| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Tapered tone bars...obsolete?
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Tapered tone bars...obsolete?
Joseph Lazo

 

From:
Wisconsin, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2024 7:15 am    
Reply with quote

I have a vintage Black Raja that came with a vintage steel I bought, and although it seemed odd at first I've come to really like that taper to a slightly smaller tip. I looked online to see if there are any new bars like this and couldn't find a thing. Just wondering what happened that made tapered bars fall out of fashion. Are they now considered obsolete?

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2024 7:51 am    
Reply with quote

I always liked a tapered bar for lap steel.
Erv
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Bill Sinclair


From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2024 8:03 am    
Reply with quote

I believe Michael Hillman still makes a powder-coated tapered bar. I've got a couple and I like them a lot.

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=270422&start=650

Basil Henriques used to make a tapered polymer bar but I'm not sure if he still does. If he does, I probably need to get one! You can occasionally find used Chase tapered bars. Unfortunately most of the used Black Raja bars are gonna be chipped or cracked. So, they're not obsolete but it's a pretty small market and the tapered bars are more labor intensive to produce.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2024 8:17 am    
Reply with quote

I belong to a couple of Hawaiian guitar groups.
Every once in a while there is an ad from an Arthur's Music Store.
They make a tapered titanium bar and it's not that expensive.

Erv
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Bob Shilling


From:
Berkeley, CA, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2024 9:55 am    
Reply with quote

Erv,

That ad occurs regularly in the HSGA newsletter. Artur's music is in Indianapolis, and they have a website https://www.arthursmusic.com, but I don't see that bar there. I'm sticking with my Clinesmith. polymer bar and the Shubb SP2 for lapsteel though.

Moderator note - fixed the link. If you want to juxtapose a comma after the link, gotta put it inside a quote tag. I.e.,

Code:
[url]https://www.arthursmusic.com[/url]

_________________
Bob Shilling, Berkeley, CA--MSA S10, "Classic"
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2024 10:07 am    
Reply with quote

I was always going to order one but it might be too late.
Erv
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Bill Sinclair


From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2024 10:49 am    
Reply with quote

Erv Niehaus wrote:
I was always going to order one but it might be too late.
Erv


They don't list any of their accessories on their website. You might just call them tomorrow to inquire. Do you remember what price they had listed? Or how it was described in the ad?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Bob Shilling


From:
Berkeley, CA, USA
Post  Posted 24 Jul 2024 11:35 am    
Reply with quote

No price listed. Described as "Tapered Titanium - Made in USA! 3.1oz. - 3 1/8" length, Taper 13/16" to 5/8"."

You can probably contact them through the website, and ask for it.
_________________
Bob Shilling, Berkeley, CA--MSA S10, "Classic"
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 25 Jul 2024 8:24 am    
Reply with quote

I just heard back fro Arthur's Music and they have them back in stock.
They were out for a while.
They are priced at $60 plus $10 for priority shipping.
They have them listed on Reverb for a little more.
Erv
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

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