Slippery bar??

Francisco Castillo · Post by **Francisco Castillo** » 19 Sep 2020 2:13 pm

Hi all.
Last night I had a discussion with my wife. After that I went to play Lap in my room, and my hands were a bit sweaty and the bar felt so slippery I almost couldn't play at all.

Question
What should I do? Change the bar?

Fred Treece · Post by **Fred Treece** » 19 Sep 2020 2:32 pm

I would start by avoiding discussions with your wife that make your hands sweat...

If that doesnâ€™t work, try dousing your hands with baby powder. I imagine the air on Easter Island is very humid, so losing a grip on the bar and finger pick slippage are probably not uncommon problems.

Frank James Pracher · Post by **Frank James Pracher** » 19 Sep 2020 2:52 pm

The material of the bar can make a big difference... the polymer bars I have such as my old Tribotone and Basil's Ezzee slide bars stay put very nicely when my hands perspire... buttery smooth on the strings but they almost stick to sweaty hands.

Dennis Conklin · Post by **Dennis Conklin** » 19 Sep 2020 4:11 pm

Alan Akaka suggested I try a Clinesmith bar for exactly that problem and he was absolutely right, it is quite a bit less slippery.

YMMV

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 20 Sep 2020 12:17 pm

Its a good idea to wash your hands and your bar before you play.

Nic Neufeld · Post by **Nic Neufeld** » 20 Sep 2020 1:25 pm

Strongly recommend Basil's EzeeSlide for that reason particularly. I imagine the Clinesmith is similar in construction. They feel stickier in your hand than steel, but still slide quietly along on the strings.

That said they are also not inexpensive so it might result in more hand sweating when your wife sees the invoice

Francisco Castillo · Post by **Francisco Castillo** » 20 Sep 2020 4:05 pm

Thanks for the answers!!
You knew instantly how the steel bullet felt in my hands... makes me think you've been in a similar situation? LOL

Gonna check whats been adviced. Thanks again

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 20 Sep 2020 4:27 pm

Put a piece of masking tape on top of the bar.

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 20 Sep 2020 4:38 pm

Dennis Conklin wrote:Alan Akaka suggested I try a Clinesmith bar for exactly that problem and he was absolutely right, it is quite a bit less slippery.

YMMV

I love Basil's Ezzee-Slide bars but as far as I can make out, Todd Clinesmith's are pretty similar. I don't think you'd be disappointed with either. I'd say compare price (including shipping) and go for the most economical.

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 20 Sep 2020 5:44 pm

When I was playing the Opry's in Houston area, I always carried a bar of Lava soap and washed my hands before playing and after intermission. Even do this at home before practicing.

Thanx,
Jim

Tom Snook · Post by **Tom Snook** » 21 Sep 2020 10:09 am

You have your own room?
Aloha

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 21 Sep 2020 3:32 pm

I played where there was a kitchen sink. Since we played every Fri and Sat night, I left a bar there. Yes, I played several gigs in the country where bathrooms were in the trees and bushes outside (also, a place for 'home brew; and white lightning samples were readily available). (Even some outdoor Luaus)
Aloha,

Jim