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otbreso - Posted - 08/31/2010: 19:06:29
Fred, I'll send you bars that I have (that I don't use) and you can try 'em and if you don't like them, send 'em back. If you like 'em, buy one and send mine back. How's that for a deal?
My favorite is the "original" Tipton bar. I might mug someone in a back alley to get another.
Who is the guy you met that used to play with Merle and Wills?
badger - Posted - 08/31/2010: 19:10:15
And I would like to mail you a bar from my extensive collection (spending a couple of bucks in postage) to see how you like it, mail you a refund check if you don't, and hope it didn't get nicked or scratched in the process? For $5? I'm sure there's a way this works to my benefit, but I'm having trouble grasping it right now.
Trust me, you're going to be disappointed if you expect to sound like Rob, Jerry, Ferrell, or any of a host of others by changing your bar. I'm living proof. I can pull any of a half-dozen bars out of my drawer, different sizes, shapes, materials, angles, radii, and still sound like me. I'm not happy about it, but that's the hand I'm dealt. Some work better, some not-so-good, but there are no earth-shaking differences. You'd be hard pressed to tell which bar I was using by listening to me after a few minutes' adjustment.
My advice? Get a good bar, any bar (my weapon of choice is an EG Smith, but that's just me) and learn to play. If I had spent the time on technique that I've pissed away swapping equipment around, I'd be a far better player than I am.
Dean Upson - Posted - 09/01/2010: 02:57:22
Badger's advice is solid.
Dean
jmb3450 - Posted - 09/01/2010: 04:57:24
Ditto on what Badger said. I would only add that it's important to find a bar you can hold as comfortably as possible. When I first started playing I tried a bar that was like a standard Stevens; my hand would cramp up very quickly, it was very painful to use and I had a hard time holding on to it. Part of that was just being a beginner and part just because that's the way my hand is. I needed a bar that wasn't quite so narrow across the grip and with more of a flair out at the top. EG Smith bar is good, right now I've settled on the Lap Dawg because I seem to be able to move into a reverse slant easier.
Jim
badger - Posted - 09/01/2010: 07:20:10
Agreed, the Stevens isn't comfortable for me either, and I really appreciate the advances that have been made in bar design. But go back and listen to some of the great music that's been made over the years by somebody holding a Stevens - certainly wasn't a hindrance!
I'll have to dig out my old Stevens this afternoon - haven't touched it in years. Hey-maybe I'll sound like Josh! 
MissouriPicker - Posted - 09/01/2010: 08:51:32
I've been using some different types of material for slides lately. Just kind of experimenting. Plastic pipe gives a good sound. Not loud, but mellow. Good for playing when my wife is asleep. Copper pipe is real good. To me, the sound is of a higher octave than the steel bars. Also have used the handle end of a butter knife...one of the old ones that have some weight to them. Haven't tried a pocket knife yet, like some of the old timers used to do. I'd probably hurt myself with it.
family-friendly-music.com/
fred d - Posted - 09/01/2010: 09:53:42
 thanks for the replys! In the area I live in--sacramento-- 6 different stores looking for slides they have finger slides of all kinds ( the ones used on the fingers) but no bar type slides. I had to order a stevens and wait 10 days?? I have resorted to making do I have tryed different size sockets, made one from some copper pipe filled it with sand for weight cut off wine bottles ( they taste the best) ieven took a metal finger slide and caped it with wine corks But I keep hearing about others so thats why the post. It seems that we should be able to see--feel one and mayby try it before we commit to buying it 
Grizz - Posted - 09/01/2010: 10:48:49
quote:
Originally posted by fred d
It seems that we should be able to see--feel one and mayby try it before we commit to buying it
Fred, I am going to be honest and blunt as usual. I agree with Badger. WE ALL had to do it, no " try it and if you like it buy it". I will tell you what I done. I bought one, tried it, if I didn't like it I put it in the classifieds and sold it. Someone like you is always looking for the one I have for sale to try, they saved a few bucks and got a "like new" slide. You don't need 30 days, come on, I can tell you within 2 days or less if it will suit me. The other option is like Badger says, he buys them and just keeps them, he has a drawer full. There are a lot of people like that. Sometimes you contact the people you know and they have one they will sell. I contacted Badger, he had what I was looking for and I bought it. Period. If you want to try test runs, buy new ones, see what the stores return policy is try it, and send it back. My .02 worth. Don't be mad at me. If nothing else in this life I am honest. Mike P.S. If you waiting 10 day for a bar your ordering from the WRONG people. Send me a list of the ones you want to try and I will tell you the most cost efficient place to get them and you will have them in 3-4 working days.
