Tricone set up question

[2big2b]

Michael, I am a little confused about how to inspect the setup on a tri-cone WITHOUT first removing the strings. Is that do-able?

Also, having seen a YouTube showing the internal working I notice there is what looks like a tensioning screw coming from beneath the bed platform that I am guessing is a way to fine tune the tension of the bridge saddle. Or am I just smoking the wrong stuff?

[Michael Messer]

Sept 19, 2021 14:14:18 GMT 2big2b said:

Michael, I am a little confused about how to inspect the setup on a tri-cone WITHOUT first removing the strings. Is that do-able?

Also, having seen a YouTube showing the internal working I notice there is what looks like a tensioning screw coming from beneath the bed platform that I am guessing is a way to fine tune the tension of the bridge saddle. Or am I just smoking the wrong stuff?

View Attachment

2big2b,

I moved this question into its own thread as it has nothing to do with the subject of the thread you posted it in. It is important to keep threads on track because this forum is used as resource centre for people interested in the subject. The forum is visited and read by around a thousand people a day, so in a way we are all contributing to an online magazine. That is why I am strict about content and not letting this forum become like a social media site.

Regarding your question... You have to remove the strings to take off the coverplate. There is no other way. However, to inspect the setup you should not remove anything, just examining it from various angles is the way to view it. If you want to examine it further, then by all means remove the strings and the coverplate and have a look around. As long as you are careful you can't do any harm by doing that.

There is no tension screw in a Tricone, that screw is or should be fixing the soundwell to the neck pole.

Shine On
Michael

[Michael Messer]

Further to my previous post; that is not a tension screw or the screw fixing the soundwell to the neck pole, it is a Highlander Magnophonic pickup.





www.highlanderpickups.com/catalog/magno.htm

Shine On
Michael

[2big2b]

That's an interesting picture! Is that an aluminum bridge?

Michael, thanks for clearing that up for me.

In any case, this discussion just made me realize something about the physics of how the cones work. Fair enough that the screw I was looking at is not an adjustment.

The pressure that governs the response of the cones is actually a function of the tension of the strings bearing down on the bridge. Hence it probably explains why I notice a pronounced difference in resonation by dropping tension through using an open tuning. That is probably a better approach to take in playing in a brand new set of cones.

Another thing that has been alluded to is that the fact that the bridge on mine is probably painted black leads to some sort of dampening effect on the tone. I haven't wrapped my head around that completely. Is that because it puts more mass on the bridge? Does that make any significant difference? If so, apart from replacing the bridge, what is the best way to remove the paint - sanding it off, using paint remover, both? The idea of an aluminum bridge is intriguing to. Where might I find one, assuming it would be an improvement?

... and how on earth do you find time to manage this forum ?!!!

[Michael Messer]

Yours is an aluminium bridge too. These are called T bridges. The black paint makes a significant difference in a negative way and needs to be removed. Having never removed the paint from one, I am not the best person to ask, but I'm guessing paint stripper and sanding.

The one in my photo was cast by hand by luthier, Mike Lewis (Fine Resophonic Guitars) in Paris, France. He only makes them for his own guitars.

Regarding your last question... I gotta go, I've got things to do!!!!

Shine On
Michael

[gaucho]

I used a citrus based paint stripper and it came right off. and yes, it was a significant and positive difference in the tone.

[hokumjim]

If you want to look inside your tricone and want to see the setup under tension, buy a cheap endoscope and plug it into either your phone or Ipad, works a treat, you can even take pictures with it.

[snakehips]

Hi there !

Is that definitely a Highlander Magnaphonic pickup on that guitar ?
The top surface (the only bit really shown well) doesn't look as close to how I remember the Magnaphonic pickups looked.

Maybe a copy of a Magnaphonic ?

[Michael Messer]

Sept 21, 2021 12:15:12 GMT snakehips said:

Hi there !

Is that definitely a Highlander Magnaphonic pickup on that guitar ?
The top surface (the only bit really shown well) doesn't look as close to how I remember the Magnaphonic pickups looked.

Maybe a copy of a Magnaphonic ?

I do agree that it looks a bit weird, but assumed it has a screw through it for reasons I cannot understand or explain. Might be a copy.

Here's a real one I just found in a drawer....





Shine On
Michael

[snakehips]

Ooft ! Worth a penny or two these days !!!

[snakehips]

Hi again !

I might be wrong but that mystery "pickup" looks to me as if there is black felt on the top.
Does the T-Bar sit on the felt ???

Nothing should be touching the underside of the T-Bar. It shouldn't be resting on anything - NOT even a pickup of any sort !
That would totally rob tone & volume.

MM's Tricone T-Bar has a little piece of thin metal glued/wedged to the underside of the T-Bar.
This metal is designed to be a couple of mm's away from the pole-piece of that pickup (and not touching it !).
It needs this little piece of steel, as the pickup will not sense/pickup the aluminium T-Bar itself.
So, does YOUR Tricone have a little piece of metal (or something that attracts a magnet) stuck on the underside of your T-Bar, 2Big2B ?

[Michael Messer]

You are correct on all counts. However, I may be wrong, but I don’t think that is 2big2b’s tricone, I think it’s a photo he has found on the internet?

Shine On
Michael