Hillman Powder Coated Tone Bars

Allen Howington · Post by **Allen Howington** » 30 Mar 2015 8:31 pm

If it helps any at all, I'll take a Red and Black one. I base my purchase off of my fellow Steel Guitar Forum forumite friends. If they say it's good, then it's good.

PS: providing of course you can provide the 1" bar(s)

Steel buddy,

Allen Howington

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 30 Mar 2015 8:38 pm

Thanks, Allen, I'm out of town for a few days, but will get you an answer ASAP

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 31 Mar 2015 3:06 pm

Thanks to Allen's interest, and a few other encouraging replies, we will do a batch of 1" bars, in 3 1/2" length. I expect we are 4 to 6 weeks to completion, and will post on this thread when they are available, first colors will be gloss red and gloss black, we are able to offer them at $56.95, same guarantee and free Priority shipping. Please keep the suggestions coming, appreciate all who support our project!

Allen Howington · Post by **Allen Howington** » 31 Mar 2015 5:42 pm

Man of my word, I'll take the first 1" x 3 1/2" Red one and the first 1" x 3 1/2" Black one. Just let me know via email when to proceed with payment.

Steel buddy,

Allen Howington

Jon DeLorme · Post by **Jon DeLorme** » 31 Mar 2015 6:52 pm

also interested in the red 1" bars, in 3 1/2

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 31 Mar 2015 7:27 pm

Thanks guys, I'll let you know when they are available, anyone else who might be interested in a 1" x 3 1/2" bar, post here or shoot me an email, we will have them done as soon as possible.

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 2 Apr 2015 6:47 pm

I received my 15/16 X 3 3/8 bar today and A/B'd it against my 15/16 X 3 1/2 Chrome bar. I heard no noticeable difference in sustain. But, other factors put the powder coated bar in the plus side. It's easier to grip, making it seem lighter. It also takes a slight edge off of the tone of the lighter gauge strings and seems to blend the tone of the wound strings a little more. It glides across the strings easier and with much less noise.
So, yes, I'm happy with the purchase. It's an over-all improvement over the standard metal to string bar.

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 2 Apr 2015 8:45 pm

Thanks, Dennis, we greatly appreciate you posting your thoughts on the bar that you received today. - Michael

George Macdonald · Post by **George Macdonald** » 7 Apr 2015 4:40 pm

Michael, My two bars arrived today, and I'm very pleased with them. They have a warmer feel than uncoated steel bars, and feel similar to my Zirc bars. Love the colors. Green for my pedal steel and red for lap steel. Thanks again, George

dlayne · Post by **dlayne** » 7 Apr 2015 6:01 pm

I got my 15/16 bar yesterday and loved it from the start BY FAR the best feel I've ever had and I've tried what seems to be all of'em,,The ease of this bar just glides and how easy it is to hold,,EXCELLENT WORKMANSHIP,Thanks Michael

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 7 Apr 2015 6:22 pm

Thanks guys, great to hear from you, appreciate you both taking the time to post your thoughts, and supporting our powder coated bar project. - Michael Hillman

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 12 Apr 2015 3:30 pm

My machinist has informed me that the 1" steel is here, and we will have blanks ready to take to the powder coater on Wednesday, April 15th.

Michael Greer · Post by **Michael Greer** » 13 Apr 2015 5:16 pm

Michael,

I am another very satisfied customer.

This bar has two excellent qualities

1.super slick and really glides on the strings

2. very good grip in the hand

Looks great too.

Highly recommended

thanks again

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 14 Apr 2015 11:14 am

Thanks to Michael and all who take the time to post their review after using our powder coated bars. We ran a couple of prototypes of a gloss white bar for Tommy White, and named this series of bars the Tommy White "White Lightning" bar. I offered Tommy a small percentage of each sale for the use of his name, which he graciously declined. Instead we are donating $5.00 for each of these bars that are sold to the Wounded Warrior Project. We have just 10 of these bars at the moment, two 15/16" by 3 3/8", two lap steel bars 3/4" x 3", and six of our standard 7/8" x 3 3/8". The 15/16" are $54.95, the lap steel bars are $44.95, and the 7/8" x 3 3/8" are $49.95. I've taken my usual not-so-great photos, they really don't do these beautiful bars justice, but you'll get the idea:

Thanks, all, and please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions - Michael Hillman

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 14 Apr 2015 11:31 am

"White Lightning" bar is pretty cool.

Now you need snappy names for the other colours.

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 14 Apr 2015 12:33 pm

Hey Jeff, good to hear from you. Perhaps we'll have a "name the bar contest" for the other colors, we need to think about that...

winner receives the bar of his choice in that color??

George Macdonald · Post by **George Macdonald** » 14 Apr 2015 2:30 pm

Hi Michael,
My red 15/16 bar arrived today and I love that color. The new white ones that you have look great too. Thanks very much, George

Roy McKinney · Post by **Roy McKinney** » 14 Apr 2015 3:48 pm

And I have the first "white lightning" bar sold. Great bar's for sure. I have 4 different one, a pair for 10 string and a pair for 8 string.

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 14 Apr 2015 7:05 pm

Hey Roy, I wish you were just a little closer so I could get you over here for our Thursday jam nights! Good to hear from you! -Michael

George Macdonald · Post by **George Macdonald** » 15 Apr 2015 7:28 am

Michael,
If you ever make white bars in the 7/8 by 3, please put me down for one. [for lap steel] Thanks, George

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 15 Apr 2015 7:39 am

Hey George, I will be certain to do some 7/8" x 3" the next time we do a group of white bars, thanks for the input! Michael

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 19 Apr 2015 8:15 pm

In response to inquiries, yes, red and black 1" x 3 1/2" bars are on schedule, my powder coater has promised them by the 1st of May. Also, I've had inquiries as to if or when we will do another two for one sale. In response to these inquiries, yes we will, that is planned for August as we celebrate the first year of offering powder coated bars on the Forum. Thanks to all who support our project, please don't hesitate to give ideas and suggestions on this thread, email or PMs. -Michael Hillman

Allen Howington · Post by **Allen Howington** » 20 Apr 2015 3:59 am

Michael,
When these are ready please remember my order as promised to you. I will take a Red one and a Black one 1" X 3 1/2" powder coated bars.

Steel buddy,

Allen Howington

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 20 Apr 2015 4:24 am

I've been using powder coated bars for a long time for certain applications and still have a like new Red Raja.. i am seriously considering one of your bars to replace it..

Michael Hillman · Post by **Michael Hillman** » 20 Apr 2015 6:03 am

Hey Allen, you are at the top of my list to notify when I have the 1" bars ready, I'll post here and send you an email. Hello, Bo, anytime that you are ready for one of my powder coated bars just let me know color and size, thanks guys!

The Steel Guitar Forum

Hillman Powder Coated Tone Bars

Thanks

We will do a batch of 1" bars,

Bars

Thanks Allen and Jon,

Thanks, Dennis,

Bars

Bars

Thanks for your posts, George and Dan,

progress on one inch bars,

Thanks, Michael, introducing the White Lightning bars,

Hey Jeff,

Bars

Hey, Roy,

White bars

I will do that, next run of white bars,

Progress on 1" x 3 1/2" bars,

Bars