#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Spring Plate Reverb/Resonator

I've had an idea kicking around in my head for awhile and I think it is time to try it out. The inspiration is from my old neighbor's recording studio where he had a huge sheet metal reverb unit and a pie plate spring resonator design that was posted on this site.

I thought about suspending a small steel sheet inside a cigarbox secured by springs at each corner. The box may need some extra bracing depending on the spring tension. I'm not sure of whether this is worth the effort and there are a couple design elements that I'm not sure about:

Option to have the plate passively resonate with the soundboard or through an active attachement. I thought about passing wooden golf tees through the saddle with sufficient length to press on the plate and avoid rattling.
Pickup method for the plate. Piezo or a cheap 6-pole mag pup?

Following is a rough sketch. [WARNING: NOT DRAWN TO SCALE!]

What says the group? Worth the effort to try it out?

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by robert jones on March 4, 2012 at 1:23am

Better keep him away from Backporch Mojo's git with the saw blade reso cover, might turn Bad Finger into No Finger.

Check out banjo tone enhancers for more ideas, something like this one on Banjo.com

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on March 4, 2012 at 2:03am

'Zactly. Would give fingerpickin' a whole new meaning.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by robert jones on March 4, 2012 at 2:38am

I don't know, after thinking it over carefully, he could still finger pick...pick one up from the floor over here, another one from over there...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on March 4, 2012 at 3:10am

Bingo!

Zombie CBG playin'!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on March 4, 2012 at 3:13am

For that you would need a zombie CBG like this.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on March 4, 2012 at 3:23am

That's what I'm talking' 'bout...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David L. on March 4, 2012 at 2:23am

Hi ED,

Just having a slow day looking on the www and came across this page which overlaps with what you are doing and thought it might be of interest.

http://www.beavisaudio.com/Projects/Plate_Reverb/index.htm.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on March 4, 2012 at 3:09am

Gents,

I found the beavers audio article interesting. I think it experienced numerous failures, some acknowledged in the article, for the following reasons:

1) Plate was too rigid for the size box used. That's why I recommended you start with an unrolled aluminum soda can.
2) Plate was not sprung, but was tied down, so tightly it couldn't vibrate.
3) Plate was mounted in an open frame box; while this is not a true failure per se, the lack of top and sides means any vibration would dissipate into open air pretty quickly, leaving no room for setting up oscillating waves as you might get in an enclosed air volume.
4) Plate was being driven by a tiny sound source located too close to the plate, and in the wrong place.

A quick 'Net search revealed the following details of plate reverb construction, which could be scaled for Bad's application:

http://platereverb.com/manuals/Plate%20Construction.pdf
http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/how_to_build_your_own_plate_reverb/
http://www.bsidebeats.com/how-to-make-a-plate-reverb/

This is gonna be interesting to watch!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on March 4, 2012 at 4:05pm

Good stuff Oily. I have to search through my stash for a box of sufficient size for this design. I have a cookie tin with a dented lid that will be a donor for the reverb plate.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Peter Greed on March 4, 2012 at 4:56pm

Definitely try it out. What about springs at one end and something that allows you to adjust the tension on the other to vary the amount of resonation?

Cheers

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on March 5, 2012 at 4:04am

Peter, thanks for the idea. An eye bolt or something hooked through one end of the sheet would be a handy tensioner and simplify mounting significantly. I like it.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by jeff weins on March 5, 2012 at 7:38am

I recently built a coffee can resonator, with a cheap (guitarfetish clearance section)single coil mounted under the coffee can i am very pleased with the quality of the signal.video at the bottom of the page