Reso bar

[Gary Dunn]

Looking for the ideal bar--any suggestions?

[Chris Bauer]

Seems to take most players a while to find the right bar for reso. Most folks I know - myself included - have at least a few in the drawer that looked good on paper but just didn't feel or sound right to them. None are perfect, I'd do my best to try a few and see what you like.

(And, if you DO know what you're looking for, let me know. I may have one or two I'd be willing to let go of.)

[Gary Dunn]

Well, I guess I will try a SP-2.

[Kenny Christian]

CHRIS: I HAVE A PROBLEM NOW WITH MY BAR HAND AS I
DAMAGED THE LIGAMENTS IN THE INDEX FINGER. I CAN'T
KEEP THE FINGURE ON TOP OF THE BAR. I ALSO HAVE A
PROBLEM LIFTING THE BAR AND I WAS CURIOUS AS TO
WHETHER A FLAT BAR WOULD WORK FOR ME. I ONLY PLAY
AT HOME TO MYSELF. ALSO IS THERE A FLAT BAR LONG
ENOUGH FOR A 10 STRING? WOULD REALLY LIKE YOUR
OPINION ON THIS. THANKS...KENNY

[Chris Bauer]

I'm certainly no expert on this, Kenny, but it sounds like a reso bar would be worth a try. I've used a Shubb-Pearse bar (with the rounded end on one end and a flat end on the other) for eight-string and it worked fine. So, It might be a good experiment for ten string as well. It's a bit lighter than most bullet bars so you might need to experiment a little to get the same sound as a heavier bar - more downward pressure would help, I'd suspect.

Also, if the flatted part is wide enough, have you thought about trying a sitar bar? They have a flat section on top to be used for the sitar sound, when wanted. The flat sitar sound area isn't curved for a 'finger groove' like a reso bar but it might still be worth a try. (From your description, though, I'm guessing that a reso bar might be the better one to try first since there's actually a good-sized groove into which you could keep your finger.)

Let us all know how this works out for you!

[Kenny Christian]

HEY CHRIS,Thanks for the suggestions you gave,although I am not sure what the reso bar is.
although i suspect it is the flat bar i used back
in the 50's taking lessons on a acustic 6 string.
but if the reso bar is a special type of bar, who
sells them? kenny

[Chris Bauer]

Reso bars aren't a brand - just the style of bar usually used by resophonic (dobro) players. Most are variations on the old Stevens bar. Lots of companies make them, the lousy pic below is of a Scheerhorn but there are models made by John Pearce, Beard, Dunlop, and many others. What they have in common is groove on top into which you put your finger. The bar ends can be sharp, bullet-style, beveled, or some combination. Almost all also have grooves in the side for gripping the bar as well.

[Kenny Christian]

chris thanks for your help and i just found one
at billy cooper sight. i hope this does the trick.
thanks again........kenny

[Chris Bauer]

I'd try to go for a long one, though. Most are made for six-string dobro or lap steel. I'm guessing you'll be happiest with the longest one you can find as well as with one with at least one rounded end. The sharp and beveled edges are designed for pull-offs on dobro and can easily get hung-up on strings without a serious change of technique. (On the other hand, it seems that some sacred steel players use them on pedal steel and it doesn't hold them up in the least.)

[Kenny Christian]

CHRIS, I ORDERED THE SP-1 BAR FROM COOPERS WHICH
IS 3/8th INCHES LONGER THAN STANDARD. BUT IF THIS
DOES'NT DO THE JOB I HAVE ANOTHER OPTION I HAVE
BEEN PLAYING WITH, WHICH IS TO ATTACH A FINGER PICK
TO THE BAR EITHER BY SPOT WELD OR TAP & SCREW.
SOUNDS CRAZY RIGHT! BUT I THINK THE RESO BAR WILL
DO THE JOB??? I'LL DO A FOLLOW UP POST TO LET YOU
KNOW HOW IT GOES. ENJOYED MUTING WITH YOU...KENNY

[Kenny Christian]

HEY CHRIS: I GOT THE RESO BAR YOU SUGGESTED
AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS GOING TO GET THE JOB
DONE. IT FEELS AWKWARD RIGHT NOW AND IT IS
LIGHT ON THE STRINGS BUT IN TIME I THINK I
WILL BE HAPPY WITH IT FOR WHAT I DO. ALSO
THE BAR IS PLENTY LONG ENOUGH FOR 10 STRING.
THANKS FOR POINTING ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
KENNY

[Chris Bauer]

Glad it seems to be working out. Keep us all posted!