The Steel Guitar Forum

OK. So the only way I'm going to get this bullet bar down is by forcing myself to.

Any great Bullet Bar control tips?

My palms get sweaty so it always feels more slippery, to tackle that I added a narrow strip of Grip Tape(from skateboards, essentially sandpaper and its really helping)

Any other tips?

I think this should be in both forums pedal and non pedal as there may be some useful advice from peddalers. Not sure how to make it available to post.

I hope you will reconsider the grip tape, and suffer the slips until they go away. I have sweaty hands and had to practice everything slower than I wanted for a short time. It should be liberating to not have to index the bar. Then, you can roll it, freely.

Stefan,
I presume you're talking about using your new "Bens" bar? The mirror finish on the bar makes them quite slippery when cold. Try warming it in your pocket for a while before you play. I used to use a Stevens bar for 6 string, but I use my "Bens" bar for 6/8 string now.

No I haven't received Ben's bar yet.

Only ordered it today.

The grip tape really helps me though. I can still roll from side to side as its as thin as my index finger.

Don't feel confident removing it especially as I do behind the bar pulls and without it the bar always needs repositioning causee of my sweaty palms.

I'm using a Dunlop 920 but it sounds a bit scratchy.

Use a bullet bar all the time and take that tape off

Jim Davies wrote:Use a bullet bar all the time and take that tape off

OK I'm going for it family.

I'll take the tape off now. It feels like I'm back at square one in bar control. Damn.

Awesome. Square one is often a great place to be. I bet you're a surgeon with a bullet bar in no time, flat.

Nic Sanford wrote:Awesome. Square one is often a great place to be. I bet you're a surgeon with a bullet bar in no time, flat.

Thanks for the vote of confidence

I can't say I don't envy guys with dry hands.

Stefan Robertson wrote:

Nic Sanford wrote:Awesome. Square one is often a great place to be. I bet you're a surgeon with a bullet bar in no time, flat.

Thanks for the vote of confidence

I can't say I don't envy guys with dry hands.

Having dry hands is no better, I am always dropping my bullet bar, trying a reverse slant sends the bar right off the steel, I keep going back to the Stevens bar and even that has plasters attached to stop me dropping it, you can only do what suits you best in my view, for what it's worth.

If you persevere with a regular round bar, one day you will realise you have not dropped the bar in quite a while. Its a success that sneaks up on you.

One reason learners drop the bar is because they are gripping a bit too much and the bar pops out like a melon seed. In fact, you don't need a lot of grip pressure most of the time. Its one of those things that you forget when you are trying to remember three different musical requirements at once.
Also do not be afraid to let your thumb rest on the strings, unless you need those strings to ring. It only take a tiny thumb lift to bring in the lower string tones when you need them. This relaxed hand adds to overall stability, just as the third and fourth fingers are doing on the other side of the bar. Your index finger is applying the little pressure you need for tone, not your whole hand. Like Bob Wills said, Play it lazy.

I think once you've used a bullet bar for a while (sans grip tape) your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and skin will make all the necessary adjustments. That bar will be part of your hand before you know it. That's what happened to me anyway.

Tony L.

David Matzenik wrote:If you persevere with a regular round bar, one day you will realise you have not dropped the bar in quite a while. Its a success that sneaks up on you.

One reason learners drop the bar is because they are gripping a bit too much and the bar pops out like a melon seed. In fact, you don't need a lot of grip pressure most of the time. Its one of those things that you forget when you are trying to remember three different musical requirements at once.
Also do not be afraid to let your thumb rest on the strings, unless you need those strings to ring. It only take a tiny thumb lift to bring in the lower string tones when you need them. This relaxed hand adds to overall stability, just as the third and fourth fingers are doing on the other side of the bar. Your index finger is applying the little pressure you need for tone, not your whole hand. Like Bob Wills said, Play it lazy.

I have to confess David of not having used that approach, I will certainly try it.

Many Thanks.

Of course the other option is to buy one of my bars; They stick to your hand like the proverbial " ****to a blanket" and make virtually no noise from the wound strings.
I have MANY unsolicited testimonials.
http://www.waikiki-islanders.com/html/e ... %20bar.htm

And for the UK guys you can always phone me and I'll talk you through some of the workarounds.
I should know, I've been doing it for a while now.. Professionally... Successfully....

