Hillman Powder Coated Tone Bars

[Michael Hillman]

Here is a link to a YouTube video, Forumite Fredrik Kinbom using a 7/8" x 3" dark blue powder coated lap steel bar. I suggest that you check out his new album "Songs of Love and War" which he recorded with Sonja Kessner and some other notable guest artists - he has some really nice music available, great sounds from Germany!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qwz3d-Y09Y

I have received a couple of requests to do a batch of powder coated bars in gloss lemon yellow, or a gloss butterscotch yellow. Sure to be highly visible in dimly lit venues! We plan on having those ready in about 2 1/2 weeks, and, these bars will be included in the two for one February sale - I'll post pictures when they are finished.

[Stephen Abruzzo]

Great bars.....they don't slip out of your grasp....sweat is not an issue......great feel....heavy little suckers....very little string noise with a slight trebly overtone. Very close to a Tribotone. But where the Tribotone was neutral, these powder coated bars have a slight treble warmth that is pleasing to the ear.

Absolutely love these bars. Personal favorite is 7/8".

[Michael Hillman]

Thanks, Steve, for the kind words, always good to hear from you!

[Michael Hillman]

I've had a couple of requests to do some bars in a yellow or a butterscotch color, so we did a test run of 20, 10 lemon yellow and 10 butterscotch. Mostly the standard 7/8" x 3 3/8", and a couple of 15/16". There were a few lap bars, but most of those were spoken for by those Forum members who made the request in the first place. They are a good looking bar, I've posted a picture below. If you'd like one, or two, I've included them in the two for one sale this month. Thanks!! Michael


Current pricing for all bars is in announcement of February two for one sale on previous page of this thread, page 11.

[Dick Chapple Sr]

Hi Michael:
I sent you an email and would like 2 more 7/8 by 3 3/8 and 2 more 15/16 by 3 3/8.
I'd like a yellow and a butterscotch 7/8 bars and also a yellow and a butterscotch 15/16th bars.
Am I too late to fill my order with those colors?
Dick

[Michael Hillman]

Hello, Dick, great to hear from my Eastern Montana neighbor! I'm sorry, the 15/16" yellow and butterscotch are sold, I have the standard 7/8" x 3 3/8" in both colors. I'll be certain to let you know if we run another batch in those colors with 15/16" included, thanks for all of your past support on our powder coated bar project!

[Dick Chapple Sr]

Okay thank you Michael, I will paypal after lunch. That will bump me up to 10 of your bars.

Say, how about a wood look powder coat? A color to match some of the beautiful lacquer finishes we see on our steels?

There probably would not be two alike.

[Michael Hillman]

Thanks, Dick, I will get your bars off today and send you tracking. I'll have to see if anything like a wood finish that would resemble lacquer exists in powder coating....always appreciate new color and finish suggestions-- I'll let you know the answer soon. Best, Michael

[Dick Chapple Sr]

Hi Michael: My new bars came today and I like the yellow and banana colors. That red 15/16th bar is a really a good looking red too! I was pleasantly surprised how well I can handle the big bar. I will buy another pair of this size also before Feb runs out, hoping for more sales to happen on my stuff.

Folks, you really need to take advantage of Michael's generosity here and buy these fantastic bars. I have a box full of various bars from over the years of gathering, and I now only use these bars period. I bought my first bar from Michael well over a year ago and it is in perfect shape as are all the other 9 I have. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis in my hands and I can handle these bars and play steadily for hours on end.
Dick

[Michael Hillman]

Good to hear that your bars were delivered, I mailed some to Texas the same day as yours, and it appears they were left at the wrong address ...hoping that they show up soon. But I will have to say, in the USPO's defense, that my local contact here paid to have another shipment overnighted to my customer the last time something like this occurred.

I'm pleased that those larger sized bars work for you, greatly appreciate your purchases, we appreciate your support, and the support of all Forum members who keep this project viable. Dick, I wish you'd swing over this way and join our Thursday night jam session! -Michael

[Dick Chapple Sr]

Wow, I'd be over joyed and scared at the same time to join in. I can visualize everyone running from the room and pulling their hair out! This would be a wonderful experience, one I really need. What a thrill it would be.
Thanks for the invite Michael.

[James Sission]

Got mine today. Great product and a great price. Good customer service as well considering the post office made some errors. Thank you for working with me Michael, your help was appreciated.

[Michael Hillman]

Thanks, Jim, my pleasure to work that situation out - overall, I've had good experience with the U.S Postal Service, with minimal damage from rough handling, and your instance is just the second time a delivery hasn't been made on time or to the correct address.

For the benefit of other Forum members, I ship flat rate small box Priority Mail, since to most US Zip Codes, it is a two or three day delivery for $6.80. Because some bars have been damaged in shipment, and Forum members report crushed boxes, or partially crushed boxes, I've began attaching (courtesy of the Post Office) a generic FRAGILE label. It appears that Jim's mail carrier got confused, as she delivered his bars two days after they were expected to arrive (although the website stated they had been left at his porch or front door) rang his door bell an told him that because of the FRAGILE marking, there was $11.00+ postage due. Apparently there is a special handling fragile sticker that may be attached for an extra fee, but that is not what a mailing customer gets or requests when you simply mark an item FRAGILE. I had indicated to Jim that if his bars didn't show up in two days, I'd send him a replacement set. I'd just mailed his replacement set, and about an hour later, his mail carrier showed up with the original shipment.

