 2015 4:11 am

Karen, I REALLY like my SDF anodized aluminum.
It's hard enough to have a good tone, but it's low mass enough to kill sustain.
Also, if you're in the mood to emulate the old Fenders (like Mooney or Sneaky Pete), the same bar works for that, too.

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 30 Mar 2015 5:55 am

where can i get one of those Lane ??

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 30 Mar 2015 6:02 am

Easiest way is to give Steve Gunder a call at 785-608-0207
I shot a comparison of a bunch of his bars a while ago, this one here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--1I9UOHISU
and I get into the aluminum one here at about 7:20

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 30 Mar 2015 6:10 am

Karen, Goodrich makes a bar designed by Emmons for that sound. I bought one from Scottys music St. Louis, years ago. He should have them. Also Steel guitars of Canada has them. It,s made of some plastic or composite material.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 30 Mar 2015 7:26 am

Cut the end off of a broom stick.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 30 Mar 2015 7:28 am

I use the goodrich nylon bar for dobro sim.. low mass , way less sustain.. light weight easy to hammer on pull off

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 30 Mar 2015 7:44 am

will call scotty's. thanks..

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 30 Mar 2015 7:48 am

I use a cut-off drum stick

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 30 Mar 2015 1:40 pm

Karen I did try the broom stick and a wooden dowel. Not too bad. I just wanted a more slick bar and so I got the Goodrich. Tone is decent and a lot smoother feel. Scotty was the only one with the bar in stock at the time. Lane may be right with the aluminum model. Never tried one. I know the Goodrich works well for me.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 30 Mar 2015 3:42 pm

I use a glass bar for acoustic effects. I'm not sure where to get one - I've had mine for so long that I forget where it came from.

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 30 Mar 2015 5:20 pm

Lane Gray wrote:Karen, I REALLY like my SDF anodized aluminum.
It's hard enough to have a good tone, but it's low mass enough to kill sustain.
Also, if you're in the mood to emulate the old Fenders (like Mooney or Sneaky Pete), the same bar works for that, too.

Lane I watched the video. That bar sounds good ! Thanks I may get one, not sure yet

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 30 Mar 2015 5:38 pm

Steve's a cool guy.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 31 Mar 2015 8:00 am

I still think the nylon had the best properties for a dobro sim... less zing, less sustain

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 1 Apr 2015 8:24 am

Bo Borland wrote:I still think the nylon had the best properties for a dobro sim... less zing, less sustain

Trouble is finding one !!

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 1 Apr 2015 1:25 pm

If you try hunting for the material, you can get a foot of 1" nylon bar for twenty bucks or less, but the nose would be up to you.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 1 Apr 2015 2:54 pm

Karen - Telonics have the polycarbonate type bar as well ...this is almost the same as the Goodrich one which came with the Goodrich Matchbro ...

I have both bars and they are pretty similar - give Dave Beaty or Sophie a call

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 1 Apr 2015 4:38 pm

Thanks Paddy. I will call them tomorrow.

Michael Coggins · Post by **Michael Coggins** » 2 Apr 2015 4:26 am

Hi Karen
I have experimented a bit with a few different bars and my Tom Bradshaw Reso pedal.

Copper, Brass and Aluminium bars all have less sustain are better than a stainless bar IMHO. Wood, plastic or other non-metallic bars are best but are too light and don't give the right feel.

My solution below is a Nylon sleeve on a steel insert. Hard wearing, low sustain, and almost as heavy as a steel bar.
Works well for me and easy enough to make. Any machinist with a lathe would make one up for you.
All the best and good luck.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 2 Apr 2015 11:07 am

Michael, if you pardon the topic drift, the grade of brass can make a difference.
My SDF brass bar sustains almost as well as my stainless, chromed steel or chromed brass. But it's a hard alloy of brass.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 8 Apr 2015 8:58 pm

Michael both the Goodrich and the Telonics bars have got a brass insert in them to give them a bit of weight, feels pretty right.

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