Considerations for Selecting a Resonator Guitar
Material
The body of a resonator guitar functions like the cabinet used to house an audio speaker. Cabinets are usually heavy and their construction is very sturdy. This forces the sound out of the speaker cone, instead of losing signal due to vibration and the sound energy being absorbed by the cabinet material itself.
Steel - Steel is very hard. They tend to produce a very bright, crisp, sharp tone.
Brass - Brass is softer than steel and may absorb some tone, but usually they are said to have a warmer, softer, blended tone compared to steel.
Wood - Wood being the softest has a delicate tone. Bluegrass Dobro (lap style resonator) players usually prefer wooden bodies. Plywood actually makes for a stronger body than solid hardwood.
Other - Different materials have been used. In an attempt to produce a lighter instrument aluminum has been used, but the softness of the body makes for a muddy tone. Graphite is another experimental material.
Cones
A resonator cone (kind of like, a metal pie pan) functions very similiar to a banjo skin. The energy of the strings vibrating move the bridge, that in turn move the cone. The sound comes out of the cone directly like an audio speaker, but also develops inside the body and exits via the soundports in the body's upper bout. A coverplate is used to protect the cone from damage. Cones are manufactured out of aluminum by being spun (superior) or pressed. They are rather delicate.
T Bar Bridge - The Tricone is by far the best model in regards to overall balanced tone and volume. Using a T Bar, three small cones are attached to the bridge. This provides treble, mid range, and bass.
Biscuit Bridge - The single cone is convex like a volcano. On top sits a wooden disk (biscuit). The bridge stands vertically in the middle of disk. This model was very popular with many early Blues players like Son House, Bukka White, and Blind Boy Fuller.
Spider Bridge - John Dopera who invented the resonator guitar had to reinvent his guitar, after he no longer owned the original patents. He inverted the cone to concave like a funnel and placed a spider web type bridge made out of aluminum across the top. This guitar was sold under the name Dobro. Short for Dopera Brothers. Along with the wooden body, this bridge is favored by Bluegrass lap style players, but also it should be noted, the necks are usually different.
Necks
There are two types of necks
Round - This is just like the shape found on any standard guitar. 12 frets clear of the body was typical of 1920/1930 guitars. There was no internal support bar (truss rod) installed inside the neck to prevent bowing (neck lifts due to string tension) and it is easier to adjust the intonation (every note plays in tune, all the way up the fingerboard). Later in the late 1930/1940 installing truss rods also allowed for longer necks. Having 14 frets clear of the body allowed for easier access beyond the 12 fret. Also, if tuned to Open D, adding a capo at fret 2, to Open E, there are still 12 frets clear of the body. This cannot be done on a 12 fret without some difficulty.
Square - This neck is rectangular and cannot be played like a standard guitar. It is designed to be played in the lap style. The thicker neck further prevents bowing and allows for more string tension. Traditionally, this instrument was used to play Hawaiian music before it became a popular American country instrument. Initially, John Dopera was actually trying to invent a variation of this lap instrument, so it could be loud enough to compete against standard orchestra instruments.
Strings and Set-Up
Resonator guitars can be played in standard and open tuning. In standard tuning, it it important to hand mute unwanted strings from vibrating causing dissident overtones. This is usually not the situation in open tunings because the open notes are sympathetic to the overall sound.
A good Set - up is essential. String height for slide playing still needs to be low enough to finger notes and chords over the entire length of the fingerboard. The correct string tension allows the slide to ride on the strings without "bottoming out" and hitting the frets. More importantly, it provides the correct downward pressure on the cone. Too little, the cone rattles and has a weak tone. Too tight, crushes and locks up the cone.
String gauge and tuning are related. Usually lower tunings require heavier strings. In general, for below standard tunings like Open D (DADf#ad) and G (DGDgbd), medium gauge "nickel" strings work well. Although, a slightly heavier first string (.016) will provide a better tone. When changing strings, remove one string at a time and tune up. It is not advisable to completely remove all tension from the cone regularly. In this case, slowly tune up the strings symmetrically, so pressure is equally applied to the cone across all the strings. Cones easily "crush in" due to too much pressure.
Republic Guitar Sound Samples ( www.republicguitars.com )
Tricone - http://youtu.be/RmOJ5OYZ1I8
Highway 61 - http://youtu.be/-uMT8KOqKzk
Duolian - http://youtu.be/IWA4dTi2KjU
Parlor - http://youtu.be/s2HjuNpOOek
Tenor - http://youtu.be/nT2BaiVX-38
Tricone and Duolian Duet - http://youtu.be/aT1N4bCq8qQ
Parlor and Highway 61 Duet - http://youtu.be/0s6Jh3hM7Zc
Lessons
www.ebay.com Search: keni lee
CD1 Vestapol Tuning (Open D) for 6 string & 3 string cigar box
CD2 Spanish Tuning (Open G) for 6 string
CD3 Comparing Vestapol and Spanish Tuning for 6 string
CD4 Cigar Box Guitar for 3 string
CD5 Cigar Box Guitar for 4 string
CD6 Cigar Box Guitar for 3 string Part 2 (Devil's Tuning Method)
Questions?
kenileeburgess@aol.com
Started by Southern Ray in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by A.D.EKER 1 hour ago. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Rich Butters in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Crazed Fandango 23 hours ago. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods on Saturday. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods Apr 17. 7 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 14. 6 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply 2 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Carl Floyd Mar 1. 15 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Joe in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Carl Floyd Feb 29. 13 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Chance in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 22. 12 Replies 1 Like
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies 4 Likes
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 LikesMay 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!
You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!
Join Cigar Box Nation