Your favorite bars

Mike Harris · Post by **Mike Harris** » 5 Jun 2023 6:13 am

For you guys that have a lot of different bars--I'm about ready to invest in a new bar for my Stringmaster. I was ready to go with a Clinesmith but now I'm seeing other options discussed here. I'm not looking to have multiple bars with subtle differences, just one great go-to bar. That said, what are your three current favorites?

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 5 Jun 2023 7:01 am

BJS bullet bar.
Erv

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 5 Jun 2023 7:07 am

Edit to specify that I only use my Emmons bars on my 10-string (Emmons, natch) pedal steels. On my lap steels and acoustics I use a combo platter of Broz-O-Phonic and Latch Lake (basically the same thing) bars.

https://latchlakemusic.com/slides/hawaiian-bar/

Bill Sinclair · Post by **Bill Sinclair** » 5 Jun 2023 10:12 am

I use the 3/4" X 3" Ezzee Slide polymer bar that Basil Henriques makes on my Stringmaster. I expect that the Clinesmith is comparable. I've got a couple of the original 3" Black Raja bakalite (with lead insert!)tapered bars that I love but they've kind of entered the realm of unobtainium so they rarely leave the house.

I'm definitely game for trying out that Emmons bar that Jack mentioned though.

Oh, I should mention that I have a half dozen of Michael Hillman's colorful powder coated bars that I keep as a back-up bar in my lap steel cases. Very nice playing bar as well.

Frank James Pracher · Post by **Frank James Pracher** » 5 Jun 2023 12:30 pm

My top three are (in no particular order) Clinesmith, Michael Hillman's powder coated bar, and Ezzee Slide.

(I left out my Tribo-tone bar as these are not manufactured anymore and pretty hard to find)

My go to size is 3/4 x 2 3/4

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 5 Jun 2023 6:20 pm

For my 8-string Stringmaster, I like the Shubb SP-2

Joe Burke · Post by **Joe Burke** » 5 Jun 2023 6:49 pm

I have a few bars, but like Dunlop as much as any.

Matt Berg · Post by **Matt Berg** » 5 Jun 2023 7:23 pm

Eezee, Chase, Black Rajah.

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 6 Jun 2023 1:05 pm

If its only one, for me, it would be Clinesmith, although I would have liked indent to be curved like the end of my thumb.
Ezzee Slide is probably the same.

Rich Arnold · Post by **Rich Arnold** » 7 Jun 2023 5:49 pm

I don't care for anything I've ever bought so I make my own.

Jim Fogarty · Post by **Jim Fogarty** » 7 Jun 2023 6:24 pm

In order.....

Clinesmith (far and away)
BJS
John Pearse

I like Shubbs SP1,2 and 3 for dobro and occasional non-pedal steel (mostly more bluesy playing with lots of bar lifting)

K Maul · Post by **K Maul** » 7 Jun 2023 6:46 pm

I love the 3/4" X 3" Ezzee Slide and also use the Pearse SP-2 on my Dual Professional and Supros. The Ezzee Slide really glides over the strings but is warm and bonds with my hand like no other I’ve ever used.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 7 Jun 2023 6:50 pm

I dumped all my other lap steel bars for these two.

1. Chase tapered bar

2. ?? black tapered bar

I just love the way these feel in my hand and maneuver so easy. I'd be interested to know who made the little black one if anyone knows. I actually like it the best. Just feels so natural. It's shorter than the Chase, around 2 7/8, and heavier.

All my lap steels are 6 string, no 8s however and these bars not available anywhere I know of if you're looking for new.

D Schubert · Post by **D Schubert** » 8 Jun 2023 10:12 am

I started out on a Dobro, and a shaped bar feels better in my hand than a round bar. My hands are not huge, I like the large size and weight of the Shubb RR2 Robert Randolph bar.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 8 Jun 2023 4:44 pm

I love my Clinesmith bar and also my Jim Burden Bullet Bars, which fortunately I have a few of (since they are no longer made). But my favorite bar, just out of its sheer existence, is a bar that was handmade and sent to me by luthier extraordinaire Ken Parker. It is a piece of art.

Dennis Brooker · Post by **Dennis Brooker** » 8 Jun 2023 6:55 pm

Mike Neer wrote:I love my Clinesmith bar and also my Jim Burden Bullet Bars, which fortunately I have a few of (since they are no longer made). But my favorite bar, just out of its sheer existence, is a bar that was handmade and sent to me by luthier extraordinaire Ken Parker. It is a piece of art.

Photos of the bar??

David Renson · Post by **David Renson** » 10 Jun 2023 7:11 am

I love my Paloma Stone grooved slide. He appears to be out of business. If anyone has a 3-1/2" one that they don't use and want to sell, let me know.

Terry VunCannon · Post by **Terry VunCannon** » 10 Jun 2023 10:13 am

I have many bars, and enjoy almost all of them from time to time at gigs.
But my fave & go to bar is my SP1, custom drilled to weigh a little less than stock.

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 10 Jun 2023 10:30 am

When I first used a BJS bar, my search was over.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 11 Jun 2023 6:07 am

I have so many fine bars: Zirconia bar, Groner bar , Baz 's bar, Tribotone, various Hillman powder coated bars, BJS Jerry Byrd bar, Pearse Cryo , etc etc (I have a lot of bars)

My custom Jim Burden bar ... 7/8" x 2 3/4" ... that I sent to be "hard" chromed is my favorite .. it's the size and the "cup" end that keeps me coming back

David Rattray · Post by **David Rattray** » 11 Jun 2023 6:23 am

Terry you are not alone we have never been alone

....oh...

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 12 Jun 2023 6:49 am

Now that's just plain crazy.

Erv

Keith Aiken · Post by **Keith Aiken** » 12 Jun 2023 9:09 am

clinesmith. but no cupped end. i need a groner he groans

Bill Groner · Post by **Bill Groner** » 12 Jun 2023 9:28 am

Sorry you missed the boat by a month. I retired end of April. These were a couple of the last bars I made.......and they are "Moaners"

Mike Harris · Post by **Mike Harris** » 18 Jun 2023 7:48 pm

I would like to thank everyone who posted on this thread. This was so educational and entertaining. Steel Guitar Forum is the best instrument discussion forum I've seen on the internet, hands down.

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