I appreciate being advised of any instance even remotely similar to this delivery/postage due charge. For that matter, let me repeat that customer satisfaction is our highest priority. We offer a money back guarantee if for any reason powder coated bars are not for you. Simply return the bars to me for a full refund, within a month of purchase, and I'll refund purchase price plus the cost of postage. We began this project to allow those players who do like a coated bar to have one (or two or more) at a reasonable price. We've had very good support from Forum members which has allowed us to run some specials and, at the same time, try new sizes and colors. And that's why we are quick to say THANK YOU ALL for your interest and support that allows us to continue. - Michael

[James Sission]

This is EXACTLY what took place. And although this was NO fault of Michael, he made good on the deal I got what I paid for. Like I said before, customer service at its finest here, too bad I cant say the same about USPS.....Thanks Michael.....J

[Dick Chapple Sr]

Michael:
I sent an email to see if you have two more of those 15/16th bars in the same red as the one you sent me last week. If so I will buy them.
Dick

[Michael Hillman]

Thanks, Dick, I do have two more in red, I will hold them for you - Michael

[Dick Chapple Sr]

Thanks again. Paid!!
Anxious to hear about wood look possibilities, if it is feasible and worth doing.
Dick

[Michael Hillman]

Good suggestion Dick, I'm meeting with my powder coater tomorrow afternoon, and I'll post the results - I'm also going to extend the two for one sale a few days, until March 8, the day before we leave for the Texas show, thanks to all who support our powder coated bar project-and a quick note...current pricing is found on page 11! - Michael

[Tim Whitlock]

I just got my 3/4" bars. Ordered on Friday and received them on Monday. The price including shipping and the fast order turnaround simply can't be beat!

As to the bars, I play an 8 string Fender 1000 so a 3" bar is fine, but I recently switched from a 7/8" steel bar to 3/4" steel because the bigger bar was so much slower. I am really pleased at how much faster and quieter these powder coated bars are! Really amazing and even though they glide effortlessly along the strings, they don't slip out of your hand. I tested it on "Sleepwalk" and the new bar made it effortless to get a fast and wide vibrato. I am going to order a 7/8" in yellow when they are available because of the speed.

Assuming they last a good long while, I am absolutely sold on these bars! Great quality and excellent, friendly and personable service from Michael. This is how I like to do business!

[Michael Hillman]

Hey Tim, thanks for the feedback, it appears that I'd better do a few yellow bars from time to time, including lap steel sizes, a number of players have ordered those. I will put a note on my calendar to let you know when I have yellow lap bars.

And to answer Dick's question, there isn't a powder coating that resembles wood grain finishes. We are, it appears, relegated to solid colors if we expect the smoothest finishes. There are a few powder coated finishes other than solids, that have metal flake, a spider web pattern, etc but they don't appear to be suitable for our purposes.

There is a firm located in the same building as my powder coater that does some beautiful wood grain finishes, camo finishes, etc, using a complex dipping process. They showed me some burled walnut patterns on pieces they were just completing for a yacht manufacturer-just gorgeous. My question was, could they cover my bar blanks with that finish, and could I then have them powder coated in clear? Alas, their finish couldn't take the baking process for the clear powder coating. They surely produce some beautiful finishes, some that would look really great on a pedal steel body--just every bit as good as the AR15 stocks they showed me. You can see what they offer here www.hydro-dip.com

I'm always looking for alternate finishes, and anyway to improve our product....thanks to all who support our project!

[Michael Hillman]

We will extend the two for one sale thru Tuesday, March 8, thanks for all the support, we will do it again in August. Current pricing, $36.95 lap steel bars, standard 7/8"x 3 3/8" $49.95, 15/16" x 3 3/8" $56.95, 1" x 3 1/2" $59.95, you may mix sizes, email me for a price and color selection. vmhillman66@gmail.com

[Michael Hillman]

Have been planning on taking in the Texas Steel Guitar Jamboree in Dallas March 10-13, decided at the last minute to take along some bars, and sign up for a booth in rear of the main hall. Albert and the gang do a great job with the Texas Steel Guitar Association, we are pleased to support it in a small way, and hope to see a number of Forum Members there, along with some great entertainment. That puts us out of the shop in Idaho March 9 thru March 15, I will of course be checking email frequently.

[Michael Hillman]

Thanks to everyone who supported our two for one sale, off to the Dallas show, will be checking email each day, and back in the shop in Idaho Tuesday, March 15th. Looking forward to a great show, stop by our space and say hello if you are going to be there!

Current pricing on bars:
lap steels, 3/4" x 2 3/4", 3/4" x 3" 7/8" x 3" $ 36.95

Standard 7/8" x 3 3/8" $49.95

15/16" x 3 3/8" $56.95

1" x 3 1/2" 59.95 (gloss red or gloss black only)

Buy any bar, receive a second bar for an additional $15.00. Most bars available in gloss red, gloss black, gloss dark blue, gloss white, and gloss yellow. Prices include Priority shipping to US Zip Codes. Add $5.00 per bar for Canadian orders, and $30.00 per shipment for International orders. PayPal to vmhillman66@gmail.com or contact me if you wish to do another form of payment. I can be reached at (208) 867-5062, it's always a pleasure to visit with Forum members!

[Michael Hillman]

Enjoyed a wonderful convention in Dallas, our thanks to Albert and Debbie and all who give so much of their time to put on a terrific show-- heard a lot of great steel playing, enjoyed the exhibits, and visited with a lot of Forum members. Came away with a couple of suggestions on new sizes and colors for our bars, current pricing in the post just above this one, thanks to all who support our powder coated bar project!

[George Redmon]

Hey Michael, just got the nice yellow bars in the mail this morning. I think you have the best turn around time on the planet. This makes my 3rd bar. I suggest anyone who hasn't tried one of Michael's great powder coated bars to try them. It will quickly become your favorite. They look great on the bandstand, and with your choice of sizes, the weight is near perfect. Thanks Michael for a great product.