Recent changes to NRP cones

[tark]

I'll apologise right away for starting yet another thread about cones, but I remember seeing some discussion a little will ago about if there had been a recent change in the way NRP cones are made and I can't find that thread.
I bought an NRP baritone tricone in 2001 (its dated 06/01). This month (06/07) I bought a set of replacement cones (not for the baritone). At first I thought the cones looked the same but on closer examination I noticed that the spirals on the old cones extended almost to the rims, were square bottomed and looked a little roughly shaped. On the new cones the spirals stop short of the rims and are smooth and round bottomed. Also the top surface of the new cones has a slighly more matte or frosted surface than the old cones. I can't say if the new cones sound any better because I haven't yet tried them.

New NRP cone on the left, old cone on the right.

[rickS]

Please let us know your opinion of the new cones when you get to try them, tark - there's been quite a fuss about them on the IGS forum, & I for one would like to know if there's a real, discernible difference..

[Dave King]

Hi All

I spoke to Don Young last week the singles cones were not then quite finished,,, Im hoping to have some next week.

Dave King

[tark]

ricks said:

Please let us know your opinion of the new cones when you get to try them, tark - there's been quite a fuss about them on the IGS forum, & I for one would like to know if there's a real, discernible difference..

Hi RickS,

Although I hadn't intended to, your post prompted me to try the new cones in my NRP baritone. I just fitted them today, so they are probably still settling in. I wouldn't have expected a huge difference since the guitar already sounded awesome. The new cones may be slightly louder and more responsive, but it's very hard to make a clear comparison. I may get around to making a short recording and then put the old cones back in and record those. I think this is the only way to be sure.

[Dave King]

The new hot Rod single cones from NRP are now in production, the new Tricones have been fitted for some time, Im just about to recieve my first batch :-)

Dave King

www.daveking-acoustics.com

[tark]

Dave said:

The new hot Rod single cones from NRP are now in production, the new Tricones have been fitted for some time, Im just about to recieve my first batch :-)

Dave King

www.daveking-acoustics.com

Excellent news Mr King. I have to say the new tricone set and even my 2001 9 1/2 inch cone are making some wonderful noises right now. I'm having trouble retaining my socks.

The new NRP 9 1/2 look nice too with a little embossed National shield, I can't wait to try one. And thank heavens they seem to have fixed the extra height problem. It does seem to me that even these great cones can sound bad in the wrong guitar. If that's generally the case then 'upgrading' cheap guitars with an NRP cone may not always work.

I had previously tried my older 9 1/2 NRP cone in a Korean copy guitar and it sounded very harsh and not as good as a Quarterman. I have it installed in a Stew Mac 'style o' kit guitar now and it sounds absolutely huge, apart from the great tone it's very, very loud, so heaven knows what will happen if I put a new NRP in there.

Is it going to be possible to get these new cones from you?

[robn]

Here is a picture of the new "Hot Rod" 91/2" cone from National Resphonic.



That shield will make them pretty easy to identify in the future.

I'll be very interested to hear what people think once they have had a chance to use the new cones.

Robn