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Topic: 7/8" or 15/16" bar, decisions?? |
Al Vesel
From:
Chisholm, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 7 Jun 2007 5:40 pm |
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I have used the same Ernie Ball 7/8" x 3-3/8" (5/16"?) Bar for my Fender D-10 for 20 some years.
I just now ordered a new bar. I heard so much talk of the BJS, I broke down and ordered one.
But the decision to buy a 7/8" or 15/16" for my guitar came into play when the order desk asked me which want I wanted. I didn't even think about it at the time. I know that some prefer the 7/8" and some the 15/16" and some guys have both. I ordered the 15/16". Something new. Is there times when you should use one over the other??
I would like a survey as to which bar is best suited for a 10 string. I just bought myself a Mullen D-10 and wanted a new bar with it.
Just wanted some input.
TXS fellow steelers!!
Al |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 7 Jun 2007 6:25 pm
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| You can't go wrong with either size. You're gonna love that BJS bar. It could be the last bar you'll ever need to buy, as long as you don't lose it! |
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Garry Simpson
From:
Oklahoma
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Posted 7 Jun 2007 6:29 pm
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| I don't really have a clue about a bar since the steel I have on order won't be here until next week and I'm brand new to steel (in other words, I can't play). After reading and researching the forum I ordered and received a 7/8" BJS. I'm sure the folks with experience will chime in and give good feedback. |
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Michael Johnstone
From:
Sylmar,Ca. USA
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Posted 7 Jun 2007 6:29 pm
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| I spent about 10 years on a 7/8ths and about 20 on a one inch. 6 or 7 years ago I decided to try a 15/16ths and I found it's the perfect size blend of what each has to offer. I have a 15/16ths" x 4" Bullit Bar for my U-12 and a 15/16ths" BJS 12-string bar which is a little shorter,a little lighter,much harder and a little slicker than the Bullit. I like them both for different reasons. The BJS has a little cleaner sound on big wound strings but the Bullit is stickier and easier to manipulate and hang onto if you slant and tip a lot. Also it's a little heavier and so requires less downward pressure to get a clean tone.I love my BJS on lap steel though. |
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Stan Paxton
From:
1/2 & 1/2 Florida and Tenn, USA (old Missouri boy gone South)
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Posted 7 Jun 2007 6:34 pm
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Al, I guess it mainly a matter which fits & feels the best. I have a 1" BJS bar for the 10 string, then got in over my head and got a SD12 Ext E9, so got a 7/8 BJS for that guitar. I find that the smaller is harder for me to hold onto and move with, I think mostly due to that little arthritis that is setting in and the larger is easier to grip. Just my .02 ... 
_________________
Mullen Lacquer SD 10, 3 & 5; Mullen Mica S 10 1/2 pad, 3 & 5; BJS Bars; LTD400, Nashville 112, DD-3, RV-3, Hilton VP . -- Gold Tone PBS sq neck; Wechter Scheerhorn sq neck. -- "Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone." -anon.- |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 7 Jun 2007 10:14 pm
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I had a BJS 7/8 and traded it for a BJS 15/16. I quickly realized my hands were too small for the 15/16 because I kept losing my grip on it. So I went back to 7/8 and I'm sticking with it. My hands are smaller than average. In between all the trades I ended up with a Jim Burden chrome Bullet Bar which suits me well.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 6:59 am
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| I used a 7/8" BJS bar for years and then decided to order an 15/16" BJS. That is the only one I use now except when playing non pedal. Then I opt for a shorter 3/4" bar. |
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Joseph Carlson
From:
Grass Valley, California, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 7:12 am
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| Well, I'm barely a step above a newbie, so take that into account when reading my opinion. I have a BJS in both sizes and pretty much use the 15/16" exclusively. I find it easier to control and the tone seems a little fuller. Just my opinion! |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 8:24 am
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| Quote: |
| This is another of those questions that have no definitive answer. It's totally subjective. |
I absolutely agree with Mike. You try different sizes and I think you just know when the right bar is in your hands. I had a succession of 7/8" bars of different types, and they all felt oddly wrong to me - then I was given a bar that tapers from 1 1/4" to 1 1/8" and weighs almost dead-on one pound. It felt perfect, and the only other ones I use now are Delrin, moly/nylon and acrylic bars - roughly the same size but lighter (and they work far better than most players would think).
I keep a couple 7/8" bars around for other players to use when they want to try out my steels.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 8 Jun 2007 11:21 pm
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If you have big hands you might feel more comfortable with a bigger bar. I have very large hands, to the extent that no matter what instrument I play the strings always seem too close together. When I look at some people's dainty little hands I wonder how they can even lift a bar.  |
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