Back in 2012, I received a package in the mail from an old friend, Ken Parker, the groundbreaking luthier and designer of the Parker Fly and the many exquisite archtops and other instruments. I could go on all day about his work, which includes L Shankar’s doubleneck electric violin. Ken passed away in October.
He said this was one of about three tone bars he made (one for himself, one for Paul Beard, and this one which he sent to Cindy Cashdollar and she sent back to him (my good fortune!). He always told me to keep it under wraps, but I marveled at this thing every time it caught my eye. He are a few pics. To show it in the hand completely obscures the view of it, and it fits my hand perfectly. In the last pic, you can see his signature and date etched into it faintly.
Coolest tone bar bar ever made
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Mike Neer
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- Location: NJ
Coolest tone bar bar ever made
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Michael Kiese
- Posts: 336
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- Location: Richmond, Virginia (Hometown: Pearl City, HI)
Re: Coolest tone bar bar ever made
Pretty cool, Mike! Is it made out of brass? It appears to be.
Aloha,
Mike K
1932 A22 Rickenbacher Frypan, 1937 7string Prewar Rickenbacher Bakelite (C Diatonic), 1937 7string Epiphone Electar (Jerry Byrd's E9), 1937 Epiphone Electar (C#m9), 1940's Post War Rickenbacher Bakelite (Feet's D), 1950 Supro (Open F), 1950's Rickenbacher ACE (C6), 1950's Rickenbacher A25 Frypan (A6), 1957 National New Yorker (Jerry's E13), 1955 Q8 Fender Stringmaster (A6, C6, Noel's E13, C Diatonic), 1961 Supro (Open A), 8string VanderDonck Frypan (Buddy Emmons's C6).
Mike K
1932 A22 Rickenbacher Frypan, 1937 7string Prewar Rickenbacher Bakelite (C Diatonic), 1937 7string Epiphone Electar (Jerry Byrd's E9), 1937 Epiphone Electar (C#m9), 1940's Post War Rickenbacher Bakelite (Feet's D), 1950 Supro (Open F), 1950's Rickenbacher ACE (C6), 1950's Rickenbacher A25 Frypan (A6), 1957 National New Yorker (Jerry's E13), 1955 Q8 Fender Stringmaster (A6, C6, Noel's E13, C Diatonic), 1961 Supro (Open A), 8string VanderDonck Frypan (Buddy Emmons's C6).
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Rick Aiello
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- Location: Berryville, VA USA
Re: Coolest tone bar bar ever made
A flattie with wings 
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HowardR
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- Location: N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Mike Neer
- Posts: 11461
- Joined: 9 Dec 2002 1:01 am
- Location: NJ
Re: Coolest tone bar bar ever made
Rick/Howard: What do you think the metal on top is? I’m pretty sure it’s not brass. I remember Ken telling me that the materials were very expensive and in order for him to sell these he’d have to charge $300-400. I never did ask the composition.
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