I don't remember:-) Getting good bars did take a couple of years. To guess the answer, I get maybe 10-15 degrees under pressure.

I do know guys that "just went pinky", though. The advice he was given is correct. Do what works for you (unless, of course, you think you are going to enter battle of the bands opposite Steve Vai or some such nonsense)

he was expecting to be able to bar A and still get low E to ring...that will be a problem if there is no bend.

Its not an issue much at all playing rock or blues with any distortion on electric...but on acoustic it can be an issue for certain songs. A lower action guitar is EXTREMELY helpful here...my TAK, Ovation and others have "fast" action that makes this task simpler (along with most electrics).