tricone comparison

Hugh Crumley · Post by **Hugh Crumley** » 29 Aug 2009 7:56 am

So, here is the story. I have a Republic tricone squareneck I bought a few years ago and put NRP hot rod cones in to replace what I understand to be stock Continental cones. Recently, due to chronic GAS, I became the proud owner of a pristine 1930 National style 1; the previous owner had replaced the original cones with NRP non-hot rod cones a few years ago (the originals came along with the instrument.) After consulting with Jason at NRP, I decided to move the hot rods into the 1930 National and the non-hot rods into the Republic. At one point in this procedure, I found myself looking at all four sets of cones: 1930 Nationals, old NRPs, NRP hot rods & Continentals. In the interest of public service, I set up a condenser mic and a rig to balance a cone where I could gently tap each one to record the sound. I tried to treat each cone identically. After going back to the recording, yes, I should have let them ring longer, but this is what I had to work with. At any rate, an mp3 of the cones is here for your listening pleasure: http://www.duke.edu/~crumley/cones/

Jason Dumont · Post by **Jason Dumont** » 29 Aug 2009 8:43 am

Thanks for that Hugh!
That is very interesting. Obviously the 30's cone was deeper. I would imagine it might have something to do with the age.

Kekoa Blanchet · Post by **Kekoa Blanchet** » 29 Aug 2009 9:20 am

Wow, those Continental cones just go "clunk"! When you replaced the Continental cones in the Republic, was the sound difference in the guitar as dramatic as the sound difference on your test setup?

Did you replace the spider bridge in your Republic as well?

Did your Republic sound noticeably different with the Hot Rods than with the standard National cones?

How would you compare the sound of your Republic and National now with the new cones?

Lots of questions, sorry about that. But your demo has made it clear that I want to upgrade my Republic tricone, and I want to make sure I'm implementing the right solution. Thanks for the demo, Hugh!

Hugh Crumley · Post by **Hugh Crumley** » 29 Aug 2009 9:33 am

When you replaced the Continental cones in the Republic, was the sound difference in the guitar as dramatic as the sound difference on your test setup?
The change was noticeable and positive, but not so dramatic as the cone tapping. The tone was deeper, louder, more sustain.

Did you replace the spider bridge in your Republic as well?
I kept the Republic T bridge.

Did your Republic sound noticeably different with the Hot Rods than with the standard National cones?
Better with the hot rods, but NRPs of any flavor (hot rods or the older ones) are better than the continentals.

How would you compare the sound of your Republic and National now with the new cones?
The National is as good as it gets! That said, it and the Republic are actually pretty comparable, especially with the NRP cones. The Republic sounds fine, and I think I'll be using it for festivals, parties, outdoor playing and other situations where I won't freak if it starts raining, people are drinking, it's dark, etc.

If you are thinking about upgrading to hot rods, GO AHEAD! Best thing you can do for your Republic.

AJ Azure · Post by **AJ Azure** » 29 Aug 2009 12:38 pm

their should be a caveat/grain of salt here if the continentals do not have swirls i.e. older continentals it's not a good comparison with a republic coming out now with swirly continentals. How old is old?

I don't doubt the hot Rods will make a difference. Reviews of later continentals have stated varying results of slight to unnoticeable to drastic with republics.

regals and Johnsons HUGE change across the board.

I think the non-hot rod NRP had a nicer resonance but, that had been played in as well so you really can't get a 100% full on comparison with out the common ground of either newness which isn't possible or an equal amount of play in time which is also not possible with the 30s cone in the equation.

basically, if you can't afford the upgrade the continental in a republic isn't a bad start but, if you can afford the upgrade do it.

This also quite arbitrary when you remove it from the specific instrument. hey will fiction differently in each. Plus did you match up the cone from the same position for each. i.e. if you used one from the bass string side did you also use the same one for each test? They do wear in and change based on the frequencies they conduct over time.

I wonder if you could effect overall tone over time by doing a 'tire rotation'

Richard Shatz · Post by **Richard Shatz** » 29 Aug 2009 6:00 pm

I put Continentals in my 1930 Tricone a few years ago.
They never sounded good to me.
I know what my next move will be.
Thanks for the audio test.
I don't know how that translates into sound, but it must mean something.
Thanks

Dan Eason · Post by **Dan Eason** » 31 Aug 2009 8:35 am

So would you purchase one of those continental cones under the "cash for clunkers" program?

AJ Azure · Post by **AJ Azure** » 31 Aug 2009 2:35 pm

the swirl question hasn't been answered. Do yours have swirls?

This is a key factor in rating whether someone getting new Continentals will have the same result.

Hugh Crumley · Post by **Hugh Crumley** » 31 Aug 2009 7:33 pm

Continental cones: WITH swirls. They were okay, but the NRP cones (both varieties) are louder, deeper and have more sustain in the Republic.

Bert Deivert · Post by **Bert Deivert** » 1 Sep 2009 11:26 am

I have a Republic Resolian parlor with a Continental cone and it does NOT sound good. A friend replaced his with an NRP hot rod and said there was an incredible difference. I hae one laying around but because a Schatten pickup was installed by Republic I am a bit worried about changing it... is this easy?

Cheers
Bert in Sweden

AJ Azure · Post by **AJ Azure** » 2 Sep 2009 1:44 pm

Bert Deivert wrote:I have a Republic Resolian parlor with a Continental cone and it does NOT sound good. A friend replaced his with an NRP hot rod and said there was an incredible difference. I hae one laying around but because a Schatten pickup was installed by Republic I am a bit worried about changing it... is this easy?

Cheers
Bert in Sweden

open it, take pics of how it is mounted on the cone and then replace the cone out. Should be easy.