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Topic: Jack Perkins Bars? |
Tom Palmer
From:
East Wenatchee, WA USA (deceased)
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Posted 10 May 2005 5:45 am |
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| Does anyone have knowledge or experience with Perkins Bars? He approached me at the Dallas Show and sent me some material and a tape. I thought I would get some feedback from users or guys who have had the opportuntity to make side by side comparisons. |
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Doyle Mitchell
From:
Loraine, Texas
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Posted 10 May 2005 8:22 am
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| Tom, I have been using one now for two years, these bars are light and have something that rattles in them, They give super sustain compared to my solid bar. The light bar will change your tone more treble so you may want to add some mid or bass eq. I keep both bars handy but find myself always going back to the Perkins bar, after you use it a while the sustain doesnt feel right without it. We do an opry show here and I now have another steel man on the show also, he keeps reaching over and getting my Perkins bar when he is playing, he also loves the sustain. I took the bar to Jeff Newman's when I was there visiting to get him to try it, he would play awhile then scratch his head, then play with a solid bar, he liked the sustain but did not like the tone change it produced on the sound. He said he would have to use one a while before he would give his honest opion, but his untimly death happened before I could get one sent to him. I first tried one from a friend that had met Mr. Perkins and purchased one. I liked the sound so I ordered one myself and have used it since, they were like 100.00 at that time so this may affect the sale to some players that have never heard of this bar or used one. I love mine and use it all the time now, but there again that is one man's opinion. I would suggest you buy one and try it, if you are like me, it wont be the first time you ventured money on something you did not particullary care far, but I think you will like it!! Good luck Doyle |
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Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
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Posted 10 May 2005 8:50 am
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I've got a couple, a 7/8" that Jack gave me when he was still developing the "Super Sustain" bar, and another 15/16" that I paid him for.
I dunno about that rattle thing, it drove me crazy, but he used some sort of bar stock that was a bit softer (at least on the ones I have) and no plating, so these bars had a real buttery feel, although a little prone to nicks. I really liked the feel, but couldn't really hear the sustain thing, YMMV... I told him he should just build some solid bars from that same steel, but he didn't like the idea much..
I used one for a good while, considered drilling out the plug and taking out the rattles and then filling it with something to get the weight up a bit, but finally decided to go with a BJS instead.
Jack is quite a character. He lives in Kerrville TX, and frequents a club there at the Inn of the Hills hotel. He's a die-hard steel fan, and I can't remember ever playing there that Jack wasn't there. Real nice guy, doesn't have his own shop, so he pays somebody there in Kerrville to build these bars to his spec. I guess that's one reason they are bit higher price.
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 10 May 2005 8:53 am
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| And while we're on the subject, what do y'all think of his magnets? He recommends sticking them on your steel, on your amp, basically everywhere... |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 10 May 2005 9:10 am
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Jimbeaux
The only thing that will improve a Perkins bar is to stick a Perkins magnet on it. 
Since I play BJS bars, I'm searching for an equivalent refrigerator magnet to improve my tone there.
------------------
Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association
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Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
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Posted 10 May 2005 10:53 am
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| Quote: |
| And while we're on the subject, what do y'all think of his magnets? He recommends sticking them on your steel, on your amp, basically everywhere... |
I wasn't real happy to come back off break and find a peel and stick magnet stuck right on the peghead decal of my '62 Strat.. 
I told him yet another place he could stick a magnet 
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 10 May 2005 3:19 pm
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| I don't understand how a light-weight bar can have more sustain than a heavy bar. |
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Randy Gilliam
From:
San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Posted 10 May 2005 3:31 pm
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| It is the secret sauce inside the bar.I Have The T Bar Compared too my MSA Bar The T Bar Blows It Away. Kenny Grohman , Randy Rheinhardt , Also Use Them, And Denny Mathis.Jack lives in Kerrville Texas. |
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Len Amaral
From:
Rehoboth,MA 02769
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Posted 11 May 2005 11:00 am
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Hey Jim:
"And while we're on the subject, what do y'all think of his magnets? He recommends sticking them on your steel, on your amp, basically everywhere"
What if you play a Sierra that is all aluminum? Where's the magnet gonna stick?
Does this guy have a website and is there a 12 string bar available? |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 11 May 2005 4:58 pm
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| Quote: |
| What if you play a Sierra that is all aluminum? Where's the magnet gonna stick? |
I daresay, he'd say to put it on your amp, on your volume pedal, on your, wristwatch, anything that contacts anything... |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 11 May 2005 11:19 pm
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| I too would like to contact this guy if possible. I have either made, bought, sold or kept probably three dozen different bars in search of the Holy Grail, and I have yet to see any evidence to dispel the idea that weight and sustain have a direct linear relationship. And yes I already have a 15/16" BJS, it's well-crafted but too heavy for my peculiar needs. |
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Randy Gilliam
From:
San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Posted 12 May 2005 1:37 pm
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| I am Going too see Jack Tonight I will Get You His Number and post it tommoro Thanks Randy |
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Randy Gilliam
From:
San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Posted 12 May 2005 9:37 pm
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| Perkins Super Sustain Bars. Contact Jack Perkins 2119 W.Bluff Dr.Kerrville Texas 78028 Phone Number 830 895 3253. |
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