McKenna Resonator Guitars: 8 String Woodbody Tricone

Gregg McKenna · Post by **Gregg McKenna** » 19 Nov 2012 5:24 am

I've been working on this tricone model for about a month. It is a little different in construction in that it uses the standard Dobro style Body size, coverplate, and soundscreens instead of the tricone coverplate and lattice (I never really cared too much for the origional style tricone coverplate). With a little trial and error and experimentation, I was able to use similar parts inside the body as well as the same hardware I use on my standard single cone guitars and the same body mold.

The inside of the guitar is braced well under the floor where the cones sit and uses light weight square sound posts/supports (not dowels). The neck uses a shorter (but similar) neck pole that I use in the single cone guitars and mounts to a block about mid way in the guitar forward of the cones. The hole in the top between the 2 soundscreens gains access to the wood screw that secures the neck pole to the block.

The scale length is 24 3/4" shortened from the 25" I use on the single cone guitars so that the rear cone will clear the tailblock.

The guitar is made from Birch (top, back, and sides) with a mahogany neck (like my other standard models).

As of now, it is still under construction, but I have it strung up to see how everything sounds. It has a very nice tricone tone and volume but with the warmth of the wood body. I have it setup for G6 tuning, but with the proper gauge strings can be tuned to most anything.

I will be offering them in 6,7, and 8 string models.

Here are a few photos of the building process...

Here is the bottom half on the body showing the neck pole coming through the body and the mounting block, as well as the cone floor. The forward end of the pole gets mortised into the neck.

Gregg McKenna · Post by **Gregg McKenna** » 19 Nov 2012 5:27 am

Here's how it looks without the top with the cones installed. The upper linings are not installed yet.

Here's the cone floor being glued in

Gregg McKenna · Post by **Gregg McKenna** » 19 Nov 2012 5:31 am

Here's the guitar with the top glued on and bindings installed. The small hole between the 2 soundscreens is for the screw that holds the neck pole to the block. A mahogany brace crosses over at the 12:00 position at the front of the resonator opening.

The body size and shape are the same as my single cone guitars.

Gregg McKenna · Post by **Gregg McKenna** » 19 Nov 2012 5:37 am

Here's the guitar with the neck and fretboard installed. The scale length is 24 3/4"

Here we are on the setup bench after making the bridge and nut showing the guitar strung up (without the coverplate). The bridge insert is ebony capped maple, and the nut is bone.

Gregg McKenna · Post by **Gregg McKenna** » 19 Nov 2012 5:43 am

Here it is with the coverplate and hardware installed. (Keep in mind the guitar has not had the finishing done yet, and some of the position dots and neck decal is not installed). I have the soundscreens located a little higher than on the single cone guitars to clear the brace near the resonator opening.

If you look closely, you might be able to see the cones through the coverplate (although its somewhat hard to see in the photo).

Michael Kienhofer · Post by **Michael Kienhofer** » 19 Nov 2012 5:51 am

Looks Great Greg!

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 19 Nov 2012 6:13 am

Thats real cool Gregg, I'll bet it sounds great!

It has a very nice tricone tone and volume but with the warmth of the wood body.

Michael Maddex · Post by **Michael Maddex** » 19 Nov 2012 10:03 am

This is very exciting, Gregg.

Thanks for posting.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 19 Nov 2012 10:06 am

Gregg, that is outstanding!

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 19 Nov 2012 6:02 pm

really cool. glad you just 'pretended' to quit building.
that looks nice. i like the compactness of the keyhead.
(and the cool single tone hole)

Bobby Branton · Post by **Bobby Branton** » 19 Nov 2012 7:28 pm

I'm in line for a six string

Glad to see you trying different builds.

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 20 Nov 2012 7:14 am

Very cool Greg. I like the 'shelf' idea rather than a well, simplifies a lot of things.

David Cook · Post by **David Cook** » 20 Nov 2012 8:41 am

Love it! What is the string spacing and is the coverplate hand rest longer than usual?

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 20 Nov 2012 9:20 am

I'd love to take that baby for a ride!

Stephan Miller · Post by **Stephan Miller** » 20 Nov 2012 10:17 am

As always-- beautiful work, Gregg!

Gregg McKenna · Post by **Gregg McKenna** » 20 Nov 2012 11:19 am

Thank you for the compliments. I was playing it for awhile today on the bench. The Birch seems to bring out the tone in the cones nicely and makes a good speaker cabinet too.

String spacing is the same as my single cone guitars, and the palm rest is stock (although not much room left under there for more strings).

L. Bogue Sandberg · Post by **L. Bogue Sandberg** » 22 Nov 2012 10:26 am

Ooh! This is so cool in so many ways:

The deception, like a '68 Dodge Dart with a Hemi stuffed under the hood. "Yup, boys. Just a regular ol' dobro type geetar."

8 strings for tunings options out to Pluto.

What looks to be a really well thought out design. The stick screw hole is brilliant. How many times have I had one of my guitars all back together after a cone cleaning and remembered "I FORGOT TO CHECK THE STICK SCREW!"

I have 7 and 8 string McKenna's that are much played and much loved. I don't need another guitar..., I don't need another guitar..., I don't need another guitar..., I don't need another guitar...,

A happy, safe, and blessed Thanksgiving to all,

Bogue

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 22 Nov 2012 12:30 pm

Fine looking axe!

Now can we HEAR a sound clip??

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 22 Nov 2012 8:03 pm

Like Mr. Sandberg above, I don't NEED another guitar. But it's the sound of the thing that is important to me. There really is nothing like a tricone for either tone or acoustic volume. I'll sell my other guitars.......errrr....except for the other McKenna of course. I need to decide 6 or 8. I have been thinking very strongly about going back to 6. I can do almost everything I do on 6. But I tend to lean towards 8 because that little bit of stuff the extra two strings give me makes a really big difference. I am holding my breath in anticipation of the price.

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 23 Nov 2012 12:59 pm

Why do I even talk about going back to 6? I know I'll never do it.

Former Member · Post by **Former Member** » 24 Nov 2012 11:28 am

here's some pics of my ol' Donmo galvo tricone..

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd3 ... oguts6.jpg
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd3 ... oguts7.jpg
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd3 ... oguts3.jpg
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd3 ... 010097.jpg
just for G.I.

J. Wilson · Post by **J. Wilson** » 24 Nov 2012 5:59 pm

Ron Ellison wrote:here's some pics of my ol' Donmo galvo tricone..

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd3 ... oguts6.jpg
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd3 ... oguts7.jpg
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd3 ... oguts3.jpg
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd3 ... 010097.jpg
just for G.I.

DUDE! That thing is COOL!

Great pic at the end. I love how it has the finish of an old washtub.

Tom Keller · Post by **Tom Keller** » 25 Nov 2012 7:40 am

Thats a great looking guitar. I hope you put up some sound clips. I would never have believed you could use a standard dobro coverplate over tricones. Who knew?

Regards
Tom

Gregg McKenna · Post by **Gregg McKenna** » 13 Dec 2012 1:15 pm

This is the tricone with the finish applied...

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 13 Dec 2012 1:34 pm

That's a really fine looking guitar Gregg.