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Topic: Tonebars...... |
Jim Curtain
From:
Phoenix,Arizona, USA
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Posted 4 Mar 2012 6:28 am |
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Greetings all,
I am a month into learning this wonderful instrument. I bought a Dunlop 920 tonebar, but I am using a SB1 Dobro bar instead. I have small hands and fingers, and it feels better, more control. Will this be a problem down the road when I improve?
Thank ya'll for your time.
Sincerely,
Jim B. Curtain |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 4 Mar 2012 6:36 am
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The general accepted bar for pedal steel is a round bar. Left hand techniques are different for a pedal steel from a dobro or lap steel. In a lap steel and dobro the bar is lifted and moved to wherever you want to go. With a pedal steel, you mute the strings with the right hand and slide the bar to wherever you want to go (there are exceptions but in most cases this is the way it works).
It is better to start with the "preferred" method and learn to hold and handle the round bar. If you learn with, for example the dobro bar, when you decide to use the round bar you will basically have to learn again. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 4 Mar 2012 7:27 am
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You'll get clearer tone with the big bar.
I agree with Jack, but will also point out that a contoured bar hasn't diminished Robert Randolph. But he doesn't sound like the rest of us
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Lynn Fargo
From:
Fort Edward, NY
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Posted 4 Mar 2012 8:10 am
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I have smaller hands, too, and am currently using a smaller round bar. It feels much more comfortable for me than my standard-size bar. I have to switch back to the standard bar for some songs when I use wider string grips, though, until I get a longer bar made. You could probably find a smaller bar from someone who sells lap steel accessories. Best of luck with your playing.
_________________
Sho-Bud Pro II Custom, GFI Ultra SD-10, Fender Pro Amp, Fender Mustang II Amp, Morrell 8-string lap, Epiphone 6-string lap, Galveston reso, etc. |
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Don Sulesky
From:
Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH
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Posted 4 Mar 2012 8:55 am
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My friend Jim Burden (Bullet Bars) can make you any size and weight you want.
He is recovering from surgery at this time.
You can contact him at www.bulletbars.com and he can help you once he is back up to speed.
Don
_________________
Private one on one lessons available
Member: FSGC, PSGA, TSGA
Co-founder: Florida Steel Guitar Club
"Steel guitar is like playing chess in the dark with three players". Jeff Newman quote from 1997 seminar |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 4 Mar 2012 9:16 am
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| My wife has thin fingers (we have the smallest picks we could find and they still are not tight) and uses a 7/8" Bullet Bar. She started with it and doesn't have problems with bar handling. |
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