| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Ceramic bars
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Ceramic bars
Tommy Boswell

 

From:
Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 29 Dec 2023 8:00 pm    
Reply with quote

Anyone else using a bar not made of steel?

I'm the proud owner of three ceramic bars from Paloma Stone Guitar Slides. I've had them for a few years but never spent a lot of time playing them until last night. I struggled the first hour dialing in my tone, then during the break I tweaked my eq settings, and also pulled out the Paloma bar. I had a ball picking the second half.

Just wondering if anyone else uses a ceramic bar on a regular basis?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Larry Dering


From:
Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 30 Dec 2023 6:54 am    
Reply with quote

Not ceramic but I have a couple polymer bars. To me the sound is not much different. Slightly softer tone and enough that it's my favorite bar.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 30 Dec 2023 7:17 am    
Reply with quote

My favorite bar is a zirconia bar, very smooth on the strings.
Erv
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Marco Schouten


From:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Post  Posted 30 Dec 2023 2:01 pm    
Reply with quote

I have 2 zirconia bars in 7/8 an 15/16 inch.

(and 3 stainless, Emmons, Sho-Bud, John Pearse)

Currently I use the zirconia 7/8 the most.
_________________
----------------------------------
JCH SD-10 with BL XR-16 pickup, Sho-Bud Volume Pedal, Evidence Audio Lyric HG cables, Quilter Steelaire combo
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Brett Day


From:
Pickens, SC
Post  Posted 30 Dec 2023 7:59 pm    
Reply with quote

I now use a polymer bar made by Clinesmith. Todd Clinesmith builds polymer bars in Oregon and they're awesome bars with different sizes. Because of cerebral palsy in my left hand, I've found out that a polymer bar works best for me. Clinesmith bars come in black or white colors and Todd builds them in sizes such as 7/8 diameter, 13/16 diameter, 15/16 diameter and one inch. I use it for dobro and steel. My first experience with a polymer bar was in February of 2023 when I went to the Emmons Guitar Company. Polymer bars are my favorite bars for steel.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Yahoo Messenger
Richard Alderson


From:
Illinois, USA
Post  Posted 30 Dec 2023 10:25 pm    
Reply with quote

I like the idea of the Zirc bar in so far as its hardness approaches diamond strength. i.e no nicks and scratches. How do the Clinesmith bars or Hillman bars rate in hardness ?
_________________
Derby SD-10 5x6; GFI S-10 5x5; GFI S-10 5x5; Zum D-10 8x7; Zum D-10 9x9; Fender 400; Fender Rumble 200; Nashville 400; Telonics TCA-500.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Kenneth Caine


From:
Pennsylvania, USA
Post  Posted 31 Dec 2023 5:55 pm    
Reply with quote

I also use a Paloma ceramic bar. I have a blue camo bar, I only have one and its the one I use. I'm just a home player though. I like its feel and it has held up well to my many drops on the floor.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Tom Campbell

 

From:
Houston, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jan 2024 9:40 am    
Reply with quote

Who is making ceramic bars now?
Anyone have experience with Rocky Mountain Tone Bars?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Fred Treece


From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jan 2024 10:44 am    
Reply with quote

I use a Paloma (ceramic) bar mostly for faux-slide guitar sounds. Its very light weight is perfect for doing a lot of bar movement in single-note playing. It does not have the density or weight for good sustain, but it’s great for tunes and picking styles where maximum sustain isn’t necessary. The difference in feel and sound between ceramic and steel bars is pretty drastic.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Brett Day


From:
Pickens, SC
Post  Posted 1 Jan 2024 4:21 pm    
Reply with quote

Richard Alderson wrote:
I like the idea of the Zirc bar in so far as its hardness approaches diamond strength. i.e no nicks and scratches. How do the Clinesmith bars or Hillman bars rate in hardness ?


Clinesmith bars are more smoother and, if for some reason your bar falls onto the steel, it won't hurt the steel. I use a Clinesmith bar now and it's the best bar I've used!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Yahoo Messenger

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron