|
|
Post by oscar on Oct 30, 2012 17:51:19 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by steverino on Nov 15, 2012 18:23:11 GMT
Be careful with string tension on this guitar. I bought a used Republic Miniolian on ebay about three years ago. At first it was very pleasing in tone, small size and light weight. Over time though the tone changed and when I disassembled it I found that the chamber for the cone was collapsing, grabbing the cone at top and bottom. In this featherweight design there is no neck stick and the entire lower bout tends to collapse and fold up under string tension. I am saving what is left of this instrument to reuse the neck in a future project. Oscar I hope that you have better luck; they are great fun while they last.
|
|
|
|
Post by waffle on Nov 15, 2012 20:22:27 GMT
Hi Oscar,,
I have a very similar model to yours other than the fancy fretboard.I opened mine and cleaned the well i also changed the biscuit for a maple one.. and also the saddle which was rosewood capped not ebony as many would think...i used a maple saddle and the difference was massive..a nice warm resonator sound.. not brittle and bright.
They are not made like a proper resonator as you may well know,such as an original National was made.
Mr Messer has a wooden Triolian on the horizon and you can bet your bottom pound note it will ooze vintage National inside and out!
|
|
|
|
Post by oscar on Nov 16, 2012 2:00:39 GMT
Thanks for your replies! I will examine the resonator chamber/support very well when disassembling the guitar.
I will change the biscuit & saddle in any case and probabely strengthen the top by adding a third brace between the resonator and the end of the fretboard. It seems to have sunk in there a little bit.
"Mr Messer has a wooden Triolian on the horizon": this sounds very promising. Having played a lot of metal bodied Nationals in the past I came to the conclusion that the wood bodies sound the best (for my way of playing).
|
|
|
|
Post by oscar on Nov 17, 2012 1:35:52 GMT
Just disassembled the resonator system this evening. The cone is a litlle bit crushed. The opening of the body is not 100% round but slightly oval. It's diameter is smaller than the resonator's which obviously was forced on its seat and looks like this.
The top is 3.3 mm 3-layer plywood, but the back is only about 1.5 mm thick ! I had intented to add four supports between the ring on which the cone sits and the back of the guitar. But 1.5 mm do not give much support. Maybe I will glue three or four braces on the back.
|
|
|
|
Post by slide496 on Nov 17, 2012 2:03:59 GMT
I had thought about buying one and am waiting to see what Michael comes up with it, for reasons like I am reading here. Congratulations on having the expertise to fix that up, if I had bought one, I would not have that and I would not know what to look for! Good luck on your repairs and hope you enjoy your reconstructed minolian.
Peace,
HArriet
|
|
|
|
Post by oscar on Nov 17, 2012 16:34:26 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by slide496 on Nov 17, 2012 17:19:25 GMT
@ Oscar - I wouldn't count on that being a quality instrument designed properly the way Messer would design and his. I am in the states and thought it would be less hassle to get an American product but unless its a national, I think its less hassle to get one from him. I prefer wood so am waiting. He's been playing these types of instruments for over thirty years, he's catalogued them extensively and played countless numbers of them and I doubt he would produce anything like what you describe in the minoilian. Moreover, he's played alot of woodbodies and he knows what goes into making tone on these things so the instrument would benefit in two ways, construction and tone. If he makes a resonator with a neck rod it will have a neck to support it, it will be functional, not decorative as you described earlier. Especially with the tension of the strings across wood I would feel more comfortable with someone competent, or in his case, brilliant, to manage those issues.
Peace,
Harriet
|
|
|
|
Post by 1928triolian on Nov 17, 2012 19:55:56 GMT
I'm totally with Harriet on this.
Also, the guitar on sale on ebay UK should almost certainly be the same guitar recently discontinued by Republic and Hot Rod; you can also see in the background the green finished one (they were offered in two finish patterns)
They only difference I can see is the name on the headstock.
I would pass on it and wait for the upcoming MM wood body Triolian.
|
|
|
|
Post by oscar on Nov 17, 2012 22:14:43 GMT
I agree to what Harriett and slide 496have said. Just wanted to inform you about a new instrument in the wood-body-biscuit category. Did not realize this is the same guitar as sold by Republic & Hot Rod.
I would not consider buying the Yazoo. It will be work enough to get the Minolian going. It costed only 220 €, so I will invest some time and a small amount of money.
|
|
|
|
Post by oscar on Nov 19, 2012 15:27:48 GMT
Latest (and final) news from my Minolian/Cannon type guitar which has changed its status from "instrument" to "project". Trying to make the resonator hole wider and more round I had to cut one of the blocks which hold the resonator ring a little bit. My friend Mr. Dremel made the acquaintance of something looking like a nail. I found out that the whole resonator support is not glued but nailed ( or tackered). Nails from the top into the wood blocks from above and nails from the resonator ring from below.
Maybe the Minolians and Cannons are not made this way. But in case they are: better to keep your hands off these instruments!
|
|
