A Comment on BJS bars

David Anderson · Post by **David Anderson** » 8 Sep 2009 9:52 am

I've had a BJS bar for a while now that my friend Teddy Carr (formerly of Ricochet)gave to me. I had noticed that it had some tiny spots on it that were sounding weird if they made contact with the strings just right. I have a friend who polishes metal for a living offer to polish it out for me. When I got it back, the bar soon began to turn black and I realized that he had taken the chrome off the bar.

I brought the bar with me to the ISGA to talk to Bill about the possibility of fixing it or any recommendations he might have. I assumed I would be buying a new bar one way or the other.

I wasn't able to stay as long as I originally planned and Bill was away from his booth while I was there. Brad Sarno offered to take the bar by the booth and talk to him about it later that evening for me.

I later got a call from Brad saying Bill had replaced the bar with a new one, no questions asked, even though it was my fault for giving it to someone else to try to polish out.

I have to say that I am amazed of the integrity of Bill Stroud. For anyone to just replace a bar like that with no questions asked, shows a quality of integrity and honor, not found in many people these days. I plan on sending you a check Bill, because I feel it is the right thing to do. Hats off to Bill Stroud for making a great product and standing behind it!

Dave

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 8 Sep 2009 10:12 am

Bill Stroud is the best. Not a finer gentleman anywhere on this earth.

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 8 Sep 2009 11:13 am

Bill is top notch !
Hook

Dave Goodman · Post by **Dave Goodman** » 8 Sep 2009 8:12 pm

I have a birthstone bar from Bill. I dropped it and broke the stone. He replaced it and all it cost me was postage to him and back. I have two of his and neither one is showing any wear whatsoever. The only bar to have.

Bill Stroud · Post by **Bill Stroud** » 9 Sep 2009 10:49 am

Thanks David but I was glad to replace it for you , a friend of Brad is considered a friend of mine.
Bill

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 9 Sep 2009 10:57 am

Bill's integrity in standing behind his work and the excellent quality of his bars, are well known to those of use who have been around for a while.

I collect bars and have about 50 of them. I prefer to use my zirconia bar, but if I did not have one, I'd definitely use Bill's bar. I keep it in my paca-seat, just in case.

Dag Wolf · Post by **Dag Wolf** » 9 Sep 2009 12:36 pm

Bill has replaced two bars from me since I´ve started to use them over 20 years ago. No questions asked.
I highly recommend the BJS bar. Bill is taking care of his customers

Steve Hitsman · Post by **Steve Hitsman** » 9 Sep 2009 1:18 pm

And if you lose the little logo off the end, he'll put a new one on... while you wait! Thanks again, Bill.

Doug Earnest · Post by **Doug Earnest** » 9 Sep 2009 2:38 pm

For a long time I did not believe that there could be a lot of difference if bars.....until I tried a BJS.

Pat Comeau · Post by **Pat Comeau** » 9 Sep 2009 4:00 pm

What Doug said

:)and the others.

Bill is #1 in my book when it comes to slide bars.

Steve Norman · Post by **Steve Norman** » 9 Sep 2009 4:04 pm

My tone actually sounds better, and the feel is great. I hate it when I have to use someone elses bar now. Great product!

Johnny Thomasson · Post by **Johnny Thomasson** » 9 Sep 2009 4:24 pm

My avatar kind of lets the cat out of the bag that I'm a fiddle player. I've always loved the sound of pedal steel (I'm sure you guys understand

), so about 5 years ago I got one and started learning to play it.

For a long time, I read all the "hype" about BJS bars here on the forum. I thought, man, these steel guys will spend their money on anything! It's just a piece of steel for God's sake!

I finally decided there had to be something to it, so I broke down and bought one. Was I ever surprised! Every good thing that's ever been said about BJS bars is absolutely true. And the best part was, my playing didn't suck nearly as bad as I thought it did. My BJS bar is the best money I ever spent.

Thanks Bill, for making an absolute best in class product.

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 9 Sep 2009 4:59 pm

Johnny, I got a BJS bar on your recommendation. I agree with all you say. Mine started working better after I stopped putting rosin on it.

Johnny Thomasson · Post by **Johnny Thomasson** » 9 Sep 2009 5:02 pm

Rick Campbell wrote:Johnny, I got a BJS bar on your recommendation. I agree with all you say. Mine started working better aftre I stopped putting rosin on it.

Yeah, it took me a while to figure that part out too, but after that it was great!!!

Mark Treepaz · Post by **Mark Treepaz** » 14 Sep 2009 8:11 am

David Anderson wrote:I've had a BJS bar for a while now that my friend Teddy Carr (formerly of Ricochet)gave to me. I had noticed that it had some tiny spots on it that were sounding weird if they made contact with the strings just right. I have a friend who polishes metal for a living offer to polish it out for me. When I got it back, the bar soon began to turn black and I realized that he had taken the chrome off the bar.

Chrome? I was under the impression that all BJS Bars were Stainless Steel bars, aren't they?

Jonathan Cullifer · Post by **Jonathan Cullifer** » 14 Sep 2009 8:41 am

No, they're chrome.

I played with a stainless for years until I got a BJS bar. It's the best bar I've ever used.[/quote]

Mark Treepaz · Post by **Mark Treepaz** » 14 Sep 2009 8:46 am

Jonathan Cullifer wrote:No, they're chrome.

