Resonator Sound Well Depth

I'm planning my first reso build and was wondering about the depth of the sound well. Should I make it so that the top of the cone is where the top of the box is? Is there some compression of the cone or anything when the tension from the strings is applied? Any insight would be great.

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  • The box I used is about 2 1/2" deep, and my "cone" ( the lid from a girl-scout cooking set) is just about flush with the top.

    It sits in slots cut into a couple of "rails" that run the length of the body, to provide a bit of relief for the sound to escape.

    The cover is sort of dome-shaped to provide a little stand-off, and I use a fairly high "Red Henry" style bridge to get the strings to the right height.
  • No worries mate , hope you enjoy the build , cant wait to do another reso myself
    juju.

    Ben said:
    Hey Juju, thanks for the input. I'm actually planning to use a fullsized guitar cone and go with 6 strings. It's good to know that I should compensate for some compression. Thanks!
  • Hey Juju, thanks for the input. I'm actually planning to use a fullsized guitar cone and go with 6 strings. It's good to know that I should compensate for some compression. Thanks!
  • Interesting! I take it if one of the uke conses where to cope with 6 strings (like the Turbodiddly or Dolerosa reso)the compression would be even more and the cone should sit just above the top of the box? Or does adding two extra strings make it a whole new ballgame in terms of modifying the cone for the extra tention?

    I like how the two models mentiond above sound so i know it can sound very good!
  • Hi Ben
    what cone are you using ? if it's a alloy Uke cone yes they do Compress under string load but it depens on what gauge strings you use and what you tune them to
    the one i made ( pics in my albums ) i found that if you make the cone lower than the CB top you will have problems once the strings are tuned - the cone went down under string load so i compensated by making a taller bridge , but this caused the cone to have more compresion on the neck side of the cone and the other side of the cone was no longer in contact with the sound well lip ! - this was because the tall bridge acted as a leaver
    so i made a small ring to fit in the soundwell then sat the cone ontop of it which made the cone top sit about online with the top of the CB and also enabled me to have a much shorter Bridgh height - works perfect now

    so yes i would say make your soundwell so the top of the cone sits about flush with the top of the CB (cigar Box )

    hope this helps
    juju.
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