brucea
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 20
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Post by brucea on Mar 22, 2020 13:31:13 GMT
Hi, I hope you and yours are all well and coping with these very challenging circumstances.
I'm new to the forum so here goes. I recently bought a used Gilet (Gerard Gilet - Australian luthier) wood body single cone resonator. I like it very much and thrilled to own it. I'm not new to guitars but I am fairly new to resonators. This one has had two maybe three or (or more) owners over about 20 years and it has had a non professional addition of a Barcus Berry pickup and a piezo attached to the biscuit. They're attached to a stereo jack socket output. If you use a mono cable it uses the Barcus Berry, which sadly was cut in to the top at the end of the neck. It sounds good but not great and there are some issues. The neck was straight if not slightly bent back and the truss rod had been subject to some less than gentle persuasion. I got that freed up and there is now a slight relief in the neck. The nut seems to be slightly too deeply cut but that is just my guess as a novice. All of what I am saying is based on little understanding of the needs of a wood body biscuit bridge single cone guitar to be fair.
I really need help please to understand where I can find out how to properly set up this lovely guitar?
Can anyone point me in the right direction please?
Bruce
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Post by davey on Mar 22, 2020 16:01:34 GMT
HI Bruce
When you say "it sounds good but not great" do you mean acoustically or with the pickup ?
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2020 17:04:24 GMT
Hi, I hope you and yours are all well and coping with these very challenging circumstances. I'm new to the forum so here goes. I recently bought a used Gilet (Gerard Gilet - Australian luthier) wood body single cone resonator. I like it very much and thrilled to own it. I'm not new to guitars but I am fairly new to resonators. This one has had two maybe three or (or more) owners over about 20 years and it has had a non professional addition of a Barcus Berry pickup and a piezo attached to the biscuit. They're attached to a stereo jack socket output. If you use a mono cable it uses the Barcus Berry, which sadly was cut in to the top at the end of the neck. It sounds good but not great and there are some issues. The neck was straight if not slightly bent back and the truss rod had been subject to some less than gentle persuasion. I got that freed up and there is now a slight relief in the neck. The nut seems to be slightly too deeply cut but that is just my guess as a novice. All of what I am saying is based on little understanding of the needs of a wood body biscuit bridge single cone guitar to be fair. I really need help please to understand where I can find out how to properly set up this lovely guitar? Can anyone point me in the right direction please? Bruce Hello Bruce, Some photos or a video of the guitar so we can see what it is and its setup. As I mentioned when we were in touch on email, I know about Gilet guitars, but I have never seen a Gilet resonator guitar. It would be much easier for us to help and advise if we could see the guitar. Shine On Michael
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brucea
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 20
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Post by brucea on Mar 22, 2020 18:30:36 GMT
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brucea
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 20
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Post by brucea on Mar 22, 2020 18:36:48 GMT
Hi. had trouble adding photos so may be duplicates. These are based on Gerard Gilets 1936 National Trojan. When describing the sound i'm talking about the acoustic sound. I suspect frets have been dressed to avoid chocking at a time when the set up of the neck was incorrect, Even with a slight relief I think there is slight chocking/fretting out - but I'm not sure its that. The action at 12th Fret is 3mm (give or take a tiny bit). I'm not really sure the biscuit is properly attached to the cone either - or if the cone is OK. I realise I have to take the guitar apart and check but I want to have some setup info at hand before I do that.
The price was fine and I knew I was buying a guitar that had been around a bit so that's OK. I just need to find ways to do the right thing for this fantastic instrument. I really like it.
Thanks Bruce
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Post by leeophonic on Mar 22, 2020 20:49:49 GMT
Bruce your pictures are clearer than the recent ones on Ebay which did not show it in the best light, it looks nice with the one piece back really adding character, where are you based as there are various experts dotted around although you should not get within two meters of them!!!
Lee
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brucea
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 20
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Post by brucea on Mar 22, 2020 20:56:21 GMT
Hi Lee, I'm in Upton upon Severn
Best wishes Bruce
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Mar 23, 2020 8:49:30 GMT
Where's TT (Deuce)?
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 23, 2020 8:59:53 GMT
Bruce, It looks very nice. I am sure it won't take much to get it singing. I will post the biscuit/bridge to you today and hopefully it will arrive in a day or two.
I would get it sounding good as an acoustic resonator guitar before worrying about the electrics. In fact if it were mine I would remove the piezo attached to the biscuit. For my taste it is really not the right thing to do as it will sound thin, bright and brittle.
Regarding the your last question ....I really need help please to understand where I can find out how to properly set up this lovely guitar?
Can anyone point me in the right direction please?
You're here. You won't get better advice anywhere.
Shine On Michael
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brucea
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 20
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Post by brucea on Mar 23, 2020 12:00:32 GMT
Hi Michael, that's fantastic thanks You and all on the forum are really friendly and helpful and I really appreciate that I can now be a part of it. Thank you all
I'm determined to get this great guitar working well - and yes absolutely - I will take your advice and remove the piezo on the biscuit bridge - it sounds terrible
In fairness the guitar sound pretty good with a decent slide but fretting it for finger style produces a slightly muffled and less than open sound at the moment
Onward and upwards - great project to have especially if I have to spend time at home over the next couple of months
Thanks Bruce
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Post by Ian McWee on Mar 23, 2020 14:24:14 GMT
Hi Bruce!
It's great to see you here on the 'Home Of Cone'!
As mentioned, Deuce certainly knows his way around resonator instruments and is based in Worcestershire ~ if he contacts you regarding looking at the issues your reso has you'll have no worries 😉
Slide On!
The Flaschenmeister.
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brucea
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 20
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Post by brucea on Mar 23, 2020 15:28:54 GMT
Fantastic thanks
Is Deuce on the forum here or have you contact details for him please?
Grateful for the support
Best wishes Bruce
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Mar 23, 2020 16:18:33 GMT
Deuce is on the forum.
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brucea
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 20
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Post by brucea on Mar 23, 2020 18:39:03 GMT
Hi Ian,
great to see you on the forum. Enjoying the blue and white Diamond Bottleneck - nice one! thanks
I hope things are going OK for Diamond and for you and yours.
I'll track down Deuce
Best wishes Bruce
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brucea
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 20
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Post by brucea on Mar 23, 2020 19:43:55 GMT
Hi all,
now in touch with TT by email thanks.
Its an interesting guitar and project so I'll keep posting on it.
Stay safe all
Bruce
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