07800-646-645 24/7 text or voice

I'm only slightly ahead of you on bullet bar use. I don't drop the bar, but it still feels like I'm about to much of the time. I do feel like I'm getting a better sound and better intonation.
One conclusion that I've come to is that some bars are much better than others, and it may be that you need to find one that fits your hand. 3/4" bars don't work for me. Heavy bars don't either. I have 2 that do:
1) A Diamond Crystal glass bar about 1" diameter by 3.5". The large size, light weight and glass make it the easiest bullet to hang onto I've tried. Made in the UK. I use this on my wide spaced 8 string.
2) James Burden made me a hollowed out 7/8" by 3" steel bar that weighs in a little under 5 ounces. I use this on the 6 string.
Of course trying out different bars can be a little pricey. I sold a bunch of rejects last year on Ebay. Finding one that fits your hand makes a big difference, though.

A little after shave or cologne on your left hand may help. And after watching a couple of your videos Stefan, I can tell you your right hand is moving far too much when you pick It should be from the fingers not the whole hand, you're defeating the principle of muscle memory. You are also travelling too far when you pick and also too hard: you're not leaving enough headroom for dynamics. Volume and tonality changes happen mainly with the picking hand not external devices..FWIW..

Chase Brady wrote: Finding one that fits your hand makes a big difference, though.

Well my service is also bespoke. Any size and weight within the limitations of length/diameter/material.

Just a few of the recent comments:-->
Ken Byng These bars are the single biggest factor that you can have to improve your playing and tone. =D


Ken Byng said
16 August at 11:40
Kudos to Basil Henriques's bar that I used over the weekend. The more I used it the more that I came to the conclusion that it has really improved my tone. I am not on commission (yet - ha) and can truthfully say that this item is one of the biggest game changers for steel players that they can get for the money. An absolutely brilliant product. Tone is so important to me, and the Ezee Slide tone bar is definitely the way to go.

Quote from a new user "Basil! Having just tried out the bar, I can state that it is everything I'd hoped - virtually noiseless, light, smooth, and even beautiful. It is a fine product, and will absolutely be my "go-to" bar, except for times where I need a little more weight.. At some point, I will purchase a heavier bar from you, for a complete set!
"I am very very impressed with the bar, and will absolutely recommend it to everyone - great price for what you receive, as well.

Thank you very much, Basil. I am most satisfied"


Lee Jeffriess‎ to Fender Non Pedal Steel Guitar
6 hrs
I'm as happy as a ''pig in shit'' with my new 7/8 to 3/4 tapered bar from Ezzee slide, I started hunting down vintage Black Rajah's 20 odd years ago. I fell in love with their softer tone, but they are ''time bombs'' you just have to look at them wrong and they fracture ! they came straight and tapered and its the latter that always felt the most comfortable. About 5 years ago I got a Tribotone K bar and retired the Rajah's, the K bar's larger dia and added weight were a nice change of pace and the fact that the new plastics are indestructible and sound the same as the vintage material were all major pluses for me, but I always wished it was tapered ! Then along comes Basil picking up where Tribotone left off ! As soon as I found out what he was doing, I asked could you make me a 7/8'' to 3/4'' at 3, 3/16 bar ? and he said ''Ezzee Pezzee'' ! I am extremely happy with this bar, it is sincerely the most natural feeling bar I've held ! and that ''tone'', also plastic bars are quiet, very low handling noise. I totally recommend Basil's product, I think anyone of any style would benefit from having a well crafted plastic bar in their arsenal

Phil Morgan I've got to agree Lee, totally! I got back from Spain with the family last Thursday night. I had ordered two bars from Basil (3/4 & 7/8). They were waiting for me at work, as I had asked for them to be delivered there. I opened the box, put the 7/8 in my hand and straight away it felt right. The same with the 3/4 and after an hour of settling myself into work, I stopped, left my desk, sat at my '1000......just great! Totally warm and tonefull and easy to use. I've always had problems with "bullet" bars either slipping or feeling like they are starting to slip out of my hand resulting in using an SP2 more than I've wanted. Both of these just stay put....fabulous!
Playing up in London tonight and using them - cannot wait! From me and hearing what Basil Henriques has done for you with the "taper", I would suggest any player with a desire or the slightest thought that they may want to go "this way" to do it!


