Setup to improve a Regal RD3

[markt]

Hey everybody,
my first post and I would like to ask a couple of questions. I have a regal RD3 which I have had for about 6 years now and have always been meaning to do some improvements to it, but dont know how.

The action needs to come up (new nut?) a touch to stop some fret rattle when I try to play single line passages in open D and also I would like to put a better cone and bridge in it. Is there anything else you would reccomend?

And finally, I'm a bit wary of doing any mods myself, can anyone suggest anyone who could do it in the central belt / south of Scotland or the North of England, I live in SW Scotland.

Cheers in advance

[Michael Messer]

Hi Mark,

Welcome top our forum. Feel free touse and enjoy it.

I would advise you to contact Pete Woodman on the Isle of Man, it's not too far from you....!!!!!

Regarding National cones; I have just heard from Dave King who spoke to National Reso-Phonic about supplying cones, that you no longer need a serial number or a National to buy National cones.....all you need is the money!!!!! I knew they would eventually give in.

Have fun & keep in touch.

Shine On,
Michael.

[markt]

Thanks guys, just had a look at Mr Woodmans site and it looks like he does just what I am looking for. Brilliant!

Mmmm how can I persaude the Good Lady that its £180.00+ well spent.....

Thanks again

[LouisianaGrey]

Mark,
If you want to do it cheaper and you're used to messing about with guitars you can buy the bits and do it yourself. If you look on page 2 of my guestbook there's a reply to someone about doing it on a metal-bodied Regal, and the principles are the same for your wood-bodied one so it will give you an idea of what's involved.
The trickiest bit is cutting the bridge and nut slots - there are ways to bodge it but I would strongly recommend that you buy proper nut files for this. The other wrinkle is don't try to cut the bridge to the right height first, because the cone will settle under the tension once the strings are brought up to pitch. It will probably take a few goes to get the action right and it's a pain setting it up and taking it to bits again, but there aren't any shortcuts.
If you have any problems you could always email me or give me a call.
(Why do I keep talking myself out of doing business like this?)
Pete

[markt]

Thanks Pete, I'll just pop over and check that Guestbook.

[Colin McCubbin]

markt,

Plan A:

Tell your Good Lady that you're seriously thinking of upgrading to a 'better' reso, which will cost several grand. But rather than deprive her of her annual holiday/ new curtains/whatever you're going to spend a few quid on a 'fix' for the old one.

Works every time!

With a visit to a good luthier, (such as Dave King in the UK, or indeed Pete Woodman) almost any Reso, new or old, can be transformed.

Plan B:

If you fancy a day out in the 'smoke', why don't you bring her and the guitar to London and while there drop in on the London Reso Center in Denmark Street, (Dave King now has a workshop there BTW).

Prime Ron in advance so when you sit in front of the wife trying all those new shiney resos, he can look at your's and say 'well, I recon for a couple of hundred quid we can give your's an overhaul that will make it play and sound just as good as that expensive one." She'll be so impressed at Ron's honesty and at the saving that you'll be in her good books for 'only' spending two hundred!

BTW There's a member of this forum who tells his wife every year that the latest reso to turn up in the house was a second hand bargain found by a mate of his... Aparently she is still falling for it!

Aloha!

[Richard]

BTW There's a member of this forum who tells his wife every year that the latest reso to turn up in the house was a second hand bargain found by a mate of his... Aparently she is still falling for it!

Ah yes! It's not me, but I can vouch for the fact that such a ploy has also worked for cars, machine tools and vintage drums and I have to test it again very shortly on this other car I have just aquired before I have sold on my ancient Porsche any takers...

[Ian McWee]

.......and after a few mug's of Ron's 'industrial strength' tea - she'll probably be game for any guitar-related consideration you can think of! ;D ;D ;D

Slide On!

Ian.

www.diamondbottlenecks.com