| Author |
Topic: Review: Tribo-tone steel guitar bar |
Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
|
Posted 5 Jul 2007 9:29 am |
|
Eric was kind enough to provide me one of his Tribo-Tone(tm) steel guitar bars for review. I think I have a new favorite bar.
The one I received was the black "B" weight model. It comes in a very large plastic tube with cotton packing keeping it in place. I thought about using the tube as a bar as well, but it's a bit too big.  It does serve as a container for both the bar and picks. I also use a M&M minis container, and it fits perfectly within that container.
Tribo-Tone(tm) also includes a card indicating that the new bar will require a break-in period of approximiately 20 hours of playing time and will improve with age. So far that seems to be the case.
The bar is made of Delrin with a metal core. It's slightly longer than a Jim Dunlop 919 bar, but the same or similar diameter. I had no problem adjusting to the size or weight of the bar. I played the bar with several different guitars, both electric and acoustic, and found it worked equally well on all of them.
When I first starting playing it, I noticed how completely silent the bar was. I'm used to a bit of string noise as I slide back and forth, and this bar had none of that. It's very comfortable to use and denies me yet another excuse for my technique interfering with my performance. I hear what I play more with this bar. I notice the lack of bar noise more on my acoustic resophonic guitars.
I did drop the bar one time, from my lap position on to a hardwood floor. Neither the bar nor the floor were damaged in the process. I had no problem holding on to the bar otherwise.
I'd recommend this bar for someone looking for a good quality bar that provides little if any bar noise.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
|
|
 |
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
Posted 5 Jul 2007 10:32 am
|
|
| Quote: |
| Tribo-Tone(tm) also includes a card indicating that the new bar will require a break-in period of approximiately 20 hours of playing time and will improve with age. So far that seems to be the case. |
I have been using Delrin bars (made by Gene Wilson) for the past 9 months and I agree. The more you use these bars the smoother they become. For me the Delrin bars are a reasonable alternative to the holy-grail Zirconia bars (or AKA Unobtania).
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
|
|
|
Fred Kinbom
From:
Berlin, Germany, via Stockholm, Sweden.
|
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 5 Jul 2007 1:13 pm
|
|
| Over 30 years ago, I had a bottleneck slide that I think was called a "Bluefinger." It was a reasonably heavy, aluminum tube coated with some kinda blue stuff. Great slide. Totally silent, and slippery on the strings. Wonder if it was Delrin???? |
|
|
|
Gary Lynch
From:
Creston, California, USA
|
Posted 6 Jul 2007 5:59 am
|
|
| I just ordered one of these. If they live up to the information on their web site I'll be stoked. My concern is wear on the surface from the brass wound strings of a Weissenborn. It's guaranteed not to self distruct or they will replace it so I took a chance after Brad's review. |
|
|
|
Craig Stenseth
From:
Naperville, Illinois, USA
|
Posted 7 Jul 2007 7:01 am
|
|
| Gerald Ross wrote: |
I have been using Delrin bars (made by Gene Wilson) for the past 9 months and I agree. The more you use these bars the smoother they become. For me the Delrin bars are a reasonable alternative to the holy-grail Zirconia bars (or AKA Unobtania). |
Gerald,
I think you mean "the Delrin bar (made by Gene Wilson), as seen on TV"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTkq4BPM6ug |
|
|
|
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
|
|
|
|
Gary Lynch
From:
Creston, California, USA
|
Posted 7 Jul 2007 10:33 am
|
|
"Delrin bars (made by Gene Wilson)"
Where are these available at? |
|
|
|
Mark White
From:
Michigan, USA
|
Posted 7 Jul 2007 11:06 am
|
|
I'd also like to know  |
|
|
|
Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
|
Posted 11 Jul 2007 7:22 am
|
|
I didn't want to comment on the Tribotone until I had played with it long enough to be sure I could back up every word of my "review" (mine is the "B-weight" model). Well, there won't be many words to back up - just order one! Up until now I have compared the tone of all steel bars I've tried, both bullet and 'rail' models, to my hard-chrome Burden bullet bars which is the best sounding bar I have. The Tribotone is the first bar to rival the Burden in terms of tone, volume and sustain,- add to that how easy it is to hold (I finally have a bullet bar I dare to use live!) and the added bonus of minimal string noise, and you've got a winner.
Steinar
_________________
"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube |
|
|
|
Gary Lynch
From:
Creston, California, USA
|
Posted 13 Jul 2007 1:57 pm
|
|
If anyone out there cares, here's what I have found after receiving my Tribo-Tone Delrin bar;
I do not use bullet bars because they are hard to hold and I do not do a whole lot of slant bar and I also play a Weiss, not just lap steel. The metal bullet bars are slippery and real cold when you first pick them up. They never felt as stable as my Shubb SP-2 (rounded nose on one end and you can turn it around and use the other end if you are doing pull offs.)
