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What bar size do you use?
Less than 7/8"
0%
 0%  [ 0 ]
7/8"
56%
 56%  [ 47 ]
15/16"
34%
 34%  [ 29 ]
1"
8%
 8%  [ 7 ]
Greater than 1"
0%
 0%  [ 0 ]
Total Votes : 83

Author Topic:  What bar size?
Bill Terry


From:
Bastrop, TX
Post  Posted 23 Feb 2018 12:52 pm    
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The other thread about bar sizes was kind of interesting, and I wondered statistically what bar size is most common, plus I've never tried to use the forum's poll util.

I've used a 7/8" almost exclusively, messed with a 15/16" briefly, but wasn't comfortable with the 'control' factor, and the visual adjustment I had to make.
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Richard Sinkler


From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
Post  Posted 23 Feb 2018 3:18 pm    
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My 12 string bar is a 15/16" Bullet Bar. My 10 string bars are: a BJS @ 15/16". My Nu-Generation 10 string bar is 1"
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 24 Feb 2018 9:57 am    
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Bill,
I think the question needs clarifying.
For pedal steel I prefer a 15/16th bar but for non-pedal 6 or 8 string, I use a smaller diameter and shorter bar. Very Happy
Erv
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Bill Terry


From:
Bastrop, TX
Post  Posted 24 Feb 2018 10:12 am    
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Hi Erv. yeah probably so.. I was thinking pedal steel, but it wasn't clear. I remember seeing a guy use a dobro bar on pedal steel once too. So probably should have been another category for 'other' or something as well. Smile
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Jerry Overstreet


From:
Louisville Ky
Post  Posted 24 Feb 2018 10:38 am    
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Poll criteria seems pretty clear to me since it's posted on the Pedal Steel board. FWIW, I've used a standard 7/8" bar for nearly 40 yrs. I tried a 15/16" for a while, but I found I liked the first one better overall.
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b0b


From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
Post  Posted 24 Feb 2018 10:54 am    
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I selected the one I use most often on my main pedal steel. I switch bars for different tones in different kinds of music, and have a favorite for each of my guitars.

If you had asked the question a year ago, I would have given a different answer. I was playing 8-string then; now I play a 10-string.
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Bob Watson


From:
Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
Post  Posted 25 Feb 2018 12:15 am    
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My friend and fellow steel player Dave Easley uses all sorts of different things for "bars". He told me its because they each have a different tone to them. The two that come to mind right off the bat are: 1)A needle nose pliers 2)Back when cars had vent windows there was a little piece of metal that you used to unlock the vent window with. Dave found one on the side of the road and uses it for a bar. I asked him why once and he told me it was because he liked the tone. He also has something that he uses for a "Sitar" sound. I've been thinking of trying one of those powdered bars for pedal steel. I have a Tribotone that I use once in awhile for lap steel, but in general I like a Jerry Byrd style bar for lap steel and a 7/8 for pedal steel.
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 25 Feb 2018 6:47 am    
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When I played a lot of lap steel, I liked a tapered bar, I think it was a Chase bar.
When I went to a console steel, I went to a straight bar.
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Bill Terry


From:
Bastrop, TX
Post  Posted 27 Feb 2018 6:24 am    
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Interesting, the stats are about what I thought they might be based on a lot of conversations with other players. That and $4.50 will get you a coffee at Starbucks.

Thanks to all who contributed.
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