The Steel Guitar Forum

OK, so after a few months of Resophonic playing, I am finding I like the weight, shape, feel and dimensions of the Scheerhorn bar best ... however, I appreciate what I am able to do with the Shubb Pearse (SP1) with the bullet tip/nose that is not very easy with the Scheerhorn (particularly sliding down over open strings). What I don't care for as much about the SP1 is the width.

So, this may not exist but I'm asking. Is there a tone bar that has the dimensions and feel of the Scheerhorn but with a bullet tip? Thanks.

Hi - did you mean "width" as opposed to length?.
I have the SP1 and found it too long, I also wanted the bullet tip and got a Shubb SP2, its shorter than the SP1 has a bullet tip one end and flat the other and feels just right!
Cheers, Mike.

Michael Shipman wrote:Hi - did you mean "width" as opposed to length?.
I have the SP1 and found it too long, I also wanted the bullet tip and got a Shubb SP2, its shorter than the SP1 has a bullet tip one end and flat the other and feels just right!
Cheers, Mike.

yes, width not length ... I emailed Shubb to get the widths of their SP1, SP2 & SP3 ... I did not realize that the SP2 has a semi-bullet tip on one end but otherwise is more the width, length and weight of the SP3 (and Scheerhorn) so I believe it may fit the bill ... thanks.

Yes, the SP2 is an excellent compromise. Nice weight, good feel, bullet nose makes slants easily possible, the profile makes it easy to grip. The opposite end is great for traditional "dobro" pull-offs so prevalent in bluegrass music. Priced right too.

Got the Shubb SP2 today ... trying it out ... so far seems to be a good addition ... the semi-bullet tip works well for sliding over open strings and 2 note pairs ...

Going from steel to learning dobro I used the SP-2 for a year or so, but always with the round nose turned backward. I occasionally would get it reversed without knowing and try to do a pull off and it would be very weak and unsatisfying! Some sexual references come to mind, make up your own joke. LOL. I switched to a Tipton which is very much at home in my playing. Sliding ahead with a pointed bar is only a problem if you tip the bar down. A little practice and it becomes a complete non-issue. Here is a pic of a regular Tipton bar with a special child sized edition alongside. The Tipton fits my large hand better than the Scheerhorn because it's a bit taller.

I bought a stainless Scheerhorn bar and wasn't able to use it because I was so used to a bullet nose. The flat on both ends Scheerhorn was basically useless for me. My brother volunteered to relieve the nose and end for me, now it's my absolute favorite bar for dobro and lapsteel. He did a superb job.

Would your brother consider doing another one...and how much would it cost. I would love to have mine worked like that.

I'll ask him

Terry if he cant I know just the man that may do it. He has done a lot of work on E.G.Smiths, Scheerhorns, Snake Bars and just about any bar out there.

Terry, I asked and he said he didn't mind risking messing my bar up, but he really doesn't wanna risk messin' up someone elses. At least you have a plan B, thanks to Michael.

Terry, like Rick said let me know if your interested.

What about this one:



(To make sure: I don't get any benefit proceeds)

Who's bar is that Peter?

http://www.daddyslide.de/

Select tone bar, then Peter's One

Check in with Gary Swallows, he will make any style you need to fit if he doesn't already have one in stock. I had one of his just like you're talking about and it was a really fine bar. http://www.gssteels.com/

Mark, it took a friend of mine forever and a day to get a response from Gary. Then he told him for a custom bar it would be around 14 months and he only had two in stock and they were the ones like Shubb sells, so it kind of leaves me wondering.

Michael Nemick wrote:Who's bar is that Peter?

It's mine

Click on the picture, and you'll get to the (german) website of the manufacturer.

Oh, and here is mine in "action": SlideWalk

This is some kind of a brass alloy so the "wear factor" must be considered. I have seen a lot of cons on the German Silver regarding tarnishing. The next thing is these don't come cheap. I believe around $110 plus shipping. That to me is a lot of money to spend on a bar. Terry already has one that is SS and my friend has agreed to do what he wants, so for him it may be more cost effective. YMMV

Michael, I have to admit it's been several years since I got bars from Gary, at the time he was very responsive and fast to ship. I hope things are ok on his end. Perhaps providing the standard GS Shubb bar is keeping him too busy.
The funny thing for me, my wife had ordered several different types for me as gifts using my exact hand measurements... and the one he sent me he had built for Emily in the Dixie Chicks was the best "fit".

I don't believe there is anything wrong. A friend of mine just relayed what Gary told him. He really wanted a custom made because he has issues holding the bar from and injury. I will get some more details from my friend.

Perhaps you might consider one of my shaped bars with a bull-nose on end and a slant cut on the other. Offered in three profiles to better fit the hand, Paloma tone bars are lighter in weight than a steel or brass bar.. which could be an advantage if you have problems holding things. The high-fire glazed surface won't scratch and is extremely quiet on the strings allowing the true tone of the instrument to come out.

Available in three glaze finishes for $25 plus shipping. www.stoneslides.com