Jingling Tone Bars

Larry Hamilton · Post by **Larry Hamilton** » 1 Feb 2015 1:52 pm

Who was the fella that made the tone bars that made a jingling sound on the inside? He just walked around the TSGA Jaboree trying to sell them. I should have bought just for the heck of it.

Lindell Thomas · Post by **Lindell Thomas** » 1 Feb 2015 2:32 pm

I thought the TSGA Jamboree was in March. Have i missed it?

Justin Griffith · Post by **Justin Griffith** » 1 Feb 2015 2:47 pm

I can't remember his first name. Perkins was his last name. Jack? Aka the "magnet guy" in Texas. He'd stick magnets all over your guitar/amp/volume pedal at a gig.

Those bars are crazy good. I have one and wouldn't take anything for it.

Glenn Uhler · Post by **Glenn Uhler** » 2 Feb 2015 12:14 pm

Think that was Al Perkins. There should be several posts on the magnet thing in the archives. Search on "Al Perkins".

T. C. Furlong · Post by **T. C. Furlong** » 2 Feb 2015 2:48 pm

I bought a jangly bar from him at TSGA. When you play with one, on certain notes, it sends a mild electrical "shock" up your arm. I'm not kidding. It really does that. I don't think the tone or sustain is as good as with a traditional solid bar. But it's kind of a kick to play with one.

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 2 Feb 2015 10:09 pm

There is an Al Perkins who is my friend and wonderful steel player in Nashville and he is not the one selling the bars.

George Duncan Sypert · Post by **George Duncan Sypert** » 3 Feb 2015 9:18 am

Pretty sure the fellow selling those bars at the Dallas show passed away a couple years back. Sure I read that on the forum. Nice friendly gentleman.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 3 Feb 2015 9:53 am

It was definitely Jack, not Al, Perkins.

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 3 Feb 2015 10:44 am

Yes, Jack Perkins passed a few years ago in Dallas, but he was originally from Kerrville.

I think I've told the story before; I met him years ago at the Inn of the Hills in Kerrville, TX. It was a standard 2-night gig that a lot of bands in the Austin area did for quite a few years in rotation. He showed up every night, pulled a chair up and watched every lick on every song.

He'd always bring some bars out and ask me to try them out. Like Justin said, he got off on the magnet kick later on, and stuck those little peel and stick magnets on your guitar, your cables, everywhere. He claimed they improved tone. I finally had to tell him to stop, I kept finding them all over my gear. Super nice guy, big fan of steel guitar, in fact he played some, but I never heard him.

He also used to get me off to the side and brag about the 'fun' that he and his young girlfriend had.. (family forum, use your imagination). He was late 70's at that time, and his girlfriend was around 60 I think. Jack was a real character, and people like that make the world an interesting place, I miss him.

I've got one of his 15/16" bars, definitely something kind of different going on, but too fat for me. I'd like to find a 7/8" version that somebody would like to trade for the 15/16"? Anybody?

Glenn Uhler · Post by **Glenn Uhler** » 3 Feb 2015 7:35 pm

Thanks for correcting the name, Jim, and to Bill, for setting the record straight. Jim, I stand corrected.

Larry Hamilton · Post by **Larry Hamilton** » 4 Feb 2015 5:45 pm

Thanks guys for the information. I was pretty sure he had passed away. Wish I had bought one of his bars but......has anyone ever opened one of his bars, just curious.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 4 Feb 2015 5:59 pm

Larry Hamilton wrote:has anyone ever opened one of his bars, just curious.

I wouldn't do that if I were you...

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 4 Feb 2015 9:45 pm

I'd like to find one of those bars...

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 5 Feb 2015 4:42 am

I have one, got it from Maurice..)))

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 5 Feb 2015 9:14 am

Ernie, I remember we talked about those bars a while back. I had a 7/8" I was going to try and find for you, but I lost it when my house burned in 2011.

If you have any interest in this 15/16" I'd sell it, I just can't use a bar that big.. Gimme a shout or I'll watch this thread in case you may want it.

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 5 Feb 2015 9:44 am

Cool, Bill! You have mail...

Justin Griffith · Post by **Justin Griffith** » 18 Feb 2015 8:40 pm

That's the guy Bill. I have one of those bars and it's my favorite.

Randy Reinhardt opened his and it contained a small tuning fork. I don't know what note it was tuned to, but I'll ask Randy when I see him.

The bottom of my bar is starting to get a little rough from so much use. If anyone has one they'd sell, let me know please.

Justin

The Steel Guitar Forum

Jingling Tone Bars

Jingling Tone Bars

Jingle Bars

Stand correctd