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Post new topic Is Tribotone Permanently Out Of Business?
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Author Topic:  Is Tribotone Permanently Out Of Business?
John Kennedy

 

From:
North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 29 Jul 2019 6:04 am    
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Their site shows limited stock but email inquiry address is inactive.
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Rick Abbott

 

From:
Indiana, USA
Post  Posted 29 Jul 2019 7:49 am    
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https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=329317
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David Venzke


From:
SE Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 29 Jul 2019 2:28 pm    
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You may want to consider Basil H's Ezzee slide or Todd Clinesmith's polymer bars. I can vouch for the Ezzee slide ... use mine all the time.
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Jeff Mead


From:
London, England
Post  Posted 29 Jul 2019 2:36 pm    
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David Venzke wrote:
You may want to consider Basil H's Ezzee slide or Todd Clinesmith's polymer bars. I can vouch for the Ezzee slide ... use mine all the time.


I too can vouch that Basil's bars are every bit as good as Tribotone. Haven't tried Todd's but if I didn't already have a couple of Basil's would definitely give one a try.
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Nic Neufeld


From:
Kansas City, Missouri
Post  Posted 29 Jul 2019 4:24 pm    
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Another vote for Basil's bars...to which all of my other ones are a backup. And Todd C's bars, if they are of the quality of his guitars, are likely worth notice.
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David Ball


From:
North Carolina High Country
Post  Posted 29 Jul 2019 4:36 pm    
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I've got a couple of Tribotones, a couple of Basil's bars and one of Todd's. They're all great.

Dave
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John Kennedy

 

From:
North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2019 3:34 am    
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Do Ezzee slides cut down on string noise as Tribotone bars are reputed to do?
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Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2019 4:09 am    
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All the coated bars reduce string sizzle compared to a metal bar to some degree. Especially when new, they glide more easily over the metal strings, reducing friction.

I have a Tribotone and it is an excellent bar. It perhaps reduces the high end frequencies very slightly in comparison with a steel bar. I recently purchased a Clinesmith bar and it's the best bar I've ever owned, if perhaps a bit heavier than other coated bars I've tried. I'm sure Basil's bars are equally excellent.
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Jeff Mead


From:
London, England
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2019 4:29 am    
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John Kennedy wrote:
Do Ezzee slides cut down on string noise as Tribotone bars are reputed to do?


Most definitely. Quietest bar I've ever used.
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John Kennedy

 

From:
North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2019 5:34 am    
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Subjective question but how long do these bars last you guys?
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Bill Groner


From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2019 6:17 am    
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John Kennedy wrote:
Subjective question but how long do these bars last you guys?


I make my own polymer bars. I have been using mine everyday for the past 2 years and there is NO wear. Someone asked if there is less noise using them, and yes there is. If you like the noise coming off of Doug Beaumeier's lap steels (and everybody does) then get yourself a bar like he uses. PS.... Doug, it's not noise, it's music.....just so we are clear....I didn't want you to think I was bad mouthing your playing, that is not the case.
Most of the best Pedal guys use steel bars but for me, I find that the polymer bar is much more user friendly......I always had to reposition the steel bar I had as it tended to slip from my hand.

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HowardR


From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2019 6:31 am    
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It certainly appears that Tribotone production is permanently out of business even if the name is still a registered business......
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John Kennedy

 

From:
North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2019 7:40 am    
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HowardR wrote:
It certainly appears that Tribotone production is permanently out of business even if the name is still a registered business......
I called and spoke with him. He really couldn’t give an answer on the future but are not doing any business currently, and have no stock to sell, despite what the site says. Nice guy, though.
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John Kennedy

 

From:
North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2019 7:43 am    
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Bill Groner wrote:
John Kennedy wrote:
Subjective question but how long do these bars last you guys?


I make my own polymer bars. I have been using mine everyday for the past 2 years and there is NO wear. Someone asked if there is less noise using them, and yes there is. If you like the noise coming off of Doug Beaumeier's lap steels (and everybody does) then get yourself a bar like he uses. PS.... Doug, it's not noise, it's music.....just so we are clear....I didn't want you to think I was bad mouthing your playing, that is not the case.
Most of the best Pedal guys use steel bars but for me, I find that the polymer bar is much more user friendly......I always had to reposition the steel bar I had as it tended to slip from my hand.
You make your own? Should I let you know when my birthday is? Cool
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Bill Groner


From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2019 7:53 am    
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John Kennedy wrote:
Bill Groner wrote:
John Kennedy wrote:
Subjective question but how long do these bars last you guys?


I make my own polymer bars. I have been using mine everyday for the past 2 years and there is NO wear. Someone asked if there is less noise using them, and yes there is. If you like the noise coming off of Doug Beaumeier's lap steels (and everybody does) then get yourself a bar like he uses. PS.... Doug, it's not noise, it's music.....just so we are clear....I didn't want you to think I was bad mouthing your playing, that is not the case.
Most of the best Pedal guys use steel bars but for me, I find that the polymer bar is much more user friendly......I always had to reposition the steel bar I had as it tended to slip from my hand.
You make your own? Should I let you know when my birthday is? Cool


If you want to buy yourself a gift, most certainly let me know. Rolling Eyes
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Jim Sliff


From:
Lawndale California, USA
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2019 10:31 am    
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Quote:
All the coated bars reduce string sizzle compared to a metal bar to some degree.


Andy, The Ezzee Slide bar isn't "coated" - it's made of a synthetic polymer.

Any synthetic polymer applied as a coating over a steel bar would have to be abnormally thick and expensive to apply in order to provide any reasonable amount of durability.
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Bill Creller

 

From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 3 Aug 2019 12:42 am    
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I have one of Basil's bars. Seems a bit easier to hold, for me. Works well & seems quiet etc...
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Andy Volk


From:
Boston, MA
Post  Posted 3 Aug 2019 4:52 am    
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Thanks for the info, Jim!
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Bill Groner


From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
Post  Posted 3 Aug 2019 6:36 am    
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Actually the polymer bar is a sheath of polymer that is pressed on to a metal core. Brass, Copper, Steel, Stainless are used for the weight. The sheath weighs next to nothing. The metal can be "tweaked" in various ways to achieve the desired finish weight of the bar.


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