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Resonator CBG Cover Plate ideas???

I have a future build that I am planning and I wanted to ask the community for suggestions. It is a 4 string Resonator CBG using a real cone and biscuit. Instead of using a commercially manufactured cover plate, do you have ideas for a substitute. I want the guitar to look old and rustic, but at the same time be fully functional. Please post links if you have pictures. Thank you for your consideration, Keni Lee

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Permalink Reply by Mark Werner on May 25, 2009 at 1:07pm

Check out my photos as well. I too considered and then rejected using a commercial cover plate. They look good, but seem out of character for a CGG.
I made mine from an aluminum pot lid I scavenged from a thrift store for .69 cents. Cut the circle out with a hacksaw blade in my jigsaw, and then just drilled a bunch of holes.
I hammered the edge flat with a ball-peen hammer.

I experimented with just using a piece of sheet aluminum. If you put it on a flat piece of hardwood, you can start hammering on it and if you use a circular pattern it will eventually assume a domed shape. This is the technique medieval smiths used to make armor.
Lot of work....

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on May 25, 2009 at 2:38pm

Thank you Mark for your response. Is picture 4 the aluminum plate that you hammered? I think this is a good approach.

Mark Werner said:

Check out my photos as well. I too considered and then rejected using a commercial cover plate. They look good, but seem out of character for a CGG.
I made mine from an aluminum pot lid I scavenged from a thrift store for .69 cents. Cut the circle out with a hacksaw blade in my jigsaw, and then just drilled a bunch of holes.
I hammered the edge flat with a ball-peen hammer.

I experimented with just using a piece of sheet aluminum. If you put it on a flat piece of hardwood, you can start hammering on it and if you use a circular pattern it will eventually assume a domed shape. This is the technique medieval smiths used to make armor.
Lot of work....

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Permalink Reply by OLD HORSE on May 25, 2009 at 2:54pm

Hey Keni,A member named Lucky has some good lookin cover plates you might take a gander at.

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on May 25, 2009 at 11:17pm

Thank you Old Horse. Gonna check it out.

OLD HORSE said:

Hey Keni,A member named Lucky has some good lookin cover plates you might take a gander at.

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on May 26, 2009 at 12:17pm

Thank you Bob for your response. Both are good ideas, but I'm using a small 6" ukulele cone. Hubcaps and air filter covers would be too large, but I never thought of considering a metal ashtray. Thanks.
Bob E. III said:

I've never made a reso cover plate but a couple ideas that come to my mind are hub caps and the top cover of old automotive air filter housings. It might take some junkyard scrounging to find one that would be the right fit, and/or some cutting and massaging may be needed...
It seems like I've seen stamped sheet metal ashtrays before too, but I wouldn't know where to find any.