BULLET vs SNUB NOSE

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 24 Apr 2009 9:22 am

They say the muscle memory learns faster when you are young. Gosh, mine is slow now. And it is funny when I change tunings and find my hand moving sort of on "auto-pilot" to patterns I learned for a different tuning. No matter what bar I am using - the clams are loud and clear when this happens. But it's all a joyful noise! : )

Guy Cundell · Post by **Guy Cundell** » 21 Sep 2009 5:24 am

Doug Beaumier wrote:I'm confused by Dunlop's web site...

For many years I've been using Dunlop's "Jerry Byrd" bar, made to Jerry's specs. It's Dunlop #918, as shown below, 3/4" x 2 15/16" long. 5.5 oz.

But on the Dunlop web site... model #918 is listed as 3 1/16" long...? So the site info is wrong... right? Or maybe there has been a change in the bar size? ...I'm confused.

You're confused??? I think the guys at Dunlops have a whole new concept of the function of model numbers.

Anyway, many thanks to Basil H who has a number of JB videos posted from a TV show with JB playing dobro using a bullet nose bar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0RvvAfcBtY

This was a revelation to me and as my regular steel bars are a bit heavy I went and bought the 7/8" bar for my resonator. I am hooked and now carry this bar in addition to a Lap Dawg. The tone doesn't seem quite as bright as the Dawg for some reason but it feels great for slants and single notes. Hammerons are a little harder but not impossible.

Thanks Basil. Now I just have to get another resonator for C6/A9.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 21 Sep 2009 6:09 am

I've taken to using a small Tribotone bar for Dobro. I've pretty well given up on a Stevens bar.

Ryan Barwin · Post by **Ryan Barwin** » 27 Sep 2009 6:49 am

I use a Brozophonic steel bar for lap steel, and sometimes for dobro...it's a bullet bar designed by Bob Brozman. I also have a Dunlop bullet bar, but I prefer the sound and feel of the Brozophonic. For everything but pull-off/hammer-on dobro stuff, the bullet bar is better. I can't do backward slants with a Stevens bar, but I use one occasionally for dobro because it's easier to hold onto for open string kind of stuff.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 28 Sep 2009 6:13 am

A duck goes into a music store, walks up to the counter and says, "I'd like to buy a bullet bar - that one over there in the case."

The man behind the counter says, "Sure. That'll be $68.50 and by the way, we don't get many ducks in here."

The duck replies, "At these prices, no wonder." He then waddles out of the store (and out of this discussion).