what bar should i buy

[Grayson Flynt]

Thinking about upgrading from my ernieball bar ive had since I started, I'm thinking about maybe going to the dunlop. If its possible under 75 dollars. Thank you in advance

[Ron Pruter]

I've 7 bars. Last one was a Hillman bar and have never touched any other since. RP

[Bobby D. Jones]

If your bar fits your hand Dunlop should have the size you want.

Ordering a new bar, May be a good time to read Mr. Franklin's post here on forum about bar fit.

The Forum store has quite a selection of Dunlop bars. Well within your 75.00 price range.

I like Dunlop bars. Got one with my first 12U. I now have 3 Dunlop bars.

[Brett Day]

I used a Dunlop bar when I started playing steel, but because of cerebral palsy in my left hand, I now use an Ezzee Slide polymer bar. I learned about the Ezzee bar while visiting Emmons Guitar Company in 2023. The bar I use is a Sneaky Pete size, so it's bigger than 7/8 and 15/16, and it's tapered. The Ezzee bar is my favorite bar to use on steel

[J Fletcher]

I used a Dunlop bar for over 20 years , a couple actually as the plating was wearing off , and a few years ago bought a BJS . A serious and noticeably better bar than the Dunlop .

[Jason Altshuler]

I have gone through a number of bars and nothing has come close to the smooth glide of a BJS bar. Could not recommend more highly.

[Ryan Olson]

Hi all,

All of my friends choose to use BJS bars. I’ve heard nothing but praise for them and their durability.

Personally, I use a Pearse bar. I absolutely love it and it gives me the tone that I want right now at an affordable price. It’s bright, full, and comfortable. I have used an Emmons bar as well, and that bar is also very good. For me, the Pearse bar is slightly brighter, whereas the Emmons bar is a little bit more subtle. In weight, they’re almost the same. My Dunlop bar I gave away after I started using the Pearse bar. Don’t settle for less by price. I learned that the hard way.

Bar choice is really player’s choice and whatever is your preference.

Good luck!
Rydog

[Tom Sosbe]

I have a box full of bars and in my experience a bar is a bar. Yep, I have some high dollar bars and some very cheap ones as long as it the correct size it's good.
Just my opinion of course.

[Samuel Phillippe]

I have a box full of bars and in my experience a bar is a bar. Yep, I have some high dollar bars and some very cheap ones as long as it the correct size it's good.
Just my opinion of course.

I have to agree with you, Tom. I just bought a glass bar and have other types in my collection and find very subtle difference between them. They all sound good to me even though I keep searchng for a better sounding one.

Sam

[Stew Crookes]

I have a couple and have had a couple more, and my BJS is the best no question. Clearest tone, least string noise and just feels the best moving over the strings...

[Bobby D. Jones]

I have a few bars. May have enough to last me. My 12 string bars weigh 11.5 oz. I drilled 1 out with 31/64 drill, Now weighs 9.7 oz., It is my go to bar.

[Erv Niehaus]

My two favorite bars are the John Hughey BJS bar and the zirconia bar.

[Ian Rae]

Getting the correct length to fit your hand is the most important thing.
I started on a Dunlop because it's all that was available over here. Nothing wrong with it.
Then I got a John Pearse off the forum, which was better, then a BJS, which is superb.
I think you probably get what you pay for.

[Charlie Hansen]

I've 7 bars. Last one was a Hillman bar and have never touched any other since. RP

I Have 3 or 4 Hillman bars and I swear by them.

[Grayson Flynt]

Thank you all for your knowledgeable information. I cant thank everybody enough for posting your thoughts. thank you.

[Len Amaral]

Even though I play a U-12 I use a 7/8 BJS 10 string standard bar. I also have a 15/16 BJS 10 string bar and several others.

I would like to try Zirconia bar but not sure if they are still made.

[Ian Rae]

Me too. There's no such thing as a 12-string bar really - you never strum all 12 strings. A longer bar than standard is only useful if you have longer hands.

[Bobby D. Jones]

If I went back to 10 string, I would use a 3 3/4" bar that fits my hand. Lot more bar control.

If you do not have a harmonica player in band.
The singer calls for He Stopped Loving Her Today, Its nice to come off strings 11-10-9 to the 3-1-4 lick to start the harmonica's fill. Without moving the bar.

[Pat Kane]

I like the Ernie Ball for a cheap and readily available bar, but I’m glad I picked up a BJS. It’s a little bit more all around: slightly heavier, longer, and smoother with better sustain. All adding up to an easier and more enjoyable playing experience. Plus I’m sure it will stand the test of time. Dunlops and Ernie Balls are stashed as spares now. Maybe a few bucks over budget but worth it in the long run.

[Brett Day]

After I tried out a 1994 Emmons with an Ezzee Slide bar, I did some research, and found out that Basil Henriques started making them in 2016. At the time, I was using a grooved Sacred Steel bar(not a Dobro bar), and the grooved bar worked pretty well, but because of cerebral palsy, I couldn't tell if I was getting a good sound, so in 2023, while at Emmons Guitar Company, after trying out two different bars on a 1994 Emmons D-10, they handed me a white bar, and being a curious steel player, I asked, "What's this?" and they told me it was a polymer bar and convinced me to try it out, so I put it on the E9th neck of the Emmons and smiled because I had no problems putting the bar on the E9th neck with my left hand-I thought I wouldn't be able to reach the E9th neck of an Emmons D-10 with cerebral palsy in my left hand, but I did it, and the bar worked perfectly! I'm happy to say I got my own Ezzee Slide bar this year and it works really well on my Jackson Blackjack Custom! Before I got my Ezzee bar, I tried out an Emmons ReSound '65 with a bar just like it, and I knew it's the bar I was looking for! The Ezzee bar is my main bar

[Marco Schouten]

I've got 3 stainless bars (Emmons, Sho-Bud, John Pearse) and 2 zirconia bars (7/8" and 15/16").

All are perfectly fine and will last forever.

[Chuck Lemasters]

My main bar is a 7/8 George L….I have tried BJS bars, still have a 12 string and 10 string 7/8 that I sometimes use. They are indeed slicker than the George L bar, but it is the one I am most used to, I don’t see the extra drag as a problem. I have a heavy no name 12 string 15/16, two very old no name, slightly short 7/8, and a very light Dunlop, each with their own pros and cons. The only bar that really falls short for me is an old Ernie Ball. I think that a guy can make just about any bar work, it is just a matter of getting used to it.

[Grayson Flynt]

I finally got made a decision and got the dunlop 920. I love it and was well worth the money. Thanks to all of your recommendations