I been playing resonator guitar since 1988. The bar I had was a Stevens. I didn't like it much so I sanded down one end of it to round it off.
As time went on, my playing improved and developed more toward modern reso playing, hammers, pulls, etc. so I found the round end unnecessary.
Used a couple others, recently Shubb SP1 or 2, not sure, with one semi bullet type end. I found I used the blunt end instead, but never really got used to the length.
I recently came on a collection of bars, mostly Shubb models, no high enders.
I became really fond of the Lap Dawg chrome over brass bar though. It may be my imaginagtion, but I feel it gives me a brighter tone plus I like the size, weight and action. So, for now, this looks like my go to.
I'd be interested in hearing what upscale bars like say, Scheerhorn or others in that price range have in advantages over the lowly Lap Dawg.
Why do I feel like responding would be like trying to steal the cheese from a mouse trap?
?? Feel free to voice your input. Perhaps I shoulda worded it as What am I missing?
Edited by - jmike on 09/14/2026 13:06:35
quote:
Originally posted by jmike?? Feel free to voice your input. Perhaps I shoulda worded it as What am I missing?
Sorry, man. I posted on the dobroholics page about some bars I was testing out and got some flack from some old schoolers about how the only bar one needs is a Stevens! I'm currently testing a Stevens, Golden Gate, Shubb, E.G. Smith (bluegrass), Asher, & Ron Tipton (#1). I'm having a heck of a time deciding as it seems like different tunes require different bars. For songs with a lot of pull-offs and hammer-ons the Smith is helpful as it's light and compact. The heavier bars seem to have more tone and volume to them. I didn't really care for the Shubb, but a lot of folks really like them. I like the Tipton, but the "waist" where you pinch it is a little small. Overall, I find myself reaching for the Asher. All this is of course just my opinion and there's a good reason why there's so many different bars out there.
Apologies not necessary. I'm genuinely interested in the characteristics of these bars and what makes one more desirable than the other.
To set the scene, I'm primarily a pedal steel player so that's my experience in short, but I also have an affinity for resonator guitars. I just don't get much opportunity to share it with other musicians. I'm as much a tone freak for resos as I am for steel guitars of all designs.
While many experts of all these instruments might tell me to just pick a bar and play, I definitely feel there are differences and can't help trying to search out the ones that suit my playing best.
If a player is happy with a Stevens, OK by me. Whatever works for you. For my personal use, I find the Stevens adequate but lacking for my needs. Along with the other bars I mentioned that I have had opportunity to try, to this point the Dunlop Lap Dawg seems the best match to date.
Forgive my ramblings here. I'm a virtual nobody in this group. I just know what I like when I hear it and can't help searching for the things that bring it closer for me.
jmike since you’re a steel player, have you ever crossed paths with David Leroy Biller from Austin, or Nelson Wynn from Indiana?
Edited by - skydog on 09/14/2026 16:38:15
Sorry Sky, can't say that I have. I know a bunch of steelers from around Bloomington, Indy etc. area of southern Indiana, but not Nelson.
Edited by - jmike on 09/14/2026 17:05:50
I’ve owned quite a few bars. I’m convinced any one of them could be (and likely is) the best bar for some individual, depending on their anatomy, playing style, tone preference, etc.
Specific to the Lap Dawg and your question comparing it to other bars…
The edge on the Lap Dawg, while sharper than a Shubb SPs, isn’t as sharp as premium bars like the Scheerhorn, Beard Waves, SimTech, etc. That might not matter to you unless you use the edge-snap back pulloff technique, vs. a more vertical lift/pop pulloff. For the former, it sure is handy to have a sharper edge, once you get used to it.
As a chrome plated bar, and a light one at that, the Lap Dawg is a bit slicker and has a brighter, more zingy tone. Some of the heavier stainless steel bars offer more sustain and beefier lows and low-mids, to my ears. Totally depends on a player’s preference. Most bars have their weights spec’d out - so you can compare. In general, I’ve found more mass = more sustain.
