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Topic: Modifying a 6 string resonator to 8 strings? |
Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
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Posted 5 May 2009 9:57 am |
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I am considering modifying an inexpensive 6 string resonator to 8 strings. Have any of you done this?
Any concerns?
Any suggestions?
I will of course make a new bridge and nut.
And I figure on filling in the 6 tuner holes with epoxy and wood plugs, then drilling new holes for the 8 tuners.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Dom Franco
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYG9cvwCPKuXpGofziPNieA/feed?activity_view=3 |
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Matthew Prouty
From:
Warsaw, Poland
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Posted 5 May 2009 10:15 am
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Dom,
I have thought about this and the main issue is the structural strength of the guitar. The added strings will create pressure on the top of the guitar and the neck.
Can it support this added stress?
If it cannot what can you do? Add strength to braces under the top at the cost of resonance?
I think the optimal place to start would be 7 strings. Maybe it might the compromise that will work. I have heard 8 string resos and they do not have the same resonance that a 6 string has, and I attribute it to the added bracing.
m. |
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Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
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Rich Gibson
From:
Pittsburgh Pa.
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Posted 6 May 2009 1:16 pm
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I talked to the guys at Beard about converting a Gold tone to an 8 string-no problem approx 100.00.
So It can be done.on another model....? |
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Jim Konrad
From:
The Great Black Swamp USA
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Posted 6 May 2009 2:10 pm
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I heard someone say something about......
The weight of 8 strings on a regular cone can keep it from actually resonating and they pick up a "flat top" sound. Maybe 7 strings of slightly lighter gauges would be better.
Somewhere there is a picture of a guy that used a banjo tuner
http://elderly.com/images/accessories/BPT/BP2.jpg
at the top of the stock headstock for a 7th tuner.
Remember the tension screw also... |
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Jeff Watson
From:
Anza, CA. USA
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Posted 6 May 2009 3:07 pm
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| If you do a search there should be a few threads on converting a (Dobro,resonator,Regal,etc.) to 7 or 8 strings. |
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Drew Howard
From:
48854
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Posted 8 May 2009 2:13 pm
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| Seen it done. You have to plug the holes on your headstock and start over. |
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Jim Konrad
From:
The Great Black Swamp USA
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Jim Konrad
From:
The Great Black Swamp USA
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Ulric Utsi-Åhlin
From:
Sweden
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Posted 9 May 2009 12:50 am
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Dom,assuming it´s not a vintage Dobro You got,the
best shot would be finding someone who´s willing to
build & retrofit an 8-string neck ; I built a new
neck AND,while at it,fixed some inside-issues by
means of rosewood baffles etc,taking care of some
cancellation problems...sounds better than ever &
has more strings than ever...McUtsi |
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Billy Gilbert
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 9 May 2009 7:35 am 8 string reso conversion
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| Dom, I have done it 3 times and am working on my fourth. I'm using fret boards that you made for me a couple years ago. I buy a round neck with neck problems, whack the neck off, and build a new wider neck. I get the 8 string nut and bridge inserts from Beard. I haven't found that the string pressure on the cone is a problem, but I put an adjustable brace from head block to tail block, just under the cone to take care of the added string tension. I use a one inch dowel (or an old broom handle), cut into two pieces with one end of each piece hollowed out to fit a 3/8s inch all thread rod, 2 washers and 4 nuts, so you can jam the nuts to make them stay put. I put epoxy on the outer ends to hold them in place an put an estimated 50 lbs of outward pressure, and the sustain is great. So far I have used a Saga, Gold Tone, and I am working on my second Regal. I'll try to send some pix off Forum. |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 9 May 2009 9:00 am
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I took a different route. I converted a fretless 8-string Tennessee guitar to resonator. It was a complete success and sounds great. I even retained the original bridge pickup, which sounds awesome. I wrote up the conversion in the following thread...
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=117146&highlight=resonator
I used a standard cone, and the additional pressure of the 8 strings has had no adverse effect whatsover. In fact I'm thinking of building a 12-string version. |
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Billy Gilbert
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 9 May 2009 12:23 pm 8 string reso conversion
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Great job Alan. My work tends to look like it was "crafted" with a chainsaw and an ax, but it usually works.  |
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