The Steel Guitar Forum

I've used various bars over the past 50 years. BJS is the best I've ever used. Great bar, outstanding customer service from Butch.

I have other bars, and when I got my BJS bar, the others stay in a box at home. YES they are worth it!!!

Ive visited the site often, and the jeweled 7/8 psg bar is never in stock. Is this normal? Do you order anyway, and wait for a response?

Silky is the word. I have several jeweled 1" bars and they are all consistently perfect.

Worth every dime!

bUd

I love mine. I bought it from Bill shortly before his untimely death. It has a blue sapphire and compliments my patriot blue Zum.

I have used a few different BJS bars over the years but my favorite is the 15/16's John Hughey model, bless his soul.

Yes they are worth the price.
I own two of them.
One birthstone and one plain nose.

"BUT, I can't remember ever seeing someone posting a BJS bar for sale or trade."

They do come up for sale every so often, and they usually get sold quickly.

Rick

Best bar on the planet by a long way IMO..

Yep !...
got me 2 of 'em

Love the BJS bars they sound great. Butch is a great guy to deal with and talk to as well. Just got in last week a 12 string 1" Hughey from Butch, I also have a 12 string 15/16 Hughey that I've been using for a while.

I have the 15/16 10 string even though I play a 12 string universal, so still easier to "left" hand block with my 2nd finger ..it's harder with the 12 string bar for me, my fingers are not too long

Micky Byrne U.K.

Yes...For me Not only do they help to a degree, The level of care changed quite differently, For the Better of course.

Like a little kid with a new bike,
Liars quote : MY MOM SAYS YOUR NOT ALLOWED TO RIDE MY BIKE ...

Its all mental any way you look at it,
You`ll see...

After playing 5dollar Ernie Ball bars for almost 40yrs of playing pedal steel, I bought a BJS bar at the Texas Steel Guitar Show in March 2012,from one of the nicest men I've ever met. Butch Gardner told me to take the bar and go play one of the many steels on display. I told him that wasn't necessary, that I would just take the bar. He said, " If you don't like it, I'll buy it back. "I thought, you can't beat a deal like that, so I got home, sat down at my Emmons LeGrande, and the magic happened. That BAR!!!! is slicker than snot, and absolutely a game changer for me. WORTH EVERY penny!!!!!

After playing 5dollar Ernie Ball bars for almost 40yrs of playing pedal steel, I bought a BJS bar at the Texas Steel Guitar Show in March 2012,from one of the nicest men I've ever met. Butch Gardner told me to take the bar and go play one of the many steels on display. I told him that wasn't necessary, that I would just take the bar. He said, " If you don't like it, I'll buy it back. "I thought, you can't beat a deal like that, so I got home, sat down at my Emmons LeGrande, and the magic happened. That BAR!!!! is slicker than snot, and absolutely a game changer for me. WORTH EVERY penny!!!!!

I actually purchased one of these bars based on this thread. I used it on a gig last night and was kinda blown away by the way it seems to glide. I also think that there is maybe something happening with the balance of the bar as it feels a little different in my hand.
Butch was very nice to deal with. In the words of the country tune "I love this bar."

What an endorsement.... Thanks to all for sharing your honest feedback. Some of you I have had the pleasure of meeting, some of us have talked or emailed, and others I hope to meet. I don't advertise, and therefore depend on word of mouth and feedback through forums like this.

Thanks, Butch

Yup, happy to endorse Butch and his BJS Bars. I purchased a new 7/8" John Hughey from Butch earlier this year, and its leaps and bounds superior to a number of others I own. In addition, the customer service you can expect from Butch is top-notch.

Hi Butch. I just got my new bar in the mail. It arrived safe and sound. I cant explain how nice it plays. You must have put some pixie dust in it because it is great! What a difference going from a dunlop 920 to a BJS bar. I am smiling ear to ear.
Like hundreds of others said, I am going to say it again.
They are worth the money!

Left mine at home one time played the night with a 17mm extended socket !!! twas not my best gig!

yes worth the price and more.....

I got mine around 1991. A gift from a friend. Still use it.

Don't think my opinion is worth very much, since I am relatively new at the pedal steel guitar; however, I played in a Country-Western band for 25 years or so and had a PSG player almost always during that time. I'm not sure if BJS bars were even available back then, but I do know that the bars I remember picking up which belonged to my steel players were no where near as precision built as the BJS bars! They did not have the smooth shiney slick finish that the BJS bars have. I absolutely love mine and would never think of wasting my money on trying a different bar. I know I could not find one any better! So, for me are BJS bars worth the $$? A definite and resounding, YES!!! Roger

Are they worth it? Absolutely, Butch is a Master Craftsman who has carried on the torch that Bill has passed on to him.

I recently had Butch make me a bar for my 14 string and I can say that it has been a pleasure to play and use.

Butch has continued to build upon the legacy that Bill intrusted to his keeping. I have 4 BJS bars, including the one Bill made for Julian Tharpe, and this last one is my favorite. Butch takes pride in the work he does and it simply shows.

You get what you pay for so why settle for anything less than the best,

Thanks again Butch,

Dan (BMI)

I have two and wouldn't take for either one!! Love 'em!!

Eagerly awaiting my new BJS bar!