The Steel Guitar Forum

Iam going to be learning lap steel real soon. should I learn with a Round type bullet tone bar or one of thoses Shubb sp2 or stevens type?

Each bar can present some challenges. Try them all, pick the one that's most comfortable and don't look back.

As I recall, you're planning to try pedal steel someday so you should probably get used to a bullet bar. The Dunlop 919 (3/4" X 2-3/4")is an inexpensive choice for six string lap and even if you find something you like better, it will make a good spare.

I play 6 string lap steel right now and I started with a "Lap Dawg" bar, I thought it worked great, I found slants to be pretty easy for me with that bar.
Then I switched to a Dunlop 920 bullet bar. I plan to eventually start playing a guitar with pedals, so I wanted to get used to a full-size bar. I say go right for the 920. I realize it's bigger than normal for a 6 string, but I don't have any problems. My slants took some adjusting, but now it feels natural. I really need the weight of the 920, it just feels right. I found mine on amazon for under $20 somehow.

Round

A lot of people who know a lot might disagree with me, but it just seems to me, in my opinion, that bullet bars are what steel guitar players should use.

Dustin Kleingartner wrote:I play 6 string lap steel right now and I started with a "Lap Dawg" bar, I thought it worked great, I found slants to be pretty easy for me with that bar.
Then I switched to a Dunlop 920 bullet bar. I plan to eventually start playing a guitar with pedals, so I wanted to get used to a full-size bar. I say go right for the 920. I realize it's bigger than normal for a 6 string, but I don't have any problems. My slants took some adjusting, but now it feels natural. I really need the weight of the 920, it just feels right. I found mine on amazon for under $20 somehow.

I use a 920 for pedal steel and I think a 918 for lap and nonpedal.

I just bought a 918 i will see how that works out when I get my steel.