Bars and the things you use to play steel

Melinda Dauley · Post by **Melinda Dauley** » 21 Feb 2003 12:20 pm

Since I am oh so new to the forum, oh so new to playing steel and I need a topic that won't make people mad (plus i need the info); I want to know what kind of bars (material, size, weight) that you have used over the years, if it has changed and what you have found to be the best.
Any info is appreciated much, in advance.
Melinda Dauley

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Just remember: Bi-valves can't play steel. And if they ask, just say no.

Allan Thompson · Post by **Allan Thompson** » 21 Feb 2003 12:58 pm

Melinda, for a banjo type sound try using an empty cassette case instead of a bar. A wooden bar will also give a sitar type sound.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 21 Feb 2003 1:00 pm

There ain't many topics that are incapable of making someone mad around here! But bars is a good possibility.

A lot of people have gone to chrome-plated bars like the one BJS puts out (that's what I use these days), but there are still lots of people using stainless steel bars too. The most typical shape is with the bullet-type nose, and flat on the other end (but there is a product called the "Twister" with a bullet-nose at both ends that has gotten some good reviews here on the Forum). Also, there are other bars around - the "Red Rajah" and for awhile you could get these rally cool Zirconium bars (Mike Perlowin has one he swears by). In terms of size, you can get them so that they basically just cover all ten strings, or get a longer, so-called, "Twelve-string" bar. Width-wise, they tend to range from 7/8" to 1". I use a big honking 1" twelve-string bar, but I have kind of long fingers. A lot of people like to split the difference with 15/16" bars. When I started I was using a weenie little bar that came with my MSA Sidekick - I still have that bar, and it seems really small to me now, but it worked fine. The sacred steelers use grooved bars like the "Stevens" bar that dobro players tend to use, but I haven't seen many of those outside of that tradition.

Joerg Hennig · Post by **Joerg Hennig** » 21 Feb 2003 1:24 pm

Emmons stainless steel bar, 7/8" x 1 3/4". That one feels just right to me and may even have helped to improve my tone (a little bit). My first one was a Swiss-made Wiesner bar of the same size but felt kinda flimsy. After that, I used a 1" Dunlop bar for a while, but that one was way too big for me since I have narrow hands. Many players seem to be very happy with BJS. You really should try a lot of different bars and decide what YOU like best.

Good luck, Joe H.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 21 Feb 2003 1:30 pm

BJS + Emmons Bars but i prefer the one w: the red and blue neons

1 thumbpick and look Ma, no picks !
Allan i'll try that empty Kassette box....

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 21 Feb 2003 2:26 pm

As Bob mentioned, I use a zirconia bar, but since these are no longer available there's no point talking about them.

Most people like the BJS bar. Some swear by the John Pearse "frozen" bar. Both are excellent. But this is really one of those "which is better, red or blue?" questions. There is no right or wrong. It's all a matter of personal preference.

The thing to do is try out several different ones and see which one you like the most.

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 21 Feb 2003 2:36 pm

http://www.bulletbars.com/

Mike Delaney · Post by **Mike Delaney** » 21 Feb 2003 3:16 pm

I have one of the Twister's that I got at Scotty's, I really like it. Quite easy to handle.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 21 Feb 2003 3:29 pm

I use a 7/8 bar, it's a little lighter for my worn out left hand. I also use the typical plastic blue thumb pick and two national metal picks.

For the Telecaster, no picks..

tp

Bill Moore · Post by **Bill Moore** » 21 Feb 2003 6:07 pm

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<small>Bill Moore...
my steel guitar web page</font>

R. L. Jones · Post by **R. L. Jones** » 21 Feb 2003 8:58 pm

I guess the most common steel is rhe stevens, they`re not that pretty tesesdays, a little rough, Then the Shubb Pearse, it is a beautiful bar,one round end one square end. both chrome plated.

Then you,sorry ,, not to forget the bullet,one of the most popular steels. Then,,, the special ones some already mentioned. I have a stainless made in Chenoslovak , quite heavy but real solid, gets great sound and tone

R. L.

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 22 Feb 2003 10:57 am

After using the Twister, I wouldn't go back but they do seem to be heavier that others. The heavy bar might impact your speed picking (I don't care, I can't speed pick anyway

).

Brian Wetzstein · Post by **Brian Wetzstein** » 22 Feb 2003 12:59 pm

Melinda. I have a few different size bars. All of them are chrome plated. I use a 1" BJS bar almost always. You are welcome to come and try them...

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 23 Feb 2003 10:03 am

I used to use chrome plated picks, nut for the last couple of years I've been using the red rajah picks becuase they don't slip off your fingers.

The feel a little different, but I've not noticed any difference in the tone they produce.

Tony Davis · Post by **Tony Davis** » 24 Feb 2003 3:19 am

Melinda.......I first used a Stevens bar that my Buddy gave to me...they are real easy to hold but if you use a lot of downward pressure they develop grooves....which are no good when you are
moving across the strings,as you are using the same side of the bar all the time....so for many years I have used a standard bullet
type bar.....I have only had one...few nicks where I have dropped it on concrete but no grooves.
For finger picks I used National or Jim Dunlop....but a couple of years ago my same buddy brought me back a couple of finger picks marked Kyser......from USA...and a George L thumbpick.....the finger picks have a sort of ripple inside that stop them falling of and they are Great !!!!......nothing more embarrassing than to lose a pick in a fast break !!!!
Tony

Ricky Littleton · Post by **Ricky Littleton** » 24 Feb 2003 5:22 am

I use the following:

BJS 12-string 1" bar

Kyser finger picks

Dunlop Thumb picks

I have a teflon bar milled flat on one side for b@njo effect I use on my back neck (Mooney E9 neck with 5 floors and 1 knee)

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Emmons LeGrande - 8x4
Session 400 Ltd
Dan-Echo, E-Bow, Ibanez Distortion, Boss Comp./Sustain, Ibanez Auto-Wah