Slipping Bar

Richard Brandt · Post by **Richard Brandt** » 19 Jun 2005 4:28 am

At times does your bar slip out of your hand.For years i used a 2- 3/4 by 3/4 bar and at times when my hands were very dry or wet from sweat the bar would slip out of my hand.I switched to a 2 and 3/4 by 7/8 and felt a lot more comfortable.All hands and bars are not equal. (Keep Steelin)

Ron Victoria · Post by **Ron Victoria** » 19 Jun 2005 6:27 am

Since I switched over to the black Phoenix, the problem is solved. This and the red Rajah literally sticks to your hand.

Ron

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 19 Jun 2005 3:14 pm

The Boyett's lead filled glass bar sticks to the hand very well, even if it gets a little sweaty.
It also has great sustain, and it isn't as heavy as a stainless bar.

<marquee Direction="Right">RA</marquee>

Larry W. Jones · Post by **Larry W. Jones** » 19 Jun 2005 6:03 pm

I had the same problem, especially when lifting the steel to play an open string. Now, I have no problem with this eBay item for $9.95 from "extramusical":
"Stevens Steel Hawaiian Guitar Dobro Pedal Slide Bar"

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 19 Jun 2005 6:51 pm

Larry, in my humble opinion, those STEPHENS bars are the pits. If ever you are playing a fast phrase whereby you have to push the steel across the strings single note style, the flat edge will prevent this common manouver. In later years, STEPHENS did make an improvement and rounded off the front edge which, though I still don't care for the bar, I would find to be more acceptable. I much prefer a round bar.

Larry W. Jones · Post by **Larry W. Jones** » 19 Jun 2005 8:07 pm

No problem. I play so slowly, I never make a mistake! Actually, I appreciate the evaluation and will probably try others as I progress. But right now, I'm quite happy with it. Keep the critiques coming. I need 'em.

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<center>It ain't got that FEELIN' if it ain't got that STEELIN'</center>

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 19 Jun 2005 9:31 pm

The stickum and no frills solution for the rounded bar and without any costs is your own saliva.

Please licka the index finger and the thumb, and no moh droppa the bar.

Larry W. Jones · Post by **Larry W. Jones** » 19 Jun 2005 10:27 pm

Sounds too easy to be true (too cheap too). George, why didn't you think of that. Don, Mahalo nui loa. I guess this means I shouldn't loan or borrow any steels!

Paul Arntson · Post by **Paul Arntson** » 19 Jun 2005 11:38 pm

I always try to play over a carpeted floor and out of range of my other instruments. The dog and cats learned on their own to move away when the bar comes out...
Seriously, I am a beginner with a wide variety of different steels. When I use a particular one for a while I drop it less. I've been using a 3/4 brozman on my teacher's advice. When I picked up a 7/8 this weekend **Whoops** first thing it shot out of my hand. I think you get used to how hard to pinch your fingers underneath to keep hold. Reverse slants are always the most ballistic with me.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 20 Jun 2005 5:41 am

An alcohol based aftershave/deodorant sprayed on the palm and fingers..
BTW the "Stevens" bar isn't for electric steel ..NO WAY Jose'...An easy way to develop BAD bar technique..I think resonator only for this design of "Steel Bar"

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Steel players do it without fretting

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Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 20 Jun 2005 5:50 am

As much as I detest the Stevens bar, I have to say the Sacred Steel guys do a great job with it.

Robbie Daniels · Post by **Robbie Daniels** » 20 Jun 2005 7:03 am

Try "Gorilla Snot". Not a joke it is usually available at most violin stores. I use it when my picks or the bar gets slippery on my hand or fingers.

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MSA D12, MSA S12, 1956 Rickenbacker D8, Evans FET 500LV, Evans SE200, Peavey Transfex Pro

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 20 Jun 2005 8:46 am

I agree that "Gorilla Snot" is a great solution. I once dropped my bar while Alvino Rey was standing about two feet from me watching me play back in the 50's. At that moment I would have given a month's salary for just one application of Gorilla Snot. (Musicians Friend carries it.)

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Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 20 Jun 2005 9:15 am

Larry W. Jones,

I use the same bar that you use for my D8 and have never lost the bar.

