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Tone Bar Clips

Started by spradders, May 29, 2012, 08:14:28 AM

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spradders

Hi - I wondered if anyone had found a suitable generic tone bar clip (for improving sustain of higher notes).  Surely they can't be that hard to find... but if I google 'spring clip' I get about a billion results!

Thanks,
Mike.

Loukas

Silver top 1966
Mark II suitcase 1980

spradders

Thanks.... the idea of this section of the forum (I think) is to find generic replacements that are cheaper than buying from specialists.  If I need a dozen clips (not sure yet, only fitted three tines!) I will have to pay $30 plus shipping to UK... seems mad for just a few tiny spring clips.

So - I was wondering if anyone found the same clips from a generic hardware retailer?  I'd hope for a pack of a hundred for a few $$ !

Thanks,
Mike.

squarebubble

I know this topic is way old, but I've been looking for an alternative to use instead too. I came across some 3/8" tool clips in my local hardware shop that looked promising. A couple of snips and a couple of tweaks with a pair of pliers to make them fit nice and tight and they work just as well as the original tone bar clips at a fraction of the cost. See pics below..


pnoboy

I wonder if a small neodymium magnet positioned on the tonebar might do the trick.  I think it would hold securely enough not to move, but I haven't tried it.

AvionKeys

Quote from: pnoboy on June 19, 2016, 10:31:06 AM
I wonder if a small neodymium magnet positioned on the tonebar might do the trick.  I think it would hold securely enough not to move, but I haven't tried it.

Hmmm...I would be cautious of putting another magnet so close to the pickup. They have a small field but it would still be too close for me. Plus you could slightly magnetize the tonebar which is even closer. And I can't see the magnet staying still over long time periods.

pnoboy

Well, as I say, I haven't tried it.  However, the magnets hold ferociously, and the field should be pretty well contained.  You could further contain the field by placing 2 magnets side by side whose fields are opposite (one magnet N up, and the other S up).  I wouldn't worry too much about magnetizing the tone bar--there wouldn't be much left once the magnets are removed--I assume the tone bars are made of ordinary steel, which is considered magnetically soft, without much remanence.

Tim Hodges

Quote from: pnoboy on August 12, 2016, 07:33:13 AM
Well, as I say, I haven't tried it.  However, the magnets hold ferociously, and the field should be pretty well contained.  You could further contain the field by placing 2 magnets side by side whose fields are opposite (one magnet N up, and the other S up).  I wouldn't worry too much about magnetizing the tone bar--there wouldn't be much left once the magnets are removed--I assume the tone bars are made of ordinary steel, which is considered magnetically soft, without much remanence.

Isn't it just easier to get the clips and not have to worry about either them falling off or shifting after repeated strikes or the potential for interfering with the pickups? Also it seems like a pretty expensive option compared to the tonebar clips.
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pnoboy

Quote from: tjh392 on August 12, 2016, 09:04:39 AM
Quote from: pnoboy on August 12, 2016, 07:33:13 AM
Well, as I say, I haven't tried it.  However, the magnets hold ferociously, and the field should be pretty well contained.  You could further contain the field by placing 2 magnets side by side whose fields are opposite (one magnet N up, and the other S up).  I wouldn't worry too much about magnetizing the tone bar--there wouldn't be much left once the magnets are removed--I assume the tone bars are made of ordinary steel, which is considered magnetically soft, without much remanence.

Isn't it just easier to get the clips and not have to worry about either them falling off or shifting after repeated strikes or the potential for interfering with the pickups? Also it seems like a pretty expensive option compared to the tonebar clips.

Actually, the magnets seem much cheaper.  VV sells the clips for $2.50 for one, or $2.00 each for 10.  This place, http://www.kjmagnetics.com/products.asp?cat=1, which I've purchased from, sells 1/4" dia, 1/4" thick magnets for $.56.