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Topic: Corian (imitation bakelite) Tone Bars |
Dennis Anderson
From:
Chicago, Illinois
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Posted 1 Jun 2013 2:36 pm |
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| Someone is selling tone bars made of Corian on ebay. Has anyone been able to try one of these and have an opinion on them? Thanks. |
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Glenn Uhler
From:
Trenton, New Jersey, USA
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Posted 1 Jun 2013 5:45 pm "Corian" bars
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I've got a hundred pounds of scrap solid surface material (Corian) to make cutting boards and trivets. Genuine Corian is relatively soft and cuts easily with carbide tools. I think if would be too soft to make a long lasting bar. You would end up with grooves in it from the strings and piles of Corian dust on your fretboard. Could probably make a bar for you if you want.
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1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 1 Jun 2013 7:29 pm Just a question............
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How could anyone beat a stainless steel bar, played on quality steel guitar strings?
What is it that you're looking for that you haven't found with a stainless JBS(?) bar? |
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Glenn Uhler
From:
Trenton, New Jersey, USA
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Posted 1 Jun 2013 7:48 pm Scrap
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Right on, Ray! They probably get their Corian off the scrap heap. You can make bars from anything you get for free, and the clueless will buy anything on eBay.
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1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2013 1:27 am
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Based on the number of great players using zirconia bars, slide guitarists using brass and glass, steel guitarists using glass as well as steel, the demand for the (extinct-y?  ) Tribotone bars and the ongoing search for the "right" dobro-tone bar, it would seem that many people are not trying to "beat" every other bar in some sort of climactic winner-takes-all war, but would like to have a variety of tones and responses available. But yeah, corian's pretty lame. I can't pick "The Best Food" in the world, but I know it's not Chicken(?) McNuggets. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 2 Jun 2013 4:55 am
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| They make standard guitar nuts and bridge saddles from Corian. Counter tops too. |
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Glenn Uhler
From:
Trenton, New Jersey, USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2013 4:47 pm Corian nuts and bridges
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Correct, Jerry, but the amount of actual string movement on 6 string bridges and nuts is limited. Even so, you have to replace nuts and bridges now and then. A Corian bar would have constant string movement on the sides. Countertops do wear in areas where they are used constantly, but it's spread out over a wider area.
BTW, back to the original post; genuine bakelite material may still be available to make bars.
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1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 2 Jun 2013 4:54 pm
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| I use a corian bar to get the old broomstick no-sustain effect. It's more of a toy. |
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Glenn Uhler
From:
Trenton, New Jersey, USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2013 5:11 pm Scratches and dust?
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Thanks for chiming in, Jeff! Do you see any scratches on the sides of that bar? Dust on the fretboard?
The only exception to this situation might be the black Corian material, which I understand has a different mineral in it. I know one builder who uses it for nuts and bridges.
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1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H |
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Dennis Anderson
From:
Chicago, Illinois
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Posted 6 Jun 2013 7:14 pm better living through chemistry
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| thanks guys... I was just curious. I am quite happy with my John Pearse thermo-cryonic steel bar but was just getting curious about the bakelite bar (and its imposters) since I haven't yet played one. But I'll stay away from the corian... Is there anything to the reduced string noise claim by Tribotone bars? even though they are ridiculously expensive. Thanks. |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 6 Jun 2013 7:36 pm
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A Tribotone costs exactly the same as a BJS, about $80... or at least, that's what I paid for both of mine. Think lead bar wrapped in Teflon (sorta).
And yes... the Tribotone is amazingly silent. The BJS is amazingly slippery. I personally favor the Paloma Stone bar, though, because it's light weight and not as slippery. The price of $20 adds to the charm, however you should keep spares, since they can break if you drop them.
Really, you have to own them all... or you'll always wonder which you might favor.
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New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329 |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 6 Jun 2013 9:45 pm
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| Glenn, hard to say re: scratches, as the corian bar I have is white. No grooves in it from the strings. I'd say it feels more durable than the old bakelite bars. Definitely no shavings or powder coming off during use! |
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Dennis Anderson
From:
Chicago, Illinois
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Posted 7 Jun 2013 9:59 am
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| Thanks Stephen... I agree with you that you must explore the options. I've got 7-8 slides but have settled (more or less) on the Paloma for playing my Resolectric. Any word on when Tribotone will be back in production mode? I think that will be my next purchase. The used Bakelites on ebay look pretty chewed up to me... especially for 40+ dollars. |
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