Chrome plated bar on nickel strings

[Roger Crawford]

A while back I switched from stainless wound to nickel wound. I just recently saw that the chrome plated bar that I use is recommended for stainless strings, but a stainless bar should be used on nickel strings. So, am I damaging my chrome bar? Am I not getting the tone that nickel strings offer? What’s the difference?

[Jon Voth]

Chrome is much harder (according to the internet). And I love my BJS bars, I'll never use anything other. That's all I know!

[Dave Grafe]

Chrome all the way for me

[Erv Niehaus]

Yes, chrome bar and nickel strings, best combination.
Erv

[Leon Champion]

Roger, if it's a B J S YOU CANT HURT IT.

[Lee Baucum]

Based on many years of discussion on the Forum, the rule of thumb seems to be:


Don't use a stainless steel bar on stainless steel wound strings.

Stainless bars work fine on nickle wound strings.

Chrome bars work fine on both stainless wound and nickle wound strings.



~Lee

PS: I didn't make up this rule of thumb!

[Jerry Overstreet]

Much ado about nothing IMO....if you can tell the difference, good on you. I've heard this ss bar on ss strings ad nauseum...maybe for you speed demons you can find this combo slowing you down, but I'd bet a nickel to a donut hardly anyone can see it.

Just pick a bar[s] and a set[s] of strings and go. Do whatever you believe if that makes you feel better.

[Donny Hinson]

There's a very slight drag felt when using a stainless bar on stainless strings, and there's a little more bar noise, too. How bad it is depends on the grade of stainless the bar's made of, as well as how well it's polished. (Many stainless bars aren't polished as well as they should be.)