The Steel Guitar Forum

OK, here in Seattle, there's one store near me that stocks tone bars and they charge AIRPORT PRICES if ya know what I'm sayin'.

All they had was a Dunlop 918... which is 3/4"

Pretty much every article I've seen refers to 7/8"

Does it matter for a beginner? Or, should I take this thing back, save $10 and get one on-line?

TIA,

---JC

Early in my playing (about 4 months in) a local steel player played my steel at a jam session. He used my bar for a minute and then pulled his BJS out oh his pocket. It sounded like a different guitar. Smooth, quite and no bar drag.

I ordered one the next day and was probably the best thing I did in the beginning. Here is the web address. I would try the 7/8 to start.
http://www.bjsbars.com/

Wow. For $75? It -oughta- sound like a different guitar. And include a free pizza. And a six pack.

Just can't afford it. But thanks!

---JC

Keith Howard wrote:Early in my playing (about 4 months in) a local steel player played my steel at a jam session. He used my bar for a minute and then pulled his BJS out oh his pocket. It sounded like a different guitar. Smooth, quite and no bar drag.

I ordered one the next day and was probably the best thing I did in the beginning. Here is the web address. I would try the 7/8 to start.
http://www.bjsbars.com/

Truly a matter of getting what you are willing to pay for. I obviously do not have a dog in this race. Just trying to answer the question you asked.

When you get completely frustrated with your sound, save up and buy a BJS bar and then you'll be inspired to play again.

at $75.00. It's about the cheapest Pedal Steel Guitar accessory out there. Expensive Hobby!

I agree with the others that posted about BJS bars. As a newbee, I thought $75 was a bit exhorbitant, but after borrowing one from a friend for a month, I had to have one. I opted for the 15/16 bar and love it!

I should have added that I went through 3 Dunlop 918's in the three months prior to getting the BJS bar, it doesn't take anything to get a nick on them, but the BJS bar is still just as perfect as the day I got it, and yes, I've knocked it over a few times as well!
So in the long run, the BJS bars is saving me money!

One hopes the humour comes through.

I completely understand your point. Thanks.

I'll keep my eye out for guys in this area who might have one I can see in action.

Cheers,

But the real question was more about -size-... is there a significant difference between 3/4" and 7/8"?

---JC

Pete Nicholls wrote:I should have added that I went through 3 Dunlop 918's in the three months prior to getting the BJS bar, it doesn't take anything to get a nick on them, but the BJS bar is still just as perfect as the day I got it, and yes, I've knocked it over a few times as well!
So in the long run, the BJS bars is saving me money!

JC Harris wrote:Or, should I take this thing back, save $10 and get one on-line?

Yes! 7/8" is preferable to 3/4" because bigger, heavier bars sound better. Also, I prefer steel over stainless steel. The BJS bar is steel and is well worth it. However, if you want to save money a 7/8" Ernie Ball is a good choice.

Hey JC. Most players like a 7/8" bar for pedal steel. I'd say it's the most used diameter. Some pros, Jim Vest F.I., use a smaller bar, but the 7/8 is the standard.

Dunlop bars are perfectly fine. Also, Jim Burden @ http://www.bulletbars.com/ will make you a 7/8" bar for around $40 and it's as good a tone bar as you'll ever need.

The smallest diameter bar I use is 15/16", I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than 7/8".

JC Harris wrote:

But the real question was more about -size-... is there a significant difference between 3/4" and 7/8"?

I'd say go for the 7/8 bar. Maybe even a 15/16. 3/4 is way too small in my opinion. I use a 1 inch bar.

In my recent learning the pedal steel, I found 7/8 to be a good balance between getting enough weight for good tone but not so big to be obscuring the frets - or too big for my medium sized hands - takes a long time to develop muscle memory to play without looking.....and yes, I use BJS...

As I replied in the other noob topic, It took me about 15 seconds to realise that longer is better. So this 6/8 is going back today and I've ordered a 7/8.

When I get the dosh I'll look @ the BJS.

Thanks!

Bobbe Seymour has Cobra Coil bars for about 50 bucks. My first bar - I can't see spending 75 on a bar either. My others are Dunlops. All my bars are 7/8 - have a 1", but too big for me.

Forgot to mention - one night at a jam in a local pub I forgot my bar and the bartender let me borrow a cordial glass about 3 1/2"x 1", did the job. No charge!

Now I keep one in the car, and in Boston I might need it for something else

Good idea! I actually was thinking that one of those old school shot glasses... the ones that weigh like a pound might do the trick.

I got the Shubb SP2 in the post today. Rubbish. If you haven't tried it, it -seems- like a perfect idea. But again, it appears that the 7/8 is the way to go.

Obviously there's much to learn... apparently the hard way.

Thanks.

---JC

Carl Mesrobian wrote:Bobbe Seymour has Cobra Coil bars for about 50 bucks. My first bar - I can't see spending 75 on a bar either. My others are Dunlops. All my bars are 7/8 - have a 1", but too big for me.

Forgot to mention - one night at a jam in a local pub I forgot my bar and the bartender let me borrow a cordial glass about 3 1/2"x 1", did the job. No charge!

Now I keep one in the car, and in Boston I might need it for something else

This was actually a taller, lighter glass - shot glass is too short. Soohhh,, Was I playing the pedal glass guitar that night??

I dunno if this topic is done to death yet, but one other thought comes to mind: weight. Is it fair to say that -heavier- is preferable? So far, that -seems- to be my sense. But if that's a false impression, please let me know. I just don't want to start with too many bad habits.

A good bar is Ernie Ball, Dunlop, and of course BJS. Learn to play with an Ernie Ball, and you will appreciate the BJS when you get one. Get the size that feels best and fits your hand. The last Ernie Ball bars that I bought, I paid 5bucks for them, but the BJS bar was 60bucks, and the best money spent on accessories so far. Good luck and keep on pickin'.

Bill L. Wilson wrote: Get the size that feels best and fits your hand.

Bill is absolutely right. One of the crazy things about the steel is that there are no absolutes. No “one size fits all” kind of thing. You should try out different bars and see which feels most comfortable to you. And don’t worry about the price of a BJS. You’re going to spend at least $1,500 for a professional grade steel, probably twice that. What’s a few more for a quality bar? (I believe The Zirc bars are now around $150.)

Hey JC, in My experience 7/8 is the way to go...it gives you a fairly centric size and I can get all the sustain I need from it.

Also...I hate to follow the trend, but...BJS is the way to go...pricey yes I know, and I fought tooth and nail to avoid paying the bucks but I finally gave in at the Dallas convention lol,

Also I don't know how deep into the steel You've got (its like a plague when it bites )or what area of Seattle You're in, but We have Our big Portland OR, steel jam coming up the 3rd Sunday in May... I just thought I'd put the bug in Your ear in case You might be interested in joining us!.