Your "favorite" tone bar size??

Don Poland · From: Hanover, PA.

I have often wondered what sizes of tone bars most folks use and why they have chosen what they use. I have used bars varying from 5/8" to 1" and I guess I prefer the 1" bar over all the others. Not sure if it is because the size of my hands and the fact that it is more comfortable, or because I like the tone better, or both. Just curious, if could get some input from others that have used varying sizes of tone bars.

Rick Abbott · From: Indiana, USA

My bar is stainless that tapers from 3/4 to 1" over 3-1/4". It is a replica of a Watson "Kona" bar. The original is bakelite with a lead-filled center. I like a tapered bar, this one's heavy and easy to use.
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RICK ABBOTT
Sho~Bud D-10 Professional #7962
Remington T-8, Sehy #112
1975 Peavey Pacer

Ray Walker · From: Smithfield, NC, USA, R.I.P.

great post

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

1 3/8" tapered to 1 1/8", weighing in at just over a pound. Incredible tone and sustain. Originally thought to be a mix of some odd alloys and different plating (and backed by a couple of machinists who have checked it out), it was recently examined by another machinist and thought to be a particular type of stainless...jury's still out, I guess, unless I can a metallurgist to check it out.

It's also about 50 years old.

My # 2 is about the same size made of Delrin - great tone, extremely light, an interesting contrast to my #1;, # 3 is the same thing in a moly/nylon that has a different, very warm sound almost like a jazz guitar.

A "normal" bar - of which I have several, plus a Twister - feel like toys in comparison.
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Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

I go between a 7/8" and a 1" depending on how my hands are feeling at the time,If I am doing a lot of bar bounce stuff I can get a better grip on the smaller one.About 5 minutes ago I ordered a 15/16"X 3-3/8" from Jim Burden at "Bullet Bars" so this should be a good compromise.Stu Rolling Eyes

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Don Poland · From: Hanover, PA.

WOW, 222 views and only 38 votes on the poll. Come on guys, let the rest of us know what you are using even if you don't add a reply and give the reason why. I think it is very interesting to see by comparison what is everyone's favorite bar size. I am curious as to whether folks use different sizes for different techniques, or even different styles of music.

Thanks

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

i use a dekley one inch honkin' big ass bar i got in a trade of some junk. even though i love my old emmons normal size bar, the big dekley is what i always use for gigs and recording. it also gives me a consistency between my zum and emmons steels with my goodrich 10k pedal!

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

For pedal steel, it's 7/8" 12 oz. I tried a 15/16" for a while, but I like the feel of the smaller dia. better. I really couldn't tell any difference in tone and the 7/8" allows me to see the fret line better, I think.

For dobro and other 6 string slides played horizontally, I use a 3/4 X 2 3/4" bullet bar with a slide on grip.

I've seen guys use all styles and sizes of bars. I don't think it matters much....all in getting the most out of what you have.

Chris Buchanan · From: Macomb, IL

I've only used 2 sizes, 1" and 7/8. I prefer the 7/8. The 1" was too big and gave me pitch problems. The smaller size gives me more accuracy and does'nt strain my hand. It's a cheapo Ernie Ball. I plan to upgrade when I know what I'm doing.
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AJ Azure · From: Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

I like stu', he's a kick Laughing

7/8, ANYTHING BIGGER IS COVERING THE FRETS, Especially after a few scotchies! Laughing

!!!

Howard Tate · From: Leesville, Louisiana, USA, R.I.P.

I use a very old 7/8 ten string bar. I don't know the brand, but it's still like new. I have a 15/16 BJS that sounds a little better to me at home. On a bandstand I can't hear any difference.The larger bar is a little harder for me to use. I would like to try a 7/8 twelve string bar, I think it would be more comfortable.

Billy Murdoch · From: Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.

15/16 BJS John Hughey for Me.
I have a back up 7/8 BJS and it seems tiny after using the John Hughey bar.
I have quite big hands, I also tried a one inch bar but did'nt like it.
Billy

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

For my [D–10 Derby PSG] I use a Jim Burden Hard Chrome 7/8”x3 1/8” Bullet Bar.
For my [T–10 Non-Pedal Remington] I use a Jim Burden Hard Chrome 3/4”x3 1/8” Bullet Bar.
For my [D-8 Non-Pedal Rickenbacker] I use a 3/4”x2 7/8” Pearse Hawai'ian Thermo~Cryonic Bar.
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David Doggett · Posted 6 Oct 2008 7:02 am

I mostly use a 7/8" double-bullet Twister (10-string). It rides on and off the low strings better on my S12 uni. I tried a 1" - the tone is great, but it seems to slow me down a little, and covers up too much of the frets in the upper register.

For blues/rock I use a grooved Shubb-Pierce #2, with a half-bullet on one end. It gives a lighter, brighter tone more similar to lap steel and guitar, and is very fast, and good for hammer-ons, pull-offs and open string stuff.

Tonu Timm · From: Estonia

Dunlop 7/8 for S-10
Dunlop 3/4 (Jerry Bird Model) for 6-string

Should be interesting to check out more different models, but it's a'bit complicated to find'em here. Confused

David Barker · From: Washington, USA

I use a BJS 7/8" 12 string bar on a ten string guitar...
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Bryant Aycock · From: Pikeville, North Carolina

Hey Guys,
My bar is 1" in diameter and 3 1/2" long. It's HOLLOW. It's light weight and I like it. I have three.
Two are 3 1/4 long and are plugged to look solid. When I got the other one, it was solid. I had a toolmaker at work drill it out. It's just what I like.
Thanks,
Bryant

Rick Abbott · From: Indiana, USA

More tapered bar users? More votes, for your fav chunk 'o steel?
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RICK ABBOTT
Sho~Bud D-10 Professional #7962
Remington T-8, Sehy #112
1975 Peavey Pacer

Mike Delaney · From: Fort Madison, IA

I bought a Twister from Don Curtis at Scotty's, and have never thought about changing. Feels great.

Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

I like and use a 7/8 10 string bar on 12 string UNI, and other PSG. The same bar is used on Dobro, lap steel, etc.
I like to have an indent on rear of bar for easier slants.

Stan Paxton · Posted 9 Oct 2008 7:17 pm

I know this may not sound reasonable, but I can hold and move the bigger 1" bar better than the 7/8. Hands are older now, tend to be a little arthritic, so the smaller bar, and seeming to have to bear down on it a bit more, cramps up the hand to some extent, can't play as long without resting it. Had to give up the 6-string entirely.
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Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

I thought size doesn't matter Mr. Green

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