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Beginning to doubt my solid top and box resonator design.

Just got finished cutting my wood to size for a solid box resonator. I'm building it using a dog bowl. Will it work, as in produce a decent sound, even though the only part of the build that will resonate is the dog bowl itself? If I seal all joins in the box other than a sound hole or two will it improve the volume by channelling the vibrations from the underneath of the dog bowl? If not then there's less to worry about with not needing to seal everything I guess. I'm thinking about adding a piezo to the underside of the bowl anyway so no hassle if not. I'm going to go through with it now anyway as I don't want to waste the wood I've cut. If the resonator won't work then I'll just stick a pickup in it and have it as a hollow soild body, if that makes sense. Thanks for the help and for reading this.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on December 28, 2016 at 9:28pm

This was a plywood body I found on the curbside and was using as a body template. A guy on the TDPRI guitar forum makes Tele-Reso's, so I though about making one out of this body. Then about the time I started, Shane Speal showed the old Teisco guitar he had converted. Guess they're a new trend.

A sound post is a block of wood that connects the top to the bottom in a acoustic instrument to help with sustain and gives more support to the body. They're used a lot in arch top style guitars, violins and mandolins. I don't know of anyone using one in a Reso, seems that it would be counter productive to me, but I could be wrong on that.

Permalink Reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on December 29, 2016 at 3:53am

Thanks for explaining the sound post thing, Paul. I too thought it would likely be counter productive and best to let the resonator part, well, resonate. Then again, it could be useful for a six string, for example, if using 16-68 (or something, resonator strings and using a thin piece of aluminium. Like my cheapo dog bowl lol. Will wait and see then possibly be massively thankful for the info. No idea where a sound post would go come to think of it. In the center under the biscuit? At the edges using 2,1 either side? 3? 4? Not a clue.

Sounds like you're in the mix and on trend with your tele resonator then since they're the current thing, Paul. As usual I'm way behind trend and late to the party. Nothing new there!

Thanks for the help and advice. It's greatly appreciated.

Permalink Reply by Lane Martin on December 29, 2016 at 5:35pm

Personally, I would let the bowl float (no screws) so it can do its thing to the fullest.

Permalink Reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on December 30, 2016 at 2:21am

Thanks, Lane. I'm going to stick with your advice and let it float then. I can always change it and screw it down afterwards if needed. It will be easier not having to drill through it anyway, though I'm going to have to make sure the side supports are in place well! Thanks again and have a great New Year.

Permalink Reply by David Clewell on December 28, 2016 at 11:40am

Are you using a 'sound post'?

Permalink Reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on December 28, 2016 at 5:33pm

I don't know what a sound post is, David. Should I? I'm building a box with solid top, back and sides using scrap wood I've got and putting a dog bowl in it as the resonating part. Basically just cutting a hole in the top, using strips of wood to support the cut slats on the top and going from there. Using a scravenged neck from a donor guitar. Not a through neck design.

You've got me worried I'm skipping a vital step now haha!