BJS Steel Guitar Bar Review - 15/16" Bar - Hear It!

Greg Cutshaw · From: Corry, PA, USA

I decided to give the BJS 15/16" bar a try after having used a 7/8" bar all my life. I added to the review on my website to include the success I've had with this bar. The extra weight over the 7/8 is a non-issue and the extra added sustain and clarity is a huge plus! All of a sudden the 7/8 bar feels too small in my hand.

BJS 15/16" Bar Review

Here's a song recorded with the new BJS bar, all other equipment is the same as the last recording I made with the 7/8 bar:

I Don't Believe I'll Fall In Love Today

The guitar intro is just a Nashville Tele with the strings tuned down 4 frets. The Leslie rotating speaker part on steel used a Line 6 Roto-Machine.

Pictured below, left to right, is the Dunlop 7/8, BJS 7/8 and the BJS 15/16.

Greg

Micky Byrne · From: United Kingdom (deceased)

Hi Greg, Good playing there, and nice sounds from the Line 6 Roto/Machine which I have too. Like yourself, I won't go back to the 7/8 bar. The BJS 15/16 is just so comfortable to hold, and soooo smooth.

Micky Byrne United Kingdom

Carter and (Old)Sho-Bud Universals

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I too am a fan of the BJS 15/16" bar.
Feels just right. Very Happy

Lefty · From: Grayson, Ga.

I am a 15/16 user also. I use a 12 string bar, and tried the 1.0" bar to begin with. It seemed a little heavy for fast bar movement. The 7/8" is just too light for me. The 15/16" seems perfect.
Lefty

Fred Shannon · From: Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.

Yup, a 15/16er, and 12 strings, the Pappa John model is the best bar I've ever used. And the way they last it will probably be the last bar I'll use. Very Happy

phred

Bill Stroud · From: Dresden, Tennessee, USA * R.I.P.

Just want to say thank all of you and give an update on the new 7/8" plain solid bars going through.
They are at Heat Treat as of today.
Monday or Tuesday they should go to Centerless Grinding on Tuesday of next week, that means they will receive them by the end of next week, then I'll contact them and see how long they will have them.
I'll keep everyone posted as I progress with these bars.
I'm making enough to keep the dealers in stock for a while.
It keeps me busy, and thanks to all that uses the BJS Bars.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Keep on Picking...
Bill

Bill Stroud · From: Dresden, Tennessee, USA * R.I.P.

Getting close, dealers check your stock and you might want to up it.
I've got a going list as who gets them first.
They will be shipped out as the oldest order being first and following through until all orders are filled.
I'm hoping that I can get them from Centerless Grinding before New Years?
I will post as I find out the status of them.
Thanks,
Bill

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I bought a 15/16", John Hughey, bar from Bill yesterday.
I sure look forward to trying it out.
Truly a winning combination, a bar from Bill and the inspiration for same, John Hughey.
Both a couple of winners! Very Happy

Jim Walker · From: Headland, AL

BJS bars are tough too. Mine has slipped out of my hand while packing up and hit concrete floors, tile, bounced off my pedal bar a few times and it doesn't even have a scratch in it.

I believe I have more control of the bar while playing with a 15/16 than a 7/8.

JW
_________________
Show Pro D10, Session 400

Greg Cutshaw · From: Corry, PA, USA

I feel kind of stupid now dissing the 15/16" bar but maybe the one I tried years ago was much heavier or maybe my hand muscles just weren't as developed.

It seems some people start at 3/4" on a lap steel, then buy a 7/8" thinking wow that's really huge!!!! and just stop there. Now I am thinking you really need to have a 7/8, 15/16 and 1" side by side for a while to make the right choice for yourself. Of course then there's options like changing the weight by drilling out some of the center. Weird how I feel more in control with the 15/16 even though it's a bit heavier. As stated above, maybe it's that the larger size affords a better grip?

Greg

Bill Stroud · From: Dresden, Tennessee, USA * R.I.P.

