STEEL Guitar BARS

Gary Steele · Post by **Gary Steele** » 31 Oct 2006 4:23 pm

A friend of mine has been using a dobro bar for years, anyone else use one? He can sure move quick with it. It seems like with these heavier bars it would be hard to pick it up for the people that likes to do this. After using a big bar the smaller ones feel like a feather. I cant relly decide which one i like best. I do have very big hands. Just curious what everyone else is using. I'v wondered why no one makes a bar with the sides indented. Let us know what ya think...

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 31 Oct 2006 4:57 pm

I have bars from 9/16" all the way up to 1 1/4", but mostly I play with a 7/8" or 3/4" bar. They're a good compromise between sustain and speed.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 31 October 2006 at 05:00 PM.]</p></FONT>

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 31 Oct 2006 5:46 pm

I use an old chrome Dunlop bar, 7/8" outside diameter. It came with the inside 1/2" hollowed out which greatly reduces the weight and does allow me more bar speed and more accurate stops on fast movements. I do have a few heavier, non hollowed bars and they have a bit more sustain and require a little less pressure to maintain contact with the strings. For all the bars I have here, the hollow ones have a more mellow sound. This is true for all the solid ones I had drilled out also.

Greg

A. J. Schobert · Post by **A. J. Schobert** » 31 Oct 2006 7:45 pm

The best steel guitar bar is at bobby mackeys in wilder ky. beer is always cold!

Gary Steele · Post by **Gary Steele** » 1 Nov 2006 9:35 am

I have a bullet bar that has a black filling he puts in them. It sounds good and kinda light weight. Its a 12 string and i would trade it for a 10 string like it.
Gary.

D Schubert · Post by **D Schubert** » 1 Nov 2006 10:51 am

There is a related thread that's been around for a while...about sacred steel bars with grooves...I just added some comments about a Shubb "RR" bar in the No Peddlers section...

Don Barnhardt · Post by **Don Barnhardt** » 1 Nov 2006 7:37 pm

Thanks to arthritis I just can't handle a round bar. I've tried a dozen or so bars and dobro type bars worked the best. I even got a custom built stainless similar to a Stevens with a rounded end. I recently ordered a bar from a guy in Georgia named Marshall Neely. It's 7/8" and rounded on both ends also has flutes on each side. I think it's the best of both worlds. I can hold onto it comfortably but it handles like a round bar. It has a good sound , I don't know what material it's made of but it has a hard micro finish. I can't imagine anyone using a dobro bar unless they can't hold a round one.

Scott Denniston · Post by **Scott Denniston** » 1 Nov 2006 7:48 pm

I use a John Pearse that is almost an inch round. When I go back to a smaller one it seems like it lacks some tone. I don't seem to notice much difference in speed. I think one just gets used to a bit more weight to swing around. Off the subject Gary--I'm going out trucking maybe for the last time & a friend at Breedlove Guitars has recommended I stop & see a good steeler in Ohio (Dayton area) that's with the "Elderly Bros." ?? If I get a chance I'll get by your area too. I'll give you a call if that happens.--Scott

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 2 Nov 2006 3:31 am

(picture C.O. Jim Sliff, bars C.O. Pagan/Moonbat Productions)

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 2 Nov 2006 6:07 am

A wrist pin from a Cat engine from a D-6...

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 2 Nov 2006 7:51 am

Ray,
One from a D-8 is better!
Especially if it is from an old slide-bar D-8: a 1-H or 8-R.

Klaus Caprani · Post by **Klaus Caprani** » 2 Nov 2006 10:54 pm

I'm actually using my pedal-steel bar on dobro. Does that count?

------------------
Klaus Caprani

MCI RangeXpander S-10 3x4
www.klauscaprani.com

KENNY KRUPNICK · Post by **KENNY KRUPNICK** » 3 Nov 2006 8:43 pm

BJS 15/16" 12 string bar.Play on a double-10.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 4 Nov 2006 8:26 am

As David's pic shows, you can use ANY bar you want - you DON'T have to have the latest BJS or some Unobtanium bar to sound...or play...good.

Personally, I find my Dobro bars to just feel weird on steel, and I play a lot of dobro. But I do use them on my Ric 59.

David's bars are stunning - the acrylic (clear) is light, has good sustain, and really nice articulation. the moly-something (sorry david) gray one is light, slightly softer, vry smooth playing and takes the edge off a bright guitar. It's a superb "rock" bar, and I use it a lot for David Lindley-style slide sounds. The Delrin (white) is slightly heavier than the others but still lightning-quick, and has a "presence" and articulation that are better than any steel bar I've heard. The sustain is very close to even my 1 1/4" "Sneaky" bar - which weighs in at a pound, while the Delrin is 4oz. In comparison, my Twister, which is fairly normal in size/weight, is 9oz.

That just gives you an idea of some of the different things you CAN use and how they work. there is no reason in the world for a player to HAVE to use a specific brand or type of bar. Use whatever works for you, but TRY lots of different ones, or you'll never know - you might discover you've been using the wrong bar for your playing.

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 4 Nov 2006 12:25 pm

I bet many a steel player has had some one in the band hide his bar during break.A beer bottle works fine.(I know).
And here is a tip for you b0b.When you want to play blue grass, no use changing over to your banjo.Just use a pocket comb on you steel in place of the bar.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 4 Nov 2006 9:04 pm

"Just use a pocket comb on you steel in place of the bar"

A *what*?

I don't think I've seen one since I was 10 years old...do they still make them?

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 5 Nov 2006 3:23 am

I made my own, a long time ago.
15/16" dia, stainless steel with a 3/4" copper filling.

In my humble opinion, a heavier bar makes for a better tone

Gary Steele · Post by **Gary Steele** » 6 Nov 2006 5:30 pm

Mike sigler showed me his Hughey bar Sunday and i like it very much. Check it out guys.