The Perfect Tone Bar???

Tommy Gibbons · Posted 27 Feb 2009 9:42 am

I'm going to buy a new bar after I hear your comments...What's a good bar and what's the best bar? Why? And, does the bar really make a difference...or just status? I want 1" x at least 3 1/2"

Well, after about 2 hours after I got several responses. I ordered Mr. Stroud's BJS Bar. I can't wait to try it!

Your advice?

Thanks, Tommy
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Bob Blair · From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

I have a 1" BJS in my collection, and like all my BJS bars it is terrific. They don't seem to get nicked or scratched up like some stainless steel bars I've had. I also have a couple of smaller Tribotone bars that I use on my Weissenborn and for lap steel and they are great as well - they make significantly less extraneous noise on the Weiss than other bars I've used with it.

A. J. Schobert · From: Cincinnati, Ohio,

Alot of guys like BJS bars, what I like to do is to buy different styles of bars this is really the only way you will find out what you like, I use an old ernie ball. I'm not saying to buy a bunch at once, over time.

Michael Douchette · From: Gallatin, TN (deceased)

Tommy, it's a difficult question. Every hand is going to feel a bar differently. Some are going to like lighter, thinner ones, and some will like fat, heavy ones, and everything in between.

(YES, I'm talking about bars! Get your mind outta the gutter! Laughing

)

Anyway, for me, I like the "standard" 7/8", and I use both the BJS and old Emmons bars. They both work well for me. In a live situation, I prefer the BJS as there is zero drag, and with the potential of weather influences, I want every advantage I can get. Recording, I prefer my Emmons bar. I just like the subtle tonal difference in it.
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Nic du Toit · From: Milnerton, Cape, South Africa

Tommy,
I can only talk from experience.....this topic has been covered before, but here's my 2 cent's worth;
I used to use a Chrome bar on Nickel or Stainless steel strings, and use a Stainless Steel bar on Chrome strings. Less friction and bar moves easier.

If it's less string/movement noise you want, the bar to use is the "Tribo Tone". Sustains ok. The one with the 'E' stamped at the bottom, is a bit heavier than the 'D' one. I use the 'E' one.

My other favorite is the BJS bar.... don't know what mix of metals they use, but it plays so well ....nice sustain.
Both of these bars are always on my steel, and I may grab anyone to play with.
I prefer the 7/8 inch x 3 and a half inch bars. The I" ones are just way too bulky.
Hope this adds to your confusion. Best is to try these for yourself and see which you'll be happy with.
Steelers normally end up with an array of bars!
Laughing

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Personally, I have only two bars.

For my Emmons or other 10 string instruments, I prefer the EMMONS standard bar. (Emmons is emblazened in the butt end of the bar) I don't know the dimensions as I play it as it was when I bought it. Cain't change it so, who cares, I guess.

I don't even know if it covers all ten strings or not but since I only use the rounded tip or the front half of the bar for my playing, I don't really care. It's not too heavy and yet heavy enough! I can whip it into a reverse slant whenever, easily and accurately. After years of playing, the bar remains unblemished and delivers a great sound.

For my single neck Ricks and Trot-Mor....I prefer to use my JERRY BYRD bar; the one with the little diamond like design in the recessed butt end. It's short, light and easily manueverable. The balance is great and it's NEVER entertained having a scratch or blemish in its surface.

I have a set of picks for the Emmons and one for the wide string spaced Ricks and was shocked to discover the other day, a small hoard of addit'l pick that I have accumulated anaware. How 'bout that?

Well, that's my situation.

Nic du Toit · From: Milnerton, Cape, South Africa

Ray,
I've been using the Emmons bar for years, but it had to make way for the Tribo and the BJS. It found a resting place in my drawer together with an assortment of other bars. Sad

Wayne Wallett · From: Shermans Dale, PA USA - R.I.P.

Hello Tommy,
You can't go wrong with either of these. Have em both. The cryo treated bar might have just a tad more sustain but hardly noticable. The tone is the same on either. I ahve have a couple custom bars too. I have played all 5 of them back to back and hardly any noticable tone difference.
Good Luck,
Wayne Wallett

Carl Williams · From: Oklahoma

Tommy,
For my money, Bill Stroud's BJS Bars are at the top! I have the standard 7/8" chromed BJS bar. I played with the same "stainless" bar for over 25 years and after getting my new BJS bar a couple of years ago, it's the only bar I use. As has been mentioned numerous times, you'll have to try a few out to get the "feel" you want. Good luck and let us know what you finally decide upon? Thanks for your inquiry of my Big Tuning wrench...Carl

richard burton · From: Britain

I like a heavy bar, so I made my own.
It's stainless steel, 3 1/4" long, 15/16" diameter, with a 3/4" diameter copper core Very Happy

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

I'm now using a Sacred Steel tonebar. I formerly used a Dunlop bar, but it slid around too much, so I use a Sacred Steel tonebar. What's different about this bar is that it's got grooves in it and it works great for steel.

Brett

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

I think the best bars are the ones made out of ziconia, but those are no longer available.

I suggest either a BJS or the John Pearse "frozen" bar. Both are excellent. On a 1 to 10 scale, with the zirconia being 10, both these bars are 9.9.

Note: my friend and our fellow forumite Albert Svenddal sometimes plays with a hard boiled egg, and sounds great when he does. I guess anything is possible.
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Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Here's a "short" discussion on this topic:

Rolling Eyes

CLICK HERE

Lee, from South Texas

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

I prefer BJS for country, Shubb for blues, and zirconia for everything else. I've never tried the Pearse bar.
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Jamie Howze · From: Boise, ID

Isn't Leo Kennedy still making zirconia bars? I got a 15/16" 10 string bar from him a about six months ago and like it a lot.

Leo's website still looks active. It's http://www.zircbars.com/.
Jamie

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

I like both BJS and John Pearse Cryogenic. I prefer the John Pearse because I am a dealer for them.
Jerry

Albert Svenddal · From: Minneapolis, MN

A hard boiled egg works good on really fast, single string lick. I call it "chicken Picken".
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Steve Feldman · From: Central MA USA

Jeff Hyman · From: West Virginia, USA

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · From: Southaven, MS, USA

Does anyone still make PLASTIC bars; I have one that was made in Oregon, but have not been able to locate him there. I need another--made to my specifications.

????

Eric Ebner · From: Texas Republic

We build an engineering plastic bar. We use modern materials and loosely base this on the old Nick Manoloff concept. Custom is no problem. We build short/long/heavy/light... just about anything any weight. We'll be bringing them all to the Texas Steel Guitar Jamboree next week. I need a vacation!!!

We will be showing 4 new styles...

3/4 x 2.75 'Jerry Byrd' size bar.
7/8 x 3.00 'stubby' bar.
1 x 3.3125 & 1 x 5.5625 bars.
All the others are on the website

71 years and 1 day ago the idea was granted this patent: http://www.tribotone.com/files/tonebar.pdf

Shoot me an e-mail if you have any questions.

Eric Ebner
Tribotone designs
512-796-7375
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Tribo-Tone™ Bars

Tonu Timm · From: Estonia

Happy birthday to Tribo-Tone! From that beautiful day I recieved my black Tribo, I never used other bars I have. It's just fits my needs best.

Rex Thomas · From: Thompson's Station, TN

I always liked Bullet Bars. Getting a bit harder to get. Heard Bulls Eye bars are good, might swing back to BJS.

Roual Ranes · From: Atlanta, Texas, USA

The best one is the one you like. Ever wonder what they used back in the 50's?

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