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Topic: Powder Coated Tone Bars |
Frank De Vincenzo
From:
The Garden State
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 8:37 am |
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Would anyone like to talk about their experience(s) with powder coated tone bars?
I am interested in finding out if powder coating tone bars is a worthwhile idea.
I, myself, am a big fan solely for the grip factor afforded by the coating. My hands, not being what they once were, find holding the PC bar is easier and more secure than a polished or chromed one. I am not in any way competent enough on a pedal steel to grade or judge the sound quality generated from a powder coated bar compared to bars made with alternative/traditional finishes. My questions and concerns are more with the quality and longevity-knowing that successfully powder coating an object is all about the preparation of that object prior to the spray and bake process. Also, there is this reoccurring topic of stainless steel strings not being compatible with PC bars, which is another avenue I would like to investigate.
Thanks in advance for your input.
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JusticeJudge |
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John Limbach
From:
Billings, Montana, USA
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 9:28 am
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I love mine and don't use anything else since I got them.
Reduces string noise, no more issue of stainless on stainless, or stainless on nickel, etc. and easier to hang on to.
Of course I only play non-pedal but no reason they shouldn't work for you as well. He has many lengths and diameters and is open to custom sizes. |
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Joe B. Long
From:
Llano Tx USA
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 10:51 am
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I just bought a couple on Ebay and LOVE THEM!! I don't want to get in hot water for advertising for the guy that makes them but if you want to pm me I will send you his contact info. I have a red rajah bar and was looking for something similar and found these and they are great! 
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Where do you want it?
Billy Joe Shaver |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 11:14 am
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I believe mine is black rajah, and I tend to pick it up first.
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Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons |
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Scott Shipley
From:
The Ozark Mountains
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 12:49 pm
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I bought one from forumite Michael Hillman and have more ordered. It's the only bar I use now, I love mine. Easier to hold onto, less string drag. And great tone.
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Scott Shipley Facebook |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 12:56 pm
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Steve Gunder made me one. I like the feel and tone. I like them. Don't drop them.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Frank De Vincenzo
From:
The Garden State
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 1:43 pm
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I think I need to clarify my question.
How are the PC bars you are currently using holding up to day to day use? Aside from dropping them, are they chipping, flaking, wearing away at the string contact point?
Are there any issues you have come across when using stainless steel strings?
And finally, is there a pro or con concerning tone compared to other types of bars?
I absolutely love the powder coated bars that Steve Gunder over in Topeka makes.
I just want to know how popular they are and why, or why not.
What better a place to solicit heartfelt opinions than here on the forum?
Thank you in advance for your input.
Frank
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JusticeJudge |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 6:21 pm
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| Your difficulty holding the bar may be due to technique, and not problems with the bar itself. It would be a big help if you could provide take some pictures or video of the way you hold and control the bar. |
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Joe B. Long
From:
Llano Tx USA
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 6:42 pm
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The red rajah I have is about 15 years old and still usable. My son when he was about 6 he was playing with it and dropped it and it chipped off some of the coating on the flat end of the bar that really doesn't matter. I haven't had the ones I bought on Ebay long enough to tell how long they will last. I have used one around the house and played 2 Sunday church services with it(maybe 5 songs each time) and have used it for a full gig (4hrs). I tried to make myself use my BJS bar which I love beyond a shadow of a doubt, but I kept picking up the powder coated bar and finishing the song with it. I love the way it glides across the strings and it is much easier for my stiff hands to hold. When I bought the ones I have right now the man was running a buy one get one free deal. So I have two, a red and a blue one. The red one has a small flaw on it and the maker is willing to trade it out with me no questions asked. He also seems to be very willing if anything happens to the coating to make it right with me. For what these bars cost versus what the BJS bar cost, I can afford to buy one every other year or so and be fine with it, that is if anything ever goes wrong with the coating. Just my two cents worth, I hope you find this helpful in your decision making.
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Where do you want it?
Billy Joe Shaver |
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Frank De Vincenzo
From:
The Garden State
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Posted 17 Mar 2015 3:53 am
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That's the kind information I was looking for. Thank you fellas for your help with this.
Donny, my issue with holding on to a tone bar stems from a spinal chord injury and lack of hand strength. The coating on a PC bar gives me a touch more texture to hold on to compared to a polished bar. I am sure my technique is far from what would be considered correct, but I do what I can to get the bar around the neck. Just ask the cats howling in the ally! Bahahaha!!! Any other insight would be more than welcome.
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JusticeJudge |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 22 Mar 2015 12:51 pm
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"How are the PC bars you are currently using holding up to day to day use?"
I remember back in the early Seventies, I was playing a lot of bottleneck Blues. Still do actually. I had a bottleneck slide called a Blue Finger. Used it for years, and it never showed any wear. But, to tell you the truth, I don't know if the blue coating was powder-coating, or something else like Teflon. Haven't seen the darn thing in years.
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Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 22 Mar 2015 2:11 pm
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I once took 4 different bars to a gig to compare them. A BJS, a zirc, a John Pearse frozen bar and a Red Rajah. I felt that they all sounded slightly different, but the other 3 all sounded better and brighter than the Red Rajah. It was my least favorite of the 4.
However, there is a tune my Soundcloud page called Fantasia Inca. This tune has a constantly recurring bass line that I did by sliding from the 3rd to the 5th fret of my .68 gauge 12th string.
The level of noise from the bar while I was recording the tune was unacceptable, I tried everything I could think of to get rid of it. Finally,I tried playing the part with the Red Rajah, and it solved the problem.
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Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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