Most of the other factors IMO are ergonomic. Beard Waves (for example) has a slightly higher profile. Scheerhorn is a bit lower profile, not unlike the Lap Dawg. EG Smith Bluegrass bar is tiny and light, the smallest I’ve found (other than the Beard Shorty). Charlie’s Super Slide is heavier with more pronounced finger grooves on the side (as with EG Smith's larger models).
Depending on how (or if) you do slants, the more severe nose slope of a bar like a Scheerhorn can make it harder to find a plant spot to pivot a bar for reverse slants.
Tiptons and SimTech (depending on the sub-model) can be good “Everyman” premium bars that play great and don’t swing toward any of the design shape extremes.
I guess I could go on and on lol.
Keep your eye on your wallet. Experimenting with premium tone bars can get pricey :)
Edited by - JC Dobro on 09/14/2026 18:24:12
Input appreciated Jamie. Yes, I do some slants, mostly typical backward ones high to low. I find the Lap Dawg works fine for that, even better than the Shubb SP model I have. Hammers and pull offs seem alright to me. Perhaps I'm not the most proficient player in the house, but all seems fine to me.
Concerning the tone, I have to say I like the brighter tone particularly on the bass strings. Their crisp and bright sound makes me happy. No mud, no thump.
No danger of me going off on a spending spree as my wallet is pretty much flat and full of dust.
Like said, no virtouso here, but I'm liking this change. I'm prepared to admit that I might like some of the aforementioned bars better. Never say never.
Aopologies for the typos, my left pointer and a piece of broken glass had a disagreement with the glass winning out, so there won't be much of any bar use for a few weeks so that's why I'm using my usual playing time annoying everybody on the hangout here. Anyway, it's too quiet here. Not much action. Anyone tell me why that is?
Edited by - jmike on 09/14/2026 18:52:26
Sounds like you’re a great match for the Lap Dawg. As you log more “flight time” on resonator, you can always see how the bar keeps pace with your needs.
Good luck with the finger healing.
As far as Hangout traffic, it’s waned over the past few years as activity has picked up on the Facebook “Dobroholics" group, which stays fairly active. Free to join if you’re on FB.
Edited by - JC Dobro on 09/14/2026 19:18:32
I prefer the Long Dawg. The extra length seems to be a little more forgiving.
Understood Fredeick. One of the reasons I like the Lap Dawg is because of the shorter length which is one of my dislikes about the longer Shubb SP bar I have.
Possibly because I have small hands like a size 8 ring size on a humid day. Like said, there's something for everybody.
Good question.
I have the long dawg. And a short one. My back up. Kind of like both.
Kind of like finger pics. You try them until you find one you hate the least.
I too have small hands.
I've got 5 tonebars and one on the way. I've only been playing just over a year and a half, not including the time spent trying out Dobro techniques with a Grover nut extender for my acoustic guitar. I have three short bars and two long ones and one on the way. My first was the Stevens, and it is still right up there for tone and playability. I have a Shubb SP-3 and a Shubb GS with a wooden handle which is very comfortable to play with my arthritic hands, Then there are my lapdawg and longdawg bars, which have the best tone. Of all of these, the longdawg is the one I reach for most. It has the best tone of all and sounds best with the least amount of crappy sounding notes from my misplaying....it seems to have a built in autocorrect. I have a Shubb SP-1 on the way and I am hopeful that it sounds great. It is the one with a flat end like the Stevens, and then the other end it is concave...I guess that's the bullet end. I switch between them fairly often, but the Longdawg is my current favorite.
quote:
Originally posted by JC Dobro
.....
Good luck with the finger healing.
As far as Hangout traffic, it’s waned over the past few years as activity has picked up on the Facebook “Dobroholics" group, which stays fairly active. Free to join if you’re on FB.
It's coming along, thanks. Re: the hangout loss of traffic, I just don't understand this at all. What does FB have to offer that the hangout doesn't? We got forums, classifieds, instruction links, player's links etc.
From someone who does not participate in that medium perhaps I don't get it. I admittedly don't post here often as I should, but I like knowing there are like minded folks here when I need info or can contribute something.
I would say the inability to post pictures and/or videos is a major stumbling block.
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