New tapered tonebar available
Moderator: Brad Bechtel
New tapered tonebar available
This was shared on FB. No idea of cost. Can anyone tell me what the advantage of a tapered bar might be?
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I too had a couple of old Chase bars. They were comfortable for playing, but the front of the bar seemed too lightweight IMO. The tone and sustain produced by the bar was not as rich as a standard bar, in my opinion. I found myself pressing down on the front of the bar to get a better tone (not enough weight there).
That ad has a very "old school" look. The graphic of the music store and the bar itself. Very retro looking.
That ad has a very "old school" look. The graphic of the music store and the bar itself. Very retro looking.
Definitely retro! But this is a new ad and they are currently being sold.
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tapered tone bars
most of the old "black rajahs" were similarly tapered, though not quite as acutely.
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I got that you got it, Doug, just didn't want anyone else to think this was a vintage ad because, as you said, it looks right out of the 30s or 40s .... like this one from 1939 ...
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Re: tapered tone bars
I made a few tapered bars for some guys on the forum. Mine were 3" long .800 butt end and .700 tip. I think they were a little over 4 ounces. They are not easy to make and I won't be making anymore. Mine were Delrin, with brass for the core. I hope Rick doesn't mind posting his great version of Home in San Antone.Kirk Francis wrote:most of the old "black rajahs" were similarly tapered, though not quite as acutely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi50g_pIbT4
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Re: tapered tone bars
Bill, I should have snagged one of your bars when you were having that momentary lapse of reason.Bill Groner wrote: I made a few tapered bars for some guys on the forum. Mine were 3" long .800 butt end and .700 tip. I think they were a little over 4 ounces. They are not easy to make and I won't be making anymore.
At the behest of David Wright, Michael Hillman has been making tapered steel bars with his powder coating for a couple of years now. 3 1/4" long with a 7/8" to 3/4" taper. I asked Michael to make me a couple 3" bars with about the same taper which he did. Great bar, easy to grip. At about 6 oz., there's some inertia to overcome for fast slants and string jumps. I plan to have one of them recoated by Michael and remove about an oz of steel at the same time. I think that he also makes a 2 3/4" long tapered bar for six string lap players.
I also have a Chase bar and a couple of long and short black rajas which I like a lot but as Doug says, may be a bit too light. The titanium "Amos" bar in Andy's first post sells for $62 + shipping on Reverb and is also a bit light at 3.1 oz. I enjoyed reading about the store's history on their website.
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Frank Ford at Gryphon Stringed Instruments sells a tapered steel bar and has done so since at least the year 2006.
I use one regularly and like it a lot. Single note passages are very easy to play.
I use one regularly and like it a lot. Single note passages are very easy to play.
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A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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I've made some tapered bars, and they are a bit more of a pain than regular bars to turn. But not that bad. I've used these on my tricone and like the way they play.
I have some Chase bars. I have one of Frank Ford's bars--it feels good, but the finish on the surface is too rough for my liking. Scratchy sounding but otherwise a nice bar.
I got a tapered delrin bar from Basil, and it's my favorite for lap steel. I don't think he's too keen on making them, but it is sure a good bar. I use it on the C6 neck for pedal steel too. Nice tone with somewhat decreased sustain (which is fine on C6 for me), and I like the way the tapered bar plays.
Dave
I have some Chase bars. I have one of Frank Ford's bars--it feels good, but the finish on the surface is too rough for my liking. Scratchy sounding but otherwise a nice bar.
I got a tapered delrin bar from Basil, and it's my favorite for lap steel. I don't think he's too keen on making them, but it is sure a good bar. I use it on the C6 neck for pedal steel too. Nice tone with somewhat decreased sustain (which is fine on C6 for me), and I like the way the tapered bar plays.
Dave
Michael Hillman makes/has made these, he talka about it
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... &start=575
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... &start=575
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