MM Resonator Coverplate

[coastie99]

Hi folks, my first post here.

I've just begun building an electric resonator guitar. I was, originally, going to use a Danelectro U2 for the build but, can't find one here in NZ.

So, why not start from scratch ?

Can I purchase a "grey" cover plate from MM please ? I'd like something a little less "bright" (coloured) than the traditional cover plate.

Kind regards,

Gary.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Gary,

Welcome to our forum.

Anything myself and other forum members can do to help and advise with your project, please don't hesitate to ask.

Regarding your question about coverplates; the only coverplates we carry as 'spares' are nickel-plated and it would not be possible for us to order one grey one to be shipped to us, however..... if you write to Robin at Busker/MM Guitars HQ, there is a possibility that he may have a spare grey one from an MM Blues. Failing that, you could contact Beltona Resonator Guitars in NZ and see if they can help you. The contact at Beltona is Steve Evans.

Best wishes,

Shine On
Michael

[Stevie]

Nickel plating does need a lot more care to keep its deep lustre than chrome. Leave a nickel cover plate outside in the elements while you grapple with the project and it will grow dull in good time. Actually, left to fend for itself, nickel ages quite quickly to a nice calm "bright".Subjectively, I vastly prefer nickel to chrome. Chrome is so stark, garish and "blue". Nickel on the other hand has a lovely honey tone, especially when compared side by side with chrome. When I was buying my Firebird, I emailed Gibson to berate them for their use of chrome. They replied (on that occasion!) that they only supplied what most people prefer, so I must be in a minority....
At the end of the day, you could always key it up and spray it any colour you like?

[coastie99]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I may well end up pursuing another option that I have my mind on.
That is, buying a nickel or chrome cover plate, having it stripped, and then getting it powder - coated.

This project will take some time to come together .... the reason being , that great, global malaise; "being skint"

Gary.

[kiwi]

Last time I checked, Beltona were only making fibreglass/carbon fibre guitars. Not sure if the coverplate is metal or fibre.

I don't think he has made a metal guitar for a fair few years, I played one of his Southerner fibre guitars about 15 years ago, brilliant, lightweight but bloody loud with great tone.

[oldnick]

The Beltona website says that cover plates are carbon fibre.
Nick

[Michael Messer]

I am aware that Beltona's coverplates are made of carbon fibre, but that has not always been the case and that is why I suggested talking with Steve Evans.

Steve has been making, repairing and playing resonator guitars for forty years and like all of us, I am sure he has lots of old stuff in boxes. That was my reason for suggesting Beltona to Gary.

Shine On
Michael.