Tricones to consider

Jim Gilliam · Post by **Jim Gilliam** » 13 Jun 2011 9:44 am

OK, I admit it. I have caught the lap steel bug and am hopelessly hooked. In the past few weeks I have taken delivery on a great Melbert Allen 8-string lap steel and a Goldtone 8-string dobro. I can't keep my hands off the d**** things! My "Spanish" guitars are getting completely ignored while I work thru this disease. I played at a jam session with a really solid acoustic swing band this weekend and actually held my own pretty well on my dobro. My regular band seems to like my like my lap steel stuff as much as I had hoped for. Thanks for all your help, advice and encouragement.

Now for the next drug...

I recently played an old National Tricone and fell in love with it. The sound of a tricone seems to really fit the style of swing that I like to play. I certainly can't afford a guitar like this, but wonder if you guys could give me an update on good, inexpensive tricones to consider. I found some older postings that recommended the Republic guitars. Any info other inexpensive tricones that I should be aware of?

Thanks again to you all! Jim

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 13 Jun 2011 10:50 am

The Hot Rod Steel series of tricone guitars sold by Lenny of Vintage Nationals have been getting good reviews. One of my friends just bought one and I'm waiting to hear how he sounds.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 14 Jun 2011 7:49 am

Republic builds a great metal bodied tricone.
Excellent bang for the buck.

Ray Shakeshaft · Post by **Ray Shakeshaft** » 14 Jun 2011 1:59 pm

I agree that Republic square necked tricones have a good reputation but I have been trying to get one for at least the last nine months with no luck.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 14 Jun 2011 2:06 pm

I got mine from American Folklore, Inc.
in Rowlett, Texas.

Michael Maddex · Post by **Michael Maddex** » 14 Jun 2011 6:39 pm

Republic square necks seem to be in short supply these days. I had decided on a Recording King Tricone from Elderly Instruments when I found a used Republic and went for that instead. I think that both brands have a good reputation. I have always found Elderly to be a very good company to do business with. HTH.

Rick Winfield · Post by **Rick Winfield** » 14 Jun 2011 10:58 pm

Any opinions of the Recording King tricones ?
seem to be modeled after the 30's Nationals
Rick

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 15 Jun 2011 12:14 am

Yes, those are all good guitars, but I would max the credit card for this one. You are only talking 3 times the price. The square neck Nationals are still very good value for money.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-NATIONAL-GU ... 0574768412

That being said, the original Nationals can require some work to get them up and running. A buyer needs to know the condition of the cones.

Hugh Crumley · Post by **Hugh Crumley** » 15 Jun 2011 5:46 am

Hi Jim,

I also live in Durham NC, and the posts you read about Republic tricones may have been mine. In any case, if you'd like to drop by and play mine to get a sense of one, give me a shout. For my ear, no acoustic steel sounds as sweet as a tricone.

Cheers,
Hugh

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 15 Jun 2011 7:32 am

Yes, those are all good guitars, but I would max the credit card for this one. You are only talking 3 times the price. The square neck Nationals are still very good value for money.
That being said, the original Nationals can require some work to get them up and running. A buyer needs to know the condition of the cones.

So he says he can't afford a National, and you tell him to buy one anyway even though it might require some work to get up and running?

Seriously?

He's asking about affordable alternatives to National tricones. Please stay on topic.

Jim Gilliam · Post by **Jim Gilliam** » 15 Jun 2011 8:22 am

Thanks to everyone for the solid advice. What a great site this is!

Hugh, I will send you a PM to take you up on your offer. Really enjoy your group Skeedaddle. My kind of music. I may start playing with the Hollow Rock Ramblers here in Durham. I think your bass player plays with them some.

Sorry for the ramble.

Thanks again!

Jim

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 15 Jun 2011 9:05 am

I love my Republic Tricone. It's certainly very good value if you can get one. I haven't been able to do a side-by-side comparison with the National Tricone, but, of course, the National is even harder to get and much more expensive.

Having said that, I found that having only six strings was okay for bluegrass and folk music, but I wanted to use C6 and so I converted an 8-string Tennessean fretless guitar into a resonator guitar.
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... +resonator

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 15 Jun 2011 9:11 am

I put a pickup on mine:

Ray Shakeshaft · Post by **Ray Shakeshaft** » 15 Jun 2011 9:25 am

It is fine talking about Republic Tricones but there are none around and Frank does not know when there will be anyso can we please have some comments on alternatives. Has anyone tried the Vintage Guitar ones?

Jim Gilliam · Post by **Jim Gilliam** » 15 Jun 2011 10:38 am

Is the Recording King in the same class as the Republic and the Hot Rod Steel?

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 15 Jun 2011 3:44 pm

They could all be made at the same Chinese factory - I don't know. I believe Republic and I know the Hot Rod Steel undergo additional setup in the USA to improve the playability. I don't know if Recording King does that extra setup or not.
The one Recording King tricone I played was certainly decent enough.
You could spend a lot of time googling "resonator guitar factory china" to see who exactly makes what.

Neil Cameron · Post by **Neil Cameron** » 15 Jun 2011 4:22 pm

http://www.buskerguitars.co.uk/7.html

The above link show the Busker Chattanooga squareneck tricone, - the website indicates availability in June for this model and ships internationally.

They are resonator specialists, mainly for bottleneck. have 3 squareneck resonator models, worth a look anyway, although import costs may push price beyond your requirements.

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 18 Jun 2011 3:22 pm

Alan Brookes wrote:I love my Republic Tricone. It's certainly very good value if you can get one. I haven't been able to do a side-by-side comparison with the National Tricone, but, of course, the National is even harder to get and much more expensive.

Having said that, I found that having only six strings was okay for bluegrass and folk music, but I wanted to use C6 and so I converted an 8-string Tennessean fretless guitar into a resonator guitar.
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... +resonator

Yes. I'm finding that I need 8 strings as well if I'm going to limit myself to just one tuning. And that is what I intend to do. I'm owed enough money to buy a special order 8 string National Tricone. But the key word here is owed. Actual collection is looking dicier by the day. I have my fingers crossed.