What happens sometimes however is that because the bar has flat ends, I sometimes haveu the strings popping off the bar's ends: especially when I am playing an up tempo melodly or in the process of moving from a bar slant back to a straight on position.

I also used get the bar hung up on the strings when sliding the bar back and forth across the neck. Do you have this problem now and then?

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(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)

[This message was edited by Les Anderson on 20 June 2005 at 10:19 AM.]

Larry W. Jones · Post by **Larry W. Jones** » 20 Jun 2005 9:51 am

OK Richard Brandt, you started this can of worms. Mixed with GORILLA SNOT!, maybe you can live with your current steel. Thanks all yooose guys! If Ron Ayers endorses GORILLA SNOT!, then how can I possibly say anything against it. I just hate to ask the nice lady at the music store in Humble, Texas for GORILLA SNOT! I think I'll get me a rounded nose steel with handles.

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<center>It ain't got that FEELIN' if it ain't got that STEELIN'</center>

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 20 Jun 2005 1:14 pm

Larry -- you don't even have to talk to the lady at the music store. Jusk click HERE

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Larry W. Jones · Post by **Larry W. Jones** » 20 Jun 2005 2:28 pm

Thanks for the MusiciansFriend link Roy. It's even on SALE. $4.99 for GORILLA SNOT! has got to be a bargain.

[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 20 June 2005 at 05:56 PM.]

Larry W. Jones · Post by **Larry W. Jones** » 20 Jun 2005 2:29 pm

Well, SNOT! Messed up on the images.

[img]http://img3.musiciansfr iend.com/dbase/pics/products/42/428010.jpg[/img]

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 20 Jun 2005 2:32 pm

This is the first I have ever heard of "Gorilla Snot"...I doubt JB ever heard of it either. As far as the STEPHENS bar is concerned, I wouldn't use it on my DOBRO or TRICONE. It's a loser IMHO. If you learn proper steel technic from the beginning, a dropped steel bar usually happens very rarely and is purely accidental. Larry, go for a bullet end round bar and forget about those olde fashioned flat bars...they went out with Joseph Kekuku.

Travis Bernhardt · Post by **Travis Bernhardt** » 20 Jun 2005 3:25 pm

Use whatever you prefer, there is no right way--but also definitely give the bullet bars a real go, so that you have a proper basis for comparison. Each has their advantages.

-Travis

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 20 Jun 2005 3:49 pm

I was "raised" on a bullet bar ... 2 3/4" x 3/4" ...

But it wasn't till I found a very unorthodox way of using a Shubb SP1 ...

Did I even get close to what I kept hearin' in my mind ..

I then discovered that Flat Hawaiian bars ... enabled me to get even closer to what I wanted to hear from myself ...

Now I'm back with the SP1 ... takin' the stuff I learned from the "flatties" ... and usin' it ...

To each his own ...

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My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield

Larry W. Jones · Post by **Larry W. Jones** » 20 Jun 2005 4:07 pm

I've got the round nosed steel. I got it when I got the guitar. (just kept dropping it and had a hard time getting it out of the way to play open strings) Maybe I'll just use Super Glue until I get the GORILLA SNOT!

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 20 Jun 2005 4:45 pm

I use either the 2-3/4" x 3/4" JB Dunlop bar, or the slightly longer 2-7/8 x 3/4" version. I always take those plastic caps out of the ends, so that there's a nice, deep indentation to put my thumb for slants.

I also do the (admittedly unhygienic) thumb, middle and index finger lick to provide a little stickiness. I have a harder time hanging on to the bar when it's really dry. Fortunately, here in Florida, that's not very often!

TJW

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 20 Jun 2005 10:11 pm

All you guys come up with such sanitary solutions.

Please forgive my unsanitary remarks.

Aloha,
Don

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 21 Jun 2005 3:25 am

Travis said

Use whatever you prefer, there is no right way

Continue to think that way and you may never learn another thing..
The "easy way out" is just that..Check out how many "REAL" pros use the flat type of bar..
As George says

If you learn proper steel technique from the beginning etc.

The general consensus would/should indicate the "Right Way" or preferred way..