JP Big Daddy Steel Bar

Larry Banks · Post by **Larry Banks** » 26 May 2021 12:43 pm

What do you all think about the JP Big Daddy steel bar? I wonder if I will get better tone with the weight? I am using a Ernie Ball ... but want something like a ShoBud that I had in the past. Thoughts?

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 26 May 2021 4:48 pm

I'm not familiar with the JP but I have a boatload of bars, from 7/8 to 1 inch. Various weight and length. Some are powder coated, poly coated or chrome then stainless steel. 1st you need to get the length and weight right for your comfort. I find the 15/16th size best for me and a 3 3/8 length. It takes trial and error to get the right feel, tone and comfort you desire. Give it a try.

Larry Banks · Post by **Larry Banks** » 26 May 2021 6:27 pm

Thanks for your advice

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 27 May 2021 5:25 am

JP is John Pearce. Just for clarification. I have no experience with their bars, but hear they are OK. I use a John Pearce thumb pick and love it. Tried John Pearce strings the last time I changed strings. They suck!

I believe JP bars are stainless. Might not be a good choice if you use stainless wound strings. Stainless on stainless creates a slight drag on the strings.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 27 May 2021 4:18 pm

Tone would likely be unchanged, but you might notice some more sustain on the slow stuff. But if you're looking for a Sho~Bud sound, you probably don't want more sustain anyway. Some pros I've talked to over the years that switched from Sho~Bud to other guitars told me that their sustain really wasn't that great, and that was one of the reasons they switched. Personally, I've never played a guitar that didn't have enough sustain to suit me. Each to his own, I guess.

The closest I've heard to a Sho~Bud sound in a more modern guitar was the Fulawka. They just about have it nailed, IMHO.

Lee Dassow · Post by **Lee Dassow** » 27 May 2021 6:01 pm

I bought two John Pearse "long john"bars off the forum store some years back.They are 15x16th diameter. I love em. Tenn.Lee

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 28 May 2021 5:58 am

Larry,John Pearce are my favorite stainless steel bars,I had a Big Daddy around here somewhere,I just bought another 7/8"John Pearce because I gave mine to a friend who is just starting his steel journey.

David Ball · Post by **David Ball** » 28 May 2021 1:27 pm

I have a Big Daddy and I like it. It sounds great, although it's a bit on the heavy side.

Dave

Len Ryder · Post by **Len Ryder** » 28 May 2021 1:57 pm

While I was playing in Hawaii Iin the early 60â€™s I had a steel made for my own wants, I had them use polished stainless steel 3 1/2â€ long. 1â€ inch thick and a 5/8 â€œ hole drilled 3â€ deep. I used that steel till I quit playing about 5 years ago.. No rust, nicks in all those years.

Larry Banks · Post by **Larry Banks** » 1 Jun 2021 2:19 pm

Donny Hinson wrote:Tone would likely be unchanged, but you might notice some more sustain on the slow stuff. But if you're looking for a Sho~Bud sound, you probably don't want more sustain anyway. Some pros I've talked to over the years that switched from Sho~Bud to other guitars told me that their sustain really wasn't that great, and that was one of the reasons they switched. Personally, I've never played a guitar that didn't have enough sustain to suit me. Each to his own, I guess.

The closest I've heard to a Sho~Bud sound in a more modern guitar was the Fulawka. They just about have it nailed, IMHO.

Thanks. Not looking for the Shobud sound. Their bar was a little bigger. I love my Dekley D 10 sound.

Larry Banks · Post by **Larry Banks** » 1 Jun 2021 2:20 pm

David Ball wrote:I have a Big Daddy and I like it. It sounds great, although it's a bit on the heavy side.

Dave

Just got my big daddy. Perfect and more sustain...

Larry Banks · Post by **Larry Banks** » 1 Jun 2021 2:22 pm

David Ball wrote:I have a Big Daddy and I like it. It sounds great, although it's a bit on the heavy side.

Dave

Yes it is heavier... but love the sound so far.

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 1 Jun 2021 4:07 pm

Larry Banks, whatever feels right and works. Enjoy the new bar.

Jim Fogarty · Post by **Jim Fogarty** » 1 Jun 2021 5:45 pm

I have one that I keep as a backup and for real slow, sustainy ballads. Slides as well as my BJS, pretty much. A LITTLE heavy, but not too bad. For the price, it can't be beat.

I may snag a Long John soon.

Larry Banks · Post by **Larry Banks** » 1 Jun 2021 8:00 pm

Jim Fogarty wrote:I have one that I keep as a backup and for real slow, sustainy ballads. Slides as well as my BJS, pretty much. A LITTLE heavy, but not too bad. For the price, it can't be beat.

I may snag a Long John soon.