Hi Greg,
The John Hughey 15/16" bars 10 or 12 string bar is the same weight as the 7/8" solid bar in the 10 or 12 string bars.
I have a weight chart on my web page showing the weights.
www.bjsbars.com
You might want to check that out if you like, Im glad you are liking the 15/16 bar, a lot of guys do.
Bill

Paul Redmond · From: Illinois, USA

I've been using a 15/16" bar from the get-go, so don't really know much about the 'feel' of the smaller bars. I've always felt that the 1" was just too big to be comfortable. I have made my own in the past as I outlined in a former Forum post eons ago, with a .400" radius on the front end rather than a truly spherical (.4375") radius...just my thing I guess. It kicks the so-called tangent point forward a bit, so the bar can be made slightly shorter to accomplish the same thing. Bill Stroud is the master of the bars (no, I don't mean taverns) and they can't be topped in quality and accuracy IMO. I just wish that I'd have thought of that route first!!! BTW Bill, what ever happened to Butch Butler??? Is he still living in Alabama and still picking???
PRR

Bill Stroud · From: Dresden, Tennessee, USA * R.I.P.

Hi Paul,
Thanks for your comments,I guess most of the guys are playing with more than one size, and yes some prefer the 1", some likes the 15/16", and they still like the 7/8" diameter. But what I'm hearing from most of the professionals is the 15/16" diameter bar is the one that feels more comfortable to them, but they want to have both the 7/8" and the 15/16".
Then there are guys that the 1" is the right bar for them. So that's why I make so many different styles.
But thanks to all that uses the BJS Bars, that's what keeps me working.
Butch Butler had moved about 50 miles from us for about a year or so, but recently moved back to Alabama about a month ago. He plays for churches, and I think he's got some guys that gets together and jams a little. He still plays thats the main thing. He will be here next saturday I will tell him that you asked about him.
Thanks Paul

Tamara James · Posted 16 Dec 2007 9:39 am

I love my BJS bar. It is an ounce or so heaver than the bar I was using, but feels lighter because it is so evenly weighted. The extra ounce took out lots of rattles that I had. I am very, very pleased with my bar. I don't leave home without it. Very Happy

Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

BJS bars is the only way to go. Jody.

Bill Stroud · From: Dresden, Tennessee, USA * R.I.P.

Thanks Jody and all for the kind words of wisdom...
Jody how long have you had the bar you are playing?
Thanks in advance,
Bill

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I received my 15/16" John Hughey bar from Bill yesterday. I tried it out last night and it really is a winner!
You owe it to yourself to try it. I have a BJS 7/8" bar, a 15/16" regular bar but I believe that this new bar is the end of the quest for THE bar. It just feels and sounds SOOOOO good. The balance is perfect and it slides over the strings like only a BJS bar can do! Very Happy

Thanks Bill!
You the man.

Bill Stroud · From: Dresden, Tennessee, USA * R.I.P.

Hi Erv,I'm so glad you like the new John Hughey bar, that's what he wanted and got and we have to give thanks to our dear Friend John for getting me to make a bar to his specifications, and to find that it is the perfect weight and size, he really liked them.
I hope that everyone that has them likes them as well, I've never heard anyone not liking them.
Thanks you for using my bars, if you ever have any trouble just let me know and I will promptly take care of it.
Your Friend,
Bill

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Merry Christmas, Bill
& thanks for the extras! Very Happy

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Well I just ordered one, as I've got one of mine lent out, and it's about time anyway. 7/8 plain 10 str.

Hopefully I did the Exel doc OK.

Merry Xmas BJS and all.

Smile

EJL

Herb Steiner · From: Spicewood TX 78669

After having played standard BJS 7/8" bars for decades, I got a Hughey 15/16" (drilled) bar from Bill at ISGC this year, and it became my go-to bar instantly. Since I haven't played my 7/8s in awhile... I have several... I really haven't made a comparison in feel. But I like the performance of the Hughey a lot.

Bob Snelgrove · From: san jose, ca

Are all the 15/16 bars drilled (Hughey)?

thx

bob

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Bob,
Just the John Hughey bar. The regular 15/16ths bar isn't drilled, and is a mite heavier.

Bill Stroud · From: Dresden, Tennessee, USA * R.I.P.

If you go to my web site www.bjsbars.com it will show the weights of all the different sizes, 7/8", 1", and the 15/16" in the 10 or 12 string.
Bill

Ron Page · From: Penn Yan, NY USA

I hope someday I'll play well enough that the bar will make a difference. Laughing

I started out with an Emmons 7/8 and a few years ago my daughter bought me the beautiful BJS 7/8 with a blue stone, my birth stone. It's the only steel guitar accessory anyone has ever dared to buy for me.

I'm letting a new player borrow my Emmons, but figure he may want to try the larger BJS. I'll suggest that he come right on out to Scotty's with me an pick it up. Smile

Great work at your site Greg. Thanks!
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HagFan
Emmons Lashley LeGrande II

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