Tone Bar Manufacturer?

Chris Harvey · Post by **Chris Harvey** » 15 Oct 2023 8:03 am

Time for a new bar. The forum is bombed with old threads. Looks like BJ is out of business. I prefer to not have a Dunlop. Recommendations? (For pedal steel use)

Dave Magram · Post by **Dave Magram** » 15 Oct 2023 9:00 am

Chris,

Before any mistaken rumors get started about BJS Bars no longer being available, it might be a good idea to verify if they are still in business, wouldn't you agree?

This URL for the BJS Bars webpage seems to work fine...
http://www.bjsbars.com/

Have you tried contacting Butch Gardner, the owner, at the email or phone number he provides on that BJS webpage?

- Dave

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 15 Oct 2023 9:02 am

BJS isn't out of business. They are out of stock on a lot of bars. Bruce said more should be in stock by EOM.

However, I just switched to a Dunlop 921 11 plus ounces and really love it.

Butch Gardner · Post by **Butch Gardner** » 15 Oct 2023 10:18 am

Thanks Dave for responding to this. BJS Bars is not out of business.

Just so you know... Like many things Steel Guitar, BJS Bars is a very small, one man business and I do have interruptions that seem to always impede my best efforts and intentions at staying caught up with product. This past year I decided to add a restroom to my main shop. Should have done it when the shop was built, but funds were not there. After 10 years of peeing out the back door, my wife said that needed to stop so plans were set in motion and permits gathered. Primarily the addition of a second septic tank, building permits and so on.

Around the time the project began, we had several large rains that sent about 2 inches of water standing in my buffing shed which is a separate building. The fix to this was to pour an additional 6 inches of concrete over the existing slab and do some water diversion from a neighboring cotton field.

All a much bigger project than expected and I am always overly optimistic with my abilities and capabilities. Naturally, I decided to do much of the work myself.

Anyway... The 6 inches of concrete is poured, I have a run of bars out for Hard Chrome Plating, and am buffing more for Hard Chrome Plating now. The restroom is not finished, but is framed, dried in, and moving along. At this stage I can pull away from the addition and devote more time to building bars. Hope to be somewhat back on track going into the holidays with plans to be present at the Steel Guitar Convention in Dallas next March.

BJS Bars is still going and I sure hope to be for years to come. As folks reach out for a bar, I will keep a list and try to let you know when they are ready. Otherwise, keep an eye on the website and I will add them as they are available.

All Best from BJS Bars
Butch

Glenn Taylor · Post by **Glenn Taylor** » 16 Oct 2023 8:05 am

BJS makes excellent bars. I would also consider Wayne Johnson's tone bars--excellent product, custom sizes no problem.

http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.c ... iveguitars

Michael Sawyer · Post by **Michael Sawyer** » 16 Oct 2023 9:48 am

Well Mr. Butch just off of your post i will definetly be ordering a bar from you soon.

Chris Harvey · Post by **Chris Harvey** » 24 Oct 2023 4:25 am

Great news! I’ve been hoping for another BJs bar to replace my trusted current one.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 24 Oct 2023 5:24 am

My experience with BJS bars? The only time you need a replacement is if you lose one.

Some products seem to be made so well that they'll last for ever.

(I am guilty of owning several BJS bars, but they're different sizes. Every one looks like it did when it was new.)

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 24 Oct 2023 5:43 am

My sentiments exactly Roger.
Why change when you have the best.

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 24 Oct 2023 5:43 am

Been using BJS since the 80's and just don't think there's an equal alternative. I've lost track of the number of BJS bars I have but somewhere north of 6, which in a way is nuts cause none of them are going to wear out.

Except for that peeing out the back door thing, (think I might have kept that a secret

) Butch has always been very helpful, and EVERY BJS bar I have is impeccably made and smooth as silk moving across my strings. Just got so excited I may have to go and order another one.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 24 Oct 2023 5:49 am

We're all friends on here, Dale - nothing is off limits.

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 24 Oct 2023 6:03 am

Roger Rettig wrote:We're all friends on here, Dale - nothing is off limits.

Then I too have been guilty, BUT living in a bunkhouse in Northern Alberta withOUT "facilities" AND 30 below outside, I wasn't going to open the door any wider than necessary

to walk over to the house for a more respectable method of relief.

Michael Lester · Post by **Michael Lester** » 24 Oct 2023 12:32 pm

All good advice.

I have a BJS that performs flawlessly. I also have a couple of Michael Hillman's coated bars that I use a lot.

You'll be fine with either...

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