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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
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
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
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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