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Topic: playing a resonator question |
Ron Victoria
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2008 4:34 am |
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I always played lap and just bought a square neck resonator so I can play out at acoustic jams. I am frequently hitting the fret on the top string. Can I still use my bar or would a stevens bar be better? Would raising the bridge nut compromise the sound?
Ron |
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Chris Walke
From:
St Charles, IL
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Posted 23 Jul 2008 6:10 am
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Maybe I'm not reading your post right, but I can't envision how you are hitting the fret. If the reso is a squarenck the nut & bridge should be sufficiently high. Can you post a pic of the area of the neck where you're having trouble?
As far as bars go, I'd say if you are comfortable with the bullet, you don't necessarily need to switch. If you plan on doing a lot of pull-offs and want that bluegrassy 'snap' when executing, then a stevens style bar with the blunt edge would be helpful. But many players use bullet nose bars on reso. |
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Ron Victoria
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2008 6:13 am
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| the string height is less than 1/4" high, maybe only 3/16". |
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Mark Eaton
From:
Sonoma County in The Great State Of Northern California
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Posted 23 Jul 2008 7:04 am
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What type of guitar? Some Regals, for example, come with too low a nut. The ideal nut height is about 3/8."
_________________
Mark |
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Ron Victoria
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2008 8:01 am
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| This is a Johnson. I think I will have to change the nut. |
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Chris Walke
From:
St Charles, IL
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Posted 23 Jul 2008 8:25 am
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| yeah, that's too low. |
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Chuck Fisher
From:
Santa Cruz, California, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 23 Jul 2008 5:18 pm
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| or just lift the nut and glue a hard shim under it, it might be less work depending on your particular guitar. |
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Jim Bates
From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2008 6:43 pm
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Your 1st string gauge may be too small. Try a .016 or .017 gauge for the the first string. A .018 or .019 for second string will help.
Thanx,
Jim |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2008 7:33 pm
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I agree with Chris,if the nut is high enough,should not have any trouble.DYKBC.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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Ron Victoria
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 24 Jul 2008 4:29 am
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I will just replace the nut and have already posted in wanted for one.
ron |
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Bill Hampton
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 24 Jul 2008 5:11 am
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| I play a Johnson resonator and while I didn't have a problem with string height, I did want a better sound so I replaced the plastic nut with a bone nut. I also replaced the cone with a Quarterman unit and replaced the bridge with maple/ebony. I get a lot of compliments on the tone now. Certainly doesn't match the sound of some of the high end guitars, but sounds very good for what it is. |
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Bryan Bradfield
From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
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Posted 24 Jul 2008 11:30 am
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The 1st string should be heavier than a typical 1st string from a standard guitar set of strings. I use a 0.016" for the 1st string on my dobro. My 1st string is tuned to D.
An alternative to the new bone nut would be a nut converter. This is a cast (best) or sheet steel (I dislike these) cap that fits over the existing nut. The metal cap has indentations for each of the 6 strings to rest in. These were sold years ago to convert regular guitars to Hawaiian guitars. |
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Steve Norman
From:
Seattle Washington, USA
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Posted 24 Jul 2008 11:49 am
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The other question about the bar,,on acoustic you may want to do pull-offs and hammerons. They are easier with a stevens,,and a capo for higher keys give you back the open strings.
_________________
GFI D10, Fender Steel King, Hilton Vpedal,BoBro, National D dobro, Marrs RGS |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 24 Jul 2008 11:24 pm
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What Bill said is right,a bone nut will be better.DYKBC.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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