Bar Warmer

Pete Nicholls · Post by **Pete Nicholls** » 1 Dec 2012 1:07 pm

This is my first winter playing steel guitar, and I have found that the bar can become very cold and very slow to warm up. I am testing a solution for this, simply called a Bar Warmer. To warm your bar, you simply put the Bar Warmer in the microwave oven for 30 seconds, then place the bar into it, and in 5 minutes the bar will be nice and warm. The prototype I am using does not have the finishing touches, but will post a photo as soon as I have a finished product.

I wonder if there is any interest in this Bar Warmer, or am I the only one complaining about a cold bar?

Post your thoughts ...

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 1 Dec 2012 2:13 pm

How many carry a microwave to a gig?

Tim Marcus · Post by **Tim Marcus** » 1 Dec 2012 3:29 pm

put it in your back pocket while you set up the steel

done and done

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 1 Dec 2012 4:08 pm

How many carry a microwave to a gig?

Richard, we have that requirement in the rider of all our contracts.

Russ Wever · Post by **Russ Wever** » 1 Dec 2012 4:31 pm

Just hold your bar under the hot water faucet.
That's the quickest practical way to quickly
warm your bar (unless you play where there's
no running water!).
~Rw

Pete Nicholls · Post by **Pete Nicholls** » 1 Dec 2012 5:42 pm

... places i play all have a microwave ... and running water!

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 2 Dec 2012 1:40 am

why just the other day, a Fo'bro' came up w: this ditty concerning the very same subject

Get'em while they last cause they're sellin' like hotcakes ! lol

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 2 Dec 2012 2:23 pm

Crowbear -- you could use that to keep the "other" bar warm as well :-}

Fred Jack · Post by **Fred Jack** » 10 Dec 2012 10:32 am

Paddy, The one in the picture looks a bit limp.

Sam White R.I.P. · Post by **Sam White R.I.P.** » 16 Dec 2012 4:58 pm

That's what I do is put it under the hot water for a few seconds and it is ready to go.Some times I put it in my back pocket if there is no hot water. and it gets warm there to.
Sam White

Rick Contino · Post by **Rick Contino** » 16 Dec 2012 5:03 pm

I am imagining something more like a heated bar holder that clamps onto the leg of the steel and that you plug in and has a heating element. You could maybe incorporate a fan to dry you hands like at the bowling alley too!

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 21 Dec 2012 1:07 pm

Get one of those travel hair dryers. Would also come in handy if you spill beer on your amp.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 21 Dec 2012 1:10 pm

Get one of those travel hair dryers. Would also come in handy if you spill beer on your amp.

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 22 Dec 2012 2:32 am

Paddy That's too small

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 25 Dec 2012 9:59 am

Does this mean carrying more items means carrying a second pack-a-seat? He was only suggesting something to help out. I guess the best thing is not to play places that are cold.

Pete Nicholls · Post by **Pete Nicholls** » 26 Dec 2012 7:14 am

I think everyone wanted to poke a little fun at me, and that's ok, but I sure enjoy heating my rice-filled pouch in the microwave for 30 seconds, then placing my bar in it and putting it in my pocket til I'm ready to play. A warm bar just starts out the session on a good note!

Terry Elms · Post by **Terry Elms** » 1 Jan 2013 2:11 pm

Cheap little hand warmer in the foil packet from Walmart. They stay warm for hours.

Jerry Tillman · Post by **Jerry Tillman** » 2 Jan 2013 5:02 am

A few years back I was playing in a bar here in Florida.An unusual cold front came through and it was really cold as the bar had no heat.As soon as a song would end I would quickly place my steel bar between my legs to warm it.A lady walked up between one of the songs and ask,what is this thing you are playing and what is that between your legs.I momentarily forgot I had placed the bar in my lap and could not answer for a second or two.By the way,a Twin Reverb will heat your bar up,just stick under handle.

Howard Smith · Post by **Howard Smith** » 2 Jan 2013 9:38 am

I am in totally amazed by all the discussion on this topic.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 2 Jan 2013 3:35 pm

I agree Howard. Just put the bar in your hand and blow on it. That will warm it up pretty quick. Besides, if it is cold enough to make a big deal out of how cold your bar is, you have bigger problems with how cold your picking hand is. I have actually taken a portable space heater to outside gigs to keep my hands and bar warm. But, that's pretty rare.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 2 Jan 2013 3:59 pm

I think your idea is a neat one Pete. I've seen times when it sure would have come in handy.

Just about everywhere I play has a microwave by the coffee pot and beverage consessions area.

Bob Cox · Post by **Bob Cox** » 8 Jan 2013 7:06 am

A warm bar placed on a cold string will take it to Outoftuneville, so always lay your hands across your strings for a min before you play. This will help get them tempered somewhat too.

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