Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2015 1:56:48 GMT
Hi. Has anyone used or can anyone here recommend a spun 9.5 inch national biscuit style cone made or distributed by Saga? Someone is selling several on USA eBay for appx $30.00. They look like Nationals and come with at biscuit and bridge. He responded to my question and confirmed they were spun, and mentioned they were from Saga. I know saga is a guitar parts distributor...not much else. Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jun 22, 2015 7:39:44 GMT
Hi fredcapo,
I would not touch a Saga cone. Sorry to sound so blunt, but they are useless.
There are only two mass producers of National-style cones that are worth considering, they are National and Continental.
Shine On Michael
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2015 9:51:57 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jun 22, 2015 10:14:04 GMT
Hi Mickey,
Yes I do know about them. As far as I know, they no longer exist, but from looking at their website this morning, it looks like they do. They were manufactured around 10 to 15 years ago by some very enthusiastic and nice guys who were really trying to get it right, but IMO they lacked the skills to do so. I tested two of their cones with luthier Dave King, and neither were up to the mark.
National-style Resonators are not easy to make and the knowledge and skills required to get them really good, is a bit of a black art. There are still very few people in the world who can do it well. National (USA), Continental (China), Fine Resophonic (France / Mike Lewis), Greg Beeton in Australia (although I have never seen one of his cones), and that's about it.
Shine On Michael.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2015 12:31:32 GMT
Thanks for the response. I will not buy the Saga cone. As discussed in another topic, I have repaired a broken Fender Brown Derby ( busted headstock, missing parts) and temporarily installed a cheap stamped heavy cone with a NRP biscuit. I had to trim the cone edge slightly. It actually sounds OK...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2015 14:06:09 GMT
Fred -- I think the Johnson/Recording Kings use the Continental Cone. These sell rather cheaply used - it might be worth buying one, harvesting the parts, and using the rest for one of your future projects.
I'm thinking of doing the same with my Johnson, since I need a coverplate, cone and bridge, but not the metal body and neck. They sell as low as 200 euros here in France.
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jun 22, 2015 14:59:32 GMT
Fred, a trimmed cone is fine, especially if it sits in a felt gasket. I think Mickey is probably right that a Continental cone would sound much better, even a trimmed one.
Mickey, I don't want to turn this thread into a commercial MM parts thread, so PM me.
Shine On Michael
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2015 15:10:21 GMT
Thanks, gents, for the comments. I have been searching for a conti biscuit here in the USA but nothing turned up yet. Again, somewhat surprised how the cheapo cone sounds, perhaps the ragged edges contribute to some of the lightness-of-tone... Anyway, for $85 and some leftover parts the derby turns out to be a nice find. Will try to post a pix of the gory fix that actually came out well. I am on a roll with headstock fixes this year...a 54 eb, 75 LP, a reissue epi and the derby...and still using the same bottle of titebond...
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jun 22, 2015 15:15:10 GMT
Fred, there are no rules really - if it sounds good, it is good!
Shine On michael
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Jun 23, 2015 11:18:41 GMT
Further to my posting about Delta Cones; I have looked at their website again this morning and the most recent updates were in 2011. I cannot be sure, but from talking to a few people in-the-know, it appears that they are no longer operating.
Shine On Michael
|
|
|
Post by slide496 on Jun 23, 2015 12:12:49 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2015 21:19:15 GMT
Interesting the stewmac spun cone is at the same price point as the Saga ($29)... It really would be nice if there was a visual guide to identify them...
|
|
|
Post by slide496 on Jun 26, 2015 0:12:12 GMT
No experience with the unbranded stewmac cones, they might be rebranded sagas. The post was meant to show what I found selling in US other than ebay and the national biscuit cone.
|
|
|
Post by Keith Ambridge on Jun 26, 2015 5:51:54 GMT
If it helps here is a Continental cone on the left and a Saga on the right .
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2015 6:45:54 GMT
What about those Replogle cones?
|
|