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Topic: Tricone Metal Body Resonator Guitars |
Terry Wood
From:
Marshfield, MO
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Posted 24 May 2022 4:07 am |
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I am curious do any of you Non Pedal players, play a Tricone Resonator all Metal Body Guitar?
I'm considering buying one of these babies?
I would appreciate your thoughts and advice on them.
Thanks!
Terry Wood |
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Peter Krebs
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 24 May 2022 8:38 am
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| Hi Terry! I recently picked up a ‘29 Nat’l Style 2.5 tricone. I had owned this same guitar years ago, and always regretted selling it. Managed to find another that I could afford. The things I like about these guitars; Obviously the way they look - such a remarkable design. I also like that they have enough volume that I can play steel at a jam session w/o having to haul a small amp, etc. Perfect for campfire picking - very versatile. Lastly, the acoustic tone is both iconic and rich. It’s very inspiring to play. Hope this helps! Pete |
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Terry Wood
From:
Marshfield, MO
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Posted 24 May 2022 9:41 pm
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| Thanks Pete! |
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Lloyd Graves
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 25 May 2022 7:12 am
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I play a metal-bodied dobro form the 70's. I promised myself (and wife) that I would refrain from buying a tricone for a year or two, when I am better. It keeps me practicing.
I like the washboard sound that people get out of them. |
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David Ball
From:
North Carolina High Country
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Posted 25 May 2022 1:35 pm
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I've had a bunch of tricones over the years. Still have a first year, soldered strips/flat back/wooden soundwell squareneck. They just have the sound! My first was a roundneck Style 2 from 28 or so.
Mine have mostly been old Nationals, but I have a newer Continental roundneck which is also nice, and a 20's weird French made squareneck that's probably the best sounding one that I've owned.
Dave |
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Ryan Matzen
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 27 May 2022 9:16 pm
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If you come across a Tricone that you are seriously thinking of purchasing, I would ask the seller if they would provide photos of the inside of the guitar. I have run into quite a few Tricones that were advertised (by well known shops) as having cones that were in great condition. But, I asked for photos of the inside of the guitars and found that the cones on these guitars were definitely not in great condition. In fact, I’ll post some photos of a Style 2 that I believe is still on the market. You can see what the seller considers to be cones that are in great condition. Note the brass discs that have been added to the top of the cones in order to raise the bridge height to an acceptable level. And, the deteriorated gaskets. The old glue and gasket remnants would have to be cleaned out. Then, new gaskets would have to be made and installed.
1929 National Style 2 Square Neck Serial# 1555:
 [/img]
Last edited by Ryan Matzen on 4 Jul 2022 9:56 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Terry Wood
From:
Marshfield, MO
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Posted 29 May 2022 3:29 am
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| Thanks Everyone! I found a Tricone and bought it. |
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Glenn Wilde
From:
California, USA
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Posted 29 May 2022 6:10 am
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| Terry Wood wrote: |
| Thanks Everyone! I found a Tricone and bought it. |
What did you get? We need pictures 😏 |
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Ryan Matzen
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 29 May 2022 12:21 pm
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| Terry Wood wrote: |
| Thanks Everyone! I found a Tricone and bought it. |
Congratulations! I’d like to see what you picked up as well! Hope that you got a good deal. Seems like everyone is asking way too much for these. |
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Eric Dahlhoff
From:
Point Arena, California
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Posted 29 May 2022 5:13 pm Tricone
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Congratulations Terry! I also recently got an old National Tricone & love it! 
Ryan - what did you make gaskets out of?
_________________
"To live outside the law you must be honest." (Bob Dylan) |
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Ryan Matzen
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 29 May 2022 6:02 pm Re: Tricone
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| Eric Dahlhoff wrote: |
Congratulations Terry! I also recently got an old National Tricone & love it!
Ryan - what did you make gaskets out of? |
I used some actual gasket paper (I’ll attach a photo below). I believe that the original gaskets were twenty-two thousandths of an inch thick. If you aren’t able to (or don’t want to) make them yourself, Marc Schoenberger (http://www.nationalguitarrepair.com) sells a set that are acid free. If I remember right (and the price hasn’t changed), he was selling them for around $50 a set. Just give him a call if you are interested. I glued mine in with hide glue. I believe that Marc uses a spray adhesive when he installs them.
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