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Topic: My Perpetual Search For "THE" Tonebar. |
Larry Carlson
From:
My Computer
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Posted 28 Nov 2017 2:35 pm |
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Hello,
I started lap steel/Weiss about 3 years ago.
I could not play at all last year due to 4 surgeries.
I am back at it and getting comfortable again (sort of).
Like any newbie I have been doing a search for the golden fleece of tone bars.
I think I may have found a couple that fit me.
First, I've never used a bullet nose but two months ago I bought a Dunlop 920.
A very nice tonebar and I can actually hear the increase in sustain.
The technique is a bit different and somewhat limited on my lap but I really like it.
Second, I just bought a Dunlop "Long Dawg".
Oh I like this one. A nice weight, good sustain, it is comfortable in my hand
and it works great on both my lap steels and the Weiss copy.
I've been using a Shubb SP2 and I like the Long Dawg much better.
I have a Stevens but it is going into the trash. I've already worn the plating off it.
Also have a Shubb G5 but the contour has always felt a bit odd.
I know I am fairly new to this but I thought I'd share my experience in the great tonebar search.
Maybe there are other neophytes out there with the same problem.
From what I've read some of you guys have dozens of tonebars so maybe I am not that abnormal.
Everyone have a good day.
_________________
I have stuff.
I try to make music with it.
Sometimes it works.
Sometimes it doesn't.
But I keep on trying. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 28 Nov 2017 3:16 pm
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This Chase tapered bar came in the case with a reso I found couple yrs. back. I immediately fell in love with it. It's my favorite for reso and lap steel. Feels great in the hand...feels very natural and easy to manipulate.
Out of production, but you might try it if you come across one.
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Terry VunCannon
From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 28 Nov 2017 6:58 pm
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The search...
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Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 29 Nov 2017 12:13 am
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The search is awesome.
Find whatever bar you like but realise there is still nothing that beats a standard bullet bar. In Chord Options and weight - means more sustain and crisper notes - so the sooner you get used to it the sooner you'l be on your way to getting those sounds you hear on records.
If I can save you the expense most of us have gone through take the advice above. If not start with whatever feels good in your hand and work your way there till you find one that gets you the sound you love to hear on the records.
Its still a journey that is YOUR journey even if you choose a bullet bar you have to find what suits your hand size and feel. It just narrows down the tons of options out there.
Anyway have fun enjoy the ride....I mean Slide.
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist" |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 29 Nov 2017 12:25 pm
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I'm done, I like what I have.
_________________
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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Larry Carlson
From:
My Computer
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Posted 29 Nov 2017 12:26 pm
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| Terry VunCannon wrote: |
The search...
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Wow........you have a bigger selection than Amazon.
Maybe I should have called you first... 
_________________
I have stuff.
I try to make music with it.
Sometimes it works.
Sometimes it doesn't.
But I keep on trying. |
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Steve Marinak
From:
Man O War Cay, Abaco, Bahamas
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Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
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Posted 29 Nov 2017 2:44 pm
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Bill Groner....tell us about your tone bars, please. Did you make them yourself?
Pretty cool looking.
_________________
Four Pettingills and a Clinesmith Aluminum. Fender Blues Junior. Quilter Mini-101. |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 29 Nov 2017 3:23 pm
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They are homemade. Polymer sheath, with a naval brass core. They weigh in at 7 ounces. I thought the end needed a little something different. I made contrasting press fit plugs from the same material. Ebony and Ivory.......Ivory and Ebony.....I really like the feel and they don't slide around in your hand...........that was one problem I had with the chromed steel one I was using. I didn't care for the feel and sound of the chrome one over the wound strings. This one is noticeably quieter.
_________________
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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Terry VunCannon
From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 29 Nov 2017 4:08 pm
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| Thanks Larry, I guess mine are not really a search, but more of a collection. I love finding them, and adding to my collection. I have been mainly playing my Shubb SP-1, either the steel one, or one of the brass ones. I also use a glass slide or the Ezzee slide from Bas for recording. |
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David M Brown
From:
California, USA
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Posted 1 Dec 2017 5:11 am
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| My current favorites are the vintage Nick Manoloff bars. Perfect size and weight for me! |
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Ed Pettersen
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 1 Dec 2017 5:46 am
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Daddyslide in Germany made me a German silver one to my specs that wasn't too expensive and sounds superb. Charlie's Slide Pro I also dig here in the States.
_________________
Singer-songwriter, author, composer and full-time musician, ie: poor! <g> |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 1 Dec 2017 9:00 pm
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Many decades ago, late 40s & early 50s, I had a 5/8" diameter tone bar that I used all the time.
I drifted away from music in the mid 50s, until 1999, and found that I couldn't play with that small diameter bar anymore ! Too difficult to hold onto ! So, at the local music store I bought a Dunlop JB model, which I've used for a long time, until I bought a new one from Basil !!
I gave the small diameter bar to Jeff Au Hoy, thinking he could hold onto it !!  |
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