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Gretsch 9200 Boxcar
Recently picked up my first resonator. Like it, but wondering if the National Cone is a worthwhile upgrade. Anyone have one or any opinions on any tweaks that make a difference?
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#2
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I can't find it, but a decade ago there was a sound file floating around the internet where someone hit the edge of both a National, and a continental cone. The continental went "thunk" The national literally sounded like a bell, and rang for a good amount of time. I can't remember if it was 5, 10 or 15 seconds. And it doesn't really matter. What matters is that one went thunk, and the other made music... I just googled and couldn't find it in the first page of results and quit
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I only play technologically cutting edge instruments. Parker Flys and National Resonators |
#3
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Yes the National cone is worth it as the cone is the tone generator and the voice of the intstrument. National really has it figured out!!! check this out... http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online...tar_Setup.html |
#4
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I only play technologically cutting edge instruments. Parker Flys and National Resonators |
#5
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Not a whole lot of info on resonator setup and such on the internet...not like there is for guitars. I have run across the spider bridge flatting, thanks for the link! I feel pretty conformable with nut/saddle and bridge adjustment, never seen the inside of a reso though! The biscuit line did throw me for a second While I have your ears, if I can pick your brains a little:
One last, "loaded" question. barring me coming into a windfall of $, what other makes in the less than 1K price range make good biscuit resonators? Is there a big enough difference in sound compared to the spider? Thanks for all your help! Larry |
#6
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Here ya go....
National Cone: I could have sworn I found these for sale before, but I only seem to be able to find Biscuit bridge ones for sale at nationalguitars and elderly instruments. Any place sell a spider? Call National directly Are these all pretty standard, as in size. 9.5 inches? Yes I've seen people reference the "Hot Rod" cones. Are these made by someone other than national, and where to purchase? No, they are made by National I did find stew-mac selling Replogle Resonator Cone - any good? Never tried it Found resophonicoutfitters selling the beard legend cone. Is that comparable? The bridge on the Boxcar is ebony/maple, so I think I'm OK there. Beard cones are fine. One last, "loaded" question. barring me coming into a windfall of $, what other makes in the less than 1K price range make good biscuit resonators? Is there a big enough difference in sound compared to the spi der? Buy a used National, just wait till one appears (I've bought many for people in the $1000 range) |
#7
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Biscuit Resos sound different, to be sure. They are brasher and louder on the initial attack and have a LOT less sustain, as apposed to the long sustain of a spider. I had a Honeydipper for a while and it was too heavy and louder than I liked (I play with thumb and finger picks). I have tried the Alligator (the wooden body version of the HD) and wasn't real crazy about it. Unlike Blue and some of the others, I have no real experience with nicer stuff like National. I do know that the stuff from Michael Messer gets good feedback here. People talk about Republic too, though the comments seem to be more mixed. As far as cheaper US imports, the Gretsch stuff is the best overall that I have played.
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Roy Ibanez, Recording King, Gretsch, Martin G&L, Squier, Orange (x 2), Bugera, JBL, Soundcraft Our duo website - UPDATED 7/26/19 |
#8
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It's often about patience. I paid $150 more for my National style N than a new republic brass model would cost. $150 isn't chump change, but it's not a whole heck of a lot to move up to a National. And no. It wasn't mint. Along with some oxidation that won't come out, there is a spot on the back of the neck, about half the size of a dime where it rested on a latex stand. But it came with a K and K pickup installed, and it's a superb player and sounds exactly as it should.
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I only play technologically cutting edge instruments. Parker Flys and National Resonators |
#9
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Boxcar
Larry
Learn to play it. Unless a monkey has been screwing around with it the guitar should play fine.The cone that was shipped in the guitar when it was new was very good. You should learn how to set the cone for your own listening pleasure. |
#10
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I have a squareneck Boxcar myself. Haven't done a thing to it, it sounds just fine to me as is (and I do know what a dobro is supposed to sound like).
However, no harm in knowing about what's going on inside the instrument. Paul Beard has a DVD on Dobro Setup and Maintenance, $33 from Elderly Instruments. I have not watched it myself, but a video on that subject from Paul Beard has to be worthwhile, I think. https://www.elderly.com/dobro-set-up-maintenance.htm |