The Steel Guitar Forum

Okay folks, I must confess that I purchased an old Gibson Lap Steel. It came with 3 different bars. After I played it exclusively for about a week, I finally wandered back to my steel. It was then that I realized how big and heavy my PSG bar seemed. When I bought the steel, they convinced me to purchase a 921 Stainless Steel tone bar- 1'DIA. x 3 3/4' long. 11.5 oz. I noticed I was able to play some things better with the lap steel bar. Assuming that I am going to play both instruments, what would be the best bar size for me and could I use the same bar for both?

In my experience, a bigger bar gives more sustain.
There MUST be a reason that most PSG players use a 7/8" bar. The lap-steel bars were usually quite small in diameter.
Many years ago I got a 1" dia hard chrome plated bar, and the difference in tone was noticeable to the folks I was playing with.
I've used it since they said, "what did you change on the amp? It sounded so much better!"

JW

The reasoning behind using a small, 3/4" by 2 7/8" bar on lap steel is that some people feel they are easier to use for bar slants. Bars got bigger as more strings were added. I think the standard pedal steel would be 7/8" by 3 1/4". After that, 1" bars were introduced for more sustain and a fuller tone. George L's and BJS bars are a little longer - 3 3/8". BJS and now Jim Burden's Bullet bars are available in 15/16" diameter too. Everything is a tradeoff. The lighter bars are faster, and as you noticed some parts come easier. The larger bars have more sustain and are easier to hold. Stainless steel bars feel "sticky" on stainless steel strings - you want to use a hard chrome bar if you prefer SS strings. Regular 7/8 by 3 1/4 chrome Ernie Ball bars can be had for $18, BJS bars are $50 and up. Bullet bars are $25, and you can specify any length and diameter. I am hopeless at recommending one specific bar as "the best", because I have and use several bars. I even have glass, wood and synthetic bars that I use for speedy movement and to get different tones. It would be hard to go wrong with a 15/16 by 3 3/8" bar for PSG, and a smaller bar for the lap steel. In my opinion, 3 3/4" is too long of a bar to pick up the back end easily, and to use your left thumb for blocking.

I use a 7/8x3 1/4 on my 10 string console and a 3/4x2 7/8 on my six string lap steel. I also use a Stevens bar on my Dobro. I've tried The various bars on the different instruments and they didn't feel natural. I don't have any problem switching instruments/bars but I do wish my lap steel bar was heavier. I think i'll pop out the red plug and fill it with lead shot like someone here on the forum suggested.