Zirctone - New Production Zirconia Tonebars For Sale

[Dylan Schorer]

I’ve been using one of Mark’s prototype Zirctone bars for several months and love the feel and tone of it. I know how much work he has put into polishing and fine tuning, and these things feel impossibly slick. It’s definitely improved my vibrato. I had been using black zirconia bar as my main bar for the past 10 years, but the Zirctone is much smoother and feels better in my hand. I don’t know if it’s a difference in the ceramic material or the attention to polishing. It’s also taken few falls on to a hard floor (sorry Mark), and it’s come through unscathed.

[Dan Kelly]

I have had the Zirctone bar for about a month now. This is my first foray into a bar that is not steel.

So... comparing it to my favorite steel bar, I found that the Zirctone bar slides over the strings more smoothly and with less bar noise. Also, there are sounds and a level of expression I have not gotten with my steel bar. Plus, there is a certain clarity that I have noticed, especially when recording. The Zirctone is the bar I reach for now.

[John McClung]

M Horton Smith:

I'm pretty lousy with bar slants. The bars that work best for me have a considerable concave heel end so my thumb can securely grab the end of the bar for slants.

Any chance you will make a bar like that? I don't see much of a "dimple" in the current bar, at least from the one photo you posted.

Thanks!

[M Horton Smith]

John,

Thank you for your question. I have designed an offset feature in the back end of the bar just to get better leverage for slants. The feedback so far has been positive. Here's a photo that hopefully shows the detail of that feature a little better.

Mark

[Morton Kellas]

I'm supposed to be on the list for one of these great bars, I can't wait to get my hands on one.

[Stu Schulman]

I will be thrilled to have one of these bars!!

[M Horton Smith]

Just a quick update-

Morton and Stu, I have you on the growing standby list!

I'm about halfway through the process of manufacturing:

7/8" Dia 10-string qty. 25 (approx. 1/2 are spoken for)
15/16" Dia 10-string qty. 25 (approx. 1/3 are spoken for)

I will let you all know when the second run is close to complete.

Send me a note at zirctone@gmail.com if you want on the list.

Thanks

[David Decker]

Just sent you an email for a 15/16" Bar

[John McClung]

M Horton Smith, thanks for that heel mod for easier bar slants. I'll email you to place an order for a 7/8 bar. 🤠

[Valdi Thorkelsson]

E-mailed you an order last night Mark for a 7/8” Dia 10-str. Please confirm receipt.

[M Horton Smith]

Thanks John and Valdi,

You are both on the growing list! I'll let everyone know when the second run is getting closer - working on them. They do take plenty of time to get right. Thank you all for your patience.

Best,

Mark

[George Redmon]

Don't forget us 12 stringers 15/16 please. I have an extra pencil if you need it for your growing list.

[M Horton Smith]

Thank you George!

I appreciate your comment. Others have also expressed interest. I hope to manufacture a run of 12-string sizes later this year or early next if all goes well. I'll certainly post updates on new sizes as we go.

Mark

[M Horton Smith]

Quick update,

The second run of 10-string bars are in the final stages of polishing and quality checks (7/8" and 15/16"). I'll be reaching out to those of you on the list for delivery once they're complete in the next few days. Thank you for your patience.

Mark

[tom anderson]

Is this the same material as cubic zirconia? I’m confused when you refer to it as ceramic. I have some of the older bars by Ed Packard and cannot chip them. I understand the original bars (before Ed) were demonstrated at Scottys convention by throwing them in the air and allowed to bounce on the floor with no effects. Here’s a link to the compound. I’m just confused. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_zirconia

[Jerry Van Hoose]

Email sent, please put my name on your list for a 7/8, 10 string bar. 😀

[Pete Bailey]

Zircon (zirconium silicate) is the basic mineral from which the metal Zirconium is derived.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zircon

Zirconium is a metal derived from the mineral Zircon. It is grey-white, soft and malleable.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zirconium

Zirconia (zirconium dioxide) is a crystalline oxide of the metal Zirconium. It is an extremely hard, white ceramic material derived from the calcination of Zirconium compounds. This is what the bars are made of.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zirconia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcination

Cubic Zirconia is the cubic crystalline form of Zirconia. It is relatively hard and brittle, and is used a substitute for diamonds. It is obtained by crystallizing molten Zirconia doped with a stabilizing compound.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_zirconia

Hope this helps!

[Stu Schulman]

Mark,I just sent you a pay pal payment.
Awesome!!

[M Horton Smith]

Tom,

Great question. Pete very nicely listed out the different forms of the basic materials. As Pete also mentioned, I use the white stabilized zirconia ceramic. This material gives us the properties we need, e.g. hardness, toughness and high-quality surface finish capabilities that make for very low friction on the string. This material is relatively tough for what we think of as traditional ceramics. You can find it used anywhere from dental implants to high-temp ball-bearing applications. Hope this helps.

Mark

[David Decker]

Tom, sent my money today. Thanks,Dave

[David Ball]

Got mine today in a super nice leather bag. Outstanding! Thanks Mark!

[M Horton Smith]

David,

Thank you! So glad you got it ok, and I hope you love it.

I'm currently working down the list as fast as I can for those of you waiting, I sincerely appreciate your patience.

Thanks friends,

M

[David Ball]

I know that the demand would be very limited, BUT if you ever considered doing a tapered bar the size of a Chase, I'd be the first in line to get one!

Dave

[tom anderson]

I’m not sure what the “size of a chase” means, but I would like a tapered bar as well.

[David Ball]

A Chase tapers from about 3/4 to about 5/8 over about 3 inches. An eighth bigger overall would still be great. Maybe 3 1/4 inch long....

Dave