Replacement cone for Gretsch Honey Dipper

[rpsayles]

Hi all
I believe this is a fairly common question unfortunately but a student of mine has had a collapsed biscuit cone problem with a gretsch honey dipper. As many are aware these cones seem to be a unique 1”high and are thus quite a problem to source as a replacement apparently as gretsch don’t offer any spares.
Has anyone come across such a sizing and if they have where?
The gretsch cones are branded ampli sonic and are touted as being hand spun in Europe I’ve also read about possibly being produced by Continental although I don’t know for sure.

Any help greatly appreciated
Apologies if I’m covering old ground re thread.

Cheers
RP

[Michael Messer]

Hi RP,

I am still trying to get my head around the fact that Gretsch don't offer any spares. Are you sure?

I believe the cones might be made by Continental. One thing for sure, they're not manufactured in Europe.

Have you spoken to the UK distributors? That is where I would start.

Shine On
Michael

[rpsayles]

Hi Michael
Yes I’m sure gretsch don’t offer spares crazy I know.
I’ve been pointed to Stew Mac by the fender tech chap and assured a cone of 1” 3/16 will do the job.
Cheers
RP

[Michael Messer]

I have no idea what that means. You need a good cone that is as good as the one Gretsch fitted. They must one able to supply one! I got a Gretsch tailpiece for a forum member a while ago. A friend of mine knows the distributor. I can't do that again as I do not work for Gretsch and it was a favour from my friend, but surely they can supply you with a cone. Perhaps you should go into a Gretsch dealer with a screwdriver and help yourself to a cone from a guitar.

I can only assume they have no interest in their customers after the money has gone into their bank.

What is the Stewmac cone?

I'm trying to help you, but the company you are dealing with are are not as interested as I am.

Shine On
Michael

[slide496]

Stewmac offers 3 -Replogle, Beard and one other.
National offers one.
The few threads online the users replacing theirs did so with a National or Beard successfully. I would think a new biscuit and sadddle would have to be made though.

Complaints have been ongoing for some time about the lack of availability of parts from Gretche and apparently Fender, which is IMHO regrettable and probably stressful. From what I've read it's problemmatic for some people with collapsed cones - as it's not something one would think was going to happen.

H

[rpsayles]

I understand you Michael. Apparently this is a very common problem with honey dippers and below is the response from Gretsch via fender.

Hey there,

Thank you for reaching out to us. The cone in the link below should work just fine. Any 9.5" biscuit cone that is around 1" in height should do the trick.

www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardware/all-hardware-and-parts-by-instrument/resonator-guitar-parts/resonator-cone.html

Cheers
RP

[Michael Messer]

Jun 4, 2021 14:16:31 GMT rpsayles said:

I understand you Michael. Apparently this is a very common problem with honey dippers and below is the response from Gretsch via fender.

Hey there,

Thank you for reaching out to us. The cone in the link below should work just fine. Any 9.5" biscuit cone that is around 1" in height should do the trick.

www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardware/all-hardware-and-parts-by-instrument/resonator-guitar-parts/resonator-cone.html

Cheers
RP

Hi RP,

I can't stand my communications referred to as "reached out". That cone is useless. It has no spirals and will have no tone, it is a cheap bit of rubbish that you will have to pay import taxes and shipping on. The cone you have is way better than that. I can't believe they recommend that you buy an inferior product to put in their guitar.

It is a common problem because there is something inherent in the design of the guitar or the cone that is causing this.

What is wrong with your cone? Can we see it please.

I don't really sell cones and it's a pain to pack and post them safely, but I can't watch you be treated like this. Do not buy that cone. I will help you.

Shine On
Michael

[rpsayles]

Ok Michael thanks that’s very kind.
I will take pic and post. I am extremely disappointed in the reply also.

Cheers
RP

[rpsayles]

Hi
I have removed the cone for inspection and it has collapsed across the top section where the biscuit sits. So that the bass strings side of the biscuit has sunk into the cone.
Took some pics but I’m onthe mobile and struggling to attach. I was expecting more damage but it appears that the rest of the cone is ok.
For reference the guitar as far as I’m aware has always been used in slack key tunings with 15s or thinner.

Cheers
RP

[rpsayles]

Pics

[Michael Messer]

Hi RP,

That cone could be repaired, but how long it would hold up for it debatable. You need a new cone and a new biscuit/bridge saddle. That is an ebony capped saddle, which is really not helping the sound of your guitar. It is what modern Dobro players like to use to make their guitars sound brighter. Your guitar will sound much better and more natural with a maple biscuit and boxwood saddle.

PM me your address and I will send you what you need. I will have to find/make a box that will ensure the cone arrives safely.

I still can't believe that I am doing what Mr Gretsch should be doing. I will charge you for the Parcelforce delivery, but the parts are on me.

I hope that solves the problem for you.

Shine On
Michael.

[rpsayles]

Michael that’s incredibly kind. Thank you

Pmd

[slooty]

Thanks for the add and thanks for this thread.

I have had the same issue with the cone on my Honey Dipper.... however I did not endeavour to fix it myself rather took it to a local music shop in Sydney. They had it for about 5 months and returned it in pieces. I believe 2 replacement cones were sent out from Gretsch/Fender neither of which were correct and did not fit or work.... not too sure.

They said that there had not been a consistent supplier of the cones for the Honey Dipper and as such it has been difficult to arrange replacement cones and were unable to do so.

Thanks for the time provided in this thread. It has given me something to work with.

[Michael Messer]

Jan 3, 2022 10:40:37 GMT slooty said:

Thanks for the add and thanks for this thread.

I have had the same issue with the cone on my Honey Dipper.... however I did not endeavour to fix it myself rather took it to a local music shop in Sydney. They had it for about 5 months and returned it in pieces. I believe 2 replacement cones were sent out from Gretsch/Fender neither of which were correct and did not fit or work.... not too sure.

They said that there had not been a consistent supplier of the cones for the Honey Dipper and as such it has been difficult to arrange replacement cones and were unable to do so.

Thanks for the time provided in this thread. It has given me something to work with.

Hello Slooty

Welcome to our forum.

Could you post some photos of the damaged cone and the guitar, so we can see what the problems are. There are some very knowledgeable people on this forum, so I am sure we can help you in some way.

Shine On
Michael

[tomkatb]

In my case I damaged my honey dipper bridge. That two piece item glued together.

My luthier, Frank Harlow, replaced the bridge and cone. He is a long time user of Quarterman cones. He uses 100 year old maple as I remember for the bridge.

My guitar is a lot better.

The price was $300.