Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Blind Lemon Cello on March 18, 2016 at 2:48am

I like a 4 string because you can tune the high string to B which rings out real nice. Not a fan of piezo pups, especially if put under a metal object like hub cap or aluminum cone. I think painting the cone would dual the sound & output level. I have a tri-cone that came with the bridge painted. I removed the paint & it was mo' better. If your mainly playing slide fretless is sweet. All this IMHO.

Permalink Reply by Lane Martin on March 18, 2016 at 3:27am

A lot of 4-string players tune GDGB so it actually makes the full chord (vs GDG), but it comes down to personal choice. Same with frets or not. Personally, if I were planning on playing slide primarily, I'd skip the frets, but that choice has to do mainly with my slide technique (or, more correctly, lack thereof).

As far as pickups go, I see a lot with mag pickups. Some with both mag and piezos. Depends on the sound you want. I've seen one with a small microphone mounted inside with the thinking that it wouldn't change the sound any, but just amplify it.

Permalink Reply by Fomhorach on March 18, 2016 at 9:06am

To fret or not to fret. When you finger a note with a fret it sustained for longer. This all adds to the resonator. If your playing mostly slide it's relatively the same as having a movable fret.

A pup will amplify the string vibration though it's magnetic field. So having a resonator amplified through a pup won't exactly pick up all those wonderful resonances.

3 or 4 string it's mostly a choice between playing style and frequency through the resonator. On a side note, a resonator is harder to build properly to resonate at lower frequencies. I think. I might be wrong here.

I might be wrong everywhere too. Just adding food for thought.

Permalink Reply by PhilUSAFRet on March 18, 2016 at 12:02pm

Doing my first build.  Using both a piezo on the underside of the cone under the biscuit and a magnetic neck pickup with a 3 way switch.  Not sure if I'll install knobs or use a behringer external DI box.  Have an acoustic one for my ukes so I don't have to install pre-amps in them. About $30

Permalink Reply by Fomhorach on March 18, 2016 at 12:37pm

On a side note.. I think it was wayfinder that I saw having coloured blue cones buy blowtortching/heating them. I think this has to do with oxidised metals. But I don't think I would paint one. You could try sandpapering the surface and using a wood stain but it might not exactly be a uniform taint. Ask wayfinder about the heat thing.

Permalink Reply by Brian Revels on March 23, 2016 at 12:37am

Thanks for all the comments and information. This should help me some.  Some last questions... What do people use for a covers?  ... like what are some cheap/found alternatives to buying an actual cover?  Is the cover purely decorative, or do the cone covers serve a purpose?

Thanks again!