I got an SP1 today. First impression is basically positive, but I think it will take sometime getting used to it.
As of now, I still like my bullet bars better. Something about them just works for me. Slants seem to be a little more natural with the SP1, perhaps.
I have a GS1 I'm not that fond of, and a Stevens that is nice, but I seem to always come back to the bullet bar- a Dunlop 918, if anyone keeps score. And a Broz-O-Phonic.
What do you use? Has anyone used the old-timey bakelite bars, or the rectangular variety?
inquiring minds want to know.
17 Comments |
 | Grizz says:
4/27/2011 7:15:51 AM
I use an E.G. Smith bar and for the hell of it just got a Dunlop to try. I haven't had the chance. I have been having a nightmare with my computer for a week and a half now. Anyways the bullet bars are better for slants but what about pull offs? I think I will forgo "the little easier to do slants" for the ability to do a nice clean pull off. I do a hell of a lot more of them than slants right now.
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x says:
4/27/2011 9:12:01 AM
Sorry about your computer issues. I know how that goes...
Right. Pull offs. I can fake them adequately for my needs with the bullet bar, or flip the bar around and get a better edge. Or just switch bars!
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| Grizz says:
4/27/2011 9:42:09 AM
Switch bars? Your a hell of a lot better than me Charlie Brown, I have enough to do using one bar at a time. roflmao
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x says:
4/27/2011 9:56:10 AM
Heh! I meant in between tunes... And I'm an old n00b who doesn't know any better- that's why I'm asking.
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| Grizz says:
4/27/2011 10:04:41 AM
Now thats funny. Me too. lol
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 | HighWall says:
4/27/2011 11:01:35 AM
I bit the bullet and got a Scheerhorn stainless steel bar, which I like a lot. I also have a Shubb GS-1, which was my go to bar before getting the Scheerhorn. I'm not doing slants yet, but I also got one of Frank Fords bullet bars he makes for Gryphon Stringed Instruments. I haven't used it much, but I'm a big fan of Frank's work (Frets.com) and wanted to have something he made.
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x says:
4/27/2011 12:30:30 PM
Hello, HighWall,
I just took a gander at the Frank Ford bar on the Gryphon site- Looks intriguing. And the Scheerhorn is no doubt very fine.
That brought up the question whether people can discern an actual tonal difference between bars made of different materials, once they've adapted their technique to a different shape- The bullet bar sounds better to me, but I suspect it's more about how I use it than what it's made of.
And alternate materials, like glass or bakelite? Anyone?
I know it's minutiae!
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| Grizz says:
4/27/2011 3:14:16 PM
The jury is still out. The sound difference between SS and Chrome plated has been discussed at length. There are those that say they can tell and those that say they can. Blind test would be the only way.
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| HighWall says:
4/27/2011 4:02:02 PM
I like the weight of the Scheerhorn bar and the sharpness of the tips for pull-offs. Besides, it's probably as close as I will get to owning a Scheerhorn, unless he starts selling tee shirts.
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| Grizz says:
4/27/2011 5:38:02 PM
Hey Richard, I couldn't afford the lousy t-shirt. roflmao
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 | jgsdelta says:
5/6/2011 12:14:36 PM
I've been using an sp 1 on lap steels and dobro. I just got a Lazy River hollowneck and have started using it on that. I'm curious about the Scheerhorn, but budget ain't there. I've used old school plastic bullets and Stevens bars too, but sp1 is very cool. Wish it was a little shorter sometimes.
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x says:
5/6/2011 12:34:03 PM
Hey, jgsdelta,
So, how are the plastic bars? Curiosity killed the cat...
Congrats on the Lazy River.
I know what you mean about the SP1- the length was a bit much for me initially. I've started to get used to it, and as I mention above, it helps me on slants- more to grab on to, I suppose. I had hoped that the SP1 would allow me to do the things the bullet bar does but with a more consistent "all-weather" grip, but it hasn't really been the case. I still prefer the bullet. For the moment.
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| jgsdelta says:
5/7/2011 5:17:33 PM
HI Weezy,
Thanks. Been waiting to get it for a few weeks and have been groovin on it since it arrived. Its Cherry wood w/ spruce tope & rope binding. Sounds nice!Re: bars- plastic seem quieter for string noise. The two I've used were pretty old( both came with old guitars). Sonically they were OK, but a really small diameter bullet is hard to manage for me. For now, the SP1 is the one i pick up.
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x says:
5/9/2011 12:06:03 PM
Interesting. I read on a modern manufacturer's site that the structural plastic he uses yields less string noise. Makes some sort of sense, I guess. I know what you mean about the small diameter bars- they can be difficult to keep ahold of. Friend of mine has an old one that must've come with an Oahu student model he bought on eBay. Skinny and a little bit rusty, which gives it a character all its own.
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 | billzabozo says:
7/18/2011 7:58:53 AM
Sorry to jump on older thread but just thought I'd voice my opinion on slides. The best all round bar I have is a Tribo slide made from a plastic harder than steel cost me a fortune to get one sent to the UK from the states but has to be played to see just how good they are. I also really like diamond slides, a British based company that hand blow lead crystal tone bars that sound amazing, not quite got the weight needed for Resonators but on electric and weissenborns amazing. Think Bob Brozman uses them a lot.
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| billzabozo says:
7/18/2011 8:10:08 AM
This link if (it works) has a selection of slides on demo.
m.youtube.com/index?desktop_ur...KMz38v-6g
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x says:
7/18/2011 10:10:02 AM
Thanks for the link, I'll take a look. I've wanted to try the Tribo and similar products. But, pricey! Structural plastics are very interesting materials. I started using Wegen picks a few years ago for non slide playing, and became hooked immediately.
tc
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