I'm thinking of changing a horrible guitar to a resonator.

[Pickers Ditch]

I have a horrible, no value acoustic flat top which I'm thinking of resonofying having read this site for a long time and been impressed by all the knowledge and advice available.

I know it ain't that easy and it's likely to take me a while (especially to get my wood working tools back from No2 son).

1st big question: Where can I buy a Continental cone and NRP biscuit / bridge from in the UK, please?

No doubt, I'll have further crazy questions as things develop.....

[pete1951]

The first question should really be `Is this guitar suitable?` Most steel string guitars have a bridge that is 5-10mm lower than you need for a `standard` cover-plate (by making your own c/p you might be able to get around this), you need the height to get enough angle over the bridge. So if your neck is well glued it , the action will be very high (if you can remove the neck and change the neck-angle then you can get over this problem).
Take a couple of pics. so we can have a look.
PT
Busker Guitar usually have spare cones and plates etc. I don`t know if Michaels does parts via Dave King, who now deals with his guitar set-ups

[orbital]

Hi Pickersditch,
Re NRP biscuit/saddle,I was looking into this recently.
I tried a few NRP dealers in UK with no joy.
I also emailed Dave King Acoustics but didn't get an answer to that question on whether he has NRP biscuits.Im taking my MMB there on friday for a check over so will ask him in person.
You can though order one direct from NRP,California. With priority 1st class mail boxed,it comes to just under £17,it's cheaper if you go for the padded envelope. The actual biscuit is under £7 and they had some in stock last week.
Speak to Shanon,sales manager.
Will let you know bout Dave King in couple days.
Regards,
Orbital.

[Pickers Ditch]

Thanks, both of you, for your help and suggestions so far.
Pete, the box, which I think is an Eko, has a bolt on neck and a bellied top which is the major reason for me considering the project having studied your posts in detail.
I'll try and get some photos up at the week-end.

[pete1951]

The bolt-on neck means you can do what you like, though 14fret Ekos have very long bodies. This means the coverplate is a little too in the centre of the guitar which looks wrong to me . I have done a 14fret Eko 12string, but I moved the neck into the body, so it became a 12fret-to-the-body guitar
PT
Will find a picture ,there is one somewhere in talking blues.
Heres one....

[Michael Messer]

Hi Pickersditch,

I don't really sell spares, but I do keep a few components in case I need them.
As I don't get asked very often, I could supply you with a coverplate and resonator. I don't have any tailpieces at present.

Send me a PM about it.

Shine On
Michael

[Pickers Ditch]

PMd

[andy15]

youy could try stewart macdonald in usa have bought stuff from them ion the past with no problems chech their web site for a catalogue best of lucvk andy 15

[billyclaire]

Yeah, been there done that - about 15 years ago. Did it with two guitars and the results were fairly miserable. I have the cones, spider bridges, and coverplates sitting in a box somewhere in the cellar.... the guitars are in a landfill someplace.

[pete1951]

Stewart MacDonald are a great company, very quick (I have ordered stuff are got it within 3 days from the US, I`m in the UK) Care should be taken in reading the description of what you want. 20years ago they sold NRP cones which were great, they also sold new Dobro cones also very good. Having used both I ordered some McKintire(spelling?) tri-cones, which were very dull (I think I sold them to Deuce?) I`ve not tried the Beard or Replogle cones they now sell, these may be very good? but I suspect the cheap ones may not have the sound of the `Continental` cones used by MM and Busker.
Pete T
ps: I finished an Eko to Reso (a Reseko?) just before you stared this thread, I put in a few pics of it as it grew.
The thread was called `Another Studio L goes under the knife` in `Talking Blues`
Here it is

[Deleted]

Hey all, long time no post! Hope all are well! 
Great projects!
I couldn't find a proper looking coverplate  for the one I'm currently working on that also fit, so I'm making a wooden one inspired by the National Aragon. Probably going to use a wooden cabinet handle or work out my own wooden handrest.

(a little Harmony Stella type conversion)



Been messing with this one in my spare time for the last few months, making the Estralita a little sister!
I'm using the Beard 8-1/4" biscuit cone for mine btw.
Good luck with yours, improvise and adapt!