Beginner using a 12 string bar for a 10 string guitar?

Ben Waligoske · From: Denver, CO

Hey all -

I've got my first steel coming in a few weeks, a Stage One! And now I'm looking to gather up the essential accessories to have around and ready for when the steel ships...

I'm curious - a buddy has a BJS 7/8" 12 string tone bar he's willing to loan me while I get started, but I'm curious if anyone thinks this might be an obstacle for a new player on a single-neck 10 string...

Thoughts? Should I just hold out for a decent 10 string bar?

Keith Davidson · From: Nova Scotia, Canada

Ben, for what it's worth I'm playing for 5 years and have used a 12 string bar since I started.

Everybody has their preference but it all comes down to what works for you. Certainly won't hurt you starting out.

After some experience you may want to try different bars but for now I can't see it mattering much.

Ben Waligoske · From: Denver, CO

Thanks Keith - that's kinda what I figured! If anyone else has strong feelings feel free to chime in, but I think it'll be nice to have a high quality BJS bar from the start, so there's that too...

Thanks again!

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Mass contributes to tone and sustain. I use a 12 string bar half the time. It takes a bit more muscle to move around, but I can play Jerry Douglas Dobro licks with it, so I reject the notion that they're heavy and slow. They're not slow, just heavy.
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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

Jim Eaton · From: Santa Susana, Ca

I have 3 12-string Ext E9th guitars and use a standard 10 string Emmons bar for all of them.
I had played 10 string guitars for quite a few years before I got my 1st 12 string and never even had a thought of needing a "longer" bar to play a 12 string tuning.
Not sure I could even play a grip as wide as a 12 string bar would cover!! Smile

Your buddys bar will get you started, and you may love a 12 string bar, but only you can make that call.

JE:-)>
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Emmons D10PP 8/4 -75'
Emmons S-10PP 3/4 - 79'
Emmons S-12PP 3/4 -78'
MSA Legend SD12 5/5 -06'
Mullen S-12 4/5 - 1986
Nashville 112 x2 W/Knob Guards - Don't leave home with out one!
Walker SS rack system - 12"BW's
Quilter Steelaire Combo

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

The only obstacle I can see is if you have small hands. A student of mine has small hands and started with a 12 string bar. He says it is really uncomfortable for him to hold. The bar actually stuck out past the middle finger of his bar hand eliminating any possibility of blocking strings with his bar hand as he pulled the bar back. He got a 10 string bar and everything changed for him. Other than that, it shouldn't make a lot of difference.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Dave Hopping · From: Aurora, Colorado

I always used a 10 string bar,even after I started playing a U-12 about 7 years ago.Got a 12 string bar recently,just as an experiment;now I'm going to use it all the time,even when I play 10 string.One thing the longer bar does for me is make reverse slants easier.

Ben Waligoske · From: Denver, CO

Thanks guys, really appreciate it! I think I'll start with the 12 string length and probably not know the difference... and maybe try out a 10 string length when I get the chance.

I'm more worried about learning my way around chord/scale tones first, so I'd imagine the added heft won't bug me much anyways as I figure out the bar + pedal + level combos to play the basics.

So excited! Thanks again ya'll!

Ben Waligoske · From: Denver, CO

Thanks guys, really appreciate it! I think I'll start with the 12 string length and probably not know the difference... and maybe try out a 10 string length when I get the chance.

I'm more worried about learning my way around chord/scale tones first, so I'd imagine the added heft won't bug me much anyways as I figure out the bar + pedal + level combos to play the basics.

So excited! Thanks again ya'll!

Clete Ritta · From: San Antonio, Texas

Depends on hand size and style of playing. I prefer the 12 string bar (Dunlop 921) for 10 strings. Not only is the larger size more comfortable for me to hold, but the heavier weight means less downward pressure is required to eliminate string buzzing.

David Anderson · From: St. Louis, MO, USA

I have used a 12 string bar for years. I find it a bit easier to lift if I want to play open strings. You'll do just fine with a 12 string bar!

Jim Williams · From: Meridian, Mississippi, USA - Home of Peavey!

Congratulations on the Stage One!
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GFI SM10 3/4, 1937 Gibson EH-150, 2 - Rondo SX Lap Steels and a Guyatone 6 String C6. Peavey 400 and a Roland 40 Amps. Behringer Reverb Pedal.

Tommy Wallace · From: Bowling Green Kentucky

I don't have an opinion on the bar , but you are off to a good start with the Stage One. IMHO

Georg Sørtun · From: Mandal, Agder, Norway

For the first couple of years - some 30 years ago when I didn't know any better Smile

, I played S10 with a 12 string bar that came with my first PSG. Then someone (J.N.) pointed out to me that that bar wasn't right for me, and by switching to a (for me) proper 10 string bar my playing came together so much better.

As has been commented on already: our hands and playing styles are different so what works fine for some doesn't work so well for others. Now I for the most part play both my 10 and 12 string PSGs with a 10 string bar, which works fine for me.

Ken Metcalf · From: San Antonio Texas USA

You know you don't have to cover all the strings all the time right?
Sometimes just cover 2, 3 or 4 at a time.
I use a 10 string bar on a 12 string steel.
Hang in here and good luck. Very Happy

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MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes

Leonard Imbery · From: British Columbia, Canada

I use a 10 string bar on my 12 string...I'll trade you bars if you want...

John Groover McDuffie · From: LA California, USA

The bar won't know the difference, so the only considerations are how it feels in your hands, and if you can cover all the strings you need to at the same time. Since you are using a longer bar the second issue won't be a problem!

Jason Lynch · From: Essex, United Kingdom

I switched from a 7/8" 10 string to a 1" 12 string a couple of years back. feels much more solid in my rather large hands.
As everyone has said, its a personal thing. try it. you can always get something smaller if it feels cumbersome, no?

Ben Waligoske · From: Denver, CO

Whoa, even more responses! Thanks y'all. I ended up biting the bullet and ordering a John Pearse cryo 10 string, 7/8" bar... About as "standard" as one can get from what I've read, and I'm really excited for that. But, I may dabble with a 12 string bar at some point too, some interesting opinions were expressed...

And good to hear some love for the Stage One. I've got one in black coming - almost didn't want to wait and bought something used, but glad I stuck it out as I hear Doug's instruments are very high quality/reliable.

Now to find a Goodrich 120, and put it all into my '73 Silverface Twin! Cool

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