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Author
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Topic: Bar size does make a difference! - Maybe
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Marc Friedland
Member From: Vallejo, CA
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posted 14 November 2006 07:26 AM
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I realize this has been talked about in the past, but I just had a personal experience with it, and thought it might make interesting conversation. I apologize if I missed it, and this has been talked about too recently.Other than whatever feels most comfortable to you, is there any advantage in bar size?
I realize many players choose one that's 7/8" in diameter and 3 3/8" long.
For years I've played exclusively with a Dunlop 921 stainless steel bar that's 1" in diameter, 3 3/4" long and weighs 11.5 ounces.
Recently, just for the sake of experimentation I thought I would try the smaller more common bar.
At first it seemed quite exciting, but it may have been just the fact that it was different. (no jokes please)
I found myself thinking "wow, this is great, it's so light, I can jump around faster and more accurately, I can control my vibrato even better, I can see the frets higher up easier, etc." But after about 15 minutes I went back to my other larger bar and I realized I actually did have good, or at least the same control over those same things as well.
I thought I could hear some difference in sound/tone, but not really enough to say for sure, or that one is obviously better.
It seemed like it might be easier to control intonation with the slightly smaller bar, but I would need to do more experimentation to say for sure.
My guess is it's just like one's particular tuning method - a tool to help you play and sound as good as you can.
Any thoughts or experiences on this?
-- Marc
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Dick Wood
Member From: Springtown Texas, USA
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posted 14 November 2006 08:47 AM
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I normally use a 1" bar and tried a smaller one once.While I didn't notice a tone change, I did not like the smaller size as it made my hand hurt due to gripping the smaller diameter and it wasn't as easy to control.Recently I stopped by my old pal Ted Solesky's house to show him my new Williams.I was using my 1" bar which has a hollowed out center and he said try this solid 1" BJS Bar. We immediately noticed a much improved clarity and a silkiness I heard other players get but never was able to find until trying out that bar.
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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night. |
David Ziegler
Member From: Lancaster, Ohio, USA
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posted 14 November 2006 08:48 AM
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I moved up to a heavier and larger diameter bar and noticed a big difference in tone. I have only been playing 2 years so I can't say for sure the bar is the reason for better tone , it could be my experience on the instrument is just improving,but I feel like I don't need to put as much pressure on the bar so moving up and down the neck is easier. |
Bobby Lee
Sysop From: Cloverdale, North California, USA
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posted 14 November 2006 10:25 AM
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I use a lot of different bars. Each has its own feel, but in general it seems that the tone is is related to the material used, not the size or weight. All of my BJS bars sound alike to me, for example.
For me, the size and shape of the bar affect my playing style in subtle ways. A bigger diameter is better for the rolling vibrato on slow country songs, for example, and the grooved Shubb-Pierce is better for the quaking vibrato of the blues. Certain diameters make bar slants easier, depending on the string spacing of the guitar.------------------
 Bobby Lee (a.k.a. b0b) - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Williams D-12 E9, C6add9, Sierra Olympic S-12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop S-8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6 or A6) My Blog
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Erv Niehaus
Member From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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posted 14 November 2006 11:33 AM
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You really need to try the BJS 15/16" bar.  |
Jim Sliff
Member From: Hermosa Beach California, USA
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posted 14 November 2006 02:00 PM
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Like Bobby, I use a lot of different ones - but almost all are 1 1/4", with my main steel one tapered from 1 1/8" to 1 1/4". The others are Delrin, Acrylic, Moly-Nylon. I have a few "stock" size bars and they just feel weirdly miniscule and affect my attack. They're paperweights.Length isn't an issue at all. They're all over 3", but I couldn't even tell you by how much, and they vary. It's not a big factor, at least for me. |
Billy Wilson
Member From: El Cerrito, California, USA
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posted 14 November 2006 02:08 PM
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At the San Jose steel jam (where I met Marc F. btw) I picked up Dave Zirbel's one inch bar and liked it so much I immediately went over to Tom Bradshaw and bought one. I feel like it gets you the "growl" that they speak of. Have'nt touched my old 3/4 bar since. |
Fred Bova
Member From: Montrose, California, USA
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posted 14 November 2006 09:20 PM
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Hi Marc, I am just using the bar that came with my PSG, I don't even know what it is. I do not have a place near by where I can try diff. sizes of bars. I spoke to you about this recently and I will follow this thread with great interest. I do know that at work my boss has a fender stringmaster sitting there outside his office. There is a small tapered black coated bar with no markings with it that I just love. It fits perfectly in my hand and I am very acurate when I am playing around using this bar. It is small but it may be weighted, and it is coated in plastic, or bakilite ? My boss said it was in the case with the steel when he bought it. I have asked him to please keep an eye out for one like it in his travels as I would gladly reemburse him if he found and bought one for me. I don't know about using this style on a pedal steel but it is better than any other bar I have ever tried for lap steel. I would think the surface material of the bar and weight would make the most noticible diff. in tone, and size and shape in comfort and control. |
Patrick Carlson
Member From: Sutton, Nebraska, USA
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posted 19 November 2006 03:03 PM
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Some times I like to (think) the 1" bar has a slightly better tone.But is has a way of making me play slightly flat.------------------
The Lone Prairie Steeler Pat |
Mike Wheeler
Member From: Columbus, Ohio, USA
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posted 19 November 2006 04:06 PM
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Patric, that might be because the larger bar causes you to misjudge the bar's fret position. It's a little harder to accurately hit the fret position with the larger diameter bar. (especially above the 12th fret) You'll just have to adjust your bar postion accordingly. |
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