Edited by - Grizz on 09/01/2010 11:01:36
badger - Posted - 09/01/2010: 11:16:19
"...a drawer full" is kind of overstating the situation. Not like I'm an obsessive bar-collector. Most of' 'em have wandered in as part of package deals. Capos? Completely different story!
Fred - PM sent. I'll get you set up.
Can't expect to have any luck with local music stores, though I'd expect The Fifth String in Sacto. would be able to take care of you. Another reason why it's important to have a full set of backup gear!
fred d - Posted - 09/01/2010: 11:22:02
You see Grizz thats the problem those of us that are new don't have any idea what we want. These things arn't like guitar picks a .50 each $50+ get up there pretty quick. I'll give up the damm think before I spend houndred's of dollars on steel bars!! Travis and others here may feel the same way money is tight these days and $50 for a piece of steel seems high Mine was just a sugestion for people to save some money and the 30 days was so that checks could clear O well my banjo is calling me I play that with bare fingers
jmb3450 - Posted - 09/01/2010: 11:37:52
Fred, are there any local jams by where you live? If so and you're lucky enough to have other reso players there you they'd probably let you try out slides they have.
Jim
fred d - Posted - 09/01/2010: 12:58:05
I stoped going to local bulegrass jams. Long story now I play ukulele and hawiian music. I'm not the most social person and sometimes I forget and voice my opinion on things I think are handy
badger - Posted - 09/01/2010: 15:25:38
Think $50 is expensive for a "piece of steel"? Try making one.
Grizz - Posted - 09/01/2010: 16:00:05
quote:
Originally posted by badger
Think $50 is expensive for a "piece of steel"? Try making one.
Ok Lets clarify first. Griz said "Drawer Full", Badger said "Extensive Collection" Can we have a show of hands which is more.  Next, on to you Fred. Again don't get mad. I live on SS and a small amount of money Mama bear brings in, so DO NOT think I am rolling in dough. I asked the same questions when I started and got the same answers I am giving you. You think bars are expensive look at a Poff strap. Well worth the money but first you have to have the money. This I understand that only too well. The one and only reason I have the instruments I have is number 1, I was approached by an acquaintance to be contractor of record for his newly acquired business temporarily. The key word is temporary. That started and ended. Number 2, I bought at the right price and the seller let me do a "lay away". 4 months before I paid the first off and 5 months for the second. The same with the Wessie only that was almost 6 months. Had it not been for that Mama bear and I would both be playing home made cigar boxes and there is nothing wrong with that. And I don't forget the friends I made along the way. When I started the thread on straps quite a while back someone out of the kindness of their heart sent me one and wouldn't even let me pay postage, I don't want to mention any names Badger. I still have it and use it. Another friend Terry, sent me a slide, I couldn't get used to it so I sent it along to another friend who loves it, Dave, who I got my Reso from sent me some case goodies, (strings, picks etc.) Thing is, you either make do with what is at hand or pay the price. You will not find a music store that has anything but the production bars. The Tipton, Scheerhorn, E.G. Smith, Bradley, etc etc have few outlets. Good luck in your search, i wish you well. By the way, I received my FIRST Dobro at the beginning of March so I am a novice as well. Mike P.S. In my opinion only, $50 or $60 is a lot but how many things in this life can you buy for that price that will literally last a life time. That is to say if you buy a SS bar. Thinking of it like that you may even consider it a bargain.
Edited by - Grizz on 09/01/2010 17:50:15
MissouriPicker - Posted - 09/01/2010: 16:16:23
Don't hesitate trying one of the slides that for your finger. Some of them are pretty easy to hold in a fashion similar to holding a steel bar. Also, you might be able to use it lap style by getting a finger in it. Just keep experimenting and you might come-up with a real good substitute. And let us know if you find something good.
family-friendly-music.com/
pandjlocke - Posted - 09/01/2010: 19:51:30
Fred, when I bought my Power Slide last week, I also bought a Stevens #345 steel bar. It was $18.95 and the store had them in stock. The store is Bellevue American Music in Bellevue, WA.
