The Steel Guitar Forum

In cold weather when it's dry indoors my hands get dry to the extent that the bar tends to feel slippery in my hand; this results in some loss of bar control. Has anyone else had this problem, and, if so, what can be done about it?

I've only been playing for 4 months and this slippage is frustrating. Sometimes the bar sticks perfectly like it's almost "glued". Other times I can't lift it to play open strings if my life depended on it, without totally changing my grip to something stupid. I think I've come to the conclusion you have, that when my hands are dry I can't hold it. Sometime if I cup my hands and blow on them (like hot moist exhaled air), it starts holding. Using a 1" bar has helped a little. And, yesterday I just ordered a red rajah bar to see if that helps.

I'm very interested in the responses you'll get to this question.

Bob P.

Harry,
I had that problem all the time. Then I switched to the black Phoenix Bar put out by Red Rajah. There were some players that had trouble with the coating coming off the bar, but that has been pretty well taken care of. I can't tell much difference from this bar and the stainless steel one I use to use.

Jerry

Harry, if you're playing a gig, try putting the bar between your legs in-between songs..., seriously! The object is to keep it warm. That should take care of the problem. I read on the forum in another thread that one guy gives the bar to his "old lady" to hold while he is setting up his gear and getting ready to play, and gives it back to her at breaktimes to keep it warm.

Bob<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bob Wood on 15 April 2004 at 10:30 PM.]</p></FONT>

I have that problem sometimes too, but I have a Red Rajah bar and it's coating is great to hold.
And slips on the strings much better too.

Actually they are all black now.

I'm gettin a Black Phoneix for that very same reason.

I have about 4 bars. The Black Rajah is the stickiest.

But I have no trouble with my 15/16 BJS either.

But a good idea mentioned that I do also, is breath on it and that get a little moisture which helps a lot....al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Thanks, guys. At least I'm not the only one who's had the problem. Beyond the warming and breathing on the bar it seems that the best bet is this Black Phoenix bar. How long does the coating last? How does it affect the tone? Who sells them?

Harry Clark
Kingston Springs, TN

You can order the bar from the following web site. http://www.aguitarcenter.com/ As far as tone goes, I can't tell much difference. Chuck has made some major improvements on his bars and I have had no trouble with the coating in along time.

Jerry

My hands often get sweaty and the bar slips. I haven't done it, but I've envisioned glueing a thin strip of velcro down the length of the bar, and then wearing some kind of fingerless glove, with velcro on it. Seems like there's an idea in there somewhere.

The ONLY cavat on the Red Rajah or Black Pheonix is not to chip it,
otherwise the coating seems to last just fine.
Mine will travel in a little box for saftey.

I chipped my Red Rajah, but still wanted a Phoenix.The P's are tought Chuck said.
He will recoat them, b;ack, for $9 + shipping. Just haven't sent the red off yet.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 17 April 2004 at 02:21 AM.]</p></FONT>

Maybe I'm missing something. I just ordered a 15/16 Red Rajah from Chuck and didn't see anything about the Black Phoenix bar. They are not too expensive so I won't mind buying another one from him someday if I like the first one.

Any comments on comparing the two? (Hope you don't mind me asking about this here Harry)

Bob P.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Robert Porri on 17 April 2004 at 08:33 AM.]</p></FONT>

Thanks, Jerry, and others, for the tip on the Red Rajah bar. I just got one, and it works. Problem solved.