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Topic: Rocky Mountain Stone/ceramic slides |
Mark Evans
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 5 Mar 2022 11:01 am |
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Based on a recent post/review by Robert Wilson, I took a flyer on a couple slides from Rocky Mountain Slides.
I only play weissenborn lap, mostly acoustic (though I do have pickups on board… just mostly play acoustic). If ever ‘weight-to-increase-volume’ was an issue, it’s on the weissenborn (tho, to be honest, volume isn’t everything) I Ordered a Rail Rocket, single cut (as suggested in Robert’s post) and an Elements stone bullet bar.
(EDIT: technically the blue bar is a replacement ‘boat nosed’ tone bar. Doc requests backup colors/styles in case selection is out of stick. I got no issue with what got. Prob has a smidge more mass)
For my purposes the tone and volume are excellent. On the bayou blue rail tone bar, the tone is way warmer than my trusty Shubbs. Of course weight is slightly lighter which equates to quicker single note work. The ceramic (and stone, see below) also seems to offer a bit more musicality to the sound - subtle harmonics, percussive, etc (side note: describing tone with words is, well, you know…).
The greatest positive discovery for me was the Elements solid stone bullet bar. I’ve tried using steel and coated steel bullet bars on my weissenborn many times over the years. Trying to find a good grip and invariably having them fall out of my fingers (often clanking the top of the Weiss) became too common and drove me back to the grooved tone bars. This stone tone bar seems to have enough heft (but not too much), and also is ‘sticky’ enough to feel comfortable in my grip. That translated to confidence and quicker speed of movement. On the Weiss, my bar is on and off the strings a lot, so not worrying about having the bar drop out is a plus (for this aging left hand). They have re-opened a sonic doorway on this old acoustic lap steel.
They aren’t for everyone, but I had been languishing a bit, looking for that comfort level and tone that spurred me to play more. The proof is in the pudding. I’ll know better in a few weeks after running them thru the paces.
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Larry Pogreba Baritone 'Weissenheimer
Late 30’s Oahu Tonemaster
Hermann Guitars style 1 Weissenborn
2017 Richard Wilson Style 1 Weissenborn
Last edited by Mark Evans on 6 Mar 2022 9:43 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Greg Forsyth
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 5 Mar 2022 11:20 am
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| Thanks for the review Mark. I've been contemplating buying a slide or 2 from Rocky Mountain Slides and it's helpful to hear from people who use them. |
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Mark Evans
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 5 Mar 2022 11:27 am
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| Greg Forsyth wrote: |
| Thanks for the review Mark. I've been contemplating buying a slide or 2 from Rocky Mountain Slides and it's helpful to hear from people who use them. |
Glad to be useful
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Larry Pogreba Baritone 'Weissenheimer
Late 30’s Oahu Tonemaster
Hermann Guitars style 1 Weissenborn
2017 Richard Wilson Style 1 Weissenborn |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 5 Mar 2022 12:05 pm
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DO you have any idea how much the 15/16" diameter one weighs?
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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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Mark Evans
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 5 Mar 2022 12:14 pm
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| Bill Groner wrote: |
| DO you have any idea how much the 15/16" diameter one weighs? |
On my digital kitchen scale:
3.7 oz
That’s the ‘classic’
Bear in mind that these are turned from a variety of stones. I’d guess there would be minor weight variations as stone has… various densities
They have an XL bar that is longer for wider fretboards
_________________
Larry Pogreba Baritone 'Weissenheimer
Late 30’s Oahu Tonemaster
Hermann Guitars style 1 Weissenborn
2017 Richard Wilson Style 1 Weissenborn
Last edited by Mark Evans on 5 Mar 2022 12:59 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Terry VunCannon
From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 5 Mar 2022 12:30 pm
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I love my RMSC slides...been using them for years.
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 6 Mar 2022 6:46 am
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| Are these the folks in Poncha Springs? |
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Mark Evans
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 6 Mar 2022 6:49 am
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| Jack Hanson wrote: |
| Are these the folks in Poncha Springs? |
https://rockymountainslides.com/
They are in Ponch Springs
_________________
Larry Pogreba Baritone 'Weissenheimer
Late 30’s Oahu Tonemaster
Hermann Guitars style 1 Weissenborn
2017 Richard Wilson Style 1 Weissenborn |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 6 Mar 2022 7:31 am
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Thanks, Mark. Since I pass through there from time to time en route to the Front Range population centers and back, I'll be certain to contact them next time. |
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Mark Evans
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 6 Mar 2022 7:46 am
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Love the San Luis valley area (much more than front range populations areas!)
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Larry Pogreba Baritone 'Weissenheimer
Late 30’s Oahu Tonemaster
Hermann Guitars style 1 Weissenborn
2017 Richard Wilson Style 1 Weissenborn |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 6 Mar 2022 8:49 am
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| Mark Evans wrote: |
| Love the San Luis valley area (much more than front range populations areas!) |
Me too. But it can be an ice box this time of year (which is one reason I'm presently hanging out with my dad in SE Arizona). |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 7 Mar 2022 7:52 am
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I'm definitely a Rocky Mountain Elements user... the slides are a bit heavier and definitely stronger than the Pomona Stone ones... the shape is more consistent since it's machined instead of kiln-cured... and they're beautiful to boot. Also, I'm biased... RMSC was a supporter of the Rick Alexander NP Room when I ran it.
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New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329 |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 7 Mar 2022 9:59 am
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I ordered the Crimson Cougar, far right, but now that I look at your pic I wish I would have ordered the 2nd from the left!
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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 Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 7 Mar 2022 11:07 am
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I called RMSC up and I was in luck, they didn't get my order ready to ship. I exchanged the Crimson Cougar for the Night Cougar. Thanks for posting that picture Stephen.
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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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Mark Evans
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 7 Mar 2022 11:15 am
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I had a similar thought (the cougars def have a cool vibe), but I’m not gonna indulge in buyer’s regret. Loving the tone/playability… if I’m so inclined, I’ll get another…. That red or night cougar.
The wild card is each kind of stone may have tonal variation.
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Larry Pogreba Baritone 'Weissenheimer
Late 30’s Oahu Tonemaster
Hermann Guitars style 1 Weissenborn
2017 Richard Wilson Style 1 Weissenborn |
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Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
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Posted 8 Mar 2022 8:06 am
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I have both the Ceramic Poncha and Stone Element tone bars. Outstanding bars for tone and playability.
For anyone who plays slide guitar, RMSC also offers Ceramic and Stone Element slides in a variety of inside diameters and lengths. Great feel and tone.
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Four Pettingills and a Clinesmith Aluminum. Fender Blues Junior. Quilter Mini-101. |
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