#1
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how is the action adjusted on a resonator guitar?
I'm primarily thinking of National style biscuit cone instruments here. If you purchased a resonator sight unseen and decided the action was too high, how could that be adjusted short of messing with the neck? Given that the saddle is on the biscuit, which in turns sits on top of the cone, it seems like that would limit your options for adjustment. Can they remove the biscuit and file it down or something like that?
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#2
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The cone comes with a biscuit that is still uncut..you shave it down to your liking.
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Alvarez MD80 Yamaha FG730S Cherry Sunburst Epiphone Biscuit Epiphone MM-30 Italia Maranello Speedster |
#3
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depends on how old the guitar is. Newer single cones, remove the "strap", the handguard over the biscuit. There are small allen bolts holding it on. Then you simply file into the saddle like you would file a nut. There are some tricks. You want the string to sit on a "chisel" point, not on the whole width of the saddle. Most also agree that you want a V shape tapering from where the string contacts the saddle toward the nut. Like a funnel. I do that, and have found that especially on the 1 and 2nd that matters. Not so much on the wounds, but I do it for all the strings.
Some prefer the strings to contact the saddle at the very back of the saddle. Some go for a kind of compensated situation where each string is set the way they want it. I stick pretty simple on my normal Nationals, but found it necessary to do some compensating on my Baritone national. You have a "real" original national, you have to actually take the cover off to do the work. Not a big deal with the National tailpiece, but be very careful. If you loosen tension on one side of the tailpiece only it could break, or the very least twist. |
#4
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Anyway, I have my eye on a Republic Highway 61, and I was wondering what I would do if I ordered one and found the action too high for my liking. I mainly play a reso fingerstyle so I don't like the action quite as high as a dedicated slide player would. |
#5
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Here is some pretty good resonator specific information -
http://www.littlebrotherblues.com/Ge...tup/index.html
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#6
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#7
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That is good to hear!
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#8
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__________________
Alvarez MD80 Yamaha FG730S Cherry Sunburst Epiphone Biscuit Epiphone MM-30 Italia Maranello Speedster |
#9
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#10
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#11
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I have not played one yet but those Hot Rod Steel guitars look like they just might be the ones that finally bridge the gap between the el cheapo variety and the Nationals and Amistars. They are definitely worth a look-see.
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"You start off playing guitars to get girls & end up talking with middle-aged men about your fingernails" - Ed Gerhard |
#12
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One trick you might try if you want to shave the saddle down a bit is to string the guitar lacing the strings in though the top of the tailpiece rather than from underneath. This will help avoid that nasty rattle you get when the break angle is too shallow.
__________________
"You start off playing guitars to get girls & end up talking with middle-aged men about your fingernails" - Ed Gerhard |
#13
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It's a wee bit dangerous though... Depends on a lot of factors... Of course if he crushes the cone, it's an excuse to buy an upgrade NRP cone! I've done it myself Zombywoof, so I'm not saying it's a terribly big deal, but as you said, I did it to avoid having to buy a new biscuit on an old one where the angle was too soft. It actually needed a reset... But you know how it is. You hate to "break the seal" on an old resonator if you can avoid it.
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#14
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Going through it right now - I need a new biscuit but have not been able to bring myself to remove the original on my Duolian.
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"You start off playing guitars to get girls & end up talking with middle-aged men about your fingernails" - Ed Gerhard |
#15
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Then don't. Buy a new hotrod cone (they ship with a biscuit since the cones are shorter). Save the original cone and biscuit combo unmolested. Maybe years down the road, after a neck reset or straightening, the original will drop right back in and the angle will be fine. Just a thought.
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