Tapered bars

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 29 Apr 2005 5:16 pm

I had a woman come into my shop looking for a tapered bar like she used to use "a way back when" with her lap steel. She described it as being smaller than the typical bullet bar as well. I know that I've seen them but was unable to recall where- and I promised her that I'd find her one. Can someone please point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance ~~ Jim

George Rout · Post by **George Rout** » 29 Apr 2005 6:02 pm

This is what she probably meant. It's from my "bar collection". George
http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rout_geo/album?.dir=/f346

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 29 Apr 2005 6:09 pm

http://www.aguitarcenter.com/rajahinfo.html shows two tapered bars, one for six string and one for other sizes. Perhaps that'll do.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 29 Apr 2005 6:26 pm

The tapered bar was probably the Chase brand that you could get from the standard music supply houses then. I still have three of them, one of them I used on my Fender T-8 for many years. Also, a good machinist can make you a tapered bar. I had one made for a ten string many years ago.

The Black Raja bars had a slight taper, but a rather blunt nose. The Chase was great for single string notes.

Thanx,
Jim

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 29 Apr 2005 6:31 pm

PS - I forgot to say that the Chase bar was a hard chrome plated, hollow, and filled with a plastic which made it light weight.

Thanx, Jim

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 29 Apr 2005 10:14 pm

I have a black phoenix tapered and use it all the time on C6, and also some E9

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 30 Apr 2005 9:16 am

So- anyone have one and want to let loose of it for a fee? The Chase bar sounds about like what she's looking for- thanks for the replies-

Terry Robbins · Post by **Terry Robbins** » 1 May 2005 12:46 pm

The Black Phoenix 2.75" tapered are coming up "out of stock". But the Red Rajahs and Black Phoenixs are on sale!

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Carvin V220-Artie Lap Steel-Marshall Studio 15[This message was edited by Terry Robbins on 01 May 2005 at 01:47 PM.]

C. Brattain · Post by **C. Brattain** » 1 May 2005 3:43 pm

I will have the tapered Black Phoenix bars back in stock in a couple weeks, Sorry about my goof up. Chuck

Terry Robbins · Post by **Terry Robbins** » 6 May 2005 6:59 pm

Let us know when they're back. My Red Rajah arrived a couple of days ago. I haven't had a chance to try it since my Artisan is still in pieces while I'm re-arranging the electricals. What were they thinking!?!

C. Brattain · Post by **C. Brattain** » 9 May 2005 4:15 pm

We now have the powder coated 3/4" tapered to 7/8" x 2.75"long Black Phoenix in stock. Chuck

Alan Kirk · Post by **Alan Kirk** » 9 May 2005 5:30 pm

Forgive my ignorance, but why would someone want a tapered bar?

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Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 9 May 2005 8:32 pm

because they did as a kid......

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 10 May 2005 6:47 am

If you do a lot of single string work, the tapered bar seems easier to use. I have an old beat up Chase bar that's tapered, but I don't like the way it works personally.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 10 May 2005 7:54 am

Tapered bars are ok for fast single string work...however I prefer the normal. By the way, speaking of bars, wasn't that George Rout I saw in a bar last night ?

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 1 Jun 2005 3:43 am

Jim, did you ever obtain the Chase bar for your customer?

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 1 Jun 2005 6:18 am

no Howard- I've not been able to "Chase" it down yet~~ thanks for asking

Richard Shatz · Post by **Richard Shatz** » 1 Jun 2005 8:44 am

I have two. One has the Chase name on it. The other is identical but doesn't have the name. I'm willing to part with the no name bar. There is also a case. Email me for pictures.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 1 Jun 2005 9:14 am

Jim, I have a Chase bar.

Here's my offer.....send me your address & I'll ship it to you.

Please make a donation to the forum, whatever you feel is appropriate.

Everyone wins. <pre>just don't send b0b any possums</pre>

[This message was edited by HowardR on 01 June 2005 at 10:38 AM.]

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 1 Jun 2005 10:37 am

"Tapered bar is easier to use"........?
When compared to WHAT?

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 1 Jun 2005 8:23 pm

Thanks to Howard- it is done- thanks to all of you for your help~ Jim

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 1 Jun 2005 10:06 pm

Good on you Howard

I like my tapered bar.
It is good for single notes,
the black coating is easy to pick up.

And I like lighter weight over the light strings and more heft over the fat lower strings on C6.

Dean Parks · Post by **Dean Parks** » 3 Jun 2005 4:40 pm

I have a tapered slide, for regular guitar... it's much thicker on the bass strings. Usually a low-sustaining bar works better on trebles than basses, and this slide fixes that problem; duration is more uniform.

-dean-

Chuck Fisher · Post by **Chuck Fisher** » 3 Jun 2005 5:38 pm

Howard, you know why those are tapered, don't you? Seems like that slippery Rajah coating might help some, too...

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 4 Jun 2005 10:26 am

Yes I do Chuck.....but this is a family forum...