The Steel Guitar Forum

i recently picked up an inexpensive lap steel and would like to try a stevens style bar for it. overwhelmed with the different models out there and looking for a recommendation. its a 6 string lap steel.
thanks in advance !

Karen -- I just got pandemic-serious with a resonator guitar this year and was stuck with the same difficult choices. I happen to have an assortment of bars, having bought a couple of 'lots' of them in the past.
Now, reso is certainly a different instrument, depending on your approach to lap, but.....

The wood handled Shubb feels so nice in the hand. But I finally settled in on a simple old school Stevens because the raked angle of the Shubb felt more aggressive and more difficult to control on pull-offs. This might just be in my head. At this point I am set with the Stevens and don't have eyes for any exotic variations. How this might apply to your lap steel needs, I can't say. Lap is the nut I haven't cracked yet.

Any and all of this type of bar are actually more difficult for me to hold than a bullet bar, surprisingly. Time & age are not my hand's friends and I find the grips to be crampy.

Assuming you're accustomed to playing with a bullet bar, the Shubb SP-1 with one rounded end may be just the ticket for you:

If you need a bar today most music stores will have a few Shubb bars.
I personally like the SP-2 because one side is sharp and one side is rounded, and I like the size and weight.
Beyond that, you will probably acquier alot of bars!
Funn Stuff!

thanks everyone, i have decided to return the lap steel as it has not met my expectations of a $500 guitar but I will be on the lookout for another one and these suggestions will be helpful in the meantime. I will probably try one of those shubb tone bars. thanks again !

I'm new to lap steel but have played electric slide for many years.When I started lap way back in January this year I got 3 bars,a Shubb SP1 and SP2 as well as a Dunlop bullet 919.I have been mainly using the SP2,I found the Dunlop bullet type too hard to hold onto.Now that I'm starting to get a grip on this lap thing and have been playing plugged in to an amp I tried the bullet bar again and was amazed at how much better the sustain and overall tone is and am now concentrating on getting used to holding the bullet.I have ordered a Latch Lake Bar and am looking at different bullet types.I think a larger diameter will be easier to hang onto.

Can you tell us what brand/model?... Just curious

I also like round bars for Dobro and Lap Steel (smaller than Pedal Steel round bars), there are many to choose from, and I really like the tapered round bars.
I am currently really liking a powder coated Hillman tapered bar (I chose a black color):
https://tonebars.com/

sure. i bought an eastwood airline. it sounds okay but when i went to change the strings the whole thing fell apart, plastic nut came off, sprngs holding the bridge saddles fell off as well. its going back, hopefully i will get a full refund.

Ooof. I've let them spam me because so much of their stuff looks cool. This is a good reality check.

Is this it?
The guy makes it seem good.
Thanks for the feedback!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i41JIUzDgQ8

Pete Burak wrote:Is this it?
The guy makes it seem good.
Thanks for the feedback!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i41JIUzDgQ8

that is the "pro" model which is a bit more money and they are out of. I got the standard $500 model which is really an overpriced toy IMO
wondering how the entry level gretsch 5700 is but I will probably buy something used made in the US to replace it.

Have you checked out the Rondo Music Lap Steels?
https://www.rondomusic.com/product8993.html

I like the Shubb SP-1, that Jack H. shows with the half-bullet end, a lot. Still has the smooth front end for steel (as opposed to reso where you really wanna hammer-on and pull-off a lot), but still the indentations to make it easier to pick up and put down the bar.

For around $500 or even less, you should be able to find a really nice vintage lap steel or something built by people who are close to the forum. Some recent examples (some may be still available) and I'm sure there are more -

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=367090

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=366413

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=367256

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=367184

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=366633

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=362952

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=358944

That Ricky Model 59 for $400 was a great deal. I have one, it's one of the best lap steels I've ever played. Here's another for a few hundred more - https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=2984372

In that $700-800 range, these 7-strings are killer IMO, but alas appear to already be sold. One says pending, might not hurt to ask if it ever sold.

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=359653

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=367240

7 strings really does open up a lot for 6th tunings, as compared to 6 strings, IMO. I'd be patient and get something great. BTW, I agree with you on the Eastwoods.

I frequently see vintage lap steels reasonable at vintage guitar shows. Hopefully they start up again one of these days.

I noticed Pete's post on the SX 8-string by Rondo. I haven't played 'em, but I hardly see how you can go far wrong for $225 with bag and legs. There are some threads here about people upgrading these a bit. If I wasn't overloaded with steels right now, I'd try one. I just ordered one of their $50 hard lap steel cases that hopefully fits my Clinesmith cast aluminum 8-string. I've already broken two tuners from riding in the back of a van to gigs. Luckily they're readily available, but the way the tuners stick up, it needs a hard case.

Karen Sarkisian wrote:...I will probably buy something used made in the US to replace it.

That's the way to go, in my opinion. I've rescued a gaggle of postwar Gibsons, each and every one with outstanding results. If you're handy with hand tools and a soldering iron, it's not particularly difficult. I like the wide string spacing featured on most Gibson 6-strings to facilitate bar slants. They trump any of the cookie cutter Asian imports that I've played, most of which are cobbled together from generic Tele & Strat parts.

Hello Karen there is a newly posted 8 string lap steel a Melbert priced right ...they really look good...best David..

Karen, you should contact Bill Hatcher here on the forum. He makes just beautiful lap steels and the price is usually a bit less than $500.

Just don't listen to the tracks he posts because he's a frighteningly good player as well.

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/profile ... ofile&u=69

Pete Burak wrote:Can you tell us what brand/model?... Just curious

I also like round bars for Dobro and Lap Steel (smaller than Pedal Steel round bars), there are many to choose from, and I really like the tapered round bars.
I am currently really liking a powder coated Hillman tapered bar (I chose a black color):
https://tonebars.com/

Currently using 7/8 bullet for psg and sp2 for 6 string lap. All great except for “fingers only” reverse slants on lap. Trying to learn the thumb on the back of the bar technique for reverse slants, bullet bars are too slippery and slow because my finger dexterity isn’t great. Been resisting powder coating because it must wear and I cannot resurface it, plus I like the look of metal. Does the taper help with reverse slants? Is it always bad technique to use your wrist for reverse slanting?

thanks for all the responses ! i need to make sure i can get my money back on the eastwood before i buy something else (plus i just bought another s10 lol). theres a few supros on reverb that have caught my eye also, as well as an airline steel on facebook ! hopefully i will get my money back for the eastwood. definitely not happy with the the way it is put together. cheap piece of crap IMO

I'll throw in on this too, for $500.00 there are a bunch you can choose from. I just got a Supro Airliner with legs for $399.00, its a little beat and don't have a case but its very cool. Have fun shopping.

Karen: If you watch For Sale forum, there's some nice lap steels being made by forum members Melbert (R. Allen), Bill Gronert, Bill Hatcher, Asher, georgeboards, Ryan Rukavina. Also if you delve into vintage there's lots of them that have help up well and are really inexpensive but you have to research the individual model.

Robert: Michael H will resurface any of his bars if you ship it back to him for a really nominal amount. I haven't had to do that, they're pretty durable as long as you don't drop on rocks or unfinished concrete or something like that

I'm just learning the lap steel and started with a Shubb SP-2, then got a Dunlop 919 just to try it out. I was very surprised at the difference in tone. I was glad to see Carl Gallagher's comment about the tone and sustain difference and that maybe it's not just my imagination. So I'm trying to learn to hang on to the bullet and make sure I have shoes on when I practice.