Dunlop 918 Bullet Tone BarTone bars are used to play lap steel guitars, pedal steel guitars, Dobroes, and Hawaiian style guitars with a high action, often tuned to an open chord. They are designed for use on a guitar that is held horizontally, on your lap, on a table, or at your waist with a strap.To use a tone bar, hold it firmly and slide it up and down the strings while you pluck or pick the strings near the bridge with your other hand. With practice you can perform gliding glissando notes, notes between frets, slant chords with the tone bar at an angle, hammer-ons, and pull-offs.I compared the Dunlop 918 bullet tone bar with the Dunlop RR1, SP2, Long Dawg, and Ernie Ball EBM bullet tone bars for this review. Test guitars included a 2021 Martin 00-15M acoustic with a custom bone nut and bridge, a 1970 Lotus F215 acoustic, and a 2011 Gretsch G5715 Electromatic Lap Steel guitar. All guitars were strung with Dunlop extra-light strings.DESCRIPTION: The Dunlop 918 is a bullet-shaped tone bar of unplated, highly polished stainless steel. It is shaped like a bullet, with a one end rounded like a ball and the other end flat with rounded edges. It weighs 5.5 oz; it is 0.75 inch in diameter and 2.95 inches in total length, although the rounded end allows only 2.5 inches to contact the strings. The package said Made in U.S.A. Hurray!COMPARISON: The Dunlop 918 Bullet tone bar has less string contact area than the other tone bars. It is also lighter and thinner than the other tone bars. The price of the Dunlop 918 Bullet is about the same as comparable tone bars. Although it has no handle like the Dunlop RR1, SP2, and Long Dawg, the Dunlop 918 Bullet tone bar is thin and easier to handle than the Ernie Ball EBM bullet tone bar.SOUND: Most tone bars amplify or dampen your guitar sound, making some strings sound louder than others, and making some harmonics more audible. The Dunlop 918 Bullet tone bar has a remarkably flat frequency response, allowing your guitar’s sound to come through. So it sounds about like your guitar sounds. Compared with the Ernie Ball EBM, there may be a little less chime and less sustain, but it is a very small difference. The Dunlop RR1, SP2, and especially the Long Dawg all have more coloration.OVERALL: This bar lets your guitar’s tone through, resulting in a clear, uncolored sound that has become one of my favorites. At first I did not like it, because I was used to the flashy sound of the other tone bars, especially the darkly colored Dunlop Long Dawg. But the more I used the Dunlop 918 Bullet, the more I appreciated its clear, honest tone. The Ernie Ball EBM bullet has a similar honest tone, but with slightly more sustain and projection. However, the lighter Dunlop 918 is less likely to drop out of sweaty hands.HELPFUL HINTS:1. Measure the width of your strings before buying this tone bar. Only 2.5 inches of the bar is in contact with the strings because of the rounded end, and if it is too short, you may not be able to cover all the strings for a chord or a slant.2. Be patient with this tone bar and give it a chance to win you over with its honest sound. If you like the sound of your guitar, I think you will find that the Dunlop 918 is a keeper.I hope this review was helpful -- enjoy your guitar!

I recently drug out my old lap steel guitar, which was well hidden in our junk room! I decided to purchase a new slide bar. This one was recommended by a professional steel guitar player I saw on YouTube. I am a senior citizen now and my grip isn't what it used to be. Although this is a well made slide bar, it just didn't work for me. I ended up purchasing another bar that fit me a little more ergonomically.

This slide works very well, i've only had it a few months and can tell its going to be around a long time. The tone is very nice a lot sweeter than a standard hollow slide. Its long enough to cover all 6 strings of my lap steel guitar. Since it's solid steel you can't go wrong, it will be around forever. It takes a while for your hand to get uesd to holding it with the acuracy of playing but practice makes perfect. Two thumbs up!

For the price this is a great bar. I have had no problems with it. It is lighter than most. If you are used to a heavy bar, this is NOT the one for you!

I thought I may prefer this for lap steel, but it’s hard to keep ahold of. I’ll stick with my Steven’s.