The Steel Guitar Forum

I have read Bobbe saying that the stainless bars don't work as well on stainless strings . Most tone bars available seem to be stainless . I have used an old chromed dunlop bar for years and would like to try a new one but I don't want to buy a stainless bar . Any suggestions ?

BJS Bars.
I use the John Hughey bar made by BJS and I also have a regular 7/8".
best regards
Billy

Hey Brendan, Like my pal Billy above and many many many others, you can't go wrong with a BJS. I use a 15/16 ten string even though I play 12 stringers. They are smooooooooth mate

Mad Micky Byrne United Kingdom www.mickybyrne.com

Hard to beat a BJS bar, I like um'





Bobbe

Thanks guys
I just looked at the BJS site and realised this was exactly what I was looking for : a hard chromed bar .

You won't be disappointed!

Most tone bars available seem to be stainless .

Not from my point of view. Stainless bars are more expensive, but chrome plated bars (of both cheap and expensive varieties) are far more common. You'll seldom find a stainless bar in the average music store.

I have found the John Pearse thermo-cryonic tone bars to work real good on either stainless strings or nickel. I have used one for years & it shows no sign of wear & I use stainless strings all the time.

I also have the standard & big daddy [1"] in stock.
Also have the dunlop stainless in stock in regular or there 1" bar.

Ernie
http://www.hereintown.net/~shobud75/stock.htm

The BJS chrome has less drag than stainless, I have both, and prefer the BJS.

BF

Well, there are many different hardness numbers for "Stainless", some are even heat treated, these are VERY hard and don't "drag" at all, better than chrome or anything else. However I only know of one manufacturer that makes bars from heat treated stainless. They are near impossible to buff.
These bars are pretty expensive, possibly worth it, but I also sell and love the BJS bars.
Yes, a bars quality does make a difference and as long as that are used by a player in his lifetime, I feel he should buy a great one in the early stages of his career, he may just have it forever! I have several great ones but still have the one I got from Bill Stroud in 1981, and it is still wonderful, naturally!
What I don't like is "Silly bars". You know, the different colors, shapes and sizes. (just an opinion).

Bobbe

For what it is worth, I normally use a BJS in 15/16. It's a little beefier in the hand and there is little to no noise.

I always wanted one of those Zercon bars but the guys that have them won't let go of them. May be a market out there????

While I own, and love my BJS bar I find that a stainless barr gives a bigger note. Try it , side by side, stainless barrs have a louder, more proniunced tone.
BB

I tried other bars, but always came back to BJS. You can throw the bar, hex wrench and picks in the same pouch and never chip the bar.

BJS for me.

Dave

Bruce, that's an interesting observation, I'll have to do an A-B test for myself. Thanks for contributing to the forum knowledge-base!

You stay in touch with Frank Michels in Nashville? He and I were bandmates for several years here in L.A., you even sat in with us at the great little honky tonk in North Long Beach, the Country Comfort. This would have been about 1981, no big if it's not a huge memory for you!

Besides how great you played, my biggest learning that night was being out in the audience loving your tone (Emmons p/p through your Session 400 I think it was), and then playing your rig and not understanding how it could sound so bad to my ears onstage, yet so great out in the room. The mysteries of psycho-acoustics...

Yeah well I'm still using the old chromed Dunlop bar I got about 30 years ago . It came with an Emmons Black Rock a volume pedal and a couple of national picks that I still use at home ! I just thought I would like to try a new bar so I will give the BJS a go .
Thanks for the replys .

it is BJS bar for me I got a 15/16ths and love it






TOMMY YOUNG
MAX-TONE MODIFICATIONS
WHEN YOUR GUITARS TONE HAS TO BE ITS VERY BEST

Oh, for the wonders of multiple choice.

All really amounts to personal choice. How could so many right's ever be wrong??

i've used a dekley bar for years...i think it's 15/16..it's big...maybe 1 inch...anyone know about these? i assume it's stainless..very smooth..and did i mention, it's big?
anytime a steel passes through my care, as in a sale/trade whatever...i snatch the bar..that's where this one came from...