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Topic: BJS vs Pearse |
Gary Cooper
From:
Atmore, Alabama
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Posted 24 Jan 2014 5:23 pm |
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What is the difference between the BJS and Pearse bars?
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GFI Ultra SD-10; Nashville 112; Hilton pedal, George L Cables; Pearse bar; Live Stings;Walker seat by Billy Knowles. |
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Jim Saunders
From:
Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
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Posted 24 Jan 2014 7:16 pm Bars
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| I believe the difference is BJS is chrome plated and Pearse is polished stainless steel. In a blindfold test most can't tell the difference, although I'll confess I'm not an expert. |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 24 Jan 2014 8:48 pm
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Both are great bars. I have and use them. I find myself reaching for the BJS more often but when I forget to bring a BJS and use a Pearse bar I don't miss it at all.
I have an old Emmons bar I have been using lately too that I really like. Once you get passed the chromed Dunlops that drag there are a bunch of bars that work fine.
The BJS might have the edge though. There is just something about it that makes it my favorite.
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Bob |
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Bill L. Wilson
From:
Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2014 1:01 am The Bar!
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| Don't know about a Pearse bar, but man, my BJS bar is a FINE, SLICK, son of a gun. |
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Gary Cooper
From:
Atmore, Alabama
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Posted 25 Jan 2014 2:47 am
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Thanks guys, I appreciate your comments. Guess I will have to purchase a BJS bar, whenever they get back in production. Gary
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GFI Ultra SD-10; Nashville 112; Hilton pedal, George L Cables; Pearse bar; Live Stings;Walker seat by Billy Knowles. |
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David Nugent
From:
Gum Spring, Va.
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Posted 25 Jan 2014 5:46 am
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| Gary...If you don't wish to wait, contact Billy Cooper Music in Orange, Va. They normally stock a supply of BJS bars (may even have a few remaining originals manufactured by Mr. Stroud himself.) |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2014 8:45 am
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| The only bar that even comes close to a BJS bar is a zirconia bar. |
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Leon Champion
From:
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2014 8:58 am bars
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| NOTHING NO BAR CAN EVER COME CLOSE TO A BJS BAR, NUFF SAID. |
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Edward Rhea
From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2014 10:08 am
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BJS bars & and an ol Shobud bar I polished up a bit. Those are my favorites! Have a Planet Waves bar that drags a little to much for my liking. Never tried a JP. Got the bug after buying my BJS and never looked back! Worth every penny!
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“TONESNOB†|
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David Donn
From:
New South Wales, Australia
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Posted 25 Jan 2014 10:18 am
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| When I first switched from a Pearse bar to a BJS they seemed pretty similar. But now I don't like to go back to the Pearse bar as I have gotten used to BJS. The Pearse bar is very "draggy" by comparison, like playing in treacle. For sure you can tell them apart blindfolded. They are totally different. Definitely prefer BJS! |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 25 Jan 2014 1:36 pm
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I just bought a Pearse bar at NAMM show. having tried it out yet. I will do a comparison and get back to you in a day or two.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2014 2:22 pm
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The facts are: If you use nickel strings the John Pearse is a great stainless steel bar, but if you use stainless strings you need to use something other than a stainless steel bar. With stainless strings the BJS is better that John Pearse although I do believe a Pearse is harder to dent or scuff than a chrome bar due to the Cryogenic hardening process. Of course the Zirconia is a great bar on strings of any material. I don't believe that any bar sounds better on nickel strings than the John Pearse, also I am not saying that the Pearse bar sounds better than another. Chrome will finally wear thru with enough use where stainless steel is same material all the way thru.
Jerry
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http://www.littleoprey.org/ |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 25 Jan 2014 2:55 pm
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Thanks Jerry. My steel with the stainless steel strings is in the next room. I was planning to use it to make the comparison. The steel with the nickle strings is in my rehearsal studio, which is in a detached building at the bottom of the hill. Now that I've read your post, I'll try out both bars on both steels.
To be continued..........
