Resonator guitar Physics

[Tim Toberer]

I just skimmed through these and most of it is over my head. Thought some here might find it interesting, not sure if this has been shared here before. These tests are done with a biscuit style resonator, but it seems it still somewhat applies to spider bridge and tricone guitars.

https://www.its.caltech.edu/~politzer/r ... tar-BW.pdf
https://www.its.caltech.edu/~politzer/p ... r-cone.pdf

There are some interesting links at the end of these as well if you want to keep reading.

[Rich Arnold]

I'll have to read that at another time. It's pretty in-depth and I'm sorta running right now.

It's an interesting thought to have an 8 string with biscuit resonator. I'd like to hear that.

I was fooling around wit the 8 string dobro but quit and sold it because no matter what I played it sounded like a dobro. Besides a grand comes in handy these days.

[BJ Burbach]

Rich,
I don't think that an eight string biscuit would be so hot.
On the other hand, David might still be selling his 8 string tricone;

viewtopic.php?p=3237640#p3237640

Anyway, I don't get it.
When I listen to your old dobro stuff, it sounds like a saxophone. I think that you are biased.
Actually, when I listen to your dobro stuff, I hear a symphony.

Thanks for tech stuff, Tim.
BJ

[Tim Toberer]

It's an interesting thought to have an 8 string with biscuit resonator. I'd like to hear that.

I was fooling around wit the 8 string dobro but quit and sold it because no matter what I played it sounded like a dobro. Besides a grand comes in handy these days.

It seems I may have to build one to find out. I did an image search and can't find even one example of an 8 string biscuit cone guitar. I did fine one National collegian 7 string, probably custom. The main problem I see is that the biscuit and cone are sized for 6 strings. Probably could squeeze 7, but 8 would require a pretty awkward overhang.
My idea is to spin my own cone, a little shallower with a wider flat on the top for the biscuit. I think I would make the scale length a bit shorter 24". I sort of prefer the gritty, trashy sound of a biscuit guitar over the more refined nasally sound of a spider bridge (dobro), but I just love them both! Never played a tricone, but I want to.

[Rich Arnold]

I had a tri-cone for a while. 6 string. It had brutal volume but no sustain.

[Nathan Laudenbach]

Tricones typically have less volume but more sustain than a single cone.

[Rich Arnold]

Rich,
I don't think that an eight string biscuit would be so hot.
On the other hand, David might still be selling his 8 string tricone;

viewtopic.php?p=3237640#p3237640

Anyway, I don't get it.
When I listen to your old dobro stuff, it sounds like a saxophone. I think that you are biased.
Actually, when I listen to your dobro stuff, I hear a symphony.

Thanks for tech stuff, Tim.
BJ

I had a tri-cone but disliked it.
The volume was excellent but almost no sustain.
I had an 8 string dobro, but it layed around for almost 8 months before I sold it.
Even the late and great Mike Auldradge never did completely embrace the 8 string dobro. In spite of the plain fact that he was an absolute virtuoso on the 8. He continued to play the 6 as his main axe.
That should tell us a lot right there.
I'm well connected with a lot of people in the music business. I don't advertise that because I find those who brag undesirable and they need to grow up.
I did shop the recordings I made on the 8 string around in hopes that someone would see the logic in making an updated version of Mike's 8 string work. Eight String Swing was recorded over 40 years ago. (Where does time go right?) I thought maybe it was time for an update.
Nobody was interested being involved in such a project.
The 8 string dobro died the day Mike drew his last breath.
We should probably let it.
R.

[BJ Burbach]

Rich,

You are right, that the dobro8 has a stronger and sweeter sound than tricone8, but different, so all good. I use both, on the same guitar body.
I don't relate your playing to Mike's at all. You are another beast altogether. Who knows what people want to listen to now anyway?
Anyway, thanks again for refreshing mine.
Time flies too fast, ya.
BJ

[Tim Toberer]

The 8 string dobro died the day Mike drew his last breath.
We should probably let it.
R.

I find this so odd, but seems to be true. I see a lot of people selling their 8 string spider guitars, with not a ton of interest. For me this is the thing and I see a ton of untapped potential in acoustic steel guitar. Specifically console guitars, which have the advantage of easily adding pedals or levers. I see a lot of people adding awkward benders to their lap steels and I think it just makes more sense to add pedals or knee levers. Granted console guitars are bigger heavier, but they are so luxurious!

At the end of the day I just play and build what I like, so I guess it doesn't really bother me.

[BJ Burbach]

Eight stringers have always turned over because it sounds enticing, but it's work and if you are playing out, can be a handful.
Can't wait to see what you come up with next.
Likewise, Lee Rider. (what's he building in there?)
BJ

[Tim Toberer]

Eight stringers have always turned over because it sounds enticing, but it's work and if you are playing out, can be a handful.
Can't wait to see what you come up with next.

BJ

These projects take a long time. Started these over a year ago, but finally got a little time to continue. Doing another Fender inspired "Dobro" and I had some light Birdseye that is turning into an experimental build. My first console was pretty heavy when fully loaded with pedals and it was built of pine, so this maple build needs to be lighter. I am chambering the soundbox using my sweet new cheapy Vevor router. Maple is beautiful, but I think my future guitars will be Poplar. I really wanted this to be a flat or archtop, but now I am thinking of doing a biscuit cone. Gonna try to spin my own cone cause it has to be 8 string. Can't really tell, but there is some really nice figure and birdseye. I will use the cutout to make a cover. Like I said takes a lot of time!