Hillman Powder Coated Tone Bars

Dennis Johnson · Post by **Dennis Johnson** » 17 Mar 2015 5:06 pm

I'll keep an eye out and order one as soon as I see you have them.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 17 Mar 2015 7:37 pm

Michael, superb bars, I'm delighted..Thank you so much..

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 17 Mar 2015 7:52 pm

Thanks Basil, good to hear that they have arrived safely, and even better to hear that they work well for you!

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 18 Mar 2015 1:20 pm

Just received these today; 15/16" x 3 3/8", price is $54.95, OR - for $75.00, purchase one 15/16" and one 7/8" bar, in 3 3/8" length. Gloss dark blue available in the 15/16" within 10 days. I'm not much of a photographer, but here is a picture of the 15/16" bars:

Thanks, all, and, as I was frequently told in the working world, we appreciate all you think, and all you do, and all you think you do...let me know suggestions for any additional sizes or colors we might produce. Old powder coated bars are worth $20 trade in, 7/8" x 3 3/8" are $44.95 presently, shipping to Canada + $5.00, International Priority Mail + $20.00. - Michael vmhillman66@gmail.com

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 18 Mar 2015 5:03 pm

Thanks to those who asked, the 15/16" bars weigh 9.5 ounces - or 272 grams. And thanks for color suggestions, will have a few gloss dark green in 15 to 20 days.

George Macdonald · Post by **George Macdonald** » 18 Mar 2015 5:20 pm

Michael,
Please reserve a green 15/16" bar for me when they are available, and also a red 7/8 X 3" bar. Thanks, George

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 18 Mar 2015 5:39 pm

I'll be sure to set one aside for you and let you know when they are ready-

Dennis Johnson · Post by **Dennis Johnson** » 19 Mar 2015 8:34 am

I'll take a 15/16" blue as soon as there ready.

I enjoy the black 7/8 I got a few months ago, it's great, slides nice, sounds nice, easy to lift off the strings and is warm to touch in the morning. My practice room gets cool at night.

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 19 Mar 2015 9:33 am

Appreciate the kind words, Dennis, I'll remember to email you when the dark blue bars are available in 15/16", Best, Michael

Larry Baker · Post by **Larry Baker** » 20 Mar 2015 3:39 pm

Just tried out my new bars from Mike. They are great
I like the tone the produce. Seems more mellow than the stainless bars. Thanks Mike, Larry

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 21 Mar 2015 4:09 am

Well, if Larry likes them, they must be good. I'll have to get one.

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 23 Mar 2015 6:24 pm

Well, with glowing reports from my buddies Lucky and Larry, I just had to try one. Here's my opinion (yeah, I know!). Great service from Michael. Ordered late evening, mailed the next morning. The finish is first class, no bubbles or chips as on a bar I had at one time. It's slick on the strings and eliminates bar noise (that was one of the reasons I wanted to try one), but it's easy to hold on to. Sustain is marvelous. All in all, one of the best things I've done for myself musically in a long time. Thanks, Michael!

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 26 Mar 2015 6:32 am

Thanks for the kind words, Roger, I'm pleased that you are pleased-Lucky, Larry, Lyle, Paul, Darrell, all great guys to deal with, we greatly appreciate your support! - Michael

Pascal Guimbard · Post by **Pascal Guimbard** » 26 Mar 2015 8:37 am

Hi Michael
Got the bars this morning!They look,feel and sound great.Very pleased!
Thanks!
Pascal

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 26 Mar 2015 11:02 am

Thanks for letting me know that the bars arrived in good order, and thanks for the positive report! - Best, Michael

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 27 Mar 2015 1:49 pm

Just received from the powder coater, the dark blue and dark green bars in 15/16", price is $54.95, or pair a 7/8" x 3 3/8" in black or red with one of these bars for $75.00- photo below:

Thanks all, for your interest and support, don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns, Michael

Dennis Johnson · Post by **Dennis Johnson** » 27 Mar 2015 4:38 pm

Mike, PM me your PayPal account and I'll send the $54.95 for a 15/16 Blue bar

Dennis Johnson · Post by **Dennis Johnson** » 27 Mar 2015 5:08 pm

Thanks Mike, PayPal sent

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 27 Mar 2015 5:25 pm

Thanks for the quick payment, Dennis, we have a post office open tomorrow, I'll get your bar in the mail, and provide you with tracking, good to hear from you again, Best, Michael

Bryan Martin · Post by **Bryan Martin** » 28 Mar 2015 8:51 am

Michael,
I received my 7/8 and 15/16 bars yesterday, and got to playing them today. I will mention that the finish looks like glass. They sound great. And they glide across the strings effortlessly. I am not alone in my assessment of their quality across the thread, but I will mention a few things:
1. The service is GREAT and fast.
2. Michael is very open to dialog with the players: hence the new 15/16 size.
3. The packing is exceptional.
4. One of the real differences with the powder coat bars is how easy they are to grip. Although mine have a mirror finish, they are not as slick between the fingers as a chrome or stainless bar. Many in the thread have mentioned reduced string noise, and a bit mellower tone (I have not noticed much of a change in brightness myself). My guess is there may be a very fine micro-texture compared to a polished steel bar that is too fine to be seen with the naked eye.

In my opinion these bars are a great addition/option to the tools we use everyday. Everyone's hand is different, everyone's tone is different, and how much less would our pleasure be if we only had one bar to chose from.

MIchael, big thanks for doing this,

Bryan

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 30 Mar 2015 2:56 pm

Thanks for your detailed post, Bryan--I greatly appreciate you mentioning the difference in the ease of grip using the powder coated bars. I will be out of the shop for 3 days, returning late Friday, April 3rd, any bar orders will ship on Friday. I will have access at times to email, and will answer inquiries as promptly as I can, Thanks to everyone who supports our powder coated bar project! Michael

Allen Howington · Post by **Allen Howington** » 30 Mar 2015 6:49 pm

Do you produce any 1-inch bars, and if so what is the max length someone could get?

Thanks in advance,

Allen Howington

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 30 Mar 2015 7:34 pm

Hello, Allen, I've not produced a 1" bar thus far, but would be open to doing that if there was sufficient interest. What length were you thinking of? We did learn that there is quite an increase in cost from our basic 7/8" bar stock to the 15/16" stock, not certain if that is true moving on up to an inch, but I will discuss with our machinist and get an idea of the costs involved. - Michael

Allen Howington · Post by **Allen Howington** » 30 Mar 2015 7:48 pm

Black or Red 1" x 3 1/2"

Or

Black or Red 1" x 3 3/8"

Thanks,

Allen Howington

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 30 Mar 2015 8:11 pm

I'll check into this and let you know, Allen

The Steel Guitar Forum

Hillman Powder Coated Tone Bars

Thanks, Basil!

just received 15/16" bars in gloss red and gloss black,

Weight of the 15/16" bars,

Powder coated bars

Will do, thanks George,

Thanks, Dennis,

Thanks, Roger-

Thanks, Pascal,

gloss dark blue, gloss dark green in 15/16" bars -

Got it Dennis,

Powder Coat Bars

Thanks, Bryan,

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