Beginner using a 12 string bar for a 10 string guitar?
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
- Ben Waligoske
- Posts: 418
- Joined: 3 Jul 2013 6:50 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
Beginner using a 12 string bar for a 10 string guitar?
Hey all -
I've got my first steel coming in a few weeks, a Stage One! And now I'm looking to gather up the essential accessories to have around and ready for when the steel ships...
I'm curious - a buddy has a BJS 7/8" 12 string tone bar he's willing to loan me while I get started, but I'm curious if anyone thinks this might be an obstacle for a new player on a single-neck 10 string...
Thoughts? Should I just hold out for a decent 10 string bar?
I've got my first steel coming in a few weeks, a Stage One! And now I'm looking to gather up the essential accessories to have around and ready for when the steel ships...
I'm curious - a buddy has a BJS 7/8" 12 string tone bar he's willing to loan me while I get started, but I'm curious if anyone thinks this might be an obstacle for a new player on a single-neck 10 string...
Thoughts? Should I just hold out for a decent 10 string bar?
- Keith Davidson
- Posts: 433
- Joined: 19 Apr 2010 9:28 pm
- Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Ben, for what it's worth I'm playing for 5 years and have used a 12 string bar since I started.
Everybody has their preference but it all comes down to what works for you. Certainly won't hurt you starting out.
After some experience you may want to try different bars but for now I can't see it mattering much.
Everybody has their preference but it all comes down to what works for you. Certainly won't hurt you starting out.
After some experience you may want to try different bars but for now I can't see it mattering much.
- Ben Waligoske
- Posts: 418
- Joined: 3 Jul 2013 6:50 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
Mass contributes to tone and sustain. I use a 12 string bar half the time. It takes a bit more muscle to move around, but I can play Jerry Douglas Dobro licks with it, so I reject the notion that they're heavy and slow. They're not slow, just heavy.
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
I have 3 12-string Ext E9th guitars and use a standard 10 string Emmons bar for all of them.
I had played 10 string guitars for quite a few years before I got my 1st 12 string and never even had a thought of needing a "longer" bar to play a 12 string tuning.
Not sure I could even play a grip as wide as a 12 string bar would cover!!:)
Your buddys bar will get you started, and you may love a 12 string bar, but only you can make that call.
JE:-)>
I had played 10 string guitars for quite a few years before I got my 1st 12 string and never even had a thought of needing a "longer" bar to play a 12 string tuning.
Not sure I could even play a grip as wide as a 12 string bar would cover!!:)
Your buddys bar will get you started, and you may love a 12 string bar, but only you can make that call.
JE:-)>
Emmons D10PP 8/4 -75'
Emmons S-10PP 3/4 - 79'
Emmons S-12PP 3/4 -78'
MSA Legend SD12 5/5 -06'
Mullen S-12 4/5 - 1986
Nashville 112 x2 W/Knob Guards - Don't leave home with out one!
Walker SS rack system - 12"BW's
Quilter Steelaire Combo
Emmons S-10PP 3/4 - 79'
Emmons S-12PP 3/4 -78'
MSA Legend SD12 5/5 -06'
Mullen S-12 4/5 - 1986
Nashville 112 x2 W/Knob Guards - Don't leave home with out one!
Walker SS rack system - 12"BW's
Quilter Steelaire Combo
- Richard Sinkler
- Posts: 17067
- Joined: 15 Aug 1998 12:01 am
- Location: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
The only obstacle I can see is if you have small hands. A student of mine has small hands and started with a 12 string bar. He says it is really uncomfortable for him to hold. The bar actually stuck out past the middle finger of his bar hand eliminating any possibility of blocking strings with his bar hand as he pulled the bar back. He got a 10 string bar and everything changed for him. Other than that, it shouldn't make a lot of difference.
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 53 years and still counting.
- Dave Hopping
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- Ben Waligoske
- Posts: 418
- Joined: 3 Jul 2013 6:50 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
Thanks guys, really appreciate it! I think I'll start with the 12 string length and probably not know the difference... and maybe try out a 10 string length when I get the chance.
I'm more worried about learning my way around chord/scale tones first, so I'd imagine the added heft won't bug me much anyways as I figure out the bar + pedal + level combos to play the basics.
So excited! Thanks again ya'll!
I'm more worried about learning my way around chord/scale tones first, so I'd imagine the added heft won't bug me much anyways as I figure out the bar + pedal + level combos to play the basics.
So excited! Thanks again ya'll!
- Ben Waligoske
- Posts: 418
- Joined: 3 Jul 2013 6:50 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
Thanks guys, really appreciate it! I think I'll start with the 12 string length and probably not know the difference... and maybe try out a 10 string length when I get the chance.
I'm more worried about learning my way around chord/scale tones first, so I'd imagine the added heft won't bug me much anyways as I figure out the bar + pedal + level combos to play the basics.
So excited! Thanks again ya'll!
I'm more worried about learning my way around chord/scale tones first, so I'd imagine the added heft won't bug me much anyways as I figure out the bar + pedal + level combos to play the basics.
So excited! Thanks again ya'll!
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- Ben Waligoske
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- Location: Denver, CO
Whoa, even more responses! Thanks y'all. I ended up biting the bullet and ordering a John Pearse cryo 10 string, 7/8" bar... About as "standard" as one can get from what I've read, and I'm really excited for that. But, I may dabble with a 12 string bar at some point too, some interesting opinions were expressed...
And good to hear some love for the Stage One. I've got one in black coming - almost didn't want to wait and bought something used, but glad I stuck it out as I hear Doug's instruments are very high quality/reliable.
Now to find a Goodrich 120, and put it all into my '73 Silverface Twin!
And good to hear some love for the Stage One. I've got one in black coming - almost didn't want to wait and bought something used, but glad I stuck it out as I hear Doug's instruments are very high quality/reliable.
Now to find a Goodrich 120, and put it all into my '73 Silverface Twin!