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Author
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Topic: Bar with wood on top of it?
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Joy Wofford
Member From: Battle Creek, Michigan, USA
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posted 01 July 2005 02:00 PM
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Hi all. Yes, I know, another question about a slide bar. But I searched thru all the forum searches, and couldn't find anything on this.
So here goes. There is a bar on Ebay by Shubb. It has a piece of wood on top of it to let a finger rest in a groove along the top. I have very tiny hands, and am wondering if that might be a bar that would allow me more ease in holding it? Or would it be to difficult for me to "control" it? Would it be heavy enuff for LS? It says it is for Lap or Dobro. I wrote to them two days ago about the length, width and weight of it, and still got no reply from them so far. Any ideas gratefully received.
I had thought to get a black phoenix or a glass lead filled bar, until I saw this one, and now am really undecided. I need to get a good bar SOON so I can get busy learning. Thanks
Joy |
Steinar Gregertsen
Member From: Arendal, Norway
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posted 01 July 2005 02:35 PM
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Joy, those bars are the Shubb standard version of Gary Swallows's custom steelbars. You will find Swallows' website here.I have one of those in my bar collection, and it's definitely heavy enough for lap steel, but I don't use it because of its very sharp ends, I prefer the rounder end of a Shubb SP2 bar or regular bullet bars myself. The Swallows bars are quite popular among dobro players, and he also makes custom bars that has helped many players who, for various reasons, has problem holding their bars.
They're a quite different experience than most other bars, and how it would work for you is hard to say before you try one. Only electric lap steeler I can remember seeing using one is Ben Harper. I find them very comfortable to hold, and in fact easier to slant with than other "Stevens" style bars, but as I said, don't care so much for the very sharp ends. Steinar ------------------
www.gregertsen.com
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Jim Sliff
Member From: Hermosa Beach California, USA
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posted 01 July 2005 03:16 PM
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I use the Shubb "Swallow" bar and like it. I alternate with a Lap Dawg.The Lap Dawg is a more traditional "bluegrass" bar and is a Scheerhorn knock-off; the GS-1 is lighter and had a "woodier" tone and quicker feel to it. The edges *are* sharp, but they really only take a few minutes to get used to. It's hard to describe, but it's absolutely worth having one. As far as slanting, I haven't slanted a bar in about 10 years, so it doesn't make a bit of difference to me. As far as lap steel use, it works pretty well - a different, slightly "hollow" tone. I'd compare it to the difference between a Strat on one pickup or the "quack" of two. It's got more "quack". And it's REALLY comfortable.[This message was edited by Jim Sliff on 01 July 2005 at 03:19 PM.] |
Steinar Gregertsen
Member From: Arendal, Norway
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posted 01 July 2005 04:46 PM
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Joy, you may also find this thread interesting: http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum2/HTML/006916.html Steinar ------------------
www.gregertsen.com
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Billy Gilbert
Member From: Texas, USA
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posted 01 July 2005 05:03 PM
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I copied Gary Swallow's design for the wood part and epoxied it to a 3/4" by 2 3/4" bullet bar. Since my palm blocking leaves much to be desired, this works great for me. Billy |
Jon den Boer
Member From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
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posted 01 July 2005 06:40 PM
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I agree that the Swallows type wood handled bar is very comfortable, but wish it were a bit heavier.. it doesn't sustain as well as an all stainless bar. I am now using an EG Smith bar for both Dobro and Weissenborn. Really comfortable, and perfect weight to my hands and ears.Jon |
Jim Sliff
Member From: Hermosa Beach California, USA
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posted 01 July 2005 06:53 PM
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I think the lower sustain is intentionally part of the design. It's a different approach and a different sound. |
Joy Wofford
Member From: Battle Creek, Michigan, USA
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posted 01 July 2005 08:00 PM
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Well, from what everyone has said, I guess I'll just have to become a member of the "bar collectors" in the forum, and try a few different kinds until I hit on what's right for me.
But I wondered as some of you told me how you felt about this style of bar, and the biggest drawback seemed to be the sharp edges catching on the strings, why doesn't someone make a bar like the Shubb, but contour the bottom of the wood so that it can lay on top of a bullet bar, as was suggested by the gent that modified the design and glued the wood onto a bullet bar? That way I could also use a bullet with the indent in the end, yes? I think I might be able to do that....I carve a little bit, so I'll experiment with that idea and let you know if I have any luck with it.
Thanks everyone once again for all your thoughtful and insightful comments and ideas. Much food for thought in this forum, as always.
Have a great 4th, and don't barbecue those steaks too done! I like mine medium with some grilled onions on the side....oh oh, even THAT comment had it in there....get it, BARbecue. I gotta get a life.
Joy |
Jim Sliff
Member From: Hermosa Beach California, USA
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posted 01 July 2005 08:05 PM
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Hey joy - let us know when you go into production! |
Mark van Allen
Member From: loganville, Ga. USA
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posted 01 July 2005 09:43 PM
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I have several of Gary Swallow's bars- the one on ebay is probably the standard Shubb Swallows model, but Gary will custom make ANY shape you want, I have some with sharp ends, and some with bullet noses. He'll make 'em heavier, and carved to fit your hand. Extremely custom, and very reasonable. Check in with him on the website.------------------
Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com
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Joy Wofford
Member From: Battle Creek, Michigan, USA
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posted 01 July 2005 10:06 PM
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Well, they just don't give an aspiring entrepeneur a chance, do they? I already had a nice chunk of cedar all picked out...ah well. Ok, that sealed the deal, I'll let someone else do the work for me, going to contact Gary Swallows and see what we can cook up. Thanks all
Joy |
Charles French
Member From: Ms.
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posted 02 July 2005 04:50 AM
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Gary is a very nice fellow. I got him to make me one a few years back. If I'm not mistaken, he initially started making bars exclusively for players who were handicapped.He will custom make a bar using your finger measurements, any way you want it. In fact he shipped mine to me and told me to try it first before paying. He said if there was anything I didn't like, just send it back and he would fix it. Now, that's service with a smile!!! |
Steinar Gregertsen
Member From: Arendal, Norway
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posted 02 July 2005 12:57 PM
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Newsflash!
I just received this email from a 'lurker' whom I know from another forum: quote:
Hey Steinar,
Caught your post on the SGF. I thought you might like to know Gary put out
a bullet nose bar oddly enough named after me. I get no kick backs from
sales but, he has helped me a lot with my ability to play after major hand
problems due to arthritis. He is the man to talk to about a bullet with wood
handle. Tell him I mentioned to ask about the Azure bullet. I think he can
do a lot with weight by wood types and I think he also lead fills handles
for weight.Feel free to post about this on SGF. I have been procrastinating about getting signed up.
Guess that shows there's hope for us all to get the shape and weight we'd prefer from Gary!  Steinar ------------------
www.gregertsen.com
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