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 25 Jan 2014 9:35 pm
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Mike, it is the principle of "unlike materials" being used for bearing surfaces. You never want like materials rubbing against one another. That's why brass bushings are used where a steel shaft would be mated to it, etc. You would feel a definite drag of the Pearse bar on stainless strings but on nickel it is smooth as glass.
Jerry
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http://www.littleoprey.org/ |
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Chris Lucker
From:
Los Angeles, California USA
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Posted 26 Jan 2014 3:04 am
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If you wish I can send you a Pearse and a BJS bar so you can judge for yourself. I want them both back. But you can try them.
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Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars. |
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Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 26 Jan 2014 5:43 am
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| Chris Lucker wrote: |
| If you wish I can send you a Pearse and a BJS bar so you can judge for yourself. I want them both back. But you can try them. |
What a generous offer, I love this place. 
(Chris, what's the difference between a Red Belly and a Bigsby?) 
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Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 26 Jan 2014 6:38 am
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I have a BJS bar that I've had for a long time (it was purchased when Bill Stroud lived in Birmingham).
I also have a Jim Burden "Bullet" bar. Both are equal in tone. I can use them interchangeably. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 26 Jan 2014 8:31 am
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Red bellies are early Emmons guitars with red flocking. Bigsbys were made by Bigsby.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 26 Jan 2014 8:56 am
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Haha, I know Lane... I was just wanted to see if Mr. Lucker would send em to me so I could judge for myself
_________________
Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 26 Jan 2014 1:18 pm First test
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I just compared the BJS, Pearse, and zirc bars on the guitar with the stainless steel strings.
The Pearse bar does indeed have more friction against the strings than the BJS. But it's not significant. I could tell the difference when comparing them, but I wouldn't notice it if I was just playing, and certainly wouldn't think "This bar has too much friction." It's not a problem. It's not even anything anybody would even notice. BTW the zirc bar had the least friction if the 3.
I tested the bars on the bass strings of my U-12, and here there was a noticeable difference in the tones the bars produced. The Pearse bar has more bite. It produced a louder and ballsier tone. I made this test on both a ZT club amp and a vintage Crate 1 (The first generation model that looks a packing crate.)
But again, I could tell the difference when comparing the bars, but I would not be able to tell which one I was hearing if I only heard one.
The bottom line is that while there are some subtle differences between the 2, it really doesn't matter which one you use. They are both excellent bars, and in my opinion, you can't go wrong with either one.
I will make the same comparison on the other guitar with the nickel strings. I suspect I will come to the same conclusion.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 26 Jan 2014 2:20 pm
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i just hope everyone that seems to know so much about drag and what's the best bar, can back it up by their expert playing.
personally, i can't tell the difference. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 26 Jan 2014 2:44 pm
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stainless..nickel...chrome...zirconia....cryogenic...
hey..anyone here just play steel?
get real.
gotta buy this, gotta have that...
i got a kick out of the jd maness interview...talking about volume pedals. he said he was using an old emmons pedal. ..said hilton's are good....yeah...telonics, yeah...that's a fine pedal...
they all do the same thing, he says with a smile... |
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John Scanlon
From:
Jackson, Mississippi, USA
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Posted 27 Jan 2014 1:00 pm
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| chris ivey wrote: |
i got a kick out of the jd maness interview... |
Got a link?
I agree musicians always seem to get caught up in gear fever thinking it makes more of a difference than just learning to play what you have well.
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Click here for the Index to Mickey Adams's YouTube video lessons
Insert impressive gear list here. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
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Posted 27 Jan 2014 1:24 pm
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Chris and John, I agree with your views except for the FACT that a stainless steel bar has more drag on stainless steel wound strings than does a chrome bar which means that if you prefer stainless steel strings the BJS is a better choice than the John Pearse. More drag does in fact adversely affect your playing. Either of the bars slide the same on the unwound strings but the slight drag of the stainless bar on the wound strings gives a different feel much like playing on rusty strings. Most players I know don't like that drag. The volume pedal is a completely different discussion topic which I see no need to get into. I personally use nickel strings so for me most any quality bar is fine whether it be chrome, (BJS), Stainless, (Pearse) or Zirc. My favorite bar is the Zirc and close second is John Pearse.
Jerry
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http://www.littleoprey.org/ |
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