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Topic: Zirconium bars - what's the deal? |
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 8 Sep 2003 10:09 am |
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I notice that L.T. Zinn and Bill Stafford both use an ivory white colored bar. These bars have their owner's names inscribed on the non-bullet end in script.
I've been told these are zirconium bars. I imagine they have a similar sound and feel to a Red Rajah or Phoenix.
Who made these? Still available? Pros/Cons.
Thanks,
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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
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Michael Johnstone
From:
Sylmar,Ca. USA
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Posted 8 Sep 2003 10:17 am
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Buddy Emmons also has been known to use one - in fact he used one at the convention and it sounded great in his hands.When I hear others play them they sound like any other bar but when I tried one it sounded boinky and small.
Go figure..... -MJ- |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 8 Sep 2003 2:34 pm
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"Boinky and Small"??? Ya gotta be kidding! Thanks to my dear friend Bill Stafford, I was able to obtain #039 (engraved) and it's a gem! Nothing "boinky and small" about it. I would never part with my "Z" Bar and prefer it by far to anything.
"Gerald McBoink-Boink"  |
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Bill Stafford
From:
Gulfport,Ms. USA
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Posted 8 Sep 2003 3:48 pm
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Hi Gerald, sure enjoyed the Hawaiian room in St. Louis this year. Great time and I want to thank you very much for allowing me to be on that stage with all you great players.
About the bars-my friend Ed Packard- is the man responsible for the concept of making these bars out of zirconia. And they bear no resemblance to those rajah bars of years ago. (I used one of those black ones when they were popular). You can feel the very smooth difference in a two fret slide, and you will notice immediately that the "resistance" of the bar on the strings is greatly reduced. Of course, each player has their own concept of how their bar should be and that is what makes the world go round. As mentioned, this concept was developed by Ed and I was allowed to learn and use all those high teck diamond cutting lathes and cutting machines to make them. It was a very big labor sensitive item and we just made x amount to test the market, etc...
Not making them now, but -----????
Thanks again for the friendship in the Hawaiian room. Enjoyed that so much..
Bill Stafford |
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Bobby Lee
From:
Cloverdale, California, USA
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Posted 9 Sep 2003 3:04 pm
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I love my zirconium bar. Thanks Bill and Ed!
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 Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax |
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