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Old Lowe cones

I just got my 2 lowe cones in the mail today, wow they are just great, got one of each a new aluminum Lowecone and a classic brass. Can't wait to get them into a box. Thinking the aluminum Lowecones will go into a resjo, a reso banjo should give that banjo plink a added boost.

A big public thanks to Lowe for a great cone, and world class service. Must say I thought the art of spinning was lost but I was wrong. Cheers Ron.

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Permalink Reply by Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) on April 11, 2011 at 7:05pm

It's why I've been hosting his stuff on my site for the last year or so. I personally bought a couple of his brass cones and used them in a couple of guitars (3 and 4 string) and was blown away by how much the conditioned the sound of the instrument. There is definitely beauty in the stuff Mr. Lowe (and his partner) is providing.

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Permalink Reply by Bruce Trappes on April 11, 2011 at 8:14pm

I looked through your site Josh, watched a couple of videos of CBG with Lowe cones,,,,very impressed, great sound!

So.....just bought 4 cones from Mike. 2 brass and 2 aluminum. Can't wait to build a few resonator cbgs.

Have to say I'm impressed with dealing with Mike.....answered all my emails promptly, and cones will be on the way SAP!

What pickups would you recommend, and how should I mount them.

I intend these resonators to have 4 strings, will use cigar boxes and probably Tasmanian oak (fretted) for the necks.

I'm also interested in the 9" Lowe cones for a lap steel a little farther down the track

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Permalink Reply by Ted Kaczynski on April 12, 2011 at 1:59am

using a pup on a reso is kind defeting the purpose of a cone why loose all that reso goodness with a pup ? if ya want to be able to amp the sound of the reso i would suggest a mic element like form a cb placed under the cone ,it wont take any gain but like i said why use a pup and gain on a reso

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Permalink Reply by Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) on April 12, 2011 at 5:21am

To get the pure sound of the cone, embed a piezo element in the biscuit.

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Permalink Reply by Wade on April 12, 2011 at 10:34am

Let me know if you hear a difference in tone between the two materials. I would like to order a few myself.

Wade

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Permalink Reply by Bruce Trappes on April 12, 2011 at 12:23pm

I asked Mike Lowe this very question when I ordered my cones.

Here is his reply:

"Yes the brass has more of a ring to it.
The aluminum has a more classic resonator sound to it.
Good idea to get both brass and aluminum!
You won't be unhappy with either one both have a unique sound."
Have a look through Handmade Music Clubhouse http://handmademusic.ning.com/

....and search for videos on lowecone cigarbox guitars.

Some pretty amazing sounds!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Craig Cox on April 12, 2011 at 1:33pm

Mike's recommendation on pups was to attach a piezo disc to the inside top of the cone. a flat head screw can be used to hold the biscuit and through the piezo (you can drill right through 'em). works great. just be careful drilling through the piezo. you have to really clamp it down or it will turn into a mini buzz saw!

here's a link to some videos on my page if you want to hear my Loweso:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/video/listForContributor?screen...

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Permalink Reply by Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) on April 12, 2011 at 1:42pm

So you're drilling through the crystal element in the disk? I don't think I'd be willing to go there myself.

Craig Cox said:

Mike's recommendation on pups was to attach a piezo disc to the inside top of the cone. a flat head screw can be used to hold the biscuit and through the piezo (you can drill right through 'em). works great. just be careful drilling through the piezo. you have to really clamp it down or it will turn into a mini buzz saw!