Old Lowe cones

I just got my 2 lowe cones in the mail today, wow they are just great, got one of each a new aluminum Lowecone and a classic brass. Can't wait to get them into a box. Thinking the aluminum Lowecones will go into a resjo, a reso banjo should give that banjo plink a added boost.

A big public thanks to Lowe for a great cone, and world class service. Must say I thought the art of spinning was lost but I was wrong. Cheers Ron.

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Permalink Reply by Bruce Trappes on April 12, 2011 at 8:45pm

Not sure I'd want to glue around the edge Craig.

Wouldn't that damped the cones resonance somewhat?

Craig Cox said:

yep, just drill right through the center of the disc. screw through the biscuit, cone and piezo. I then hot glued it around the edge. sounds great.

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Permalink Reply by Don Goguen on April 12, 2011 at 11:39pm

Brilliant use of the harmonica for a tailpiece. Are the string ends held in by the reeds or are the holes small enough?

Craig Cox said:

Mike's recommendation on pups was to attach a piezo disc to the inside top of the cone. a flat head screw can be used to hold the biscuit and through the piezo (you can drill right through 'em). works great. just be careful drilling through the piezo. you have to really clamp it down or it will turn into a mini buzz saw!

here's a link to some videos on my page if you want to hear my Loweso:

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

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Permalink Reply by Craig Cox on April 13, 2011 at 12:23pm

The glue is minimal, and keeps the disc from buzzing on the cone. I took the cover off because I though it looked better with the brass reeds. The strings go through the reed slots, thusly:

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Permalink Reply by econnofoot on April 13, 2011 at 12:59pm

that is pretty cool idea for tail piece

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Permalink Reply by Craig Cox on April 13, 2011 at 1:44pm

thanks for saying so. my son gave me the old marine band with the idea of trying it as a potential bridge, but this came up first. here's the guitar we built together for him. before we get too far with this thread hijacking, Mungo you're going to be

pleased with those cones. looking forward to hearing the aluminum version. And Old Lowe is just a great dude. When I ruined my cone trying to age it with ammonia fumes (left it exposed tooo long), he sent me two when I reordered one. Get his advice on pickup mounting, too. I thought drilling a piezo sounded kinda whacked, but it works pretty well, and if you chew one up, at least they're cheap! cheers, craig

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Permalink Reply by PapaSimone on April 13, 2011 at 2:15pm

Love the Marine Band tail piece idea! I'm totally going to steal (I mean incorporate) that idea.

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Permalink Reply by bairfoot cajun on May 9, 2011 at 10:56am

old lowe makes some of the best cones for tone yep.

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Permalink Reply by bairfoot cajun on May 9, 2011 at 11:02am

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/my-lowezo this is a video of one of the first 5 brass lowe cones--i have used lots of different things for resonator builds and the brass lowe cone that old lowe sells is more superior for tone than any other metal i have tried.thanks old lowe.