Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David L. on October 9, 2009 at 7:27am

Hi, A general overview of how resonators work can be found here
http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/ResonatorsExplained.htm Here is a picture of a cone/biscuit bridge sitting in a soundwell without the cover on

I have recently finished a 6 string resonator CBG with a 7inch cone - I didn't use a top plate because I couldn't find one the right size or price.

If this is the kind of resonator you are thinking of let me know and I will post more pictures of the insides. Regards, David

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Permalink Reply by Jack Nelson on September 13, 2012 at 12:17pm

Hey David,

I really like the way you hid the cone under the box top. I sure would like to see photos of the inside of the box to understand how you mounted the resonator. Already ordered a good size Antonio Y Cleopatra  box (12"x7.25"x4") for my 1st. build; a 4 string reso.CBG. I'm new to CBN and this is my first posting. Hope I'm doing this right!

Jack Nelson

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Permalink Reply by David L. on September 14, 2012 at 12:42am

Hi Jack,

Welcome to Cigar Box Nation.  You are posting right and I am impressed you have looked through the old posts to find the information you want.

The cone resonator I built was with limited tools - a wobbly table and a jigsaw so the insides look really rough.  Only half the bottom circle is glued the other is screwed in place so I could access the cone.

In retrospect I would have done differently-

More neck support as the 11 gauge 6 strings were too much of a strain.

Put the piezo within the biscuit bridge - sticking them around the soundwell doesn't pick up the reso sound as well as one within the biscuit bridge.

I'd probably use a tuna can next time for a hidden resonator so a smaller box could be used.

 

 

And for the best sound of all use an Old Lowe Cone they are tougher, easy to fit and look excellent (check out his page http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/OldLowe?xg_source=profiles_me...

By the time I'd finished the "proper" resonator I really loathed it as the cone was fragile and the string break needed to be just so - by comparison the Lowe Cone was a pleasure to build and more so to play.

 

 

 

Also there is a resonator group worth a look for ideas http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/howloudcanwemakeit

 

Regards,

David

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Permalink Reply by HOGS GRUNT on October 9, 2009 at 9:00am

I don't know if these photos are any help but if you want more info give me a holler. Just hope they have downloaded corrctly as it is the first time I have tried to add pics to a post.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on October 9, 2009 at 12:58pm

Thanks for the replies, that helps a lot, but I do have some questions.

So basically, a dobro has a bridge that the strings rest on, which sits on top of the cone, and the cone vibrates to give it that special sound, right? So instead of the cigar box top vibrating to make the sound, the cone does it?

Can a cone be made from some type of household item, or does it need to be purchased? Can I use a cheap metal bowl, or would it be too thick to vibrate enough?

In the YouTube video, the guy looks like he made it with a 3 coil pickup. Wouldn't the magnetic pickup ignore the sound of the cone, and turn it into a simple electric guitar? Or would it still sound dobro'ish when plugged in?

I am sure I will have more questions as this project progresses.

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Jkevn on October 9, 2009 at 2:08pm

For goodness sakes, take a look at Barefoot Cajun's pictures. He's made resonators out of everything except his mother's fine china....and that may be next! If you can't find any inspiration there.....you might want to talk the guy into a diddley-bow :-)

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/photo/listForContributor?screen...

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Permalink Reply by David L. on October 9, 2009 at 11:50pm

Hi,
Yes you have got the idea regarding the cone.

As the other members have shown you can use any metallic vessel as a cone - tuna tins, metal bowls, number plates etc... a bought cone may sound better - but as sound quality is a personal choice this is upto you. You can easily add disc piezo sounders very cheaply so you can amplify the sound (if you search the forum for piezo you will get hits for price, where to buy and how to wire in place). If you use a magnetic pickup you do get an electric sound. I wired up a magnetic pick up and piezo discs via a 3way so I can have magnetic/both/piezo options giving 3 different sounds.
I used a cone off a friend - to buy in the UK they are expensive. If you get chance try out a resonator guitar at a local music store if possible (the string tension is quite high so the cone will resonate properly). On my six string build I started with 11 gauge strings but found it pulled the neck/box too much and I now use 9 gauge - it doen't sound quite so good but the guitar appreciates the lower tension as do my fingers. I also realised that you need a decent angle from the tailpiece to the bridge otherwise the cone doesn't seat or resonate properly.

