National Reso-phonic lap steel setup

[phil54]

I've just acquired a National Reso-phonic 1033 lap steel and could do with some advice on set up.  I've set up a spider bridge before but not a biscuit bridge.  I've already noticed the biscuit bridge is in backwards so the low strings are sitting on top of the bridge slots, not in them.  The strings also need replacing so I'll strip it down and turn the bridge when I do that.  Currently the strings are approx.  10  14  21  30  39  49 (based on micrometer readings) and tuned to DGDGBD.  The seller said he tried heavier strings but these worked better,  maybe this was due to the backward bridge?  Suggestions for string gauge would be appreciated as these seem light for the scale length.

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks

[leeophonic]

Phil I have had one of these & also the round neck, move to a set of mediums 13-56 and consider replacing the high E with a 15.

As you know it is a short scale but no heavier strings than that as you will realise it is a smaller cone which will choke if you go too heavy.

Good fun instrument.

Lee

[Michael Messer]

Hi Phil,

Lee is right that you need heavier strings to drive the cone. I have used 15/56 and 16/59 gauges on my 1133 and both sound good. I have not had any string-choking problems with the 16/59s, but my guitar is well setup to optimise its sound. The short scale will take higher tunings, so with the 15/56s, EAEAC#E would be fine.

They're great guitars!

Shine On
Michael

[phil54]

Thanks for the information. I've done some research now and found out it's from 1957. For a 60 year old guitar it's in reasonable condition. It's missing the National badge (there are two pinholes where it should be fitted) one screw from the back plate and has period correct replacement Grover tuners. Otherwise everything else seems to be original.

[leeophonic]

funnily enough the picture that Michael shows is of my two Reso phonics that is how I met Colin as he replied to an Ad I put in the Thames Valley free ads (before the internet).

He ended up buying them both!!!

Lee