Tonebar Confusion!

[Geefresh]

Hello. Me again. What are the pervading factors that determine what size etc tonebar to get? Is it personal preference? How big your hands are? Do the different types/sizes have a big effect on sound? There's nowhere/way for me to try a load out so I'll be buying blind off t'internet so any advice is greatly received!

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Compromise, Heavy bar = better tone....but slower to move.... you arthritas sets in earlier..... IMHO John Hughey BJS bar best you can get and yes! it does make a difference .... then again not everyone likes a "steel" bar

[Tony Russell Davis]

Remember that the bar does not have to overlap the 1st and last strings. The nose only covers up to the highest string you are picking, so you don't need a monster, just something you can move comfortably.
As a starter bar try a Dunlop 920 (google or ebay for details). Easily available, decent size for 10 strings and ok weight to push around when you're starting. You can figure out what professional gear to buy once you have a proper feel for the instrument. I bought my last 920 off ebay from the USA. Arrived in a week and was considerably cheaper despite the shipping cost.
Now I have a couple of 920's in the pack and find them fine to use on PSG (especially C6th) and straight-8 although my preference for E9th PSG is for my 1"x3.5" - like John's BJS. But the bigger bar needs more controlling and that's why I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner.

[David Hartley]

As John Davis says.
But Butch is out of stock of John Hughey bars.
Go for the standard weight 15/16..
I use it all the time for recording, and a lighter JH bar, same size, for gigs, because,yes, fast movements, and you may drop it...

[elparkirio]

Get the BJ's bar and get crackin

[Geefresh]

I'm not planning on doing any fast country licks so weight isn't a problem. But I'll try that 920 first.

Cheers fellas.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

I could let you have a BJS bar, one size down from the John Hughey bar for 40 quid.... plus PP unless you collect....

[Geefresh]

Bums. Already blew £30 on a 920.