My old Stevens is getting pretty nicked up and I've been looking at these. I play mostly bluegrass but I'm wondering if the "bluegrass bar" is a little too short, so I'm leaning toward the full bar, original design. I'm curious to hear any opinions on these (the current ones, especially, that Greg Boyd is selling since I've seen older posts presumably about the original bars indicating that they needed polishing).
I've been playing the original bars since they came out. I'm pretty careful about bar care so they live in zippered pouches when not in use, and have not had any wear or polishing issues. Somebody from the ResoNation days micro-polished one of them for me about a decade ago - made a nice, though not life-changing, difference for a little while.
They're just great bars.
Regarding the "boutique" bar makers, I think I own one of each from what are ballpark 60% or more of all the makers out there.
I have an original EG Smith that I purchased from Ivan Rosenberg a bunch of years ago when badger hosted an Ivan workshop at his place. Badger and I live in the same general neck of the woods. There was one size only. This as I recall was in Ivan's "Montana Period" and he knew Mr. Smith. He grew up south of badger and I in Marin County and has lived in a lot of different places. So to make a few bucks on the side Ivan was selling EG Smith bars back then.
Philip, did you buy yours from Ivan that weekend, or did you already own one at the time?
It's not my go-to bar anymore but when I grab it out of the drawer it works just fine.
Even if we owned the current Greg Boyd Bluegrass version, it's difficult to give advice to someone else. It's like sneakers or running shoes. Your feet might be happiest in Nikes, I'm more of a New Balance and Brooks kinda guy. It reminds me of a fairly recent topic in the Facebook Dobroholics group. A newer player purchased a Scheerhorn bar, and he was wondering if it was too small after sharing a photo of the bar in his left hand.
I've used a Scheerhorn for a long time as one of my main bars, and my reply to this newbie was that the 'horn bar has been the go-to for Rob Ickes for many years. Rob has some big hands with some really long fingers - with his musical mind and those hands he might have made a fine concert pianist, and the Scheerhorn bar looks like it is sort of disappears in his hand.
Whatever size of EG Smith you choose, after playing a Stevens for a long time you might wonder why you didn't make the switch sooner. I still have my original Stevens from the 1970s, and one thing about the design is that it's pretty good for slants, but the fact is, it doesn't come out of the drawer very often. And it's still in decent shape - I think the chrome plating was better back then - and likely more carcinogenic. 
Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 01/22/2025 14:11:27
I am swayed toward the Smith for sure now, so thanks for the input. I'll probably go for the original over the bluegrass version.
And then it's new capo time, since the string height is too low on the DeNeve for the trusty old Shubb.
Brooks are my running shoe of choice, too, btw.
I ordered the EG Smith smooth and was sent the Bluegrass bar in error. It is very short! Greg Boyd fixed me right up with the smooth and I really like it!
It looks a little too wee for me in the photo on their website.
I had one but didn’t care for it because it was so small.
Are you referring to just the "bluegrass" bar or the "regular" bar in general? I remember seeing a post where someone said he wore a blister on his thumb from gripping the Smith bar.
It was the bluegrass bar. I didn’t use it enough to get a blister but I did find it uncomfortable to hold.
Edited by - Dobrojan on 01/24/2025 07:01:12
Pretty sure I bought mine from Ivan. I have no idea how one could get a thumb blister from holding a bar - might want to take a look at technique. MarkinSonoma's point that different players prefer different bars is well-taken, and one can expect to catch-and-release a few before settling on the one that works best for you. Maybe we should all send our surplus bars to a central bar library where players can try them out before buying...
Years ago on the Mandolin cafe there was a collection of pics that would be sent around amongst members that put their names on a waiting list. They would try them out and comment on the forum before passing them on.
I've been in "catch and hold" mode for most (if not all) of the boutique bar makers.
Some of these - like the EG Smith (regular/smooth) and Charlie's - have a more pronounced side cut-out groove and a more acute "lip"/edge that hangs over from the top of the bar. For me it gives a nice secure hold, but I have trouble when I need to slide my thumb up (vertically toward ceiling) to avoid muting out lower strings with my thumb, as in with some slants, or when grabbing bass notes. The "lip" sort of limits vertical repositioning of the thumb.
Ironically, there are some lower profile bars (Scheerhorn, Lap Dawg...) where it's actually easier to get your thumb up off the strings due to a less pronounced top lip/edge. For me at least.
Yeah, to each his own, try as many as is feasible. Wonder if the EG Smith purchase worked out for you?
I'm trying to decide between the Smith and the Scheerhorn.
quote:
Originally posted by KanotexI'm trying to decide between the Smith and the Scheerhorn.
Both are fine bars, with different feels (to me). Good luck!
I went for the Scheerhorn, because:
1. I wondered about getting tired of the notches on the Smith bar
and
2. I needed a new capo, too, and Rob Ickes' shop had a good price on the capo as well as having the Scheerhorn.
First impression is that it's a definite improvement over my ancient, scarred up Stevens bar. I need to get used to the leading edge shape, but the grip and the tone are a win (so far, at least).
Appreciations for everyone's input.
In the past 20 years I've logged more time on the Scheerhorn bar than any others. Great bar for most hands.
Which capo dud you get?
The Beard Wave. The Rob Ickes store has it priced at $85 vs $99 or higher, so I decided to give it a try. I haven't spent a lot of time with it yet, but so far I don't like it as well as the Shubb. Problem is the action on my DeNeve is just a leeeetle too low for the Shubb to fit comfortably. It kind of fits, but I don't think with repeated use it would be doing the fretboard any favors.
Newest Posts
'Bourbon Street Triolian' 7 days
'DIY Bar Shaping' 7 days
'Movie Track (Original w Dobro)' 10 days
'Any Suggestions for this Buzz' 14 days
'WTB Beard 2010 bar' 14 days