And Christopher. Other:->
I received my bar today - incredible packaging, pure beauty of a bar!
Oh my - now THIS is class! My new Ezzee-slide...
Thank you very very very much - absolutely stunning.

From Finland :->
Hi Basil..... At last my bar was in may post box! But there is something strange going on! The´first bar has copied it self??? The copy looks almost like the first one or the other way

I run down to my Music room and gut stuck there for an hour or more! Ezzee slide is very nice in my hand. I am amazed about the smoth friction against the strings!
This will be recommended by me to my steeling friends. I will for sure take a small video to put up on FB for all steelers to see and hear later!
Super nice!
Thank you very much Basil.
All the best to you and your wife.

I sent him a choice, the bar he ordered and one that had the most unusual "Tiger Stripe" markings..Strange things can happen in the polymer cooling process.
HI Basil. Hahaha,,,, I just found your letter in the box that the bars came in! No way that I send one bar back. I gonna keep them both. How much do I owe you for the second bar? Can I send to you over PayPal? or just a normal bank transaction?
Just let me know. The bars is very nice!
Regards
Uffe



And wouldn't you know that a Pirate would appreciate the "Pirate's Chest" box the bar comes in..

Quote "Well, well... My friendly postal representative brought a package from overseas today. I'm loving the tone and feel of both bars. Great work done by you and your thousands of employees!
Thanks,
Jim
Arrrrr... T'was sent from me EyePad

David Hartley said; "I used one of these bars at the weekend for the whole time I was playing some steel. It really is smooth, the weight was good for me and Basil made it with the same dimensions as my BJS John Hughey bar. It is one I will use a lot of the time. It does have no noise I could hear on the slides I used, and sustain was as good as a steel bar. The tone was a bit more mellow than the BJS. You would be pleasantly surprised with the Ezzee-slide bar. David Hartley..

Ken Byng said "Here is a piece that I wrote this morning on the British Steelies web site. "Well while on the subject of Tribo-Tone Basil, Maurice Anderson gave me a TT bar quite a few years ago as a gift. I wasn't enamoured by it too much at first, but it did improve after a bit of use. While the Ezzee Slide looks identical to the TT bar, there is a substantive difference on first use. Basil's bar is much slicker, so it is apparent that he has used a different type of polymer to Eric Ebner, manufacturer of the TT bar. My Tribo-Tone bar is on its way to one of my pupils as it is redundant.

I bought a 1" Ezzee bar after buying one of Ben Burrow's excellent 1" stainless bars recently. While the Ezzee is considerably lighter in use to Ben's bar, it still weighs in around 7.5 ounces. Also in use, the Ezzee bar is very slick on the strings and easy to manipulate on faster passages. The big difference between the Ezzee bar and my stainless and chromed steel bars is a slightly mellower tone on the unwound strings, which is a big plus for my personal taste. To'ing and fro'ing between polymer and steel bars highlighted the more metallic tone of the latter on the unwound strings, which is pretty logical. The tone of the Ezzee bar on the strings is more pleasing to my ears.

Overall, I am very impressed with Basil's bar and while it is priced at 2 or 3 times the cost of a traditional stainless or chromed bar, it must be remembered that the manufacturing process of his bars is way more complex. It comes in a nice presentation box complete with drawstring bag for both the bar plus a second one for storing picks. I will still continue to use my all metal bars, but having the Ezzee bar in my armoury means that it will be my primary 'go to' bar"."


Well, well... My friendly postal representative brought a package from overseas today. I'm loving the tone and feel of both bars. Great work done by you and your thousands of employees! 

