The Steel Guitar Forum

I am just wanting to read feedback on a Stainless Steel Bar vs. Chrome. And also, Stainless Strings vs. Nickel(and other material)

A chrome bar is "slicker" with less string noise and nickel strings sound fuller and richer to me vs/stainless.

The chrome plated bars such as BJS do feel smoother then stainless to my fingers. But my ear could not detect any difference in unpleasant scraping string noise.

CHROME!

On my guitar (Zum SD-12 with Lawrence pickup), nickel strings sound brighter but stainless steel last longer with less difference between a new string and an old one. I would say nickel strings give a more piano-like tone and stainless a smoother sound characterized by more low mids.

As for stainless vs chrome bars, I think the quality of the bar is more important than the material. For instance, I tried the Ernie Ball chrome bars many years ago and they didn't last too long before the finish became scratched. At that point the tone really suffered. On the other hand, I was given a stainless steel bar about 20 years ago that still is great to this day. However, my current favorite is a BJS chrome that I've had for about 2 years and is still like new. If there is any difference in sound between my old stainless bar and the BJS, I can't hear it. The BJS does seem to slide with less friction, so that's why it's what I use.

Stainless strings seem to put more wear on the changer fingers.

Industrial Hard Chrome is the best Chrome than just a Nichol Chrome bar there's a big difference.
Not everyone that claims that they do Hard Chrome uses the same chemicals thus resulting in a big mess, not good.
I won't go into details it would take too long, but I'm pleased with what I use. I've been playing one of my bars since the 70's couldn't be more satisfied.
There is a lot of players on here that uses the BJS Bar and for that I thank each and everyone of you, that's what keeps me going.
Thanks,
Bill

Bill, I agree. I've used many bars, stainless, chrome, etc. in my long, non-illustrious career, but I've never used one as good as yours, and I still use it!

Bill thanks for selling me one at St Lou last year.

ernie

just thought I'd add this: Once in a while I give my stainless steel bar a going over with autosol and the buffing wheel. It really makes a difference in smoothness...FWIW

Neither one of the above is what I use.

I use a Chrome-steel bar.....probably the best material for a steelbar ever invented.
I have 2 of these bars and they are the best ever.
I think that i am one of the few that has one because the alloy was specially made for PHILIPS in 1995 and is not for sale.
I have hours of sustain with this bar.......maybe in the long run am I going to sell my second bar but it will not be cheap.
It does not chip....rust....dent...crack...etc etc.
This bar will be here when I am long gone.
Best one I ever had.

Ron

I've had a BJS bar for over 18 years now and apart from the birthstone came off and the sticker at the end came off too it is just like new no scratch nothing it slides smoothly and like Bent said a little of buffing compound like autosol once in awhile keeps it clean and smooth, it's the best bar i ever had and it was recommended to me by Al Brisco himself and i bought it through him.

Hi Pat,
Send me your address and what Stone you need and I'll send you the Logo and Stone and let you know how to put the stone back in the bar.
Thanks for using the BJS Bar.
Bill
bjsbars@frontiernet.net

Hi Pat,
Send me your address and what Stone you need and I'll send you the Logo and Stone and let you know how to put the stone back in the bar.
Thanks for using the BJS Bar.
Bill
bjsbars@frontiernet.net

I went to the BJS bars from a recommendation from Jeff Newman and have never looked back. They are really good bars.

BJS bars for me too. Excellent quality, and it looks like good support from the manufacturer too. They should last a lifetime if treated with respect.

I have used one of Bill's bars for years and just recently I bought a lap guitar sized BJS bar from a Forum member. Very nice!

BJS is the way to go. Bill has replaced the stone twice and that is all that has happened to it. I think mine is ten years old.

Like many of you, I've used a chrome BJS bar for many, many years. They are, indeed, great bars.

Recently I had Jim Burden build me one of his Bullet Bars, which is made of highly polished stainless steel. It, too, is a great bar. I can't hear or feel any difference between it and the BJS bar, with either stainless or nickle wound strings. Here is a link to his site:

Click Here

He is now offering chromed bars, as well.

Lee

I have two BJS bars and they're awesome. Bill's service is also awesome.

Hi Jerry Bull, I need to know what stone you want, or the month you were born in.
Thanks,
Bill

When it comes to bars, the BJS is head and shoulders above the rest. Jody.

I used the same Stainless Bar for 30 yrs and when I got my new Chrome BJS Bar a couple of years ago, well, it's the only Bar I use now and would highly recommend it! Thanks for a great product and service Bill...Carl

I collect bars and have around 50 of them, most of which are in a display case.

I brought 4 bars to a gig, and spent the evening comparing them. My zirconia bar, a BJS, A John Pearse "frozen" bar, and a Red Rajah.

The winner was the zirc bar. The BJS and Pearse bars were tied for 2nd. I was disappointed in the red rajah.

In a scale of 1 to 10, with the zirc bar being a 10, I'd rate the BJS and the Pearse at 9.5.

The zirconia bar has no friction against the strings. The BJS and Pearse bars have so little that you don't notice it until it's suddenly not there. They are both great bars, but I prefer the zirc.

Really, the only difference I notice between the zirconia bar and a BJS bar is the tone.