The http://www.tribotone.com/ is way easier to hold than the standard bullet bar (not slippery). It is also not cold. I do not know how that is accomplished but it's fact. It does not have that cold steel feeling at all. Also, it is much quieter than the metal bars. When you play you cannot hear any bar noise. If you are not playing and just slide the bar on the wound strings there is noise but not anywhere as much as the metal bars.
I am going to convert to the Delrin material for the next few weeks and possibly give up the SP-2 as that bar is not really appropriate for slant baring.
If the price was more in the $50 range these would be even more desirable but they are guaranteed to not self destruct.
My new Delrin bar is the best bar I own but again I am no bullet bar guru. |
|
|
|
Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
|
Posted 29 Aug 2007 12:58 pm
|
|
Love it !!!! 
I got a "B" weight ... 2.75" x 0.75" ... White
The thumb recess is perfect for JB style reverse slanting ... 
I got my initials ... I L O ... so don't be tryin' to swipe it at the HSGA convention  |
|
|
|
Felix Blevins
From:
Dunlap, Tennessee, USA
|
Posted 29 Aug 2007 1:13 pm Tribo-tone steel guitar bar
|
|
| I'm certainly not one of the more accomplished steel guitar players so I need all the help that I can get. This bar has certainly been everything that all you great pickers, that have used it, say it is. I know too that they are a little pricey, but in my opinion, they are definitely worth it. |
|
|
|
Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
|
Posted 29 Aug 2007 1:18 pm
|
|
| I forgot ... the "carryin' case" is a nice touch ... |
|
|
|
Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
|
Posted 29 Aug 2007 1:56 pm
|
|
| gotta get one |
|
|
|
Mark White
From:
Michigan, USA
|
Posted 29 Aug 2007 2:15 pm
|
|
I'm fighting off the temptation and waiting for the 7\8 bar  |
|
|
|
Kevin Brown
From:
England
|
Posted 30 Aug 2007 1:51 am
|
|
| me too, 7/8 ths is just my ticket |
|
|
|
Dave Manion
From:
Boise, Idaho, USA
|
Posted 31 Aug 2007 3:56 pm
|
|
I just got a black "b" weight trib-o-tone yesterdy. Obviously I haven't "broken it in" yet, but right out of the tube it sounded great! I hope it lasts a VERY long time because they are not cheap, but it should stay pretty nice in the tube it came with. The case is a tank! Great guy to order from, I expect he'll be getting busier and busier as time goes by.
Dave |
|
|
|
Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
|
Posted 31 Aug 2007 8:07 pm
|
|
I've ordered a white, C-weight bar. I'll let you know how I get on with it. In deciding whether to order white or black I figured a white bar will be easier to find if I drop it in dim light ! (How's that for self-confidence)  |
|
|
|
Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
|
Posted 1 Sep 2007 12:31 am
|
|
| I just ordered a yellow 'B' weight bar and also a saffron "I" style bar. I'll report back when i they arrive. Has anyone tried the A or C weights yet? |
|
|
|
Fred Kinbom
From:
Berlin, Germany, via Stockholm, Sweden.
|
Posted 1 Sep 2007 2:55 am
|
|
Hi folks!
I've got the A- and B-weight and the Saffron I-style, and a C-weight on the way.
The three ones I already have are all great bars. My favourite is the B-weight - it sounds and feels lovely on both my Lazy River Weissenborn and National New Yorker. The A-weight, while being light and a breeze to play with, has a tad less "juice" than the B-weight but the difference is very small. I made a tone bar comparison video recently where I compared a Broz-o-Phonic, two Diamond Bottlenecks lead crystal bars, a Boyett glass bar and three Tribo-Tones. You han see and hear it here.
I can't wait to try out my C-weight!
Fred
_________________
www.fredrikkinbom.com - New lap steel album out now - listen here: fredrikkinbom.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-lap-steel-and-harmonium |
|
|
|
Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
|
Posted 1 Sep 2007 11:23 am
|
|
| Thanks for the comparison, Fred. Boyette and Tribo tone sounded best to me. |
|
|
|
Ron Simpson
From:
Illinois, USA
|
Posted 1 Sep 2007 12:06 pm
|
|
| Gerald Ross wrote: |
| It will also julienne fries! |
But can it core a apple? |
|
|
|
Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 1 Sep 2007 12:33 pm
|
|
It may be able to core apples Ron  But it's not the whole answer to good steel playing, just a VERY small part. 
I have too many guitars and amps, but only two bars, and to me that's plenty. |
|
|
|
Mark Eaton
From:
Sonoma County in The Great State Of Northern California
|
Posted 1 Sep 2007 1:49 pm
|
|
Brad - I know that you play dobro with a bullet bar - but as is the case with the majority of dobro players - I don't.
I'm real interested in these bars for lap steel, but has anyone ever had a conversation with Eric regarding this surface material adhered to a "sculpted" (I don't like to generically lump all non-bullet bars under the moniker of the "Stevens" bar)dobro bar?
My current fave is the E.G. Smith stainless steel bar, and to my knowledge, no maker offers a sculpted dobro bar coated with a material like delrin.
_________________
Mark |
|
|
|
