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Post by snakehips on Jun 24, 2021 11:57:28 GMT
Hi there !
I'm pretty sure that the 1937 Style 3 squareneck that HokumJim owns (that I used to own) AND a 1931 Style 1 roundneck Tricone I own BOTH have a steel resonator soundwell. The 1927 Acanthus squareneck I used to own had a German Silver soundwell.
My NRP Style 1.5 German Silver tricone has a steel soundwell.
Brass soundwells seem to be the least common for Tricones, yes ?
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Post by hokumjim on Jun 28, 2021 12:53:06 GMT
Yes, but only the original Beltona bellbrass Tricones.
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Post by hokumjim on Jun 28, 2021 12:55:04 GMT
And yes Richard, the style 3 has a steel soundwell, the style 2 I played for years had a german silver soundwell
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Post by leeophonic on Jun 28, 2021 18:30:29 GMT
And the style 2 came from me Jim, before that I got it from Marshcat, before that who knows....
Lee
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Post by 63vibroverb on Jun 16, 2022 18:01:49 GMT
So I finally got around to replacing the stock cones with the new current NRP "Hot Rod" alloy cones. As promised, I would share my results and observations.
- I noticed that the height on the National cones are slightly taller than the stock cones. Not sure if that is because they are produced with different heights or if its a result of the stock cones compressing over time from the downward pressure of the strings. Regardless, that extra little bit of raise in action is welcome by me. I had to install the strings and tune up to pitch first before screwing in the coverplate. The strings clear the palm cover just by a hair, but just enough to ring without touching.
- For about the first 30 minutes, the cones sounded a bit thin and tight. But the strings were fresh too, so that could be a factor. However after playing for a couple hours, something happened where the cones really transformed and opened up beautifully. The bass and mids really filled out and the top end was sweet and had a prominent thickness to it. The harmonics really swirl around, but it was never thin or brittle on top. Certainly more top end clarity than the stock cones.
- A TON more volume and sustain than the stock cones - a profound difference. I understand part of that can be attributed to the raise in action too.
- No more rattles or buzzes, but I will see how that goes over time as the strings get worn out and stretched. I understand that as long as pitch remains constant, then tension should remain constant. But over time, the steel in the strings get stretched out and there is less mass over the length of the string between the tuner and the tailpiece.
All in all, I'm glad I listened to my intuition and gave the cones a try. Before the cones, I did replace the T-bar bridge with a National bridge which was also a huge improvement even with the stock cones. I would say the bridge accomplished about 60% of the upgrade, and the cones brought the last 40%. Maybe this current batch/alloy of cones is really good, but not sure why some people are saying it's not worth it. The stock cones are not terrible by any means - I would even think some players might like it if they find their steel body tricones a little sharp/thin sounding on the top end. But for my brass body Regal, the NRP cones (and bridge) really brings a profound improvement.
I have a mutual friend with Sarah Rogo. Knowing that she is a faithful tricone player, we had a chance to sit down and compare my upgraded Regal to her National. Her National had a cutaway and was strung with 12's and low action. My guitar was drowning hers out the entire time. This supports the notion that setup is everything on a resonator, because I suspect even with the stock cones, I still would have been louder.
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