Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by YeahDoIt on September 22, 2010 at 12:50am

Are the windings on the string broken or heavily worn? I remember the outer winding broke on one of my strings and suddenly the string sounded dead. I replaced the string and it sounded OK again. How is it hard to play with a slide on the heavy string? Does it buzz?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Norm Fasey on September 22, 2010 at 1:10am

The strings are brand new. I have been busy studying for some exams since I got the guitar a few months back and, now that I have finished my studies. I have more time to play. So it sat in my study hardly touched until now and I have been dying to have more time to use it.

It's hard to explain. It has a resonator plate inside. Even when I don't use a slide, it sounds more like a banjo and doesn't resonate much but that could be down to my style of playing and practice. With a slide, it sounds 'dead' and doesn't ring out clearly. I try various amounts of pressure. To much and you get clatter on the frets obviously. Too little and it buzzes. When I do manage to get a note out of it at fret #3, it does not sound like I want it to sound. More like a dull unsustained note.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on September 22, 2010 at 1:17am

I would suggest you contact Big Daddy Mojo for some advice.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Norm Fasey on September 22, 2010 at 1:32am

Michael,

I have already fired off an email to him. There's no harm in getting a second opinion. Besides, it encourages discussion by posting it on here and other people might benefit from the replies.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Brian Hunt on September 22, 2010 at 2:38am

There is a small possibility that the cone has crushed a little more on the side with the thickest strings. According to videos I have seen, Big Daddy cuts the bridge on the biscuit of the resonator to compensate for this reality, but maybe it is a hair low on the thickest string because of this tendency by the cone. Is the action at the highest fret the same height on the smallest and the largest strings? If so, then it is probably something else and I am out of ideas. I am sure Big Daddy will take good care of you. I have done business with him and he is a good guy to work with.

Brian Hunt.


Norm Fasey said:

Michael,

I have already fired off an email to him. There's no harm in getting a second opinion. Besides, it encourages discussion by posting it on here and other people might benefit from the replies.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mungo Park on September 22, 2010 at 8:00am

Is it electric?
Cheers Ron

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Norm Fasey on September 22, 2010 at 9:13am

Mungo Park said:

Is it electric?
Cheers Ron

Yes it is.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by YeahDoIt on September 22, 2010 at 12:25pm

I don't get much sustain from my CBG, and my CBG tuned GDd sounds a bit like a banjo. (Playing acoustically).

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Norm Fasey on September 23, 2010 at 11:11pm

So I went and changed the strings yesterday but that didn't help. I did notice the bridge is not setting centrally on the cone. Could that be the reason? also what about the tension screw on the cone? Can I adjust that? Hope the cone isn't damaged?

Norm

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on September 23, 2010 at 11:16pm

Hello Norm,
I think you are on the right track. The proper string tension that allows the guitar to ring correctly and also allows the slide to ride on smoothly is a relationship between string gauge and tuning. If your instrument has a standard scale length, the strings and tuning you have selected should work well together. I use these strings and tuning on my resonator CBG.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLGnnF-TIbY
Please feel free to write if I can be of further assistance. Enjoy, Keni Lee

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Norm Fasey on September 24, 2010 at 12:01am

Thanks Keni,

I am just waiting on delivery of the new CD. Can't wait. There is definitely enough tension on the strings. Can too tension be a bad thing too? E.G. Stopping the cone from resonating?

Norm

Keni Lee Burgess said:

Hello Norm,
I think you are on the right track. The proper string tension that allows the guitar to ring correctly and also allows the slide to ride on smoothly is a relationship between string gauge and tuning. If your instrument has a standard scale length, the strings and tuning you have selected should work well together. I use these strings and tuning on my resonator CBG.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLGnnF-TIbY
Please feel free to write if I can be of further assistance. Enjoy, Keni Lee

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on September 24, 2010 at 12:15am

Yes. At worst, too much tension can crush a cone. They get a crinkle like a stepped on aluminum pie plate. It can also lock up the cone so it cannot vibrate correctly. Resonators are different than standard guitars. They work more like banjos. The downward pressure on the cone / skin created by the correct string tension is what drives the cone / skin. This is why light strings on a resonator don't work too well. They do not generate enough energy when they vibrate. Tuning up to a or e is dangerous. Keeping it in lower than standard keys like d or g is better. Use a capo to go up. Enjoy.

• ▶ Reply