Bars

Bennie Hensley · Post by **Bennie Hensley** » 6 Dec 2002 4:52 pm

Here is another question I hope you can help me with.I have an old bar that was given to me and it is a 3/4 inch but I don't know the brand name. As a beginner on the PSG any suggestions on which steel to use. My new guitar is a Cougar 1095.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 6 Dec 2002 5:57 pm

Benny, use whatever feels right to you. One thing you will learn about this instrument is that there is no definitive right answer to any question. It's all a matter of personal preference and comfort. What works for me might not work for you and vica versa.

Many questions fall into the "what's better, red or blue" catagory. That doesn't mean you shouldn't ask them, but you'll get a different answer from everybody you talk to. You have to do some experimenting and decide for yourself what you like and/or want. This applies to bars, knee lever placement, Emmons or Day setup, brand of steel, and just about every other aspect of playing.

Mark Kelchen · Post by **Mark Kelchen** » 7 Dec 2002 11:10 am

In your search for the right bar, if you get the chance to try a BJS bar, you may wind up impressed to say the least. I just bought my first BJS bar in the new 15/16ths from Bobbe Seymour at Steel Guitar Nashville. It has great tone and ease of play. Definately the most user friendly bar I own. Check out the thread under "Steel Players" titled BJS bars. There is a lot of talk on the bar subject. It is all good information. Mostly user preference though. Enjoy your search.

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 7 Dec 2002 3:29 pm

I read something a while back that quoted Jerry Byrd as saying that he used a 3/4" bar and anything else was just too big for slants. I would say he's right about the slants and if he played pedals I'd say his tone would be in the top three. I've got a 3/4" bar I got with my first pedal guitar and had it in the drawer for about 20 years so I got it out to try and the tone was great. We all may be using bars far too big.

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 7 Dec 2002 6:36 pm

For me, it is a matter of comfort and feel. I have been playing about 2 years now. I started with a 3/4 bar about 3 inches long, but my hand is maybe a little bigger. My hand was cramped.

Tried a 1" diameter bar. Toooo big, way too heavy.

Tried a 7/8" bar. Just right.

Borrow some from friends, or, purchase the inexpensive bars from Dunlop until you are happy with the size and weight. The Dunlop bars are PLENTY good.

When you find the size you like, wait until you find the strings you like, and the picks you like. Once all this is settled down.......
move up to the BJS or John Pearce cryogenic stainless steel bars. There really is a difference.

I hope this helps the thread.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 7 Dec 2002 6:37 pm

Frank, Jerry Byrd is not correct if he ever did say this, the size of the bar has little or nothing to do with slants and I feel I can prove this easliy. When I met Buddie Emmons in 1955, he was using a bar that had to be at least 1 1/2 inches around, this influenced me to try a "monster " bar
also. I still have mine at the store for all to try and if anything, slants are easier than with the small bars (3/4 and 7/8)
Come by and try it, you may not like it but slants are no trouble.
As a matter of fact Frank, please come by to see us, it's been too long!

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 7 Dec 2002 6:38 pm

Ron R. yes, good advise.