The Steel Guitar Forum

I am teaching my six-year-old grand daughter to play six-string lap steel. Her tiny hands are having problems trying to control bullet or Stevens type bars. I think it would be a lot better for her at this point in time if she had an old-fashioned FLAT Hawaiian bar -- the kind Oahu students started off on years ago.

So far, she is excited about learning to play, and I don't want her to become discouraged because of not being able to handle those big, heavy bars.

Can any of you refer me to a source for FLAT bars -- or do any of you have one I could buy from you?

I would appreciate any help you can give me.

Roy,

I have a old flat bar in the collection I will gladly donate to your grandaughters musical experiences. Email me an address and I will drop it in the mail. It might take me a couple of days (busy at work) to get to the post office.

Best,

Rich

Send your mail address. I think I have some for you.
R

Hi Roy,
I too have some flatties and I'd be happy to donate one - but I have another suggestion you might consider.



I tried to make this pic actual size.
The bar on the left is a Burden Bullet Bar - standard Hawaiian size 2 7/8" by 3/4".
The one on the right is for all intents & purposes a minature replica - it's 2 3/8" by 5/8".
It has a perfectly round nose and a thumb indent in the end just like a Burden Bar.
It feels like it's about half the weight.
It came in the case of a lap steel I bought on eBay a few years ago, obviously designed and built for a child's hand.
But it looks like it has never been used - or used very little.
With this bar maybe she could start learning correct techniques right away.
If you'd like to have her give it a try, let me know and I'll be happy to donate it.
Who knows, you could have another Hall Of Famer in your family!
all the best,
Rick

Another possibility, if you want to determine a custom size I would be happy to donate time and material and make a round nose bar to fit her hand... could even hollow the inside if it's still too heavy.

You might want to try the Dunlop Jerry Byrd Tone-Bar which measures 3/4”x2 3/4”. It's the one with the Red insert.

This may sound stupid, but would not a Stevens dobro bar not work for a small hand? They are very easy to grip with a small hand.

Hey, all of you "no peddlers." (I was one of you for about 50 years.) You are a great bunch of guys and I sincerely appreciate all of your suggestions and generous offers. It turns out that my Florida neighbor, Rick Alexander, heard of my plight and has already put a flat bar in the mail for me.

If Rick's "flattie" doesn't work out, I will probably get in touch with some of you other guys.

Incidentally, I have put a few new home-made MP3's on my website. If you want to listen, click on my web site shown below in my signature, then click on the red tab labeled "Roy Playing Steel."

Thanks again,

Roy