steel bars

Lap steels, resonators, multi-neck consoles and acoustic steel guitars

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Christer Fredriksen
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Post by Christer Fredriksen »

This might be a real stupid question, but what is a "slippery slide"?
I found something called ceramic slides following this link. http://www.resocentre.com/
, under acc.
Anybody familiar with these?
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Steinar Gregertsen
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Post by Steinar Gregertsen »

Christer,- check here: http://www.lapdancerguitars.com

Steinar

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John Bechtel
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Post by John Bechtel »

Ric; I have (2) Phoenix (BLK) 3/4”x2.75”. I use one on my Fender T-8 Custom and really like it's handling ability and smooth action. I also use a 3/4”x3.25” on my PSG, for the same reasons! I had a 3/4”x2 7/8” stainless bar custom-made for me back in the late '70's. I took that along when I was working in Honolulu. I showed it to JB, and he's so familiar with what's what, that when the second he handled it, the first thing he said was, “It's just a little too long”, and that was just 1/8” longer than the Dunlop stainless that he was using! I was really impressed with his quick observations! (only a 1/8”!) He didn't use it, only looked/held it!

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Steinar Gregertsen
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Post by Steinar Gregertsen »

<SMALL>I tried a Red Rajah for the first time a few weeks ago, and I was actually shocked by how well it lives up to its advertising claims. It slides along the strings with far less "drag" than my SP-2 (I had always thought that the SP-2 was smooth, but there's really no comparison), and yet it "stuck" to my hand far better than my steel bullet bar</SMALL>
Oh yes, I can attest to that....
I got my Red Rajah from Rick today and it's the fastest bar I've ever played! Unbelievable...
I've always had a problem holding the roundbars (I've had one huge Dunlop and one small Broz-o-phonic), but this one fit my hand perfectly and the surface was really easy to grip (mine is a small tapered one).

Thanks Rick! And Christer,- go get one!

Steinar

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<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 09 December 2003 at 09:08 AM.]</p></FONT>
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Rick Aiello
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Post by Rick Aiello »

Image That was pretty fast ... I take it you want to keep her Image

John, I can imagine that JB could tell in a heartbeat ...

Although I love to mess around with flat bars, big bars, etc. ... when its time to play (or should I say butcher) Surprise Waltz, I gotta have that 2 3/4" x 3/4".

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Steinar Gregertsen
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Post by Steinar Gregertsen »

<SMALL>I take it you want to keep her</SMALL>
You bet I will! Image

Since I'm so used to the higher profile of the SP-2 I guess I need some time to get used to it, but it'll probably not take more than a weeks time and it'll feel comepletely 'natural'.

Steinar

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Christer Fredriksen
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Post by Christer Fredriksen »

I`d sure try to get a hold on one of those red rajas. Steinar, have you found any dealers in Europe?

Christer
Christer Fredriksen
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Post by Christer Fredriksen »

I got my Red Rajah a couple of days ago.
Whoa! This bar is fast! It also reduces a lot of the unwanted string noise I get with the Dunlop bar. Thanks Chuck!
Christer
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Cliff Scholle
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Post by Cliff Scholle »

Could one of you guys explain the "why" of the tapered bar to me. I can't imagine playing with a tapered bar after all these years of playing. Is there an advantage? Also, which of the Rajahs is easiest to hold...red, black, or grooved? I love the tone I get with a fat bullet bar, but I have drop them periodically. This, coupled with my sketchy intonation on a bad night, is a recipe for disaster. That's why I have been playing with a SP-2 for quite some time. Never dropped the SP-2 yet.
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Rick Aiello
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Post by Rick Aiello »

To me it's like writing with a fine pen vs. one of those 1st grade "giant" pencils Image Image

With the 5/8" tip ... my finger is closer to the string and I seem to enjoy more control. kinda hard to describe...

But unlike my 5/8" bullet bars (I have a few from the 30's) ... having the 3/4" butt end makes slanting (particularly reverse) easier.

Tapered bars have been around along time ... I have an old Chase chromed one and a Black Rajah original. they just feel good in your hand.

As for which of Chuck's is easiest to hold ... I vote for the tapered one (either RR or Phoenix) ... although I have never used his "Stevens type".




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Dave Boothroyd
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Post by Dave Boothroyd »

I followed this thread before Christmas and when I looked up the Crystal Slides website I noticed that they were based about twenty miles up the road from me, so i sent them an email enquiry a couple of weeks ago.
Last Friday I had a call from Ian McWee at Crystal, saying he would be in the area on Saturday and would I like to have a look at the range of slides they make.
So on Saturday afternoon he turned up with a bag full of them.
He told me that the glassmaker who actually makes them is one of Stourport's leading craft glassmakers- and Stourport is one of the UK centres of excellence for Glass.
Honestly, I was tempted to buy them all!
My wife and I collect Art Nouveau glass and appreciate quality - and what a display set that would be with all the different colours and effects.
He's a really nice guy with a superb product. The bullet bar I bought sounds great for hammer ons and pull offs, and it slides incredibly more smoothly than the Stevens I normally use.
Now I'll start trying to learn thumb slants!
Cheers
Dave
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Dave Boothroyd on 23 January 2004 at 04:55 AM.]</p></FONT>
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