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Topic: Help with selecting a new bar |
Kenny Burford
From:
Independence, Missouri USA
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Posted 8 May 2007 6:20 am |
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| Currently I have 3-inch x 1-inch steel bar made by Ernie Ball, but it is too large and hurting my hand, I am looking for suggestions regarding manufacturers and sizes. Just all around info bars. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 8 May 2007 7:01 am
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My favorite is a 15/16" diameter bar by BJS. They also make a "John Hughey" bar that is the same size only it's lighter.  |
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Roger Crawford
From:
Griffin, GA USA
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Posted 8 May 2007 7:51 am
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| The most prevalent bar size is 7/8", but whatever size you choose, BJS is the top of the line. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 8 May 2007 7:55 am
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| I have many, but keep going back to the old standard chrome-plated 3 1/4" x 7/8" (10-string) bars. Some players claim additional sustain using bigger bars, but I haven't found that to be the case. The BJS bars are about the best there is, but just about any chrome-plated bar will do the trick. More expensive bars tend to last longer, because the plating is better (thicker), but even a cheap Dunlop bar will last you a few years. |
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David Collins
From:
Madison, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 8 May 2007 8:17 am
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Not to take away from any of the above, but I've been using a Bobbe Seymour Cobra Coil bar for a few months and LOVE it.
I think that he has them in a couple of different sizes, or at least lengths. Mine is 7/8 x 3 1/8 I think.
_________________
David Collins
www.chjoyce.com |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 8 May 2007 8:44 am
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There's only ONE Bar and that's a BJS that Bill Stroud makes; and any size you want.
Ricky
_________________
Ricky Davis
Email Ricky: sshawaiian2362@gmail.com |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 8 May 2007 11:32 am
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You just might want to get a John Pearse.
http://www.jpstrings.com/braccess.htm#TCBar,I got mine from Frenchy in N.M.
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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Calvin Walley
From:
colorado city colorado, USA
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Posted 8 May 2007 1:17 pm
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as long as its smooth and shiny one is about as good as the next..anything else is B.S.
_________________
proud parent of a sailor
Mullen SD-10 /nashville 400
gotta love a Mullen!!!
Guitars that i have owned in order are :
Mullen SD-10,Simmons SD-10,Mullen SD-10,Zum stage one,Carter starter,
Sho-Bud Mavrick |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 8 May 2007 1:31 pm
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| Calvin Walley---for the benefit of newcomers to the forum or people that don't pay much attention, you owe it to the forum to disclose that you are a complete beginner when you post 'expert' information. Although your posts generally tend to be self-exposing, there is a serious lack of integrity when you post information as if you actually had significant experience in your field. |
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Tucker Jackson
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 8 May 2007 2:28 pm
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I bought an inexpensive bar (Ernie Ball) when I first started playing. The chrome started coming off after about two years of regular use.
It would have been cheaper in the long run if I had just bought a better bar in the first place. |
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John Steele
From:
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 8 May 2007 2:34 pm
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I have to respectfully disagree with the "one's as good as the next" thought.
Of all the different steels, strings, amps, picks, etc. that I've tried, the most dramatic difference in sound happened the day I bought a BJS bar. It was a "wow" moment.
-John |
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 8 May 2007 2:53 pm
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BJS is a great bar. I sell the John Pearse Cryogenic bar and believe it to be equally as good. I use a Zirconium most of the time but when I don't use it I use the 7/8" John Pearse Cryogenic.
Jerry |
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Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
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Posted 8 May 2007 3:01 pm
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I'm using a homemade bar right now, have been for the last 2 yrs. the other two bars I have are Dunlops, the ones I started with.
I've been hearing so much good about the BJS bar I think I'm going to order one in the near future.
Larry
_________________
Carter SD/10, 4&5 Hilton Pedal, Peavey Sessions 400, Peavey Renown 400, Home Grown Eff/Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY" |
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Robby Springfield
From:
Viola, AR, USA
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Posted 8 May 2007 4:23 pm
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BJ's fan all the way. Just the feel of the finish is better than anything else I've used. I love the JH bar.
