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Topic: Thoughts on bar length between 3.5" and 3.75 |
Wayne Franco
From:
silverdale, WA. USA
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Posted 25 Nov 2008 2:26 pm |
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I am considering purchasing a Zirc bar because the bar I have is making my thumb joint sore. I really like my John Hughey bar. It is a little lighter because as they say it is somewhat hollow 15/16" so its weight is about the same as a 7/8 diam. bar. It may well be the Circumference rather than the weight. Don't know. Anyone with a preference for length of bar on a 10 string neck between the 3.5 and 3.75. Thanks for any replies and opinions.
Wayne Franco |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 25 Nov 2008 2:42 pm
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| It may be that you're gripping the bar too tightly, as that's the case with many players I've seen. If you grip improperly or too tightly, your hand will become cramped very easily. Try holding the bar lightly, using just your thumb and middle finger, and keep in mind you don't have to hold it with the same degree of firmness all the time. Much like you handle a hammer or any other tool, the grip should tighten up only when necessary (when you're moving very fast or lifting the bar). For most of the simple sliding motions, you movements should be like you're just "guiding" the bar than grasping it, with the bar's own weight providing most of the downforce. |
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Wayne Franco
From:
silverdale, WA. USA
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Posted 25 Nov 2008 3:00 pm Thanks Donny
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That is certainly good advice. I've never had this before and I have been playing a long time. I have been putting in some pretty good practice time lately though. If I am holding the bar to tightly that would be the time for it to raise its ugly head.
Wayne |
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Bob Hickish
From:
Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 25 Nov 2008 6:56 pm
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Wayne
Are you sure its the Bar giving you the pain ? you may
be suffering for the NW weather like us old pharts .
When I started pick'n with Denny , I hadn't played for
some 20 years and the bar was killing me . I took the Bar
to a machine shop and had him drill it out with a 3/8's drill
--- it cut the weight in half -- I have sense filled it with lead
to get the weight back -- I know its hard to play with that pain
so maybe removing some weight would help .
Take care pard
Hick |
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Wayne Franco
From:
silverdale, WA. USA
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Posted 25 Nov 2008 7:03 pm yes, its been damp and cold lately
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I know I shouldn't be pushin on the bar but in the heat of practice I may be forgetting. Which leads me to believe that I need to focus on that more to make sure I get it right. That said I still would like one of those zirconium bars.
Wayne |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 26 Nov 2008 12:13 am
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For the past year or longer, I've been using a 7/8”x3 1/8” Bar most of the time! If you don't have the need to cover all ten-strings at once, this seems to do fine!
_________________
<marquee> Go~Daddy~Go, (No), Go, It's your Break Time</marquee> L8R, jb
My T-10 Remington Steelmaster |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 26 Nov 2008 4:27 am
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I know a lot of players have switched over to (heavier) bars, 15/16" and larger, but I think (to a large extent) that's just their "lemming's rush to the sea" in search of infinite sustain. I have bars from 1/2" all the way up to 1 1/4", and find no appreciable difference in sustain once you go over 7/8" diameter. The simple fact is that bigger bars have as many disadvantages as they do advantages, and I suspect we'll see more and more players with wrist and hand problems in the near future as a result of the bigger and heavier bars being used.
Once you're sure the problem isn't caused by technique, a zirc or bored-out steel bar may help alleviate some of your physical discomfort. |
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Larry Behm
From:
Mt Angel, Or 97362
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Posted 26 Nov 2008 5:00 am
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Wayne you need to recheck my instructional video.
Larry Behm |
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Wayne Franco
From:
silverdale, WA. USA
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Posted 26 Nov 2008 8:50 am Thank you for your replys
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I do have that video Larry. Thanks for reminding me.
Wayne |
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