Good luck,
David

Iggy said:

Thanks for the replies, that helps a lot, but I do have some questions.

So basically, a dobro has a bridge that the strings rest on, which sits on top of the cone, and the cone vibrates to give it that special sound, right? So instead of the cigar box top vibrating to make the sound, the cone does it?

Can a cone be made from some type of household item, or does it need to be purchased? Can I use a cheap metal bowl, or would it be too thick to vibrate enough?

In the YouTube video, the guy looks like he made it with a 3 coil pickup. Wouldn't the magnetic pickup ignore the sound of the cone, and turn it into a simple electric guitar? Or would it still sound dobro'ish when plugged in?

I am sure I will have more questions as this project progresses.

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by HOGS GRUNT on October 10, 2009 at 12:13am

I bought all my cones etc from Bezdez in Canada about 5 years ago. He still has them listed and they are a good price. Don't know what shipping will be now but I bought 3 sets and they cost me, including shipping, about £20GBP each, which I thought was a good deal.

David Lloyd said:

Hi,
Yes you have got the idea regarding the cone.

As the other members have shown you can use any metallic vessel as a cone - tuna tins, metal bowls, number plates etc... a bought cone may sound better - but as sound quality is a personal choice this is upto you. You can easily add disc piezo sounders very cheaply so you can amplify the sound (if you search the forum for piezo you will get hits for price, where to buy and how to wire in place). If you use a magnetic pickup you do get an electric sound. I wired up a magnetic pick up and piezo discs via a 3way so I can have magnetic/both/piezo options giving 3 different sounds.
I used a cone off a friend - to buy in the UK they are expensive. If you get chance try out a resonator guitar at a local music store if possible (the string tension is quite high so the cone will resonate properly). On my six string build I started with 11 gauge strings but found it pulled the neck/box too much and I now use 9 gauge - it doen't sound quite so good but the guitar appreciates the lower tension as do my fingers. I also realised that you need a decent angle from the tailpiece to the bridge otherwise the cone doesn't seat or resonate properly.

Good luck,
David

Iggy said:

Thanks for the replies, that helps a lot, but I do have some questions.

So basically, a dobro has a bridge that the strings rest on, which sits on top of the cone, and the cone vibrates to give it that special sound, right? So instead of the cigar box top vibrating to make the sound, the cone does it?

Can a cone be made from some type of household item, or does it need to be purchased? Can I use a cheap metal bowl, or would it be too thick to vibrate enough?

In the YouTube video, the guy looks like he made it with a 3 coil pickup. Wouldn't the magnetic pickup ignore the sound of the cone, and turn it into a simple electric guitar? Or would it still sound dobro'ish when plugged in?

I am sure I will have more questions as this project progresses.

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by c# merle on October 10, 2009 at 12:55am

never tried a dobro, but a resonator sounds very similar. made this reso from a cheap sponge tin and kitchen sink strainers - cost about 2 quid all in

got a video of it on this site

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Permalink Reply by HOGS GRUNT on October 10, 2009 at 2:02am

Just a thought.
Have you checked out the photos of Ted Crocker and soundssogood as well as bairfoot cajun?
They have a lot of photos concerning their reso builds and you will get a lot of ideas from them.

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on September 14, 2012 at 2:19am

I've had some great results with a cookie tin lid for a 'cone' you can get quite a bit more volume and middly woody warmth than that same lid will give you on a cookie tin guitar.

Heres one here. http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/2012-12-longbro?context=user
In the very start and very end of this video I'm playing it unplugged
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/longbro

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