The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi all.
Last night I had a discussion with my wife. After that I went to play Lap in my room, and my hands were a bit sweaty and the bar felt so slippery I almost couldn't play at all.

Question
What should I do? Change the bar?

I would start by avoiding discussions with your wife that make your hands sweat...

If that doesn’t work, try dousing your hands with baby powder. I imagine the air on Easter Island is very humid, so losing a grip on the bar and finger pick slippage are probably not uncommon problems.

The material of the bar can make a big difference... the polymer bars I have such as my old Tribotone and Basil's Ezzee slide bars stay put very nicely when my hands perspire... buttery smooth on the strings but they almost stick to sweaty hands.

Alan Akaka suggested I try a Clinesmith bar for exactly that problem and he was absolutely right, it is quite a bit less slippery.

YMMV

Its a good idea to wash your hands and your bar before you play.

Strongly recommend Basil's EzeeSlide for that reason particularly. I imagine the Clinesmith is similar in construction. They feel stickier in your hand than steel, but still slide quietly along on the strings.

That said they are also not inexpensive so it might result in more hand sweating when your wife sees the invoice

Thanks for the answers!!
You knew instantly how the steel bullet felt in my hands... makes me think you've been in a similar situation? LOL

Gonna check whats been adviced. Thanks again

Put a piece of masking tape on top of the bar.

Dennis Conklin wrote:Alan Akaka suggested I try a Clinesmith bar for exactly that problem and he was absolutely right, it is quite a bit less slippery.

YMMV

I love Basil's Ezzee-Slide bars but as far as I can make out, Todd Clinesmith's are pretty similar. I don't think you'd be disappointed with either. I'd say compare price (including shipping) and go for the most economical.

When I was playing the Opry's in Houston area, I always carried a bar of Lava soap and washed my hands before playing and after intermission. Even do this at home before practicing.

Thanx,
Jim

You have your own room?
Aloha

I played where there was a kitchen sink. Since we played every Fri and Sat night, I left a bar there. Yes, I played several gigs in the country where bathrooms were in the trees and bushes outside (also, a place for 'home brew; and white lightning samples were readily available). (Even some outdoor Luaus)
Aloha,

Jim