BJS Bars Temporarily Not Available

[Billy Van Keuren]

Contrary to popular belief, I ain't dead. Just been laying low.

I went to order me a brand spanking new BJS bar but it appears he's not taking orders any longer. Need some recommendations on what's the best one out there now. Not interested in an Ernie Ball or a Dunlop.

Thanks in advance .

[K Maul]

I love Basil H’s Ezzee slide bars. They’re warm to the touch, stay right in your hand yet slide smoothly across the strings whether nickel or stainless.

[Per Berner]

John Pearse cryogenically treated stainless steel bars are really good. I use mine more than my BJS, but that's just because the BJS is an extra heavy 1" bar which can be a bit much sometimes. John Pearse bars are available in the forum store.

[Brett Day]

I love Basil H’s Ezzee slide bars. They’re warm to the touch, stay right in your hand yet slide smoothly across the strings whether nickel or stainless.

I use an Ezzee Slide bar for pedal steel. Basil makes great polymer bars! Since I have cerebral palsy in my left hand, an Ezzee Slide bar is my bar of choice and always will be.

[Dave Hopping]

The website is still up and says they anticipate production to start in the fall.

[Bobby D. Jones]

First things to consider when fitting a bar is proper length and diameter, To fit your hand.
I had bar trouble. Seemed like a 3 3/8" bar got lost in my hand. When I bought a S12 Uni. a 11.5 oz 1" x 3 3/4" bar was included. With my long fingers it fits great, With easy control. But was heavy for Quick up and down neck run.

I took it to friends lathe. With copper strips protecting the bar in the lathe chuck. I drilled it out, And cut the weight from 11.5 oz to 9.5 oz. The bar now feels like it is part of my hand.

There is someone selling bars, That are drilled out for lighter weight. It is called the John Huey series.

[Dave Mudgett]

There is someone selling bars, That are drilled out for lighter weight. It is called the John Hughey series.

Those are made by BJS bars.

As far as BJS being out of business - according to the website, this is temporary. Please read, and also understand why I'm changing the title of this thread. This is taken directly from the front page of the website - http://www.bjsbars.com/

*** Notice ***
​
As of this writing, June 8, 2025, the website will be visible, but will temporarily not be accepting orders. This is expected to only be temporary.

I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to all of you in the steel guitar world. It has been a great pleasure to know and work with so many of you, and become friends.

With that, I have recently decided to fully retire and give up BJS Bars. It was not an easy decision, but once made, I am confident that it is the right choice. This past year has been difficult in a number of ways, and it has become clear that I can not put it off any longer.

The good news is there is a young man, Michael Shaffer, who is eager to take over and keep the legacy of BJS Bars going. He lives a short drive from me and I have promised to provide all the assistance necessary for him to continue on and be successful. He is young, a musician, and has the background.
g
Michael is in the process of building a new shop and hopes to be up and running in three to four months. Please continue to check the website for updates on when bars will be available. At this time, we can hope for early fall.

Thanks so much for the support you have all provided over the past 14 years.

Sincerely,
Butch Gardner

To the original topic of a substitute for a BJS bar - I don't know of anything that compares. I haven't tried every single bar out there, but I've tried a LOT, and I haven't heard anything that seamlessly glides over the strings and rings like a BJS bar. To my tastes, anyway.

[Chris Templeton]

I've been using the small Dunlop bar to replace my small BJS bar:: https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accesso ... 7740052784

[Nathan Pocock]

I love Basil H’s Ezzee slide bars. They’re warm to the touch, stay right in your hand yet slide smoothly across the strings whether nickel or stainless.

I was thinking of ordering one of these, are Ezzee slides are still in business? I couldn’t find much info from them past about 2018 or so.

[Greg Forsyth]

Todd Clinesmith makes a real nice polymer tone bar also. Here's a link.

https://www.clinesmithinstruments.com/c ... ccessories

[Brett Day]

I love Basil H’s Ezzee slide bars. They’re warm to the touch, stay right in your hand yet slide smoothly across the strings whether nickel or stainless.

I was thinking of ordering one of these, are Ezzee slides are still in business? I couldn’t find much info from them past about 2018 or so.

Basil is still making Ezzee Slide bars! I got one just last year and it's awesome! My Ezzee Slide bar is the Sneaky Pete size.

[K Maul]

[quote="Nathan Pocock" post_id
I was thinking of ordering one of these, are Ezzee slides are still in business? I couldn’t find much info from them past about 2018 or so.
[/quote]
FYI -
http://www.waikiki-islanders.com/html/e ... 20bar.html