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Topic: New tapered tonebar available |
Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 25 Feb 2021 3:36 am |
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This was shared on FB. No idea of cost. Can anyone tell me what the advantage of a tapered bar might be?
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Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 25 Feb 2021 7:21 am
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Looks like a copy of the old Chase bars. I have a couple of them. I think those are 3/4 to 5/8 but not sure. I'd have to measure one of them.
I like it a lot for lap steel. It reduces the angle of the wrist and it's just easier to handle. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2021 7:33 am
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Like Jerry stated.
When you're playing lap steel, it gives a more natural angle to your wrist. 
Erv |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 25 Feb 2021 8:28 am
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Definitely retro! But this is a new ad and they are currently being sold.
_________________
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Kirk Francis
From:
Laupahoehoe
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Posted 25 Feb 2021 10:12 am tapered tone bars
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most of the old "black rajahs" were similarly tapered, though not quite as acutely.
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The mainland is intimidating, bewildering, and uncomfortable. And you have to wear shoes. -- Theroux. |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 25 Feb 2021 10:26 am
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I got that you got it, Doug, just didn't want anyone else to think this was a vintage ad because, as you said, it looks right out of the 30s or 40s .... like this one from 1939 ...
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Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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David M Brown
From:
California, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2021 1:53 pm
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| Doug Beaumier wrote: |
Yes, or like this style:
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Thanks for posting the ad - those are my favorite tone bars even now. |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 25 Feb 2021 2:13 pm Re: tapered tone bars
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| Kirk Francis wrote: |
| most of the old "black rajahs" were similarly tapered, though not quite as acutely. |
I made a few tapered bars for some guys on the forum. Mine were 3" long .800 butt end and .700 tip. I think they were a little over 4 ounces. They are not easy to make and I won't be making anymore. Mine were Delrin, with brass for the core. I hope Rick doesn't mind posting his great version of Home in San Antone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi50g_pIbT4
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Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Posted 25 Feb 2021 4:45 pm Re: tapered tone bars
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| Bill Groner wrote: |
I made a few tapered bars for some guys on the forum. Mine were 3" long .800 butt end and .700 tip. I think they were a little over 4 ounces. They are not easy to make and I won't be making anymore. |
Bill, I should have snagged one of your bars when you were having that momentary lapse of reason. 
At the behest of David Wright, Michael Hillman has been making tapered steel bars with his powder coating for a couple of years now. 3 1/4" long with a 7/8" to 3/4" taper. I asked Michael to make me a couple 3" bars with about the same taper which he did. Great bar, easy to grip. At about 6 oz., there's some inertia to overcome for fast slants and string jumps. I plan to have one of them recoated by Michael and remove about an oz of steel at the same time. I think that he also makes a 2 3/4" long tapered bar for six string lap players.
I also have a Chase bar and a couple of long and short black rajas which I like a lot but as Doug says, may be a bit too light. The titanium "Amos" bar in Andy's first post sells for $62 + shipping on Reverb and is also a bit light at 3.1 oz. I enjoyed reading about the store's history on their website. |
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rodger_mcbride
From:
Minnesota
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Posted 26 Feb 2021 5:57 am
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| Gryphon Strings still makes and sells a SS tapered bar. They are easier to hold than the round bars IMHO. Basil of Ezzee Slide in the UK made a tapered 8 string Delrin bar for a few people a few years ago. Supposedly, the tapered bar was the favorite of Joaquin Murphy. |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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David Ball
From:
North Carolina High Country
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Posted 26 Feb 2021 3:53 pm
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I've made some tapered bars, and they are a bit more of a pain than regular bars to turn. But not that bad. I've used these on my tricone and like the way they play.
I have some Chase bars. I have one of Frank Ford's bars--it feels good, but the finish on the surface is too rough for my liking. Scratchy sounding but otherwise a nice bar.
I got a tapered delrin bar from Basil, and it's my favorite for lap steel. I don't think he's too keen on making them, but it is sure a good bar. I use it on the C6 neck for pedal steel too. Nice tone with somewhat decreased sustain (which is fine on C6 for me), and I like the way the tapered bar plays.
Dave |
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Gene Tani
From:
Pac NW
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Jim Fogarty
From:
Phila, Pa, USA
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Sebastian Müller
From:
Berlin / Germany
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Posted 30 Aug 2021 11:22 pm
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Bobby Ingano posted on Facebook that David Feet Rogers used a tapered bar as well. Makes me thinking! Both Joaquin and Feet are high on my favourite players list. I might order one when I am in the US.
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https://hawaiian-steel-guitar.com |
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Steve Waltz
From:
USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2021 4:19 pm
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| I have a tapered bar from Basil. My hand just feels less strained using a tapered bar. I didn't expect that. I assume there is something about how you hold it that is just easier on the hand. |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 31 Aug 2021 7:08 pm
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| Andy, I was given that Amos bar for my birthday. It's far too light and small for me. I have to hang on to it for a while but it's definitely not enough ofca tone bar. 3.1 ounce is a toy. Also the diameter at the large end is tiny. I can't see how anyone could use this. |
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