The Steel Guitar Forum

Ok...the new kid here wants to know about bars. I'm currently using a 7/8" x 3 1/4" bar. I'm curious as to the difference between the two bars, other than the obvious 1/8" in length and the additional weight that would go along with the 1" bar. Which is the most popular and why? What could I expect if I were to switch to the 1" bar?
Steve

I think it boils down to more of a personal preference than to expect certain results. A heavier bar might just feel more comfortable to one person and another person might claim better control or more sustain. you just have to do a comparison yourself to really determine if there is a noticeable difference. Personally, the larger bars just fit in my hand better so I feel like I've got a little more control.

thanks for the reply, Andy. The subject line cut the "ne" off of "tone". Do you notice any difference in tonal characteristics between the two bars?

Steve

I use a 15/16" copper filled stainless steel bar.

I used to use regular 3/4" bars, but IMHO I get a better tone with a heavier bar.

I use a 7/8" x 3 1/2" bar which is actually made for a 12 string steel guitar (I play a D10). I switched to the longer bar about 10 years ago after hear others on this forum discuss this issue. I like it because it is slightly heavier than a 3 1/4" bar yet it still has the 7/8" feel to it. It just seems to fit my hand better.
Yet another option!

What could I expect if I were to switch to the 1" bar?

You would notice thge weight change immediately - your wallet would be about $60 lighter.

Seriously, some players think the bigger bar gives more sustain, but I'm unconvinced there's any noticeable difference above a plain ol' 7/8" diameter bar.

I played with a 7/8" bar for years and then decided to try a BJS 15/16" bar. It is the only bar I use now. It just "feels" better to me than the smaller bar. I don't have very big hands either.

Steve, I'd agree it's a personal taste thing, and bears experimentation. You may find your tastes changing over time as well.
I think for those who use a rolling style of vibrato a larger bar may make more difference in feel. I had a student make me a very fine stainless 1" bar years ago (unfortunately stolen off the bandstand by a winking co-ed), and I found that I liked using that on ballads and a smaller bar on uptempo stuff. I've since gotten many styles, sizes, and materials, and they all have an individual feel, and slightly different tone.

It's quite surprising what difference even 1/16" can make. Hopefully you'll get to experiment. It's a bit expensive, but at least now we have an outlet here for bars we've outgrown.

I started with a 7/8 bar then tried a 15/16's and liked
it so well I bought a 1" bar.


Bill

HWP, ProII, Evans & BB

thanks to everybody who took the time to reply to my question. I think I'm going to have to at least try the larger diameter bar. I guess that's one of the downsides to being a "tone freak"! thanks again for everybody's input!
Steve

What I like is when I do a 2 fret reverse slant, the 1" is easier to handle. And being heavier, I don't have to put as much pressure on the bar.

Steve... Only you can tell which is best for you. I recommend you try several (if you can borrow them) and see which is most comfortable. All things equal, I think you'll find the larger bars will have more sustain and a richer tone, but not sufficient if it's uncomfortable to you.

Several players, Greg Leisz and Michael Johnstone among them, tried Sneaky Pete's tapered 1 1/4"-1 1/8" bar at his Celebration of Life service, and it had a pretty dramatic effect on tone and playing...not a negative one, just different. Personally, I find larger bars easier to control and better sounding. They take getting used to as far as parallax vision goes, but once you overcome that they're hard to get away from. A 7/8 bar just sounds wimpy in comparison.