My best luck was with Anthem and the Bellow. Depending on my timing, I
could sometimes get the Bellow to go off twice before losing Anthem - but I
could always get it once, then switch back to Anthem. The increased speed
DOES mean a lot, btw - much more than the increased str. And the extra 7
adds up (although I counted and averaged, and not including resists,
against blues, I was averaging 4-5 for a total of about 40 extra damage any
combat).
Talies on Bristlebane
http://amtgard.pinkpig.com/bards/eqbard.htm