So I got some new daddario ej 42 resophonic strings for my dobro and a brand new Shubb SP3 slide. The high b and e are plain steel and the tone bar is stainless steel. After 5 mins of playing It felt like there was rust or something on the highest strings, especially the e string. I looked at my Shubb and it had scratches on it! Ive read somewhere that steel on steel can scratch the slide. Is that the case? What strings should I use if its so?
Thanks
Daniel
You heard wrong.
A bit of nomenclature. The SP3 is a "bar" or "steel", not a "slide" (different).
Not certain but believe they are chrome plated brass, which is typical. Chrome scratches over time. Normal.
Lap style/squareneck? The EJ42's are typically tuned (hi-lo) D-B-G-D-B-G.
"High E"???
Edited by - hlpdobro on 10/09/2025 06:28:33
Sorry. I ment the high b and d string. (Old guitar player). Those two strings are plain steel and its those that makes the scratches on the steel. It feels coarse when sliding over the strings. Not consistenly along the strings. Just here and there.
It's a lap square neck.
Edited by - Sebim on 10/09/2025 07:33:03
Most likely an imperfection in the bar's plating and/or left hand technique. No worries. Just keep playing.
Edited by - hlpdobro on 10/09/2025 08:10:58
I believe Shubb converted from chrome-plated brass, to stainless steel, about 10-12 years ago. I've had both versions (actually liked the old one better, actually...).
Regardless, agree w/ Howard, surface abrasions from normal playing (over time) are to be expected. Typically these wouldn't impact playing or tone, unless they're deeper scratches/gouges.
That said, you should double check those strings. Look for any manufacturing residue, corrosion (yes, it can happen to new strings), or grit particles. Wipe 'em down and see if you continue to get that "course" feeling when sliding.
Final thought...if you've converted from a chrome-plated tone bar, to a stainless steel bar, you may notice more "grabbiness" with the stainless steel. Generally (but now always) the chrome plated bars offer a smoother glide...too smooth for some, actually.
Good luck!
That's what's strange. Brand new strings and a brand new Shubb. It's small lengths that feels like theres rust when sliding over. Like 1 or 2 cm and then smooth and then it comes back. If I slide back to try and find the same spot it might be gone and I find new ones. What makes me think something's wrong is that there's visible marks on the bar. It's like the strings cuts into the bar.
quote:
Originally posted by SebimThat's what's strange. Brand new strings and a brand new Shubb. It's small lengths that feels like theres rust when sliding over. Like 1 or 2 cm and then smooth and then it comes back. If I slide back to try and find the same spot it might be gone and I find new ones. What makes me think something's wrong is that there's visible marks on the bar. It's like the strings cuts into the bar.
Yes that's odd. I had once a problem with a polished stone tone bar, sort of a specialty bar I bought for variety. It had rough/unpolished spot and it would grab the strings a bit, like you're describing, when I was unfortunate enough to make contact there.
If you have an older chrome-plated Shubb, a possibility is a worn out plating as Howard mentioned. But seems you likely have a new stainless model bar.
To state the obvious, If you have a second slide, you could try that to see if any grabbing. If not, it's definitely the Shubb.
You could also polish your stainless Shubb with Flitz and a microfiber cloth just to make sure there's no hidden manufacturing residue. And retry.
With that, I'm out of ideas. Good luck!
