Denise - Posted - 05/31/2012:  11:29:41

I'm a beginner dobro player but am making some progress. I have been using a Stevens tonebar given me by a friend. I've been practicing for over a year and it still feels heavy to me. It seems to drag on the strings. I'm wondering if I should switch to a slide to wear on my finger for better control? Thanx, Denise

Grizz - Posted - 05/31/2012:  11:36:09

I take it your playing lap style. I personally want the weight. There are and i have had lighter bars but i didn't care for them. The Shubb GS-1 is one Gary Swallows makes some beautiful handmade bars that have a wood top and are lighter. As a matter of fact he designed the GS-1. There are also ceramic bars like the Paloma Stone which i also had. I gave it away. Too damn light. hehehe

bustertheboy - Posted - 05/31/2012:  13:50:30

Hi and welcome Denise

I'd persist with the bar but I'd go with a modern style one, such as a Shubb or a Scheerhorn stainless steel. The Lap Dawg style ones aren't too expensive. A compromise is the GS-1 Grizz mentioned. I find it too light and the tone is a little thinner but it still works very well and is a fraction of the weight, Also like the ones I mentioned above, it has angled ends which make pull offs work much better.

Brett

SamCy - Posted - 05/31/2012:  14:35:19

I have seen a lap style player using a slide, but it is rare. Since you're not concerned with fretting the strings in lap style playing, much heavier strings are typically used for the increase in volume. In that case, a heavy bar is thought to produce better tone and sustain. The weight of the bar may not be the problem. Your Stevens bar is nickel plated, which is softer than more modern chrome-plated or stainless steel bars, possibly producing drag. Also modern bars are taller, providing better grip and control. The Lap Dawg, recommended by Bustertheboy, or its longer version Long Dawg, are among the least expensive modern style bars, and would certainly be worth a try.

Edited by - SamCy on 05/31/2012 14:37:38

Bob E - Posted - 05/31/2012:  17:35:06

If you buy a slide keep an eye on its length, and remember that bottle necks usually have a lip around the end getting in the way and taking up real estate.
I've got a few bottle neck slides a medicine bottle and a Dunlap brass slide. They were all meant to be played bottleneck/round neck style and they work well for that, but to me, they all seem to be a few hairs too short to use comfortably on the 3/8" string spacing of my extension nut.

Grizz - Posted - 05/31/2012:  19:04:34

If you need longer; This at Musicians Friend for $24.99

The Dunlop Long Dawg Tonebar gives steel players with big hands their own version of the popular Lap Dog. Like the original, the Long Dawg tonebar is designed for progressive players and features a larger radius for added sustain and vibrato and a body designed for a more comfortable grip. The Dunlop Long Dawg delivers better speed and clarity for hammer-ons and pull-offs.

woody1 - Posted - 06/02/2012:  08:55:58

Hi Denise.   This might interest you.   I too, consider myself a beginner even tho i've been practicing over a year now.   I started with a Shubb GS 1 wood/steel.  It fit my hand great.  It was too light weight and I found myself having to push down on the strings.  I changed to a Dunlop tonebar and could not hold on to it.  Went to a Stevens formed steel and then to a Shubb SP3.  This is my favorite. It's heavy and the tapered ends help me with the pulloffs.  You may need to try a few before you are comfortable but you DO need the weight.  woody

Grizz - Posted - 06/02/2012:  09:27:27

If you have a problem keeping a good grip on you plated bar this may be a consideration for you. That was the reason I bought it and I will never use anything else. Especially after Jim done his thing with it. 

E.G. Smith Bar