Paul Franklins bar size interesting.

Gary Steele · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

He talks about this in detail but after all these years it is awkward for me. Has anyone changed to use it like he does. It's interesting and it keeps his bar straight.he uses a 7/8 12 string bar. You would not thing this but it's true. He tells all about it on video utube. He put the back end all the way back. Most people know this. I seen it a long time ago. I have big hand I may need a 14 string bar. Maybe paul will chime in.

Mark Eaton · Posted 17 Aug 2024 4:34 pm

I’m guessing Gary is referring to the video in the link below:

https://youtu.be/FNpIBCd_WA8?si=twyEapWcJG5Y5bAZ
_________________
Mark

John Sims · From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Yes, I tried a BJS 12 string bar which is a bit longer than a 'normal' 12 string bar (4 inches X 7/8") and I love it! Butch recommended it based on the picture I sent him of my finger length and hand size with a ruler. I saw Paul's video a while ago and it has now helped me tremendously. I have tried a BJS 10 string bar, which I really learned on, and a Dunlop 12 string stainless bar. The BJS is way superior. Bar control for me is now much better...

Here's another video of Paul discussing bar size. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oo5PphMHAI
_________________
Best Regards,

John

1997 Carter U-12 Double Body-Natural Birdseye Maple-8p/5k, Peavey Nashville 1000 Amp, Goodrich L10K Vol. Pedal, Boss DD-3 Delay, Boss CE-5 Chorus, Behringer UMC-204HD Audio Interface, AKAI MPK Mini MK3 Professional Midi Keyboard/Controller, Gretsch Bobtail Resonator, Fender Banjo, Rondo SX Lap Steel (C6), DIY Lap Steel (Open D), and a few Mojo Hand Cigar Box Guitars (MojoHandGuitars.com).

John Larson · From: Pennsyltucky, USA

Yep, Paul is right on about using a bar long enough to sit nice in the pocket between your thumb and index finger, allows so much better control.
_________________
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; praise is meet for the upright. Give praise to the Lord with the harp, chant unto Him with the ten-stringed psaltery. Sing unto Him a new song, chant well unto Him with jubilation. For the word of the Lord is true, and all His works are in faithfulness. The Lord loveth mercy and judgement; the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.
- Psalm 33:1-5

Gary Steele · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

I've got very big hands.
And I have a 14 string bar I came across years ago. But it is scary looking. I've actually been using it a little bit here and there. It seems to fit my hand kinda like pauls 12 string bar fits him. Anyone with big hands ever try one like this.it has to weigh 20 pounds lol. Bill Stafford plays a 14 string.

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

If your hand are real big, Once you have enough bar to cover the strings. If the bar has a hole in the back, A person could add a plastic or wood extension so it would fit your hand.
I played for years with a 10 string 1"X 3 3/8" bar. Had to fight the bar and made my LH tired after a couple hours.

I bought a S12 Uni. guitar, And a 1"X 3 3/4" bar bar was included in the deal. When I changed to the Uni. and went to the 3 3/4" bar it fitted my hand, Like I found out 4 or 5 years later from Mr. Franklin's video.

The 1" X 3 3/4" bar weighed 11.5 ounces. I found on quick moves up or down the neck, Made my hand and wrist tire pretty quick. About 3 weeks ago, Went to a friends shop lathe and drilled a 31/64" Hole about 3 1/8" deep in the the bar, Cut the weight from 11.5 oz. to 9.6 oz. Did not change tone or pressure on the strings, But makes it very comfortable to move around on the neck.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

I'm switching between the 7/8ths 10-string bar and the 1" 12-string bar.

The former is was easier to move, but the long bar fits my large hand better.

Like Bobby, the 1" bar does tire me after a while. It's a new monthly cycle on my credit card, so I think I'll pull the trigger on the longer 7/8ths BJS. Smile

_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
----------------------------------

Jerry Horch · From: Alva, Florida, USA

I’d say my hands are medium, but with the 12 string bar I have noticed a better bar control and a straighter bar on my strings.I believe I have the John Hughey 12 stringer….7/8”…
_________________
Franklin D10 /Walker Sterio Steel JBL's /DigiTech Quad4/ Korg Toneworks/ Dobro DM 1000 / Santa Cruz Guitar VA

Roger Crawford · From: Griffin, GA USA

I just recently got a 7/8” 12 string bar to see if all I’ve heard was true. It took no time to feel comfortable with it and I find that it keeps my thumb from pushing the end towards my palm and being out of alignment with the frets.

