Ernie Ball Bars

[Jeremy Threlfall]

I've seen these Ernie Ball E4232 Steel chrome-plated bars

they come in two weights: 6.3 oz (white dot) and 7.8 oz (red dot)

they are both 3.25" 7/8 bars

6.3 oz sounds awfully light

has anyone used one of these?

[Robert Rogers]

Ernie ball makes a great bar but I prefer the bjs bars.they are simply the best in my opinion!

[Jeremy Threlfall]

6.3 oz seems very light for a bar

in comparison, my other bars are:

Dunlop 920 (Stainless) 7/8 - 7.4 oz
Hillman powder coated 7/8 - 8.2 oz
Hillman powder coated 15/16 - 9.6 oz
BJS 15/16 - 9.7 oz
John Pearce 15/16 (cyro) - 10.1 oz

[Gene Tani]

I weighed mine on postal/food scale, the medium 183 grams, the other 230. I have a hillman that weighs 230, my 2 Hughey bars (BJS, Clinesmith) are 250, and "regular" 10 string, 15/16 by Hillman is 273 g.

I don't mind 230 g except i have to shove it down at 1st fret.

[Daniel McKee]

I had one for a few years but after 3-4 years mine started losing it’s outer layer/ chrome plating and just wasn’t useable anymore. It was a good bar for several years though

[Tucker Jackson]

Yes, the lighter of the two Ernie Balls at just over 6 oz is probably not the best choice for a modern pedal steel tone. The other one is OK.

When I was starting out, I had the heavier red dot Ernie Ball. It was fine, but like Daniel's, it only lasted about 3 years before the chrome started coming off. Otherwise, a good inexpensive bar for a beginner.

The chrome coming off is the indication that you're officially addicted and need to graduate to a BJS bar or something similar...

[Donny Hinson]

The big advantage of a lighter bar is that it's easier to move it quickly. Yes, you may have to press down harder on the lower frets, but most of us old-timers who started on lap steel or Dobro are used to that. The lighter weight does affect sustain somewhat, but not early enough for most players to worry about. As far as actual "tone", I don't hear a lot of difference. Keep in mind that many Hawaiian players used bars that were even lighter, but they still got a great tone.

[Greg Lambert]

Ernie ball makes a great bar but I prefer the bjs bars.they are simply the best in my opinion!

I have to agree. I have a BJS that I have been using for years and it still looks like new.

[Erv Niehaus]

Years ago I had a BJS bar that the chrome started to wear through on the butt end.
I contacted BJS and Bill said that he had some chroming done that wasn't quite up to par so he sent me a new bar.
Wonderful service!
Erv

[Dave O'Brien]

Used em for years. One old friend used his since I sold it to him in 1975 until he passed away last year.

[Jim Palenscar]

Reece Anderson used to get the light ones (white dot) from me.

[Jeremy Threlfall]

Well, there y’go - someone liked em!

Thanks Jim, Dave

[Fred Rogan]

I have an Ernie Ball bar that I have had since 1971 (bought it at a music store I worked at in Auburn, AL when I was playing a Fender 400). No dots on it just Ernie Ball in black letters on sort of an ivory background (probably used to be white).
The bar looks brand new. I like it and use it occasionally but it is a bit small.

[Kenneth Kotsay]

Where do I purchase Ernie Ball thumb picks, I'm on my last one? I just can't find them any more.
Ken

[Bobby Hearn]

I had a Ernie Ball bar when I started out and it was ok for a beginner but after a couple years I noticed it didn’t lay flat sometimes. And I spun it in my fingers with a cloth wrapped around and could feel grooves all the way around. They are junk but you get what you pay for as far as bars are concerned.