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Topic: Another "which bar" thread...oh no!!!! |
Andy Henriksen
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 22 Oct 2012 7:17 am |
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Simple question, though (maybe).
I am considering a BJS bar, for 6 string lapsteel (maybe 8 string down the road). Right now, the 3/4" Jerry Byrd model (which I guess has a slightly more pointed nose) is out of stock. Should I wait for that to become available, or just get the round nose, which is what I've been using thus far (different brand, though).
What can I do (better, easier, etc.) with the JB that I can't with the standard?
http://www.bjsbars.com/steel-guitar-bars.php
Or, I guess I could spend an extra $5 and get the birthstone JB version. Is the stone recessed enough that it's out of the way/doesn't "feel weird"/etc.? Sometimes I angle just the tip of the bar into the strings, and its possible that the very end of the bar might be my point or contact, especially on a two-note "chord." |
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Steve Ahola
From:
Concord, California
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Posted 22 Oct 2012 8:17 am Re: Another "which bar" thread...oh no!!!!
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| Andy Henriksen wrote: |
| What can I do (better, easier, etc.) with the JB that I can't with the standard? |
Just wondering if you are already using the Dunlop 918 bar- does the BJS bar have the same dimensions as that? (I could find no pictures of their bars on their website.)
The description mentions that their JB model has a "pointed bullet nose." IMO the Dunlop 918 has more of a round nose than a pointed bullet nose- for that you can't beat a Jim Burden bullet bar for $40 incl shipping. He will make them to whatever length you want.
http://www.bulletbars.com
Although he doesn't mention it on his webpage he does make 13/16" bars which I think is like a perfect compromise between the mass of a 7/8" bar and the maneuverability of a 3/4" bar. And with a nose that actually looks like a bullet you can go smoothly from one string to two strings to full bar.
| Jean-Sebastien Gauthier wrote: |
| I recommend you the BJS Jerry Byrd, both BJS and Jim Burden make great bar but the finish of the BJS is a little better, it slide very well on string, like if it as oil, the John Pearse are great too. |
Can you tell us the length of the BJS 3/4" bar? I could not find it listed on their website. Thanks!
Steve Ahola
P.S. Here is a link to an old thread on the 13/16" Bullet Bars:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=185534
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Last edited by Steve Ahola on 22 Oct 2012 8:36 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Jean-Sebastien Gauthier
From:
Quebec, Canada
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Posted 22 Oct 2012 8:31 am
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| I recommend you the BJS Jerry Byrd, both BJS and Jim Burden make great bar but the finish of the BJS is a little better, it slide very well on string, like if it as oil, the John Pearse are great too. The point nose help for the single note playing with tilted bar, I can understand if someone prefer the round tip but I prefer the pointed tip because it tend to move from string to string better. Anyway Its just 2 cent and Im newbe but I can tell that the JBS are great and the customer service is very good! |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 22 Oct 2012 10:52 am Re: Another "which bar" thread...oh no!!!!
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| Steve Ahola wrote: |
Can you tell us the length of the BJS 3/4" bar? I could not find it listed on their website. Thanks!
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Mine is 2.875... too short for 8-string, IMO. I have an old Don Haase 3/4" that's 3.2"... just about perfect, it came with my '69 Deluxe 8. Perhaps Butch can be persuaded to make it in a longer size? I'm sure he's listening!
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New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329 |
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Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
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Posted 22 Oct 2012 12:22 pm
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Jim Burden can make you a bar to any length that you want. Great bars and great sliding. I have 2 or 3 of his bars. I have 1" (3" length) and 13/16" (2.70" length) diameter. Not sure if I have 7/8" diameter
Very quick turn-around time too. I had mine within 1 week of ordering. |
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Andy Henriksen
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 22 Oct 2012 4:23 pm Re: Another "which bar" thread...oh no!!!!
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| Steve Ahola wrote: |
Just wondering if you are already using the Dunlop 918 bar- does the BJS bar have the same dimensions as that? (I could find no pictures of their bars on their website.) |
I'm currently using a 3/4" x 3" Broz-o-Phonic - totally rounded nose. I like it, and think the size seems good, but I haven't used much else, so I'm not sure. |
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Jean-Sebastien Gauthier
From:
Quebec, Canada
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Posted 23 Oct 2012 5:05 pm
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I'm not sure of the length, In fact I lost my BJS JB and bought a John Pearse with the recommendation of my teacher John Ely but I miss the pointed end of the BJS JB so I just ordered one with a birthstone last week. But for me the size is just right, a small bar is easier for slant and I don't play all 8 strings a once.
