The Steel Guitar Forum

I recently acquired an early thirties “Ampliphonic” brand resonator guitar. It has a Schireson cone in it, which was an attempt by some instrument builders to get around National’s patents on both biscuit and spider bridge cone designs. This cone is basically a bowl with a three inch tall biscuit. National, I understand, sued them and put them out of business in short order in the mid-thirties.

The guitar seems like a cheap student-level instrument, but I am enjoying the new sound. I usually play a 1930 National tricone, but this new addition is really interesting as it sounds somewhere in between a biscuit and a spider bridge but darker and with less sustain. It makes me play differently, and it is good to get stretched a bit.

There is not a lot out there on Schireson cones, and I don’t see anything in the forum. Anyone else have experience with one of these things?

Cheers,
Hugh

Hugh, I've got some interesting instruments but I don't have one of those upside down cones. They do come up from time to time over on the Reso Hangout.

http://www.resohangout.com/

A quick search turned up eight discussion threads on them for me so you might find something of interest over there.

HTH.

Shireson hardware is not that rare. Kay, as example, used their cones in their Kay Kraft, Kay Deluxe, and S.S. Maxwell guitars. Kay actually lost their contract with National to build bodies for them because National was none to happy about Kay's relationship with Shireson. Even though Shireson Bros. held two patents, National did successfully sue them driving them out of business in 1937.

Here is my Kay Kraft/Shireson.