The Steel Guitar Forum

What do you all think about the JP Big Daddy steel bar? I wonder if I will get better tone with the weight? I am using a Ernie Ball ... but want something like a ShoBud that I had in the past. Thoughts?

I'm not familiar with the JP but I have a boatload of bars, from 7/8 to 1 inch. Various weight and length. Some are powder coated, poly coated or chrome then stainless steel. 1st you need to get the length and weight right for your comfort. I find the 15/16th size best for me and a 3 3/8 length. It takes trial and error to get the right feel, tone and comfort you desire. Give it a try.

Thanks for your advice

JP is John Pearce. Just for clarification. I have no experience with their bars, but hear they are OK. I use a John Pearce thumb pick and love it. Tried John Pearce strings the last time I changed strings. They suck!

I believe JP bars are stainless. Might not be a good choice if you use stainless wound strings. Stainless on stainless creates a slight drag on the strings.

Tone would likely be unchanged, but you might notice some more sustain on the slow stuff. But if you're looking for a Sho~Bud sound, you probably don't want more sustain anyway. Some pros I've talked to over the years that switched from Sho~Bud to other guitars told me that their sustain really wasn't that great, and that was one of the reasons they switched. Personally, I've never played a guitar that didn't have enough sustain to suit me. Each to his own, I guess.

The closest I've heard to a Sho~Bud sound in a more modern guitar was the Fulawka. They just about have it nailed, IMHO.

I bought two John Pearse "long john"bars off the forum store some years back.They are 15x16th diameter. I love em. Tenn.Lee

Larry,John Pearce are my favorite stainless steel bars,I had a Big Daddy around here somewhere,I just bought another 7/8"John Pearce because I gave mine to a friend who is just starting his steel journey.

I have a Big Daddy and I like it. It sounds great, although it's a bit on the heavy side.

Dave

While I was playing in Hawaii Iin the early 60’s I had a steel made for my own wants, I had them use polished stainless steel 3 1/2” long. 1” inch thick and a 5/8 “ hole drilled 3” deep. I used that steel till I quit playing about 5 years ago.. No rust, nicks in all those years.

Donny Hinson wrote:Tone would likely be unchanged, but you might notice some more sustain on the slow stuff. But if you're looking for a Sho~Bud sound, you probably don't want more sustain anyway. Some pros I've talked to over the years that switched from Sho~Bud to other guitars told me that their sustain really wasn't that great, and that was one of the reasons they switched. Personally, I've never played a guitar that didn't have enough sustain to suit me. Each to his own, I guess.

The closest I've heard to a Sho~Bud sound in a more modern guitar was the Fulawka. They just about have it nailed, IMHO.

Thanks. Not looking for the Shobud sound. Their bar was a little bigger. I love my Dekley D 10 sound.

David Ball wrote:I have a Big Daddy and I like it. It sounds great, although it's a bit on the heavy side.

Dave

Just got my big daddy. Perfect and more sustain...

David Ball wrote:I have a Big Daddy and I like it. It sounds great, although it's a bit on the heavy side.

Dave

Yes it is heavier... but love the sound so far.

Larry Banks, whatever feels right and works. Enjoy the new bar.

I have one that I keep as a backup and for real slow, sustainy ballads. Slides as well as my BJS, pretty much. A LITTLE heavy, but not too bad. For the price, it can't be beat.

I may snag a Long John soon.

Jim Fogarty wrote:I have one that I keep as a backup and for real slow, sustainy ballads. Slides as well as my BJS, pretty much. A LITTLE heavy, but not too bad. For the price, it can't be beat.

I may snag a Long John soon.