picking with fingers

[smojo]

I read somewhere that it's better not to pick with bare fingers as it can somehow damage the cone. Sounds odd to me so can anyone explain please.

[robn]

Hi Smojo,

Follow this link to the IGS forum:

www.guitarseminars.com/cgi-bin//forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=The+IGS+Guitar+Forum&number=1

One the right of the page you will see the link for "search" just above a "Go" button. Click on search and type in "bare fingers resonator" into the search words field. This will lead to about 14 threads that discuss this topic

Enjoy

Robn

[smojo]

Thanks I'll take a look

[LouisianaGrey]

It's a view that was expressed by Bob Brozman in his book on National guitars and is therefore accepted without question by many people. I've never understood it myself. I do use fingerpicks when playing lap-style for tonal reasons but I've been playing resos of all types with bare fingers for about 20 years and I haven't seen any cone damage in any of them yet. Many other people play with bare fingers too - Catfish Keith (who isn't exactly the gentlest player in the world) certainly doesn't have a problem with it.

[Michael Messer]

It is a subject that is misunderstood. You are correct, Pete, about it originating with Bob and about how easily it has become an accepted rule. Personally speaking, I hate obeying rules. I believe in doing what feels right. In saying that I also understand and partly agree with Bob's statement. First of all, Bob is talking about antique guitars, his book is not about modern factory produced guitars. It was written nearly 20 years ago. At that time all keen ameteurs who wanted to play a resophonic guitar, either bought an old National or Dobro, or an expensive hand-built guitar. The cones on vintage Nationals are irreplacable and therefore should not be abused. Bob does have a point. To that end it is safer for people to play with picks, because there is less chance of damaging a cone than with bare fingers.

So to play a resophonic guitar with bare fingers requires more 'care-of-cone' technique than with picks or a plectrum. Especially Tricones, they are much more likely to get buzzes and rattles and therefore picking blues with bare fingers with lots of twanging of strings, is not great for any Tricone. On an antique Tricone, this could damage the cones beyond repair. It is great to play antique Nationals, but not to wreck them. That is why Bob made that statement. (I use the term 'antique' Nationals, because the word 'vintage' is a brand name of resophonic guitar)

I play all my guitars both with & without picks. There is no doubt that playing a resophonic guitar without picks can damage the cones if not done properly.

Shine On,
Michael

[Deleted]

i'm interested in this thread being a (nearly) fingers-only player....

I never imagined cone damage ensuing from my twanging - hmm maybe i'll throttle back a bit on my trusty tricone !

one thing that does bother me is the damage done to my finger tips from playing for any extended duration, ... i play with the pads of my fingers and the backs of my nails - does anyone know of any product to toughen them / protect them ? ive got fairly hefty calouses, but even these don't protect me from the dreaded blisters after a long session !

cheers

[Mairena Red]

Hi duggyk,

I used to use metholated spirits on the tips of the fingers of my left (i.e. fretting) hand to harden them, but never tried it on my right (i.e. picking) hand. Perhaps it might work. You'd also be amazed how much your playing improves if you take the occasional swig

All the best,

Joe (aka Mairena Red)

[Michael Messer]

Superglue rubbed into the fingers is a good one, but be careful!

Shine On,
Michael

[Deleted]

Michael - I often wondered why you kept making the"OK" sign with your finger & thumb!!

Cheers, C.

[smojo]

Thanks for input on this everyone - as a newbie I couldn't understand the reasoning. I read some of the threads on the link robn posted. The only reason I found (apart from hurting your fingers) was this bit from Bob that you are more likely to damage the cone using fingers because they are more likely to cause excessive "twanging" of the strings. I wonder if Son House would have heeded this advice

I would have thought that most normal fingerpicking is actually gentler on the strings than picks due to fingers being softer. OK I can see why you would want to be a bit more cautious with a vintage National you paid 2 or 3 grand for but it seems a bit unnecessarily prudent on new guitars. Maybe someone should write a blues song about the dangers of damaging a cone by using fingers - how about "Nanny Statesboro Blues" (grin)

[steadyrollinman]

Sorry folks, but this one's gone completely over my head. How can playing with bare fingers damage a cone?

Someone please explain.


Chris

[Michael Messer]

Playing with bare fingers, rather than with picks, can damage a cone because to produce a loud note with bare fingers the string vibration is greater than with a pick, where the energy is condensed to produce a note.

I am not saying whether you should use picks or not, I am just explaining how this rumour came about...and why. I have seen cones damaged by thwackin'n'twangin strings. I have thwacked'n'twanged a few into resonator heaven myself. Everything in Bob's book (apart from a page or two about National Reso-Phonic Guitars) is related to antique National guitars.

Modern cones made by National Reso-phonic are tougher than the ones made in the 1920s and 30s, so it probably can't hurt a new National. Budget guitars have very heavy cones, but old Nationals are a different thing, and that is where the misunderstanding has happened.

Now I am going downstairs to thwack'n'twang those strings.

Shine On,
Michael

[steadyrollinman]

Thanks Michael, I take your point and certainly respect your experience.

I have to say though, picking with bare fingers feels much softer, and gentler on the guitar. Picks do sound quite harsh in comparison, and they must strike the strings harder. I would have thought the energy you mentioned would have been more intense by using picks, rather than the other way round.

Regards,


Chris.

[LouisianaGrey]

I think the point with fingerpicks is that you get more volume, more attack and more top end in the sound so overall it sounds louder. To get the same volume without picks you have to pick a lot harder. Having said that, if anyone has seen Kent Duchesne play (with fingerpicks) that's a pretty good demonstration of how much abuse a National can take.

[Michael Messer]

Kent told me (this was a few years ago) that he has two cones in his National, for extra strength!!!! I am not joking, his Duolian 'Leadbessie' has two cones. Perhaps he should now be known as Kent 'two cones' Duchaine.

Shine On,
Michael.