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Topic: Zirc Vs. Tribo-Tone |
Christopher Wray
From:
California, USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2011 10:40 am |
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Hello Gentlemen,
My buddy Seitz was telling me how much he loves his new Tribo-Tone bar. After doing a little research I stumbled upon these Zirc bars that people seem to love. Can anyone give me a little insight into the differences between the two? They look similar but I'm not sure if they're made from the same material. If you've tried both I'd love to know how they compare. Feel, tone, stustain, weight... etc.
Thanks!! |
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Ray McCarthy
From:
New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2011 4:15 pm
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| I don't know much about the Tribotone, but I know it's not made of the same material as the Zirc (Zirconia is the stuff they make the ceramic knives from, and some part of the containment structures at nuke plants. It's extremely hard-second only to diamond). I have a Zirc and a Pearse stainless and I use them both. I can't hear any difference in tone between them, but the Zirc is a little lighter and I find I can move it faster for a better vibrado. Also it glides over the strings better than steel. |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2011 7:05 am
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A Tribo tone bar feels very natural and does not feel cold.
It seems easier to hold yet is slicker on the strings.
There is a clear sound difference with a tribo tone as in a lot less string noise particularity on lower strings.
4 string whine is reduced.
I would say it has a mellower and smoother sound.
You can always add treble but it's hard to adjust for unwanted frequencies.
I have not owned a Zirc bar and have only compared to the major steel bars.
I just got a 2nd Tribo tone for home practice set up because I prefer it to my others.
They come in different weights sizes and colors.
Eric is great guy Call him or email.
http://www.tribotone.com/
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2011 7:38 am
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I have no exposure to a Tribo-tone bar but for me, it is a toss up between the BJS, John Hughey, chrome bar and the zirconia.
I have two zirc bars, a white one and a black one.
Black is supposed to sound better  but I really can't tell the difference.  |
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David Ball
From:
North Carolina High Country
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Posted 17 Apr 2011 3:17 am
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I use a zirc bar on pedal steel and a Tribotone on lap steel. They're very different bars in many ways and I like them both. The zirc is a harder material while the Tribotone, made of a very hard delrin plastic with a core made metal, can get dinged if you drop it on pavement or something like that. It will still take a lot of abuse. Neither bar is cold to the touch like a steel bar can be. Both are very smooth on the strings with greatly reduced noise. The Tribotone can be ordered in different weights--the one I use is the "C" weight bar which is a bit heavier for its size than a comparable steel bar would be. The zirc only comes in one weight, and it's a bit lighter than a comparably sized steel bar.
I don't think I can make a fair comparison between the tone of the two since I'm using very different sized bars. They both sustain nicely, both are quiet on the strings and both feel very good.
Hope this helps some.
Dave |
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Steven Cummings
From:
Texas
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Posted 18 Apr 2011 2:47 am
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Are the Zirconia bars still available today, and if so can someone point me in the right direction to obtain one? How do they compare pricewise?
_________________
Lookin' on the sunny side.... |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 18 Apr 2011 6:08 am
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Ed Packard is the man to get ahold of.
Do a search here on the forum.
The bars aren't cheap but, as is the usual case, you get what you pay for.  |
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Christopher Wray
From:
California, USA
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Posted 18 Apr 2011 1:04 pm
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| Thanks for all the info!! I'm ordering a Tribo today. From everything I've read, they're right up my alley. |
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