New Regal questions

[menamestom]

Hello Folks,

I've just purchased a new Regal RD-40 (roundneck) and have a few questions.

The action is very low, I'd like to higher it and I'm just wandering whether I will need new bridge pieces or could I pack something under the existing ones? I'm thinking I could use matches to higher the bridge but would this mess the sound up too much? I've been quoted £20 for new bridge inserts which seems a lot for such a small bit of wood!

I'm also planning to upgrade the cone and I'm wandering whether changing the spider would improve the sound also? I have taken them both out, the spider seemed nice and chimey when I flicked it while the cone sounded a bit dull.

All in all though I'm really impressed with the guitar, seems really well made for under £300. Certainly sounds acceptable out of the box....Just cant wait to get some proper strings on it instead of those skinny 12's and get a proper action!

Also, any suggestions on how to keep my missus out the way long enough for me to actually play the dam thing???

Thanks
Tom

[Michael Messer]

Hi Tom,

I would not advise packing bits of wood under the bridge. I would however, advise you to change the cone. The person you should ask is Pete Woodman on the Isle of Man. Pete is a regular contributor to this forum and is very knowledgable on the subject of upgrading budget resophonic guitars.

Before doing anything I would recommend you try some heavier strings. And now here comes the sales pitch!!!! .....Have a try of a set of the Newtone National strings that are endorsed by me. Phosphor Bronze 15 to 56 for a round neck Dobro. The strings might be enough to pull the string-height up a bit.

Keep in touch,

Shine On,
Michael

[LouisianaGrey]

If you are going to change the spider then you will need new bridge pieces anyway. The slots on the US spiders are wider than the slots in the import spiders. I don't have a strong opinion on the spiders but Gregg McKenna, a very well respected US builder, reckons that the wider slots give a better tone because of the greater amount of wood under the strings. I do know the US spiders are lighter than the imports, which I think has to be a good thing.

I certainly wouldn't put anything under the bridge pieces because it's important that they're a tight fit in the slot and that they transmit the string vibrations as well as possible.

If the price of £20 includes fitting then it's a good deal. Otherwise it seems a bit expensive to me. As an example, you can buy pre-slotted bridge pieces from Resophonic Outfitters in the USA for $10 or 15 if you want ebony-capped, although they are squareneck rather than roundneck and will be too tall for you and not radiused. If you drop me a mail offlist I can probably help you, depending on what route you want to go.