Best reso tone?

[Boogie Man]

I've been wanting a Dobro, but could't justify the expense, since I'm not even in a band, so I want to build a CBG reso. What kind of makeshift resonator comes closest to Dobro tone without buying a "storebought" cone? Any how to video links for reso builds would be appreciated as well.

[Aaron Maguire]

Oooh...I have one of those in my shop...a little one about 5"...I may check that out.

[BT Cohosh]

I've built resos from a paint can lid, an aluminum pot-lid, and a tuna can. Each sounds very different. The loudest is the paint-can lid, but it has very little sustain and sounds a little "plunky", which may or may not be a good thing. The pot lid has the thinnest sound, but the best level of sustain. My current favorite is the tuna can build. I third the recommendation for checking out the Bairfoot Cajun--he's the guru for "non-standard" reso builds.

[Boogie Man]

Thanks, BT. Yeah, my wife has one pot lid that rings like a bell forever when you strike it. It may go "missing" soon! Shhh...

BT Cohosh said:

I've built resos from a paint can lid, an aluminum pot-lid, and a tuna can. Each sounds very different. The loudest is the paint-can lid, but it has very little sustain and sounds a little "plunky", which may or may not be a good thing. The pot lid has the thinnest sound, but the best level of sustain. My current favorite is the tuna can build. I third the recommendation for checking out the Bairfoot Cajun--he's the guru for "non-standard" reso builds.

[Julz aka Varnum Slim]

Hey Skeesix. Excellent experiment! Thanks for sharing. That was very helpful for us noobs :o)

Skeesix said:

I did some experimentation awhile back with several found objects - see this link with sound samples and pics. http://skeesixcbgs.com/blog.html It's about halfway down the page.

[The Phrygian Kid]

BT Cohosh said:

I've built resos from a paint can lid, an aluminum pot-lid, and a tuna can. Each sounds very different. The loudest is the paint-can lid, but it has very little sustain and sounds a little "plunky", which may or may not be a good thing. The pot lid has the thinnest sound, but the best level of sustain. My current favorite is the tuna can build. I third the recommendation for checking out the Bairfoot Cajun--he's the guru for "non-standard" reso builds.

My own experiments indicate that there is definitely something of a trade off; the heaviest cones have the richest tone and the more overtones and harmonics, but at the expense of volume which comes from the lightest cones. One of my fav slide guitar sounds comes from this dobro conversion i did maybe six months ago, it has a heavy stainless steel kitchen bowl in it.. but its not loud by reso standards at all and definitely needs a pickup added if its ever going to leave my living room... one other thing to consider.. cookie tin etc builds have a real reso sound.. the cone may not need to be in a wooden box at all, it could be the box itself...

[Mister Scott]

Another n00b here... I want to make a resonator CBG, and it helps to see the easy materials that can be substituted. My question, however, is about creating the biscuit for the bridge to sit upon... I can see using pie tins, bundt pans, hubcaps, whathaveyou, but what about making the biscuit? Any suggestions?

[Paul Monaco ( Whittling Guy)]

As long as you can get it to vibrate you can make a biscuit out of anything.  The hard thing about putting a biscuit on a resonator is NOT to get it too high ( unless you will be playing it with a slide).  This may involve lowering the resonator in the box some.  So cut your hole a little shy.  That way you can always lower it a little at a time.  That's what I had to do. I put a level across the biscuit and measured the distance (level) from the top of the box to the biscuit/bridge assembly. Some resonators don't need a biscuit as you can see in the picture above this post.  Good Luck!

[The Phrygian Kid]

hey scotty..
only need a buscuit if it really is a 'cone' lot of the found obejects ppl using they can just stand the saddle right on there

[Mister Scott]

Thanks for info, Jef!

Jef Long said:

hey scotty..
only need a buscuit if it really is a 'cone' lot of the found obejects ppl using they can just stand the saddle right on there

[HOLLOWBELLY]

"I've been wanting a Dobro, but could't justify the expense" dude take it from me, not being able to buy a Dobro or a National will be the best thing that ever happened to you.I know-I've played Dobros and owned a National-they did not give me that downhome tone you are probably looking for.My opinion might upset fans/owners of the instruments I've mentioned-I'm not out to dis a guitar company and plenty of established,uber talented musicians play em-but they're not for me.
In life, I believe you get what you pay for-but there are exceptions-resos are one of them.Its just my 2 pennies worth-but I sincerely believe you will find the tone you want in the advice given here, not in a shop on the high street.Lotsa luck bro.

[The Phrygian Kid]

HOLLOWBELLY said:

"I've been wanting a Dobro, but could't justify the expense" dude take it from me, not being able to buy a Dobro or a National will be the best thing that ever happened to you.I know-I've played Dobros and owned a National-they did not give me that downhome tone you are probably looking for.My opinion might upset fans/owners of the instruments I've mentioned-I'm not out to dis a guitar company and plenty of established,uber talented musicians play em-but they're not for me.
In life, I believe you get what you pay for-but there are exceptions-resos are one of them.Its just my 2 pennies worth-but I sincerely believe you will find the tone you want in the advice given here, not in a shop on the high street.Lotsa luck bro.

I both agree completely and disagree wholeheartedly as well!! haha if ur a squareneck player looking at a gig in a sophisticated bluegrass or hawaiian gig u really do need a national.. BUT.. if ur into the blues, and particularly if u want to add pickups and play underhanded and fret notes as well, Mr Chookybones is right on the money.. U will be most satisfied with the shittiest nastiest tones u can make from something thats already in ur kitchen right now.. I dont mean anybody any disrespect either, and im gearing up to sell a few of mine for $3k apiece in favour of ones i build for $20 too....

[The Phrygian Kid]

Mr Chookybones ??
i guess i mean some other brit luminary :D
hehe apologies all round so sorry...