MurkyMark - Posted - 09/01/2010: 22:03:46
quote:
Originally posted by fred d: ... I'll give up the damm think before I spend houndred's of dollars on steel bars!!
Just my $0.02, but there are a lot of perfectly good $20-$30 bars whose shapes are close enough to the $50 ones to give you the flavor. You might eventually want to upgrade, but you can try the basic style without too much pain. A Scheerhorn is expensive, but a Lap Dawg (or Long Dawg if you have long fingers) costs half as much. I only started playing in April, but I've got 7 bars already (only one over $30) and something positive to say about each of them. There are two that I play the most, but they all get some exercise. -- Mark
Grizz - Posted - 09/02/2010: 07:06:52
Here, here Mark. I agree. I had a Shubb GS-1. Lap Dawg, Long Dawg before I moved into the more expensive neighborhood. And even then I wasn't happy with the first two. This came off a thread I started about bars, picks and strings about 9 months ago. Now, this was from Orville Johnson, whom many of you know, who is a professional player and teacher that has been playing over 30 years.
Quote:
When I started playing you could use a Stevens bar...or a Stevens bar. I chose a Stevens bar. For fingerpicks you could use Nationals...or Nationals. Went with the Nationals. Thumbpicks, lots of no-name choices there so I'd just get the thickest one I could find in the box at the music store. For strings I mostly remember Black Diamonds, Martins, Gibson Monels. No sets gauged for dobro back then so you'd get a medium gauge set and swap out some heavy singles for the top. I've tried pretty much all the strings over the years and I vacillate now between EJ42s and John Pearse sets. Golden Gate thumbpick, ProPiks, and a Dunlop 925, the higher quality version of the Stevens.
Really, the only thing I've changed is from the National fingerpicks to the ProPiks and that was because they were so much more comfortable and didn't rip up my cuticles. String choices have increased greatly, so there I've tried them all and arrived at a couple I like. My bar is basically the same as a Stevens but with better chrome plating from Dunlop.
Footnote: Dunlop 925 - $19.95 @ Musicians Friend - Free Shipping and you will have it within 3 business days.
If you would like to read the thread there were many good responses. Here is the link reso-nation.org/forums/whateve...2/changes
Edited by - Grizz on 09/02/2010 07:18:57
otbreso - Posted - 09/02/2010: 08:43:59
quote:
Originally posted by badger
Think $50 is expensive for a "piece of steel"? Try making one.
Ain't that the truth I made a couple and they take a lot of thought and a lot of work and I don't like the one I still have left all that well (it's stainless). I'm gonna loan it to Fred
Grizz - Posted - 09/02/2010: 09:40:04
quote:
Originally posted by otbreso
quote:
Originally posted by badger
Think $50 is expensive for a "piece of steel"? Try making one.
Ain't that the truth
I made a couple and they take a lot of thought and a lot of work and I don't like the one I still have left all that well (it's stainless). I'm gonna loan it to Fred
Edited by - Grizz on 09/02/2010 09:40:46
badger - Posted - 09/02/2010: 10:59:37
From Fred: " I'll give up the damm think before I spend houndred's of dollars on steel bars!! "
Don't worry - after you waste thousands on lessons/instructional materials/accessories/swapping prefectly good instruments, not to mention the hundreds of hours lost to practicing/thinking about resos/wasting time on topics like these, you won't even remember the hundreds you spent on bars.
Perfectly good Shubb bars seem to run in the $25 range. Nice balance, good plating, great fit in the hand. If my EG Smiths went missing tomorrow, I'd be fine with a Shubb.
Grizz - Posted - 09/02/2010: 11:32:51
quote:
Originally posted by badger
From Fred: " I'll give up the damm think before I spend houndred's of dollars on steel bars!! "
Don't worry - after you waste thousands on lessons/instructional materials/accessories/swapping prefectly good instruments, not to mention the hundreds of hours lost to practicing/thinking about resos/wasting time on topics like these, you won't even remember the hundreds you spent on bars.