Thanks,
Jim

Hi Basil,

The new bar arrived today.
It seems quite wonderful, thanks!
(I compare against my old Dunlop bars)
It'll be interesting to see how it ages.
Hi Basil,
The bar seems quite wonderful.
I'm not that experienced a player,
But I sure like the slick and quiet compared to my old Dunlop.
Best,
Preston


Basil,
I just finished my first show minutes ago with the 7/8 bar and it was great. Hot day, outside in the sun and I had no problem hanging on to it. I'm an intermediate player at best, so take this with that in mind, but it seems the best of steel and Tribotone. Super low string noise, no string resistance, and a brighter tone than Tribotone. I wouldn't change a thing. The 3/4 bar was a gift for a friend. the tone and feel are great. I have Burden, Tribotone, and BJS in that size and I like the Ezzee-slide better than all of those. Great job engineering these beasts. 


Hi Basil
The bar is great, no need to worry about any modifications. As some of your other users have already commented there is a noticeable warmness to the tone on the unwound strings which I really like and prefer. It will definitely be first choice from now on. Plus being white it looks cool with the white guitar

Regards
Les



Hello Basil
the sound is perfect: quiet and warm.
Many congratulations
Giovanni



 
JSG Damn,
I received my Ezzee-slide from Basil Henriques and can't tell how much I love it!!!! It's a huge upgrade from my BJS bar!!! Wow good job mr Henriques!



Jim Newberry.
I'll chime in from the upper left coast of Amerikay to say that I got two bars delivered last week. I'm no great shakes of a player, but I am truly impressed. I play non-pedal early country, some Hawaiian, and Cajun music. I bought a 7/8" bar for use with my 8-strings and a 3/4" bar as a gift for a pal who's lusted after my other "polymer" bars which are not currently available. The Ezzee-slide seems the best of all worlds; it is easy to grip, has very low string noise or friction, but is nearly as bright as the top-shelf metal bars I have. It's heavier than my other polymer 7/8" bar and I perceived significant improvement in sustain.

Great job, Basil!

Will Cowell
Bar arrived this morning, Basil, I'm just trying it right now. Feels great, a good fit in my hand, you have the dimensions spot-on. The reduced weight is not a problem, and the tone is - well, difficult to describe. On the one hand, mellower, but on the other, there is a very nice "definition" to it - a sort of "bite" without harshness. That sounds contradictory, but there it is.


Anyway, it's a hit, I really like it, and thank you for doing it so quickly.

Mu good friend Rod King trying out the JB sized one..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L50fpKbhso

I'm intrigued Basil but I think I'll start off with Ben's Bar and then maybe upgrade if needs be later.

I just need to get comfy to bullet bars in general.

Don't sweat it!

It takes a little while to gain confidence and control, but most of all I would recommend getting your right hand together so the bar hand doesn't have to work so hard.

I've dropped the bar before on stage and it was a little embarrassing, but I'm human and shit happens. I've had fingerpicks get wedged in the strings (way more brutal than dropping the bar!) and I've had them shoot off my fingers like arrows.

The point is, you should be relaxed in terms of using your hands and learn to use your arms a little more. You are really just guiding the bar and using downward pressure to get a good tone and keep the bar secure. That's my 2 cents, anyway.

Something that really helped me was to keep a bar in my left hand as much as possible. I had a Dunlop in my pocket (can't imagine a joke there), and while driving, sitting at the computer, watching TV or whatever, I had the bar in my left hand. We got used to each other that way. Slants and vibrato on the table top, chair arm, knee... You get the point. That way, it becomes more a part of your hand than part of the instrument.

So I am practicing different bar control techniques with sweaty palms and NOT wiping them so I get relaxed when my hands are sweaty.

1 - until my "Ben's Bar" arrives I must admit that my Dunlop 920 is kind of noisy when sliding in between chords. What are some techniques to reduce noise.

I have tried downward pressure and though this helps doesn't get rid of the string noise enough to my liking.

2. I know a slightly heavier bar will help but I find that this size Dunlop feels more comfortable than larger bars in my hands. Ben's Bar is slightly heavier so just waiting to see.

3. I noticed that in between playing to reposition the bar in your hand some players turn their hand over. Do they position in between the index and middle finger or align it to the index finger?

I have a great explanation from Andy Volk's book with pics However I wanted to know what is the most efficient way so when I flip my hand over its ready and gripped in sweaty hands.

sorry about all the questions but you are my Steel family and on here is a fountain of knowledge. I would be foolish not to ask and since I am starting fresh I want to develop the most efficient technique and train myself to use it.