_________________
Robby
www.power3productions.com |
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Jim Bob Sedgwick
From:
Clinton, Missouri USA
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Posted 8 May 2007 5:14 pm
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| I have to agree with Robby. The BJS bar is the absolute top of the line. Jim Burden of Bullet Bars also makes a great bar. I understand he has hard chromed bars available also. My advice to newbies is buy a good bar for starts. You will save money in the long run. |
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Jim Bob Sedgwick
From:
Clinton, Missouri USA
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Posted 8 May 2007 5:17 pm
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I have to agree with Robby. The BJS bar is the absolute top of the line. Jim Burden of Bullet Bars also makes a great bar. I understand he has hard chromed bars available also. My advice to newbies is buy a good bar for starts. You will save money in the long run.
I tried the John Hughey bar from BJS. I guess I've played the 7/8 inch bar too long. It just wasn't for me, although this in no way detracts from the bar. It was great, I just wasn't comfortable with the slightly larger size. Your mileage may vary. |
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David Higginbotham
From:
Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA
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Posted 8 May 2007 5:53 pm
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I have used many bars and quality is a major concern. Yes you can hear the difference and feel the difference in playing. My preference in order:
1) BJS
2) Bullet (Really great guy to deal with!)
3) George L's
Dave |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 8 May 2007 6:10 pm
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I have two favorite bars, both are 7/8" in diameter.
The BJS is 3 5/8" long and the Dunlop is 3 1/4" long.
The shorter Dunlop fits my small hands better than the BJS bar.
Each of the two bars produces a little bit different tone, both of which are very good.
_________________
Lee, from South Texas - Down On The Rio Grande
There are only two options as I see it.
Either I'm right, or there is a sinister conspiracy to conceal the fact that I'm right.
Williams Keyless S-10, BMI S-10, Evans FET-500LV, Fender Steel King, 2 Roland Cube 80XL's,
Sarno FreeLoader, Goodrich Passive Volume Pedals, Vintage ACE Pack-A-Seat |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 8 May 2007 11:50 pm
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I use a 7/8's bar and like:
BJS
John Pearse
Carp bar (Its the one made by the Rains guys)
I find myself using the BJS most of the time.
I will pick up a red rajah when I get to it and would like to try a zirconium bar if they where available.
_________________
Bob |
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Cal Sharp
From:
the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN
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Posted 9 May 2007 3:56 am New Bar
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When Deemens Den on Broadway closed, I, and many other Nashville pickers, selected Gabe's as our new bar. It was a great place to hang out and pick for many years, but after it went to pot I haven't found a new bar I like.
C#
www.calsharp.com |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 9 May 2007 4:00 am
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Calvin, I use a BS bar myself.
_________________
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 9 May 2007 4:03 am Re: New Bar
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| Cal Sharp wrote: |
| When Deemens Den on Broadway closed, I, and many other Nashville pickers, selected Gabe's as our new bar. It was a great place to hang out and pick for many years, but after it went to pot I haven't found a new bar I like. |
Cal, I've been waiting for some local bars to switch to pot, but it just ain't happening. 
_________________
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 9 May 2007 4:07 am
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Bill Stroud (maker of BJS) and John Pearse (who makes the cryogenic bar) are both steel players. Their bars are the best, and therefore are more expensive than the Dunlop or Ernie Ball bars.
I have several BJS and Pearse bars in both standard steel and lap steel sizes. They can't be beat.
Bill Stroud is also top-shelf when it comes to customer service. When you buy a BJS bar, you buy Bill's concern and service for life.
(Ernie Ball was a great steel player too, but he hasn't been around for awhile, and his products are more price-conscious than picker-conscious, IMHO.)
Here in Austin, the favorite bars are the Broken Spoke, Ginny's Little Longhorn, and the Continental Club.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?
Last edited by Herb Steiner on 9 May 2007 4:08 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 9 May 2007 4:07 am
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I'm in agreement with a lot of what was said before. You can't go wrong with a standard 7/8 from Bill Stroud (BJS) or Jim Burden (Bullet Bars), who both make quality hard-chromed bars that they stand behind.
I disagree that "one bar is about as good as the next"; I've had some awful bars in my time, from Dunlops that peeled like an apple to old stainless steel bars that could scrape paint from a wall.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Ron Kirby
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 9 May 2007 4:44 am
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| I still use my Emmons Bar,, it is now 35 years old!! |
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