I played with a stainless for years until I got a BJS bar. It's the best bar I've ever used.

[/quote]

Yep you're correct. In the meantime, I went and looked it up. Chrome.

I play a BJS bar and I'll agree that it's a great bar.

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · Post by **Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)** » 14 Sep 2009 11:41 am

I've got a story here about my BJS bar ...

Quite some years ago, back in late 1987, I bought my first Mullen steel at Charlie Norris' Music and Gary Hogue was with me when I bought it. Well, I'd been using this home made bar on my previous guitars and Gary, always hating that bar of mine, would often ask me when I was going to get a "real" bar for my steel and I'd reply, "Oh, I'll get around to it someday."

While Bud Carter was setting up the knee levers on my new Mullen for me, Gary asked me what my birthstone was and I told him (turquoise) and went back to watch Bud working on my new guitar and talk with him while he worked.

When we brought my guitar back up to the front of the store, Gary handed me a small package which I opened up and it was a brand new BJS bar with the birthstone in the tip and, smiling in that way that only Hogue could do when he was up to mischief, he said, "Merry Christmas, Jim. Now you've got something decent to use on your new Mullen".

I immediately threw the old home made bar into one of Charlie's trash cans and started using that new BJS bar. That bar knocked my socks off! It was the smoothest, most beautiful and most comfortable bar I've ever held.

Although the birthstone fell out a long time ago and there's and empty spot there now, I've never stopped using that bar and will probably never stop using it. It is just as perfect and smooth today as it was when Hogue handed to me that day in Charlie's store.

I'd like to get another birthstone put in it someday, but in the meantime, it's still the finest bar I've ever used.

Bill Stroud · Post by **Bill Stroud** » 14 Sep 2009 12:29 pm

Hi Jim,
That's the first time that I've heard that story. Gary Hogue is a great guy. So if I'm right your Birthstone Month is December right?
Email me your address and I'll send you a new stone along with instructions on how to install it.

Thanks to all that have supported me down through the many years that I've made these bars. I really appreciate you guys, and I am pleased that you are using the BJS Bars.
Hope to see some of you in Dallas this coming March.
Bill

Stan Paxton · Post by **Stan Paxton** » 14 Sep 2009 12:44 pm

Another satisfied customer here; Bill sure treated me more than right with a replacement bar.

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · Post by **Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)** » 14 Sep 2009 12:59 pm

Thanks, Bill ... yes, Gary was a great guy in every sense of the word ... a true friend and simply the master at steel guitar (and he wasn't bad on bass guitar, either, whenever he deigned to pick one up ... and there's another story behind that).

You're correct in that my birth month is December. I really appreciate the replacement stone. I'll email you my address right away.

I'll be attending the steel show in March and it would be a great pleasure to meet you ... that BJS bar of mine is fantastic and I truly believe it was instrumental in helping me really grow as a steel player. I highly recommend your bars.

Bill Stroud · Post by **Bill Stroud** » 14 Sep 2009 4:55 pm

Your stone will go out in the morning's mail.
(1) Clean out the old glue with a sharp instrument.
(2) Drop some super glue in the hole approximately 1/32" below the top, if you put too much glue in take a paper towel make a point and draw some out.
(3) Put your stone in and level it up right away before it sticks.
(4) Let it dry for about ten minutes and your ready to go.
(5) If you get too much glue on the outside on the bar surface don't worry, let it dry and scrap it off with a pocket knife it won't scar it, it may dull your blade. ha ha
Need any help let me know.
Bill

Bobby Burns · Post by **Bobby Burns** » 14 Sep 2009 5:46 pm

I bought my BJS bar from Herby Wallace around 26 or 27 years ago. It was my third bar. The first two were Dunlops, because they were cheaper, and I just couldn't see spending the extra money. Herby told me that Bill would stand behind it, and send me a new one if ANYTHING ever happened to it. After the chrome flaked on two Dunlops in less than a month each, I bit the bullet and bought the BJS, largely based on the guaranty. Guess what, I have used this thing a lot, and dropped it a few times when I knew it was ruined, but I still have not had the need to take Bill up on his guaranty. I sold a kid a D'addario bar today, and told him he should really get a BJS. I showed him mine, and told him how long I've been using it. He said,"Man! It still looks brand new." I don't think he believed me, but like me, I bet it won't be long before he comes around and orders one.
I have a few others that I like too, but the BJS is really the best.

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 15 Sep 2009 5:13 am

I am a member of the Bill Stroud fan club. He's a good friend and I feel blessed to have him just up
the road from me. Oh yeah he makes a great product
also.

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · Post by **Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)** » 15 Sep 2009 10:10 am

Thanks, Bill ... I have your instructions printed out and will follow them to the letter ...

... not worried about dulling my knife, I've been needing an excuse to sharpen that old Kabar anyway

Again, thanks a million and really looking forward to meeting you at the Texas show in March.

By the way, will you have any of the new John Hughey 1" diameter 10-String bars with you? I always have to buy something at one of the steel shows and this year I'd like it to be one of those new birthstone John Hughey bars I saw listed on your web site (my current BJS bar needs a companion to go with it).

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