Powder coated bars

George Kimery · Post by **George Kimery** » 19 Nov 2018 4:09 pm

I have been thinking about asking Santa for a powder coated bar. The problem is, Santa and my brother are very close and my brother plays bass in one of my bands. If I don't use the bar, how do I explain to him why I am not using a $50.00 bar that he paid for? Do you guys use them in place of your steel bar or in addition to for certain songs? This sounds like the best explanation when my brother notices me not using it. "It's only for certain songs"

Greg Lambert · Post by **Greg Lambert** » 19 Nov 2018 7:50 pm

I have used one and still have one in my bag. I really like the warm tone it gives along with the smooth moves it makes.

What I dont like is that after about 3 months of use the powder will start to come off in places. Happened to all 4 of mine.

George Kimery · Post by **George Kimery** » 19 Nov 2018 9:07 pm

Greg, that's a bummer if the coating wears off. I don't think all powder coating is created equal. You can buy a do it yourself powder coating system at Harbor Freight for not much more than a bar costs. I doubt this would be near as durable as one coated on a million dollar machine at a factory. There is a powder coating shop 1/2 mile from me. I will check with them about coating a spare bar I have. Santa can bring me a pair of Fender tilt back legs instead.

Dave Meis · Post by **Dave Meis** » 19 Nov 2018 10:17 pm

I really like mine. I like the way they feel, and they seem much easier to grip for slants.. they really feel secure. I've never had one lose its coating, and I've been using them for years. Michale Hillman said he'd recoat, too.

Mikhail Bobrov · Post by **Mikhail Bobrov** » 20 Nov 2018 2:32 am

Dave Meis wrote:I really like mine. I like the way they feel, and they seem much easier to grip for slants.. they really feel secure. I've never had one lose its coating, and I've been using them for years. Michale Hillman said he'd recoat, too.

+1. And I have 8 of them.Give them a try.

Dustin Kleingartner · Post by **Dustin Kleingartner** » 20 Nov 2018 7:12 am

I got a powder coated bar over a year ago, and now it's the only bar I use. After a year of it being my only bar, I haven't noticed any of the coating coming off. I love mine! And who doesn't like color options??

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 20 Nov 2018 8:26 am

Black sounds better!

Erv

Carl Kilmer · Post by **Carl Kilmer** » 20 Nov 2018 8:26 am

I've using bars from Michale Hillman for a very long time.
I have 4 for them that I use about 90% of the time and
after several years I've never had any problems with any.
Always feel light and have a very nice smooth sound.

Pete Bailey · Post by **Pete Bailey** » 20 Nov 2018 8:38 am

My 7/8" bar from Michael Hillman is the first thing I grab when it's time to go on stage. The BJS bar gets used more in the studio and for rehearsing (or showing off - too bad there's no chrome powdercoat), but when the hot lights are on and my hands start sweating, there's no substitute for the powder coated bar.

Larry Baker · Post by **Larry Baker** » 20 Nov 2018 5:45 pm

Michael Hillman bars all the way. I've not had any problems with them. to me, Black and Red sound the same.

Greg Lambert · Post by **Greg Lambert** » 20 Nov 2018 6:41 pm

I have never heard of the bars by "Michael Hillman". But form what your saying thats great. I'll look up the site. I really like the smoothness and the tone of these bars.

Dave Meis · Post by **Dave Meis** » 20 Nov 2018 9:10 pm

He has an ad in â€˜amps and accessoriesâ€™ .. itâ€™s about 4 pages back. I couldnâ€™t figure out how to paste the link (sorry).

Dick Hitchcock · Post by **Dick Hitchcock** » 21 Nov 2018 6:43 am

I got 2 bars from Michael about 2 years ago....Love them.

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=270422

Joe Cook · Post by **Joe Cook** » 21 Nov 2018 8:08 am

Another fan here of Michael Hillman's bars! Much better feel for me than non powder coated. Love the colors as well.