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

Paul also points out something in the video I haven't thought of until now-he said a lot of steel guitarists in the studio use a 7/8 bar. When I started playing steel 24 years ago, I used a Dunlop bar, but wasn't sure if the size was 7/8 or another size. Because of my cerebral palsy, I'm now using a polymer bar and playing pedal steel now is very enjoyable for me! Although my bar isn't a BJS 7/8 bar, it works and I try my best to do the techniques Paul talks about, and I've got a Stevens bar like Paul talks about in the video, but it's hard for me to hold because of cerebral palsy, so my main bar is my Ezzee Slide polymer bar, which is a Sneaky Pete size, and it's tapered. The bar video is actually the first of Paul's pedal steel videos on YouTube that I've watched-it's a favorite.

Gary Steele · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

If I put my bar all the way back it is a little over 4 1/2 inches to the tip of my first finger.
I have a bar 7/8 × 4 inches it's pretty heavy but it does not stick out past my finger.there should be some way of picking it up easier. I guess it will take time to get used to. I have a new BJS 12 string bar that is 7/8 X 3 5/8
I have 3 white zirconia that is 15/16 x 3 3/8
I have a Dunlop that is 3/4 x 3 1/4.
How long did it take some of you guys to get used to the longer bar.
a guy would have to drill it out to make it light. Maybe someone can post pics.

John Sims · From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL

It only took me a few days to get used to the 12 string bar. Now, when I use my 10 string bar, it doesn't feel right. Yes, it could be a bit lighter for sure...
_________________
Best Regards,

John

1997 Carter U-12 Double Body-Natural Birdseye Maple-8p/5k, Peavey Nashville 1000 Amp, Goodrich L10K Vol. Pedal, Boss DD-3 Delay, Boss CE-5 Chorus, Behringer UMC-204HD Audio Interface, AKAI MPK Mini MK3 Professional Midi Keyboard/Controller, Gretsch Bobtail Resonator, Fender Banjo, Rondo SX Lap Steel (C6), DIY Lap Steel (Open D), and a few Mojo Hand Cigar Box Guitars (MojoHandGuitars.com).

Gary Steele · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Wonder if anyone makes a 14 string bar that is drilled out. My 12 string bar will not sit back that far and stick out near finger tip. There has to be lots of people with hands like this. They are not chubby looking but big and long. If anyone reads this look back at my last reply.

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

Some where I seen some company sells a John Huey bar. It is a longer larger bar, But has been drilled out to lighten the bar, For easier moving on strings and helping with hand tiring problems.

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

Gary Steele · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

To place a bar all the way back takes a 14 string bar for me. Watch Paul Franklin's video where he talks about this. He shows you how he puts his bar clear back by his thumb. And index finger.

Len Amaral · From: Rehoboth,MA 02769

I play a U-12 and use a 7/8 10 string BJS bar. I use to use a 12 string bar buyt after hand surgery the 7/8 bar feels better.
_________________
I survived the sixties!

Len Amaral · From: Rehoboth,MA 02769

I play a U-12 and use a 7/8 10 string BJS bar. I use to use a 12 string bar buy after hand surgery the 7/8 bar feels better.
_________________
I survived the sixties!

Dave Campbell · From: Nova Scotia, Canada

i switched to a 12 string bar when i saw that video (on the faith that paul franklin definitely knows things that i don't). i don't have big hands, but i like the 12 string bar for control. i still use a 10 string bar sometimes and i can definitely get around quicker and with less fatigue, but what fun is that?

Gary Steele · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Does anyone know if bjs makes a 14 string bar that is drilled out. There should be a simple way to hold on to the bar easier especially with big hands.

John Sims · From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Ask Butch. He is always helpful.
_________________
Best Regards,

John

1997 Carter U-12 Double Body-Natural Birdseye Maple-8p/5k, Peavey Nashville 1000 Amp, Goodrich L10K Vol. Pedal, Boss DD-3 Delay, Boss CE-5 Chorus, Behringer UMC-204HD Audio Interface, AKAI MPK Mini MK3 Professional Midi Keyboard/Controller, Gretsch Bobtail Resonator, Fender Banjo, Rondo SX Lap Steel (C6), DIY Lap Steel (Open D), and a few Mojo Hand Cigar Box Guitars (MojoHandGuitars.com).

Gordon Hartin · From: Durham, NC

I went to a 7/8 3.75 bar which is even longer than a 12 string bar. I was using a 1 inch 12 string bar before, when I tried a 7/8 12 string bar it just felt way to small.

Gordon

Gary Steele · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

You must have big hands.paul says the bigger the bar the quicker it goes off fret.its already off just sitting there because it cover more area.

John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

When I migrated to extended E9, I bought a BJS 12-string bar. But because I do a lot of muting of strings 1 and 2 with the tip off my bar hand middle finger, the longer bar prevented that, even with the bar firmly nestled where index and thumb join. I don't think Paul does any blocking that way, but I depend on it, so no one bar length is right for everyone!
_________________
E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic