A bit of background...
I've always used a Jerry Byrd-type bar, but surgery on my left hand has made it near impossible for me to hold and manipulate that bar without pain and numbness. So I searched for an option.
I purchased a Wayne Johnson aluminum oxide bar in 3.5" x 1". It was immediately easier for me to use. It feels "grippier" than my JB, but at the same time it is just as smooth on the strings. It also feels lighter, but I have not weighed the bar.
The tone and sustain of the aluminum bar (to my feeble ears) seems unchanged. However, my dearly beloved wife who has an ear every musician would kill for insists that Wayne's aluminum bar sustains just a bit longer, and she also says that it's tone is brighter.
At any rate, I really like the bar. It has enabled me to play without pain or numbness in my left hand, and I enjoy the feel and tone.
I highly recommend the bar, and Wayne was an A1 guy to deal with.
YMMV
Wayne Johnson tone bar review
Moderator: Brad Bechtel
- Johnne Lee Ables
- Posts: 398
- Joined: 16 Nov 2000 1:01 am
- Location: Minnesota, USA
Wayne Johnson tone bar review
Justice S10-Pro 5x4 C6
Roland Cube 80GX
Wonderful Wife
"In the course of a long life a wise man will be prepared to abandon his baggage several times."
Roland Cube 80GX
Wonderful Wife
"In the course of a long life a wise man will be prepared to abandon his baggage several times."
-
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 30 Aug 2014 7:15 pm
- Location: Oregon, USA
Ditto for the bar
I went to Wayne's shop. What a suprise!He is a man of many talents and interests. I really enjoy using his anodized aluminum bar, has a nice feel in my hand and makes slants so much easier.Great prices and he makes a relly nice emergency flashlight for emergency and disaster use.
- Brad Bechtel
- Moderator
- Posts: 8146
- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Sounds interesting. Could you please post contact information? I couldn't find anything on a very short search, and I'm sure others would like to take advantage of Mr. Johnson's expertise.
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
- Jouni Karvonen
- Posts: 249
- Joined: 29 Jan 2011 11:31 am
- Location: Helsinki, Finland
- David Venzke
- Posts: 1350
- Joined: 24 Jul 2006 12:01 am
- Location: SE Michigan, USA
Here's Wayne's thread with info on his bars ...
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=261575
P.S. I, too, have one of the anodized aluminum bars and I like it!
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=261575
P.S. I, too, have one of the anodized aluminum bars and I like it!