Big Muddy, my homemade Trojan

[Deleted]

I love to tinker with musical instruments, and when my son brought me an old (asian) Kay with the top stove in, I decided it was time for me to make a resophonic guitar. But being strapped for cash and something of an improvisor, I decided to try to make it from inexpensive parts rather than actual resonator materials.

The new top was a 1/4 inch birch plywood piece I got from the hardware store. I also used the plywood and some dowel rods to make a "basket" type soundwell. Four U-bolts on the dowel rods hold up the "cone" which is a 9.5" candy dish lid made of hammered aluminum, which I got at the thrift store. I replaced the lid's handle with a metal drawer pull, which acts as a bridge. The tailpiece was fashioned from a $1 metal spatula. I haven't made a cover yet. I bought a metal serving tray for a $1, but there is just a bit too deep a "dish" to it, so now I'm thinking about a 12" perforated pizza pan.

It isn't as good sounding as a National, but it's as good as many budget level entry resos and it only cost me about $30 in parts and pieces. Plus, it was a blast to make.

Hope you enjoy the photos.

[Michael Messer]

Hi eastmountain,

You certainly do like to tinker! We gotta hear this guitar of yours. Please post a sound clip somewhere for us to hear your creation.

As Batman's partner, Robin, would say.....'Holy Resonators!'

Shine On
Michael

[Stevie]

Love it. Man after my own heart! If a cigar box has credence, then why not this? I can't help seeing potential in nearly all of the scrap that I see at work. You can imagine what my shed looks like! A good friend once told me that a backlog of homers is a sign of an active mind. I like your style, but I'm not getting any ideas, "Management" wont tolerate any more ;<D

[Deleted]

Michael, I will try to throw something from Big Muddy on myspace soon and I'll let you all know when I do. Just remember, I am a complete newbie to the slide. I know you're curious about the sound of the instrument and not of my abilities, but I'm still a bit intimidated playing for you and the others on this forum.

[Deleted]

I like your style!

[Michael Messer]

Hi eastmountain,

We are not asking to hear your guitar to put you on the spot or be critical of your playing, just fascinated to hear the guitar.

Shine On
Michael

[Deleted]

Okay, for the curious, I put a soundcheck of Big Muddy on my Myspace site: www.myspace.com/eastmountain

[Michael Messer]

It sounds great! I am impressed. I would not say that if I didn't mean it.

It is obviously not a National, National Reso-Phonic, Dobro, or MM ( ) guitar, but it does have a resophonic sound and its own character.

This only a guess, as none of your components are actually guitar parts, but in all resonator guitars the best bridge material is wood. You might find that a wood bridge inserted into the metal drawer pull could warm up and improve the tone and volume. However, as your resonator is an aluminum candy container lid I could be completely wrong!

Great stuff!

Shine On
Michael

[Deleted]

Thanks Michael. I think a wood bridge is definitely worth trying. So, I guess the tinkering goes on...

[gouranga]

Hey eastmountain. I like it! I like it! I like it! Nice one! Thanks for sharing. I liked the distorted sound. Keep going, develop it.
Thanks.
Take care and best wishes.

Gouranga

[spinachteeth]

Very nice. Makes me want to fire up my power tools....go to work on my guitar collection.

[Deleted]

I've got a couple other things on the drawing board: a lap steel with inlays made from old 78 records, a tenor banjo ukulele from an old tamborine, and someday I hope to make a resonator uke...sort of "Son of Big Muddy". Name suggestions? Little Muddy? Muddy Me (You know, like Mini Me)?

[Deleted]

Eastmountain

That sounds like one really nice resonator guitar to me. Not a BIG sound, but not a sound to wake the neighbours up with either.

Jolly well done Sir!

[thebluesbear( al)]

Hi

well done!!!! please share any thing else that you make

al

[subtoxin]

Very interesting, not bad at all! I can hear some overtones on that thing, also has kind of a nice echoey quality in some spots. I bet it would sound different with other styles of playing, bare fingers, etc.