Just got finished cutting my wood to size for a solid box resonator. I'm building it using a dog bowl. Will it work, as in produce a decent sound, even though the only part of the build that will resonate is the dog bowl itself? If I seal all joins in the box other than a sound hole or two will it improve the volume by channelling the vibrations from the underneath of the dog bowl? If not then there's less to worry about with not needing to seal everything I guess. I'm thinking about adding a piezo to the underside of the bowl anyway so no hassle if not. I'm going to go through with it now anyway as I don't want to waste the wood I've cut. If the resonator won't work then I'll just stick a pickup in it and have it as a hollow soild body, if that makes sense. Thanks for the help and for reading this.
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Are you using a 'sound post'?
I don't know what a sound post is, David. Should I? I'm building a box with solid top, back and sides using scrap wood I've got and putting a dog bowl in it as the resonating part. Basically just cutting a hole in the top, using strips of wood to support the cut slats on the top and going from there. Using a scravenged neck from a donor guitar. Not a through neck design.
You've got me worried I'm skipping a vital step now haha!
One point to consider is how you mount the bowl to the box. Mount the bowl to points around the bowls edge or hanging from the top of the box leaving a space for sound waves to exit the bowl and travel through the box's acoustic chamber. This might sound silly, but I've seen one mounted flat on the bottom of the box and the person was wondering why it was dull sounding.
I usually check the bowl for a quality sound before using it. Not all bowls are great for Reso building. If the bowl or whatever is being used sounds off with a dull thud, it won't make a great sounding Reso.
Strings: Acoustic Guitar strings or Electric Guitar strings? Try each one out to see what you like, chances are you'll like one and dislike the other. Rarely does one like both.
Thanks, Paul. I've calculated box thickness so there's space between the bottom of the bowl and the box bottom. Checked the bowl for ring and it plings a treat. I'm hopeful of a good result but will have to wait and see. I'm the world's best bodger so no idea how well it's going to turn out!
I'm planning on drilling holes in the bowl and screwing it to as many points as possible but if I can't get my rubbish drill using my rubbish bits to do it then I'll hope string pressure will hold it in place.
I was hoping to use resonator strings but the lightest ones I've seen are 15-60-something. Not overly confident with my strong box building abilities, especially since this is my first time making my own box and first none through neck build. I'll buy some acoustic strings so I can take your advice on trying both. Thanks again and have a great New Year too.
Here's a pic of one of my latest projects. Reso-Strat
That's truly gorgeous, Paul. If I had saved the body from the salvaged neck/donor guitar I would love to try something similar. It would be a shame to buy a guitar just to cut it up though so maybe an idea for the future. Thanks for sharing. One thing I love about this site is that everyone is so willing to share ideas and help each other with advice. Thanks again.
Thanks, Lane. I'm going to stick with your advice and let it float then. I can always change it and screw it down afterwards if needed. It will be easier not having to drill through it anyway, though I'm going to have to make sure the side supports are in place well! Thanks again and have a great New Year.
This was a plywood body I found on the curbside and was using as a body template. A guy on the TDPRI guitar forum makes Tele-Reso's, so I though about making one out of this body. Then about the time I started, Shane Speal showed the old Teisco guitar he had converted. Guess they're a new trend.
A sound post is a block of wood that connects the top to the bottom in a acoustic instrument to help with sustain and gives more support to the body. They're used a lot in arch top style guitars, violins and mandolins. I don't know of anyone using one in a Reso, seems that it would be counter productive to me, but I could be wrong on that.
Thanks for explaining the sound post thing, Paul. I too thought it would likely be counter productive and best to let the resonator part, well, resonate. Then again, it could be useful for a six string, for example, if using 16-68 (or something, resonator strings and using a thin piece of aluminium. Like my cheapo dog bowl lol. Will wait and see then possibly be massively thankful for the info. No idea where a sound post would go come to think of it. In the center under the biscuit? At the edges using 2,1 either side? 3? 4? Not a clue.
Sounds like you're in the mix and on trend with your tele resonator then since they're the current thing, Paul. As usual I'm way behind trend and late to the party. Nothing new there!
Thanks for the help and advice. It's greatly appreciated.
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