Help with selecting a new bar

Kenny Burford · Post by **Kenny Burford** » 8 May 2007 6:20 am

Currently I have 3-inch x 1-inch steel bar made by Ernie Ball, but it is too large and hurting my hand, I am looking for suggestions regarding manufacturers and sizes. Just all around info bars.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 8 May 2007 7:01 am

My favorite is a 15/16" diameter bar by BJS. They also make a "John Hughey" bar that is the same size only it's lighter.

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 8 May 2007 7:51 am

The most prevalent bar size is 7/8", but whatever size you choose, BJS is the top of the line.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 8 May 2007 7:55 am

I have many, but keep going back to the old standard chrome-plated 3 1/4" x 7/8" (10-string) bars. Some players claim additional sustain using bigger bars, but I haven't found that to be the case. The BJS bars are about the best there is, but just about any chrome-plated bar will do the trick. More expensive bars tend to last longer, because the plating is better (thicker), but even a cheap Dunlop bar will last you a few years.

David Collins · Post by **David Collins** » 8 May 2007 8:17 am

Not to take away from any of the above, but I've been using a Bobbe Seymour Cobra Coil bar for a few months and LOVE it.

I think that he has them in a couple of different sizes, or at least lengths. Mine is 7/8 x 3 1/8 I think.

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 8 May 2007 8:44 am

There's only ONE Bar and that's a BJS that Bill Stroud makes; and any size you want.
Ricky

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 8 May 2007 11:32 am

You just might want to get a John Pearse.
http://www.jpstrings.com/braccess.htm#TCBar,I got mine from Frenchy in N.M.

Calvin Walley · Post by **Calvin Walley** » 8 May 2007 1:17 pm

as long as its smooth and shiny one is about as good as the next..anything else is B.S.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 8 May 2007 1:31 pm

Calvin Walley---for the benefit of newcomers to the forum or people that don't pay much attention, you owe it to the forum to disclose that you are a complete beginner when you post 'expert' information. Although your posts generally tend to be self-exposing, there is a serious lack of integrity when you post information as if you actually had significant experience in your field.

Tucker Jackson · Post by **Tucker Jackson** » 8 May 2007 2:28 pm

I bought an inexpensive bar (Ernie Ball) when I first started playing. The chrome started coming off after about two years of regular use.

It would have been cheaper in the long run if I had just bought a better bar in the first place.

John Steele (deceased) · Post by **John Steele (deceased)** » 8 May 2007 2:34 pm

I have to respectfully disagree with the "one's as good as the next" thought.
Of all the different steels, strings, amps, picks, etc. that I've tried, the most dramatic difference in sound happened the day I bought a BJS bar. It was a "wow" moment.
-John

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 8 May 2007 2:53 pm

BJS is a great bar. I sell the John Pearse Cryogenic bar and believe it to be equally as good. I use a Zirconium most of the time but when I don't use it I use the 7/8" John Pearse Cryogenic.
Jerry

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 8 May 2007 3:01 pm

I'm using a homemade bar right now, have been for the last 2 yrs. the other two bars I have are Dunlops, the ones I started with.

I've been hearing so much good about the BJS bar I think I'm going to order one in the near future.

Larry

Robby Springfield · Post by **Robby Springfield** » 8 May 2007 4:23 pm

BJ's fan all the way. Just the feel of the finish is better than anything else I've used. I love the JH bar.

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 8 May 2007 5:14 pm

I have to agree with Robby. The BJS bar is the absolute top of the line. Jim Burden of Bullet Bars also makes a great bar. I understand he has hard chromed bars available also. My advice to newbies is buy a good bar for starts. You will save money in the long run.

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 8 May 2007 5:17 pm

I have to agree with Robby. The BJS bar is the absolute top of the line. Jim Burden of Bullet Bars also makes a great bar. I understand he has hard chromed bars available also. My advice to newbies is buy a good bar for starts. You will save money in the long run.

I tried the John Hughey bar from BJS. I guess I've played the 7/8 inch bar too long. It just wasn't for me, although this in no way detracts from the bar. It was great, I just wasn't comfortable with the slightly larger size. Your mileage may vary.

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 8 May 2007 5:53 pm

I have used many bars and quality is a major concern. Yes you can hear the difference and feel the difference in playing. My preference in order:

1) BJS
2) Bullet (Really great guy to deal with!)
3) George L's

Dave

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 8 May 2007 6:10 pm

I have two favorite bars, both are 7/8" in diameter.

The BJS is 3 5/8" long and the Dunlop is 3 1/4" long.

The shorter Dunlop fits my small hands better than the BJS bar.

Each of the two bars produces a little bit different tone, both of which are very good.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 8 May 2007 11:50 pm

I use a 7/8's bar and like:
BJS
John Pearse
Carp bar (Its the one made by the Rains guys)

I find myself using the BJS most of the time.

I will pick up a red rajah when I get to it and would like to try a zirconium bar if they where available.

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 9 May 2007 3:56 am

When Deemens Den on Broadway closed, I, and many other Nashville pickers, selected Gabe's as our new bar. It was a great place to hang out and pick for many years, but after it went to pot I haven't found a new bar I like.

C#

www.calsharp.com

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 9 May 2007 4:00 am

Calvin, I use a BS bar myself.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 9 May 2007 4:03 am

Cal Sharp wrote:When Deemens Den on Broadway closed, I, and many other Nashville pickers, selected Gabe's as our new bar. It was a great place to hang out and pick for many years, but after it went to pot I haven't found a new bar I like.

Cal, I've been waiting for some local bars to switch to pot, but it just ain't happening.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 9 May 2007 4:07 am

Bill Stroud (maker of BJS) and John Pearse (who makes the cryogenic bar) are both steel players. Their bars are the best, and therefore are more expensive than the Dunlop or Ernie Ball bars.

I have several BJS and Pearse bars in both standard steel and lap steel sizes. They can't be beat.

Bill Stroud is also top-shelf when it comes to customer service. When you buy a BJS bar, you buy Bill's concern and service for life.

(Ernie Ball was a great steel player too, but he hasn't been around for awhile, and his products are more price-conscious than picker-conscious, IMHO.)

Here in Austin, the favorite bars are the Broken Spoke, Ginny's Little Longhorn, and the Continental Club.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 9 May 2007 4:07 am

I'm in agreement with a lot of what was said before. You can't go wrong with a standard 7/8 from Bill Stroud (BJS) or Jim Burden (Bullet Bars), who both make quality hard-chromed bars that they stand behind.

I disagree that "one bar is about as good as the next"; I've had some awful bars in my time, from Dunlops that peeled like an apple to old stainless steel bars that could scrape paint from a wall.

Ron Kirby · Post by **Ron Kirby** » 9 May 2007 4:44 am

I still use my Emmons Bar,, it is now 35 years old!!

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