2nd string boost

[anmar]

Hi Michael
On the road with my Delphi and Amistar Tricone Style 2.I`m using a new laptop(all in Italian,damn it) and I hope this gets through.I`d really value your opinion on this.I`m trying to get a bit more clarity and definition on my second string on the Tricone,which is always tuned to open D.(The Delphi does the open G work).
I use a fairly low action on the Tricone and normally mount 0.56/0.16.I have ordered several sets of Newtones from Mel(0.59/0.16) for the higher tension but obviously I won`t have these until I get home.
Remembering that the Tricone is always in open D,I have mounted 0.17 on the 1st and 0.20 on the second and its giving me the clarity I was looking for.However,am I pushing my luck ? Everything seems fine and I can even bend the 2nd reasonably well.The last thing I want is a cone collapse on tour.
What do you think ? Very grateful for your advice.
Andy

[Michael Messer]

Hi Andy,

17 & 20 gauge strings are about as heavy as you dare go on a Tricone. If you are getting the clarity & playability you are looking for, then you've cracked it.

Don't worry about collapsing a cone, it is more likely to happen on tthe bass side, the treble strings don't put so much pressure on the cones. Remember that in the old days...1920s & 30s, most of the Hawaiian Tricone players tuned their guitars to high bass A tuning...AC#EAC#E ....they didn't use heavy strings, but that is a lot of tension. I keep a square neck Tricone in high bass G tuning...GBDGBD...but even that feels pretty serious!

On round neck Tricones I use 15 to 56 and on square neck Tricones 16 to 59 (sometimes replacing the top string with an 18), but that is for lap playing.

I would advise you to experiment with 16 to 59s and a good set-up job on your guitar. Tricones are little devils and unless everything is dead-on, they don't perform correctly. Having said that I have toured all over Europe with an old Tricone and apart from having to sort out one or two rattles....never had a problem. However....I have only ever toured & recorded with antique National Tricones, not new National Reso-Phonics, Amistars or any other brands.

Good luck, and let me know how you get on,

Ciao & Shine On,
Michael.

[anmar]

Hi Michael
Thank you very much indeed for the prompt and helpful reply.Now I don`t feel too nervous about the 0.20/0.17 top two.Clarity is much better especially on the 2nd and the intonation still seems to be spot on.Look forward to trying the 0.59/0.16 Newtones,hoping for the same clarity.
Once again many thanks
Andy

[Michael Messer]

Hi Andy,

My pleasure!

It is always good to be cautious about damaging an instrument, but a well built National guitar is a pretty durable tool that will last for decades of professional use.

If a cone did collapse on the road from airline abuse or an 18 second string - push out the cone....Araldite the weak spot, string it up again and get back on the bus!

Shine On
Michael.