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Topic: Zirctone - New Production Zirconia Tonebars For Sale |
Dylan Schorer
From:
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Posted 25 May 2021 11:33 am |
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| I’ve been using one of Mark’s prototype Zirctone bars for several months and love the feel and tone of it. I know how much work he has put into polishing and fine tuning, and these things feel impossibly slick. It’s definitely improved my vibrato. I had been using black zirconia bar as my main bar for the past 10 years, but the Zirctone is much smoother and feels better in my hand. I don’t know if it’s a difference in the ceramic material or the attention to polishing. It’s also taken few falls on to a hard floor (sorry Mark), and it’s come through unscathed. |
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Dan Kelly
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 25 May 2021 12:25 pm
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I have had the Zirctone bar for about a month now. This is my first foray into a bar that is not steel.
So... comparing it to my favorite steel bar, I found that the Zirctone bar slides over the strings more smoothly and with less bar noise. Also, there are sounds and a level of expression I have not gotten with my steel bar. Plus, there is a certain clarity that I have noticed, especially when recording. The Zirctone is the bar I reach for now.
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blah, blah, blah.
Hey You Kids! Get Off My Lawn!
blah, blah, blah. |
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John McClung
From:
Olympia WA, USA
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Posted 25 May 2021 5:14 pm
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M Horton Smith:
I'm pretty lousy with bar slants. The bars that work best for me have a considerable concave heel end so my thumb can securely grab the end of the bar for slants.
Any chance you will make a bar like that? I don't see much of a "dimple" in the current bar, at least from the one photo you posted.
Thanks!
_________________
E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net |
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M Horton Smith
From:
Utah, USA
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Posted 26 May 2021 6:16 pm
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John,
Thank you for your question. I have designed an offset feature in the back end of the bar just to get better leverage for slants. The feedback so far has been positive. Here's a photo that hopefully shows the detail of that feature a little better.
Mark
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Morton Kellas
From:
Chazy, NY, USA 1
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Posted 3 Jun 2021 6:01 am
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| I'm supposed to be on the list for one of these great bars, I can't wait to get my hands on one. |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 7 Jun 2021 11:19 am
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I will be thrilled to have one of these bars!!
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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M Horton Smith
From:
Utah, USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2021 1:24 pm
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Just a quick update-
Morton and Stu, I have you on the growing standby list!
I'm about halfway through the process of manufacturing:
7/8" Dia 10-string qty. 25 (approx. 1/2 are spoken for)
15/16" Dia 10-string qty. 25 (approx. 1/3 are spoken for)
I will let you all know when the second run is close to complete.
Send me a note at zirctone@gmail.com if you want on the list.
Thanks |
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David Decker
From:
Canton, Ohio, USA
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Posted 9 Jun 2021 1:36 pm Bar
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| Just sent you an email for a 15/16" Bar |
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John McClung
From:
Olympia WA, USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2021 2:40 pm
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M Horton Smith, thanks for that heel mod for easier bar slants. I'll email you to place an order for a 7/8 bar. ðŸ¤
_________________
E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net |
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Valdi Thorkelsson
From:
Reykjavik, Iceland
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Posted 19 Jun 2021 6:38 am
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| E-mailed you an order last night Mark for a 7/8†Dia 10-str. Please confirm receipt. |
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M Horton Smith
From:
Utah, USA
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Posted 22 Jun 2021 7:09 am
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Thanks John and Valdi,
You are both on the growing list! I'll let everyone know when the second run is getting closer - working on them. They do take plenty of time to get right. Thank you all for your patience.
Best,
Mark |
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George Redmon
From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
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Posted 22 Jun 2021 10:14 am
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| Don't forget us 12 stringers 15/16 please. I have an extra pencil if you need it for your growing list. |
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M Horton Smith
From:
Utah, USA
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Posted 23 Jun 2021 12:26 pm
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Thank you George!
I appreciate your comment. Others have also expressed interest. I hope to manufacture a run of 12-string sizes later this year or early next if all goes well. I'll certainly post updates on new sizes as we go.
Mark |
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M Horton Smith
From:
Utah, USA
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Posted 17 Aug 2021 3:02 pm
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Quick update,
The second run of 10-string bars are in the final stages of polishing and quality checks (7/8" and 15/16"). I'll be reaching out to those of you on the list for delivery once they're complete in the next few days. Thank you for your patience.
Mark
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tom anderson
From:
leawood, ks., usa
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Posted 18 Aug 2021 11:49 am Cubic zirconia?
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| Is this the same material as cubic zirconia? I’m confused when you refer to it as ceramic. I have some of the older bars by Ed Packard and cannot chip them. I understand the original bars (before Ed) were demonstrated at Scottys convention by throwing them in the air and allowed to bounce on the floor with no effects. Here’s a link to the compound. I’m just confused. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_zirconia |
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Jerry Van Hoose
From:
Wears Valley, Tennessee
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Posted 18 Aug 2021 1:01 pm
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| Email sent, please put my name on your list for a 7/8, 10 string bar. 😀 |
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Pete Bailey
From:
Seattle, WA
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 19 Aug 2021 10:10 am
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Mark,I just sent you a pay pal payment.
Awesome!!
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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M Horton Smith
From:
Utah, USA
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Posted 20 Aug 2021 9:04 am
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Tom,
Great question. Pete very nicely listed out the different forms of the basic materials. As Pete also mentioned, I use the white stabilized zirconia ceramic. This material gives us the properties we need, e.g. hardness, toughness and high-quality surface finish capabilities that make for very low friction on the string. This material is relatively tough for what we think of as traditional ceramics. You can find it used anywhere from dental implants to high-temp ball-bearing applications. Hope this helps.
Mark |
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David Decker
From:
Canton, Ohio, USA
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Posted 25 Aug 2021 12:42 pm
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| Tom, sent my money today. Thanks,Dave |
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David Ball
From:
North Carolina High Country
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Posted 30 Aug 2021 3:30 pm
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Got mine today in a super nice leather bag. Outstanding! Thanks Mark!
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M Horton Smith
From:
Utah, USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2021 9:55 am
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David,
Thank you! So glad you got it ok, and I hope you love it.
I'm currently working down the list as fast as I can for those of you waiting, I sincerely appreciate your patience.
Thanks friends,
M |
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David Ball
From:
North Carolina High Country
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Posted 31 Aug 2021 1:10 pm
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I know that the demand would be very limited, BUT if you ever considered doing a tapered bar the size of a Chase, I'd be the first in line to get one!
Dave |
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tom anderson
From:
leawood, ks., usa
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Posted 31 Aug 2021 1:13 pm Tapered bar
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| I’m not sure what the “size of a chase†means, but I would like a tapered bar as well. |
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David Ball
From:
North Carolina High Country
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Posted 31 Aug 2021 1:55 pm
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A Chase tapers from about 3/4 to about 5/8 over about 3 inches. An eighth bigger overall would still be great. Maybe 3 1/4 inch long....
Dave |
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