Replacement cone/nut for Ozark 3515BTE

[ledgremlin]

Hello, I have looked on the forum but couldn't find any suggestions, but I have an Ozark 3515BTE and want to upgrade the stock cone and instal a biscuit pickup and possibly a bone nut. I have made guitars and am more than capable of doing the work and mods to the guitar, but would value some recommendations for parts and where to find them. I have seen that they are not amazingly regarded on the site, and if my pockets where deeper I would defiantly be rolling in vintage Nationals etc, but sadly not. I am also curious as to what people recommend string wise, and  where to get them. Many thanks in advance, Phil

[Michael Messer]

Hello Ledgremlin

Welcome to our forum.

The bone nut is an easy fix, which I am sure you can get at any good luthier supplier. Upgrading the cone in your guitar is something I experimented with when these guitars were first launched around twenty years ago. Back then I changed the cones in a few of these with National Reso-Phonic cones. I then did blindfold A B tests with a few people and they struggled to notice a difference. Changing the cone will alter the sound slightly, but it is not IMHO an upgrade worth doing. Changing the biscuit and bridge for a National Reso-Phonic one would be a worthwhile exercise. Beyond that, the best way to upgrade your guitar is to spend time getting the setup as good as it can possibly be. From the tailpiece to bridge saddle break angle, to the slots in the saddle and the slots in the nut. All of these things will achieve far more than changing the cone, which because of the materials used and the construction of the instrument as a whole, does not do what people think it might do.

If you do need to change the cone you need to source a Continental cone, or a National Reso-Phonic NRP cone. There is nothing else worth looking at. I think the place to find these is Thomann in Germany.

Regarding the setup and optimising your guitar, you won't find any better advice than you will get on this forum.

Shine On
Michael.

[pete1951]

I think Ozark are made in Korea (?) and usually have what looks like a late ‘30s National cone. These are similar (the same as?) cones sold by Hobgoblin Music in the UK under the name’Golden Gate’. They also sell Viking VRS-30 cones, these look like Continental Cones that are the best sounding copies ( at a reasonable price)

But as Michael says, adding good bits to something that is not put together as well at it should be will not make a big difference.
Good luck

I have worked on a few Ozarks that sound good, others that are underwhelming hopefully yours will turn out to be one of the good ones!

[bonzo]

Hi Ledgremlin, welcome to the forum. Michael being Michael didn't mention his own range of MM resonator strings made by Newtone. Regarded as the go to strings by many of us on the forum. Can be ordered online. You've got the makings of a decent reso if set up right as mentioned by Michael. When you're ready for an upgrade (and you will be trust me) check out the MM range. This is not a paid announcement! Stay in touch on the forum, you'll get lots of help and advice, and we all love pictures of work in progress lol. Good luck.

Best wishes to you all, John

[ledgremlin]

Thank you all so much. I guess it may be time to reconsider... I really wanted a reso with pickups in for shows, (can't sit near a mic for most), but something like the MM lightning with a pup may be a way to go.

[Michael Messer]

Apr 12, 2022 13:52:22 GMT ledgremlin said:

Thank you all so much. I guess it may be time to reconsider... I really wanted a reso with pickups in for shows, (can't sit near a mic for most), but something like the MM lightning with a pup may be a way to go.

Hi Ledgremlin,

I never use this forum to try and sell MM Guitars and strings because it would defeat the whole idea of what a forum is.

Since the Ozark 3515 was designed and manufactured there is a whole new generation of budget and mid priced resonator guitars launched into the marketplace, the best of which are made in China.

I wasn't a great fan of the Ozark when it was launched. In fact I reviewed it for one of the glossy guitar magazines, I think it was Guitarist. I stopped reviewing guitars for magazines when I started my own guitar company as it didn't feel right to be doing it anymore.

Pretty much any of the Shanghai-built guitars from the past ten to fifteen years will IMO out perform the Ozark.

A setup won't cost you much, so it is worth doing that, but I would not spend more than a few quid trying to improve it.

I hope as a community we are being helpful and not scaring you off, because that is the last thing we are trying to do.

Shine On
Michael.

[pete1951]

What type of pickup were you hoping to fit?

There are several piezo pickups on the market, but none seem to give a proper ‘cone tone’

A magnetic pickup is the easy way ( there are a few very thin pickups that can be stuck with double sided tape) though the sound is not pure resonator, it does give a useful sound with a little less feedback than mic or piezo.

If you are happy with the feel of your Ozark ( it may well have a narrower neck than ones built to National specs ) a magnetic pickup might be the (cheapest) way forward, though it is a compromise.
Pete

I have tried several piezos ( though not the Highlander which ,when it was made , was loved by many) but have gone back to magnetic pickups

[ledgremlin]

Hello, It has a pup fitted, but I was thinking on piezo integral to the biscuit. I got some strings which came very quickly and I used it at its first outing last night and I was very pleased with it (although it is a tad off-balanced for sitting and I do think a piezo would add to it), but all in all it did what I wanted and at the price it was I am happy to do a few mods upto and including the replacement biscuit as advised, but will stop short of the cone. Thank you all so much for the useful advice, and at some point I suspect I will treat myself to an MM lightning for recording.