Badger you are too funny But admit it you had some fun along the way.
fred d - Posted - 09/02/2010: 13:07:40
 Yep been there done that! I took lessons for a year on playing the banjo still can't play the stupit think spent over $2000 on a mandolin becouse the bluegrass said that my goldtone wasn't loud enought only to be told that the National was to loud and sounded like a banjo?? and that mandolins only played chops on the 2-4 beat that about the time on Kiss my #### button went off. That beautiful mandolin sits in it's case and has only been played a couple of times ( I quit playing anything for several months) wife talked me into trying a different instrument. That is why I'm a little relucktant to spend much more. my fault but this group has given me HOPE to believe again THANKS
badger - Posted - 09/02/2010: 16:08:12
Sorry for the hijack.
I hate to be the one to tell you, but resos also chop on the 2 and 4. Just the way it works. Watch Jerry, Rob, or anyone else. Choppin' fools. And I guarantee that if you play in any jam that's worth playing in, that point will be driven home repeatedly.
A few suggestions, gleaned from years of experience in jam situations:
Leave your "kiss-my-ass" button at home. Or in your case, just so it'll be nearby if you need it quickly. It's an attitude that just engenders more of the same.
Watch, listen, and learn. It's all about working with a group to make the overall result sound as good as possible.
It's not a free-for-all where you can jump in as you please, or play what you like. Learn the basic rules of jamming, and adhere to them scrupulously. Everyone around you will be appreciative, and you'll all sound better.
Appreciate constructive criticism. If somebody at a jam just seems to be on your case about volume or something, ask the group to weigh in on the subject. Good reality check.
Thicken your skin. I know, easier said than done, and I'm the worst living example. If your instrument sits unplayed because of someone else's bad manners or a lousy comment, it's your loss. Keep it up, and you'll be a lonely, bitter old man. Surrounded by unplayed instruments. Pick yourself up, get out there and make some noise!
Take any break you can when it's your turn. The best jam advice I ever got was from a mando player who said "there's no substitute for public humiliation." Words to live by.
We've got a regular CBA-sanctioned bluegrass jam every Saturday afternoon in Sebastopol. If you're ever in the mood to make the trip, I'd be happy to introduce you to the group, show you the do's and dont's, and make it an enjoyable experience for you.
Hell, I'll even throw in a free Shubb bar.
Grizz - Posted - 09/02/2010: 18:02:12
I feel more than obligated to tell everyone who reads this that you couldn't ask for a nicer more kind friend than Phil (Badger) I could not count the times he has helped me out, on and even more so off forum. I owe him a debt of gratitude that I could never repay. Fred, if you get the chance, take him up on his offer, I can guarantee you WILL NOT be disappointed.
badger - Posted - 09/02/2010: 18:40:40
Damn! Where are my hip boots when I need 'em the most???
fred d - Posted - 09/03/2010: 11:48:53
Thanks Bager for the advice and help. WE belong to CBA and use to play with a group here I say use becouse these guys are good some have been pro's and most of the time we have only heard about 1/3 of there songs we bought 6 bluegrass books and still have the same problem. We also played with a country/blues group in Plaservill and a ragtime group in Sacramento as well as a Ukulele group in Rosevill, and a old time fiddle group in orangevill. Way to much for my skill and mind to take in 14 jams a month left me exhausted. Wife and I made a list each on what music we each liked the best so we could concertrate on that. The slower more romantic music won. Lately we are just playing with 3 different Ukulele groups each week playing Hawiian, cowboy,and old time campfire songs mostly 2--3 chords still a lot but not as before. In Sacramento area there is so much music and so little time to do it all. Thanks again to everyone fred
otbreso - Posted - 09/03/2010: 12:13:52
Fred,
Cowboy uke???? Fred, you're scarin me bad. When's the last time you ever saw Gene Autry playin a uke horseback.?? Course, you know I'm foolin with ya. That stuff I promised you is goin out today.
badger - Posted - 09/05/2010: 08:41:01
Two badger paws WAY up for cowboy. Missusbadger's favorite.
Fourteen jams a month is busy - I'm playing eight and that's more than enough! The important thing is that you're getting out to play, meeting different people, and getting exposed to different musical ideas. Have fun with it.
I appreciate how intimidating a pro-level jam can be. Rest assured, we don't tolerate that level of competence and skill around here!
otbreso - Posted - 09/05/2010: 09:38:44
Badger, If you and the Missus like the cowboy/western stuff check out Dave Stamey, or maybe you already know about him. One of if not the best in that style.
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