Hi all. Baritone questions from a 1st timer

[dropd]

Thanks to you all for your expert discussion of resonators. I’ll try to get right to my question and leave the back story to your discretion. I have gone from an open D G tuning to open C and F and lately B/E or B flat /E flat. Guitars listed below.***
I’ve inversely upped the string gauge as the root pitched dropped so that I’ve a 65 or 70 on the bottom and a 17 up top. It’s all been a source of minor concern how low and heavy I’ve gone but there’s no turning back. I work most nights with my drummer in a duo and I’m the bass player now too. The mistakes I’ve made have been on nuts on biscuits widening slots for bigger gauges. I’ve been reading a lot of your past discussions on Baritones and I’m wondering if I’m doing long term disservice to my instruments which are all now essentially converted Baritones? It may be worth noting that I install Lace ultra slim humbucker pickups on them all with a tone and volume knob. The lace because it can be glue gunned and be removed without a trace.

I just pulled the trigger on Reverb for what I claim will be the last resonator I’ll ever need to purchase. (“Need to” is the important qualifier). A relatively new Baritone National Tricone style 1. This marks a departure from a long standing edict that stated I will never buy what I haven’t touched, played and smelled. But I find my needs have gotten esoteric to the point that I have no other choice. The F holes are where I traditionally place tone and volume pots. Any suggestions with the tricone grill much appreciated.

***’31 National brass style 0, my ‘33 National steel duolian, my newish National brass style 0 and my late Dobro Hound Dog wood.
Thanks! Great to be here.

[pete1951]

Nuts and saddles are often replaced ( though it’s a shame to widen a vintage nut/ bridge) the possible increase in string tension would be my concern. Most strings these days publish string tension charts with some research you should be able to make sure your strings are not too tight.
Pete

[dropd]

Thanks Pete. I hate to admit it but I could have done a better job on the slots and will no doubt need too replace a few nuts and saddles. Tension is primary concern since i change tunings many times a night. the string gauges i use were chosen by feel, i.e. if i have to effort to bend a string a half step its too heavy or tuned too high.