What brand bar do you use , and why?

Bob Knight · Post by **Bob Knight** » 3 Jun 2012 8:31 pm

I tried to make this a poll and couldn't.
Please just answer in a post.

Thanks,
Bob

Chris Dorch · Post by **Chris Dorch** » 3 Jun 2012 8:38 pm

15/16 3 3/8 Bullet bar..

Because I don't know any better... Other than it is better than my Jim Dunlop..

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 3 Jun 2012 9:31 pm

I used a Dunlop bar when I started playin' steel twelve years ago, but because of my cerebral palsy in the left hand, I had to try out several different bars. In 2003, I got my latest bar at the ISGC-it's a Sacred Steel bar. Billy Phelps had it there when he was at the Carter Steel booth. It's got grooves on it, so it don't slide around in my left hand like the Dunlop did-I've been usin' this bar for nine years and it's my best bar because it helps my left hand to finally grip the bar without it sliding around. It gives my steel a great sound and vibrato is easier with it.

Brett

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 4 Jun 2012 4:25 am

Jim Burden bullet bars. They feel and sound great and he will make them to any size.

Georg Sørtun · Post by **Georg Sørtun** » 4 Jun 2012 6:29 am

The bar I use the most is a Zirconium bar, as it has the smoothest surface of all bars I have.

I also have, and use from time to time, a BJS bar, a BulletBar, a couple of ceramic Paloma Bars, an old Dunlop bar, and lastly a couple of bars I don't know the name of.

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 4 Jun 2012 6:53 am

An Emmons bar because... it's got "Emmons" stamped on the end.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 4 Jun 2012 6:59 am

BJS, and an Emmons sitar bar on occasion.

Steven Finley · Post by **Steven Finley** » 4 Jun 2012 7:02 am

Bjs they are slick as glass,great tone,and butch
has got it right.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 4 Jun 2012 8:11 am

It's a tossup between the 15/16" BJS John Hughey bar and the 15/16" Zirconia bar.

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 4 Jun 2012 8:35 am

BJS, because that's what a lot of great players here recommended... and because Bobbe Seymour sold it to my daughter as might nice gift for me.

It's just like my golf game. Equipment is not my issue. LOL

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 4 Jun 2012 8:45 am

My friend turned a bar for me on his CNC lathe. It is a 15/16 bullet bar made out of 17PH stainless steel. He polished it to a fine smoothness as measured in his ultra sound tester- it turned out somewhat smoother than industrial chrome.
Its not for sale

Stephen Cowell · Post by **Stephen Cowell** » 4 Jun 2012 9:02 am

I own BJS, TriboTone, Dunlop... the BJS is slick as owl poo, the TriboTone is absolutely silent... but I keep coming back to the Paloma stone bar, the bigger the better. Advantages:

1.) It is big. I play 8-string steel guitar and I have carpal tunnel, arthritis etc. The larger bar is just easier to handle.

2.) It is light. I was amazed at how good it works, given that it's half the weight (or less?). That was (the immortal) Billy Robinson's take on it, big, light, and comfortable.

3.) It hooks up. When I play with the amp next to the neck, very loud, there's a sustain effect off of the bar... better than with a metal bar.

4.) It is cheap. At $20 a pop, I bought four in Dallas... glad I did, had one launch at the coop mtg, Rose said 'I thought it was part of the act', thank you Rose. It broke on the second bounce, BTW.

5.) It cleans your strings. Let your guitar sit for a while? Strings a little rusty? The Paloma stone is an industrial abrasive... they'll be slicked up after 2min of playing, don't mind the red dust underneath! Finer than the finest oil-stone... I'm convinced it makes the top of the strings flat, although I haven't sawed through one yet.

6.) It's kinda like a violin bow... the abrasive quality gives 'hair' to the notes as you're moving the bar. On dobro, with the bronze strings, it's very nice. Others might not like it, but at $20 you can afford to experiment!

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 4 Jun 2012 9:12 am

basically, whatever i end up with for free.
my gig bar for many years is a 1" dekley heavy monster.
i'll always keep my emmons for the same reason as frank!

i'd probably be happy with a 15/16th bar if i could get a free one.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 4 Jun 2012 9:34 am

Mostly I use a 7/8" BJS, the short model. It fits my hand and it sounds good.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 4 Jun 2012 10:27 am

I have one with 7/8 in diameter, a little over 3 and a half inches long, it's got a screw at the back. Anyone have an idea what brand it is?

baxter vaughan · Post by **baxter vaughan** » 4 Jun 2012 1:06 pm

i finally settled on the john pearce bar. fits my hand, sounds good and very slick.

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 4 Jun 2012 1:10 pm

BJS Hughey with the red label. A little bit lighter. I just got a new one from Butch as a spare and I am using it. Identical to the one Bill made me. Glad to see the quality is carrying on.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 4 Jun 2012 2:07 pm

BK, I don't know if you'll find my post useful because I don't really care which one I use.

I have a stainless Dunlop from back when, a stainless George L's, a BJS, and a couple stainless bars I bought from the Jackson Guitar Company in the 80's plus a Jim Burden Bullet Bar. All relatively heavy weight. Standard 7/8" dia. Generally, I reach for the Jackson bar first because it's about 1/4" shorter than the others and I like the feel of it....or the Bullet Bar.

I can play with any of them just fine. That is, as well as I'm capable of anyway.

Manfred Schall · Post by **Manfred Schall** » 4 Jun 2012 2:46 pm

I relay on BJS bars.
Although I actually sell some of them.
They are excellent.

Cheers,
Manfred

Jerry Foster · Post by **Jerry Foster** » 4 Jun 2012 2:56 pm

I use the 1" T.Bar I got from Jack Perkins in Dallas TX. 4 years ago, & I also use The 1" Paloma stone bar which I like very well. thanks to Jay S. for letting Me Demo it in Dallas Tx. so now I have 4 of them.

. Jerry F.

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 4 Jun 2012 3:44 pm

John Pearse 7/8 and, 1 inch stainless bars.

Stainless bars are slick on nickel wound strings.

Bud Angelotti · Post by **Bud Angelotti** » 4 Jun 2012 4:24 pm

An emmons bar. It came with the guitar, an emmons.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 4 Jun 2012 4:31 pm

Like Jerry O, I just use whatever strikes my fancy, or whatever's handy. I have bars all the way from 1/2" up to 1 1/4", and made of all kinds of stuff - stainless, chromed tool steel, monel, bakelite, glass, nylon, brass, teflon, aluminum, delrin (acetal), and wood. Most times, I use my old Sho~Bud bar, but that's only because it's the smallest metal one I carry in my kit. The cheap ones, even a Dunlop, are fine for a beginner, IMHO.

As a general comment, I just don't like the "look" of white bars, so I have little interest in buying a "zirc".

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 5 Jun 2012 2:29 am

I use BJS bars only. I have two different sizes and even have one with a birthstone in the end of it. I have found for my ears I get a better sound with a BJS bar.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 5 Jun 2012 4:26 am

BJS, both standard length 7/8 and John Hughey 15/16. I've been using BJS bars since 1988.

Also have a John Pearce bar that John personally gave me when he was a vendor at a music store where I worked. We did several steel guitar deals together as well. He was a good man.