Tone Bars

Richard Hinshaw · From: Pt. Townsend, Wa, USA

In looking at videos I see some players using a large white slide or tone bar. Bobby Ingano uses one. Are they glass covered steel? Will they break when dropped? Are they a good idea?

Steve Green · From: Gulfport, MS, USA

Bobby Ingano uses a Zirc Bar, which is made from Zirconium Oxide (Zirconia). Super smooth, zero string noise and highly sought after. I'm not sure if they're still in production or not, but you can email Vinh Nguyen at ZIRBAR@gmail.com to find out.

More info on Zirc Bars found here in this old thread:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=195705&sid=1cfb3a2912e64563df35152358bdc6f9

Tribo-tone bars (CLICK HERE) had similar qualities, but were a coated metal bar instead of solid Zirconium. They are currently out of production, too.

I suggest checking into Forum member Basil Henriques' new bars he's making called Ezzee-Slide bars (CLICK HERE). I haven't been fortunate enough to try one yet, but every review I've seen puts them even better than Tribo-tone.

Here's a video comparison of several bars (including Ezee-Slide) put together by Bas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOyTnQARWGc
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George Macdonald · From: Vancouver Island BC Canada

Michael Hillman makes very nice powder coated steel bars in lots of different colors and sizes. They are also very smooth and comfortable.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I have several different bars. My favorite bar was a BJS, however, since obtaining a zirconia bar, I have to admit that I wind up using that bar the most.
Ed Packard was marketing zirc bars not to long ago but I guess the raw materials got SO expensive that he had to give up the endeavor. I have a white bar AND a black zirconia bar.
Another advantage of the zirc bar up here on the tundra is that they don't feel as cold when you pick them up. Very Happy

Ian McWee · From: Worcestershire, UK

Metal-filled glass tone bars are extremely delicate ~ we made a bunch around ten years ago for several U.K and U.S lap-siders to trial for us. None really withstood the rigors of 'road-wear', and the outer glass 'casing' proved to be too thin to offer any long-lasting durability.

The other problem is varying temperature changes which affect the metal 'cores' ~ the metal core expands or detracts differently to glass, so if the inner metal core swells up in size due to excess heat, the glass will stay the same size & shape, sometimes causing the outer casing to split.... Sad

Ian.

Alan Bidmade · From: Newcastle upon Tyne UK

Had the chance to use one of Basil's bars at our Sunday meet in Yorkshire, England.
Wow!
I would say a 10% improvement in tone and feel over my BJS. I didn't think this would be possible, - but it is!
I'm now saving up my pocket money. Embarassed

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First name Alan, but known as Nick

Mark Roeder · From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Just got my Eeze Slide from Basil and played out with it right out of the box. Since I was a big fan of the Tibotone this fit my needs perfectly.....didn't miss a beat! or rather didn't miss any I don't normally miss Smile

I'm going to order another
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Richard Hinshaw · From: Pt. Townsend, Wa, USA

Thanks, folks, for all the helpful comments. Lots of choices out there. Now.....what to do?
Dick Hinshaw

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