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Post by TN Pat on Feb 1, 2015 16:20:12 GMT
Hello Michael. I was wondering if there were still plans for a tricone, or if this has been put on hold. Hope all is well out there!
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Post by Michael Messer on Feb 1, 2015 18:47:06 GMT
Hi TN Pat,
Yes there are plans to create an MM Tricone. I designed it a while ago, but for various reasons it went on hold until a week or so ago. I hope to get it up and running later this year.
Thanks for your interest in MM guitars
Shine On Michael
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Post by stevie2sticks on Feb 1, 2015 19:23:39 GMT
Hi Michael
Do you favour Bell Brass or Steel in tricones?
Were original tricones Steel?
Regards Steve
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Post by TN Pat on Feb 1, 2015 19:33:47 GMT
Good news, thanks for the reply. As I recall, the details were being kept hush hush to avoid any copycatting. Probably a wise move, as I'm sure competitors would try to swipe your ideas, while cutting corners. I am sure it will be worth the wait. Please keep us posted!
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Post by Michael Messer on Feb 1, 2015 19:43:15 GMT
Stevie, original National Tricones were German Silver. Brass came along later, but the original National company never produced steel Tricones.
Thanks Pat, I do have to keep a lid on it until the product launch.
Shine On Michael.
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Post by stevie2sticks on Feb 1, 2015 20:11:56 GMT
Hi Michael
I understand that it needs to be kept under wraps.
Please put me on the list for one. (I have now got my MM Tricone Money Box on its way).
I did not know the early ones were German Silver. I thought German Silver was a type of plating, like on cutlery.
Thanks Stevie
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Post by Michael Messer on Feb 1, 2015 21:12:40 GMT
Hi Stevie, Thanks! You're on the list German Silver (also called nickel silver) is an alloy made up of copper, nickel and zinc. It is not shiny, Tricones were always nickel-plated. Shine On Michael
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Post by snakehips on Feb 2, 2015 6:37:36 GMT
Hi there !
Sounds very interesting development !
I think almost all the Tricones (roundneck and squareneck) were nickel-plated German Silver. Only in the last few years or so of the 1927-1941 production, was brass also used (Models 35, 97, Exploding Palm Tree and M3).
The earliest Tricones had a wooden well inside for the cones to sit on, then for a short time, a German Silver metal well (circa 1927, mid to late 300 serial numbers), then for the rest (most) of the production years were all (may have all) had steel metal wells.
Looks like they settled on steel for the well after a short space of time. Maybe it gave the Tricones better tone, and/or better sustain (I think true so far !) but perhaps it was better for production-wise - the well perhaps stayed flatter after soldering on to the rest of the body ? Who knows ?? !!!!
Not sure if steel was still used for the wells on the brass Tricones.
Please correct as necessary !
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Post by snakehips on Feb 2, 2015 12:06:25 GMT
Hi again !
NRP use steel for their Tricone wells - even on the German Silver models. Presumably, they are doing so because they know it is best (for whatever reason - tone/volume/production issues) My 1927 squareneck Tricone (Acanthus engraving, serial number 376) has a German Silver well - and isn't very flat - noticeable when placing new cones onto the well when said cones sits all the way around on a flat table). I say German Silver, but I suppose, it could be brass under the nickel-plating - but why would they use brass for the well but GS for the rest of the guitar ! (did National use brass at all, other than for tailpieces, before production started on BRASS Style O's, in late 1930 / early 1931 ???). A Style O that I had, had a German Silver tailpiece. Mind you, so was the coverplate !
Do you know, Michael, what metal you will use for the well ? Sorry, I suppose that's all part of the top sacredness !!
I think I have read somewhere on this forum that you might prefer the sound of brass bodied Tricones, to German Silver - but I may have got that wrong ! (plus, I'd have thought GS might be more difficult for a factory in China to obtain/use, than brass ?)
Hoping you can go super thin gauge on the sheet metal, so the guitars are not heavy, like NRP guitars ! All the best, with all of that !!!!
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Post by Michael Messer on Feb 2, 2015 22:56:23 GMT
Thanks for all the support and interest, but I am not going to say anything about any new MM models until they are ready to ship to customers.
Shine On Michael.
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Post by snakehips on Feb 2, 2015 23:09:59 GMT
That's fair enough !
It's your baby, protect it !
Exciting really. All the best. Will be watching closely, as I'm sure many will.
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Post by gouranga on Feb 5, 2015 14:15:49 GMT
O Michael....
Looking forward to this one.
Best wishes as always.
Gouranga
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Post by obrienp on Feb 5, 2015 14:39:28 GMT
Now that sounds interesting and if it is a year or so away, it gives me time to shed a few others and start saving the pennies. Please can you put me on the list for updates Michael? Kind regards, Pat
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Post by TN Pat on May 26, 2015 5:09:58 GMT
Just thought I'd check in and inquire about the status of the tricone project. Really looking forward to seeing this come to fruition, and hope I am on the waiting list. I don't think I ever officially asked to be signed up, but have been anticipating this for a long time, as you might recall, Michael. I continue to enjoy my Blues '28, which gives me high hopes for the coming tricone. Being in the States, I have had the chance to play quite a few modern Nationals, and find no shortcomings in this model. In fact, in many cases, I have found the '28 tonally superior. With your knowledge of the vintage models and eye for detail, Michael, I am sure this tricone will be another winner! Best Wishes from East Tennessee, Pat
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Post by myk on May 26, 2015 23:24:35 GMT
Is the neck join also a secret? Which fret or half fret? myk
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