If not Spun, then what ? Resonators

Hey everyone.
I'm still at the "everything is eye candy !" stage while I line up supplies and try to get a few more tools to make a build.

Meanwhile, I've been researching simple resonator constructs -- from tins to license plates.

So, my question is like my subject..... If you dont want to go the route of professional Spun Cones with manufactured tops, blah blah....

...what will work well on a strummer (Iwhether regular build or cigar box) ?

I saw a vid of a license plate, but dont know if the cigar box wood top is left on, or cut away underneath.

I saw a candy tin turned upside down without the lid and inserted in a big hole in the top, and was kept about 1/2 inch from touching the bottom....

Any thoughts what would work nice and How-To ?

I love the idea of decorative tins (I'm a small candy / super hero tin collector, especially 3d).

Any helps would be appreciated whilst I wait to get going.

and yeah, my first build will be a simple thing to get started, but I'm sure my second build will be close behind, hahaha

Kindest,
jim

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Replies

  • Hi, I use an inverted metal bowl with a slightly oversized hole for my resonator.

    To give more resonance, I sat the bowl on 4 pieces of scrap hardwood (about 5mm thick) from an old wind chime and its held in rough position by 4 short nails positioned to allow the bowl a little movement. The biscuit (a recycled part of the original hole piece) and a thick bolt with a nut on the end holds the strings straight.

    The biscuit/bridge allows me to move around on the resonator and can change the notes drastically and form a modified 'slide' action built into the CBG.

    good luck Jim I don't think there's anything you cannot use with a bit of thought and playing around.

     

  • Wow, those are GREAT VIDS

    I love his.... "Ok, I'm going off camera now..." hahaha

    Question question -- anyone notice how he attached the wood top disc to the pan ?
  • Diane,

     

    That is a good recommendation.  Anything Jim "Frets" Farris did was quality.  I am honored to own a classic 4 stringer CBG of his. 

     

    the best,

     

    Wichita Sam

    Diane in Chicago said:

    Jim "Frets" Farris builds a cake pan reso guitar in this vid.  (gotta watch the ads on Veoh, sigh.)

     

    He's got other vids, too.  Taught me to  make a scarf neck!

     

    http://www.veoh.com/watch/v15490875esMqkEhD

  • Jim "Frets" Farris builds a cake pan reso guitar in this vid.  (gotta watch the ads on Veoh, sigh.)

     

    He's got other vids, too.  Taught me to  make a scarf neck!

     

    http://www.veoh.com/watch/v15490875esMqkEhD

  • I have used  a couple of spun candy tin cones from Roosterman, cheap and very effective. Have a look at my photos and you will see what I did. If you go to this link it shows the construction with the ring for the cone to sit on. This can be used for any tin, dish etc..

    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/albums/the-ol-99er

     

    If you are interested then go to the Roostermans site and check out the videos of the my son Maverick playing the Ol' 99'er and check my page for the Hero being played. 

    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/hero-resonator-1

     

    Should give you lots of ideas.

    http://www.randyroosterscigarboxguitars.com/page5.htm

     

    Have fun!

    Hogs.

  • There are tons of pictures that will let you figure out how to mount in the pictures section... But typically my resonator has a recess i create on the top of the box that it sits in, then a bridge floats on top. This one is not mine, but i found it in the picture section that shows what i mean. He has a wood ring installed around where it mounts, but it is not hard too figure out. http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/gallery-21?context=latest
  • cat dish, dog water bowl, small mixing bowls, cooking pot lids and paint can lids can all make acceptable entry reso projects.
  • Hey thanks.

    YEah I get that, but are they just used instead of a top, or the wood cut out under the metal plate/lid..... or are they being recessed into the body etc...

     

    Some people call a resonator any metal top,  some its not a resonator unless its an inside cone (or upside down tin)....

     

    Herein lies my confusion (grin)

     

    jim

  • I have used small bundt cake pans, bettey crocker ez bake oven cake pans from my daughter's forgotten toys, small metal bowls, an old VW hubcap, and all sorts of stuff from thrift stores. I get most of my stuff from thrift stores and the habitat for humanity store here locally.
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