I have a Bronz-o-Phonic and its a very different bar, the nose is really short and the bar is very long compared to a small Jerry Byrd style bar. |
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Tom Snook
From:
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA
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Posted 25 Oct 2012 2:51 am
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Dunlop 919 tone bar,20 bucks at Elderly Instuments! Save $50!
_________________
I wanna go back to my little grass shack........ |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 25 Oct 2012 4:55 am
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| Tom Snook wrote: |
| Dunlop 919 tone bar,20 bucks at Elderly Instuments! Save $50! |
If you don't want to know what you're missing, don't read further... you'll save the $50.
To test a bar, scrape it across the high string, like you're taking corn off the cob... the Dunlops make noise, the BJS is *dead* quiet. It's like chrome liquid in your hands.
That said, I still prefer the Paloma stone bar... even though it's noisy, it's *big* and light. Save even more... 20$ apiece at the jamboree.
_________________
New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329 |
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Jay Seibert
From:
Woodland, WA, USA
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Posted 25 Oct 2012 9:48 am
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Hi Stephen,
First, thanks for the kind words about Paloma products. I try to deliver the best tone bars I can and offer them to players at a very competitive price. I also offer a lifetime guarantee on all Paloma products... in short, if they ever fail to deliver as promised, I will happily exchange for another or refund your purchase price... with no time limit!
Now to your "noise" issue. Occasionally, I am blessed to have an extra hand helping with packing and shipping Paloma tone bars. As I am a one man shop, the infrequent help is very much appreciated. However, I have found that sometimes my helper does not have the same critical eye as I do and a tone bar which may be flawed slips by and gets mailed to the buyer.
I am doing my best to avoid this issue and offer my apologies to anyone who has a tone bar that is not up to their expectations. In addition, I invite you to send the tone bar back to me and I will be glad to replace it!
So Stephen, the bars should not be "noisy", they should be smooth and quiet on the strings. Send me the one you have and I'll, send you another. 
_________________
www.stoneslides.com is my Paloma Tone Bar and Bottleneck Slide web site
www.clayrabbit.com is my Pottery web site |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 25 Oct 2012 11:24 am
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| Jay Seibert wrote: |
So Stephen, the bars should not be "noisy", they should be smooth and quiet on the strings. Send me the one you have and I'll, send you another. |
Jay, I'd rather wait and see you in Dallas... probably pick up another four of them while I'm at it. Anyway, when I say 'noisy', I'm meaning 'noisier than a BJS'. The 'noise' is actually an attraction, as others have noticed... the 'extra octave' that Peter noted:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=235296
... and in general, the 'hair' you get on the notes with a dobro. Also, if you let your strings get oxidized, the PS bar will clean them right up, just like a super-fine industrial abrasive.
I own a BJS, as I stated... it's the slickest, quietest bar around. I also own a TriboTone... it's pretty slick, and very quiet too. I'm addicted to the PS bar now, however... it's big and light, and has a good tone I like. When I start playing more PSG this could change.
_________________
New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329 |
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Jean-Sebastien Gauthier
From:
Quebec, Canada
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Posted 21 Nov 2012 2:31 pm
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| Just for a little update, I play now for 3 weeks with my BJS Jerry Byrd bar and I can say that its the best bar I ever try. Its the slickest steel bar for sure and the point tip of the JB is very nice for single note. Im happy that my quest for bar and picks is done. |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2012 8:09 pm
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| Jean-Sebastien Gauthier wrote: |
| Just for a little update, I play now for 3 weeks with my BJS Jerry Byrd bar and I can say that its the best bar I ever try. Its the slickest steel bar for sure and the point tip of the JB is very nice for single note. Im happy that my quest for bar and picks is done. |
I second that emotion. The BJS Byrd bar is incomparable. It is superlative for everything from single string play to split slants. You really can't go wrong here.
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Amor vincit omnia |
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