Longer bar

[Larry Behm]

53 years of using a 10 string bar I accidentally tried a longer bar (3 1/2”). I may never go back, I like the weight on the lower strings, I also seem to play more in tune.

[Kyle Brew]

Ive been curious about this. I stumbled on a video of Paul Franklin talking about how his bar tucks firmly in that pocket of the hand between the thumb and the index finger. Helping to keep the bar straight and giving a good grip to lift it off the strings for pull offs or what not. Im thinking ill give the longer bar a try just to see what its like.

[Ian Rae]

As PF suggests, the best size of bar depends on the size of your hand, not the number of strings you want to cover, which is seldom 12 or even 10.
I use a standard bar on my uni 12 because it fits my hand and is never too short for what I need to do.

[Bobby D. Jones]

I used a 1" X 3 3/8" bar for many years. Got a chance for a deal on a S12 Uni. Included in the deal was a 11.5 oz. 1" X 3 3/4" bar.
I tried it, I fit my long fingered hand better. But the weight made accurate fast movements and stops tiring on my left hand and arm.
I took copper strips to protect the bar in a lathe, The bar, My kitchen scales and drill set to a friends lathe. started with 1/4" bit 3.125" deep., Kept using larger bits and weighing the bar. At drilling with 31/64" bit and removed the bar from lathe, It had the feel I wanted in my hand, At 9.7 oz. Now to drill another 1' X 3 3/4" bar so I have a spare.

Just a suggestion. If you have a bar drilled, Drill the hole deep enough, Leaving about 5/8" of metal. This will keep the bar balanced with no excess nose weight.