Brd personal DPS is only marginally below Mchs DPS. A very good Bard is almost universally better when taking into account everything else they offer. MCH having a higher skill floor means if someones using it correctly they'll be on average better than bard (in personal deeps anyway) but at the very top of the ceiling the best bard's don't care for being a couple of hundred DPS behind MCH when their support more than makes up for it, not to mention they're far more flexible for clunky fight timings and don't have to stand in place for flamethrower.

That said, if you prefer MCH there's no reason not to play it, especially if you're not fond of bard. The difference isn't gonna matter in most things, especially if you're returning at this point. The main feeling is that mch is more effort with nothing to show for it in comparison, unlike HW.