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Post by thinline72 on Jun 22, 2024 12:48:56 GMT
Hi everyone, Hope you are doing well! I've recently had rather unpleasant experience with a local luthier. I asked him for a new bridge saddle with a wider strings spacing for my MM Blues. And although he probably did a good job on the new saddle, the rest is pretty miserable. The reso rattles heavily now, especially on the high strings. The luthier also understrung it for whatever reason ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The first thing I tried is to string it properly. While it might helped a bit with the rattle, naturally it didn't cure it. So I'm seeking for an advice on what it might be and how to cure it before I accidentally do any additional damage to my lovely MM. Below is a clip with the sound of the rattle + a picture of the strings angle at the bridge after re-stringing it properly (just in case). Knowledgable people, please do chime in! Link to the full-res video (clickable)Attached compressed video: PXL_20240622_122149983.mov (7.49 MB)  p.s. I thought of bringing it back to that luthier, but it takes ages as he has a long queue + I guess the fact that he undestrung it implies that he might not be as proficient with resonators as with other guitars. |
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Post by Michael Messer on Jun 22, 2024 13:21:55 GMT
Oh dear!
Hello Sava, Long time since we were in touch.
A few possibilities. It is never easy without the guitar in my hands. If I was holding the guitar I could diagnose and fix it very easily.
Your luthier has possibly not removed the biscuit from the cone before doing the work and may well have damaged the cone. I also think this might be coming from the tailpiece because the tailpiece has been bent or the break angle has changed the downward pressure. He/she was aware of this problem but did not know howe to solve it. He did the usual worst mistake and under-strung it. He may also have removed the biscuit and screwed it back on too too loose or too tight. The under-stringing could also have pulled the cone into a new shape that rattles. It could be coming from the biscuit touching the coverplate, but don't think so.
What wood was used for the new saddle?
I realise how difficult this is to accept, but I keep saying that I can count the people in the UK that I would trust to work on these guitars on one hand, and in the world on two hands. It really is that hard to find people that have this knowledge and understanding.
Your "luthier" would have been better off saying that he/she doesn't understand these guitars and to have turned down the job. Instead, they have bolloxed it up and now it will cost money to put right.
I think you should get the guitar to me or Dave King so we can sort it out for you. I know it will cost the repair and the shipping, but what choice do you have.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by thinline72 on Jun 22, 2024 17:38:10 GMT
Hello Michael, Thank you a lot for the reply and for suggesting your help! Yes, it's been a while since we chatted last time. I've been mainly in read-only mode on the forum, only leaving occasional comments and likes. I'm always fascinated to see how quick and eager you are on jumping to help folks with their resonator woes! Thank you a lot for that! To be honest, I do not know. This is another neglect on my side  I should have been more involved than simply relying on the luthier to know what they are doing... I attached a picture of it (the best I could take), maybe that would help! I also don't see it (or biscuit) touching the coverplate, so I believe your assumptions are spot on. This is so true but also so sad! A few times I relied on a service of a fellow forum member and Steve Evans of Beltona Resonators. They both did an excellent job. Sadly, both of them do not take on a new work. Well, Steve Evans might still take it, but in New Zealand! Thank you again for suggesting your help, I'll DM you so we can arrange something. Frankly, I should have done it in the first place.  |
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Post by bonzo on Jun 22, 2024 19:31:45 GMT
Wow! That's a lot of saddle!
Also deep grooves for the strings IMHO. Looks to me like the strings have been set up flat, no radius. Not a problem in itself but those strings are deep in the bridge.
Biscuit also looks low set. Lots of things going on, if the cone has collapsed I think you would hear more than a rattle.😕🎸
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Post by thinline72 on Jun 22, 2024 20:14:04 GMT
Wow! That's a lot of saddle! Also deep grooves for the strings IMHO. Looks to me like the strings have been set up flat, no radius. Not a problem in itself but those strings are deep in the bridge. Biscuit also looks low set. Lots of things going on, if the cone has collapsed I think you would hear more than a rattle.😕🎸 Lots of things indeed! Re no/flatter radius: the guy suggested to have it flatter and I agreed. I use my MM Blues for slide playing almost exclusively, so I thought it'd only help with the slide playing (assuming that the fretboard radius is already pretty flat on MM resos, I guess something around 16"?). If I'm wrong here, please do let me know! I do hope that the cone didn't collapse as I think it developed a better, smoother sound over several years I own this guitar... Maybe it's just my perception... but oh well, we'll see once it gets inspected by someone who knows how to deal with resos! |
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Post by Michael Messer on Jun 22, 2024 20:22:22 GMT
Wow! That's a lot of saddle! Also deep grooves for the strings IMHO. Looks to me like the strings have been set up flat, no radius. Not a problem in itself but those strings are deep in the bridge. Biscuit also looks low set. Lots of things going on, if the cone has collapsed I think you would hear more than a rattle.😕🎸 Lots of things indeed! Re no/flatter radius: the guy suggested to have it flatter and I agreed. I use my MM Blues for slide playing almost exclusively, so I thought it'd only help with the slide playing (assuming that the fretboard radius is already pretty flat on MM resos, I guess something around 16"?). If I'm wrong here, please do let me know! I do hope that the cone didn't collapse as I think it developed a better, smoother sound over several years I own this guitar... Maybe it's just my perception... but oh well, we'll see once it gets inspected by someone who knows how to deal with resos! Don't worry Sava, we'll get it back singing again! I have sent you a PM (That's a private message, not a prime minister!) Shine On Michael |
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I should have been more involved than simply relying on the luthier to know what they are doing... I attached a picture of it (the best I could take), maybe that would help! I also don't see it (or biscuit) touching the coverplate, so I believe your assumptions are spot on.
