| Author |
Topic: What is the smallest diameter tone bar you know of? |
David DeLoach
From:
Tennessee, USA
|
Posted 20 Mar 2021 12:56 pm |
|
I looking for a small diameter tone bar. Maybe as small as 1/4". Needs to have a bullet nose.
Anyone seen anything that small? If so, where can they be purchased?
Thanks!
David
_________________
https://www.MasterGuitarists.com/ |
|
|
|
Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
|
|
|
|
Glenn Wilde
From:
California, USA
|
Posted 20 Mar 2021 2:17 pm
|
|
I have a tiny Oahu bar that came with a guitar, its 2.435 x 5/8"
Here it is next to a Brozophonic
Number 126k "hy-tone"
I have an old Dobro bar that's 2.710 x 5/8", never seen a bar skinnier than 5/8 myself.
For something as small as 1/4" you could make one out of a engine pushrod, junkyard item, probably free. |
|
|
|
David Venzke
From:
SE Michigan, USA
|
Posted 20 Mar 2021 3:59 pm
|
|
The smallest diameter I've seen is 5/8 inch. But if you're a DIY kind of guy, look for some drill stock (hardened steel rod drill blank) in the diameter and length you want for your bar, then take a good file to the tip and make it a bullet nose. Drill stock can be found at hardware stores, eBay, McMaster-Carr, etc. If you are looking for someone to make a bar for you, contact the custom bar makers with your specs.
I also have a used 5/8 X 2 5/8 bar I'd sell for $15 delivered if you want to try it.
-Dave |
|
|
|
Larry Carlson
From:
My Computer
|
Posted 20 Mar 2021 4:17 pm
|
|
The smallest bar I have is 5/8" X 2 3/4".
It's an old Nick Manoloff bar that came with my '39 Rick Silver Hawaiian when I bought it.
I've tried to use it but it just feels weird in my hand.
_________________
I have stuff.
I try to make music with it.
Sometimes it works.
Sometimes it doesn't.
But I keep on trying. |
|
|
|
Bill McCloskey
From:
Nanuet, NY
|
Posted 20 Mar 2021 5:09 pm
|
|
You say you want to go small, punk? Well do ya! Let's go really small:
 |
|
|
|
Ian McLatchie
From:
Sechelt, British Columbia
|
Posted 20 Mar 2021 8:58 pm
|
|
The great Indian players V.M. Bhatt and Debashish Bhattacharya both use narrow bars — at a glance I'd guess about 9/16". I've certainly not seen a bullet nose as narrow as 1/4". I have this 9/16" square end bar and it's about as narrow as I can comfortably hold.
 |
|
|
|
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
|
Posted 21 Mar 2021 5:51 am
|
|
I have a question: why?
Erv |
|
|
|
Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
|
Posted 21 Mar 2021 6:34 am
|
|
I have some .031 diameter music wire.....It must work or it wouldn't be called "Music Wire"    
_________________
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
|
|
|
Glenn Demichele
From:
(20mi N of) Chicago Illinois, USA
|
Posted 22 Mar 2021 9:12 am
|
|
Jim Burden at Bullet bars made me two 3/4" double-ended "twister bars. He was fast, and they are beautiful. He could probably do any diameter you like.
_________________
Franklin D10 8&5, Excel D10 8&5. Both amazing guitars! Homemade buffer/overdrive with adjustable 700Hz "Fender" scoop., Moyo pedal, GT-001 effects, 2x TDA7294 80W class AB amps, or 2x BAM200 for stereo. TT12 and BW1501 each in its own closed back wedge. Also NV400 etc. etc... |
|
|
|
Charles Stange
From:
San Francisco, California
|
Posted 22 Mar 2021 9:30 am
|
|
correct me if need be, but I believe Jim Burden is no longer making bars?
( two men walked into a Bar, the third one ducked )
_________________
Charles 'Skip' Stange |
|
|
|
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
|
Posted 22 Mar 2021 9:37 am
|
|
Charles,
Sorry, we can't be funny of the Forum anymore. 
Erv |
|
|
|
Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
|
Posted 22 Mar 2021 10:01 am
|
|
| Charles Stange wrote: |
correct me if need be, but I believe Jim Burden is no longer making bars?
( two men walked into a Bar, the third one ducked ) |
Yes, Jim is no longer making bars. I had him make me a 12 string bar a few years ago. Awesome bar.
Actually, I'm interested in this too. I have this really warped idea of playing slide mandolin.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
|
|
|
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
|
Posted 22 Mar 2021 10:05 am
|
|
Richrd,
Is it the water in Montana?
Erv |
|
|
|
Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
|
Posted 22 Mar 2021 11:42 am
|
|
| Erv Niehaus wrote: |
Richrd,
Is it the water in Montana?
Erv |
Must be.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
|
|
|
Ian McWee
From:
Worcestershire, UK
|
Posted 24 Mar 2021 2:33 am
|
|
I do know that Basil at Eeze-slides has made an Indian Chatturangui 6" long, thin bar for Manish Pingle - it certainly would be around 1/4" thick (if not thinner!)
It may've been a one-off custom order, but he certainly has the equipment to make a thin tone-bar.
Slide On!
Ian. |
|
|
|
Neil Aring
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 24 Mar 2021 3:48 pm Bill McClosky - flat tonebar ?
|
|
| Bill, curious about that flat rectangular tonebar you posted here. I got one like it that came along with a Supro I bought recently. Judging from the wear on it, somebody used it a lot. I can't figure out how you would even hold it or what the advantage might be. Have you used that thing ? |
|
|
|
Duane Becker
From:
Elk,Wa 99009 USA
|
Posted 24 Mar 2021 5:48 pm
|
|
David, I have a Nick Manoloff bar with round nose, also a side of the round bar is flat for your finger to rest on. Bar looks to be 9/16 in diameter and about 2 and 3/4 long. Came from my dad's collection of steel bars. You can have this one if you like for ten bucks plus shipping. It's dirty but I think I can clean it off a little.
 We can run it through the forum here and I'll give the sale percentage to the forum. Let me know! |
|
|
|
