learning lap steel - steel bar question

[Jim Campbell]

So hey all, I am just learning Hawaiian style lap steel. Well actually I've been trying for a couple years but off and on. It's slow going. Anyway I've always had difficulty handling the bar and felt that was part of my problem. Maybe my hands are too small. I just found a vintage steel bar that is a little smaller and it is much better and easier to play with. However, it is old, it's kinda corroded... the plating is coming off and it affects the sound a bit. Does anyone know where I can find a new one in this size? The concave end on the old one is nice too. Here are a couple pictures. the smaller one is what I am looking for. The other is a newer one just there for comparison.

[L. Bogue Sandberg]

The Dunlop 919, 0.75" diameter by 2.75" long would be very similar:

One source:

http://elderly.com/accessories/names/st ... --S919.htm

[Jim Campbell]

Thanks!!!

[Stephen Abruzzo]

Jim Burden makes fabulous bars at any length or diameter that you would like.

Get the Dunlop as Mr. Sandberg advised, but if that doesn't do the trick, then I would have Mr. Burden make one for you.

Many Forumites are proud owners of Burden bars. I have 3......in different lengths and diameters.

[Stephen Cowell]

The Paloma Stone bar is the easiest bar to handle, since they're much lighter than other bars. They're cheap too.

[Dick Chapple Sr]

I have Michael Hillman's steel bars and the 2 3/4 by 3/4 bar is now my number one bar and he has a Valentine special on right now on the SGF. They are very very nice, easy to grip and hang on to and quiet on the strings, no scratchy scratchy. I can use it on my 8 string as well as the 6 string. I also have several of the Paloma bars which I also really like, they are nice to grip and light and give good tone. They are priced low also. Hillman's bars have a thumb hole to do reverse slants.
Dick