vegtam2003 - Posted - 03/11/2010:  17:41:32

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I recieved my reso back from the repair shop with a new cone and new inserts. He mentioned that my spider is an import and I should change it. what will swapping to a #14 spider do for my sound? With the new cone it sounds awesome

TronconesAmigo - Posted - 03/11/2010:  18:54:09

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the last #14 spider I bought was Junk , Dan Brooks says He likes the one from STEWMAC , it is a good looking casting and has better sustain than the #14

SamCy - Posted - 03/11/2010:  19:34:48

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#14 spiders often need one or more legs bent to get them all even, and then the tips of the feet have to be sanded to level them. Tut Taylor's spiders come with all the leveling done, and National Reso-Phonic's version is also ready to install. Steve Smith of Redline Reso has recently started making his own spiders. All these are lighter and more responsive than a typical import spider.

Steevarino - Posted - 03/21/2010:  07:36:26

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It's true. If you have ever seen a "factory-fresh" #14 spider, you would see how very rough they are. Lots of flash to clean off, and they are, for the most part, very far from being flat. Lots of filing, straightening, etc. must be done to make these usable. Most folks that sell #14 spiders on the retail level take care of this for you, so many end users might not know this part.

Personally, I think a spruced-up #14 spider does offer great tone and volume. I tried a number of imported spiders early on, pretty much every one I could get my hands on, and I was disappointed by every one.

So, what I have done is to develop my own spider. It is based on the tried-and-true overall design of the #14 spider, but it is brand new and fresh tooling. I have them made by a top quality foundry that I have been working with for over 30 years now. We use a different alloy than the #14, and the difference is noticable, in a very positive way.

This project is well under way, and several RLR (RedLineResophonics) spiders are currently in guitars and performing well, but we are not completely done yet, as we are going to pour some spiders with another alloy or two, and try some other metallurgical tricks along the way.

Dan, you might want to try one of my spiders! Ths is a U.S. made product AND it performs well. Win/Win!!! Just because we lost on the electronics manufacturing front doesn't mean we have to give up on instrument making as well!

Steve Smith
RedLineResophonics.com
CumberlandAcoustic.com

Grizz - Posted - 03/21/2010:  11:09:32

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quote:

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Originally posted by Steevarino

This is a U.S. made product AND it performs well. Win/Win!!! Just because we lost on the electronics manufacturing front doesn't mean we have to give up on instrument making as well!

Steve Smith
RedLineResophonics.com
CumberlandAcoustic.com

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There you have it in a nut shell. And don't even think of calling me an isolationist. So there. We need innovators here, and to keep the production here. Enough said.

Mike

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Edited by - Grizz on 03/21/2010 12:52:09

Patrick Sylvest - Posted - 03/21/2010:  14:28:03

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Interesting thread, boys. Keep it comin'!

Steevarino - Posted - 03/21/2010:  15:43:09

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Sure Dan, no problem. Just two different opinions about a fascinating (to me, anyway) subject. By the way, are you sure the spider StewMac sells IS imported? I only ask because their price is far higher than any imported spider I know of.

One other thing, since this spider is a new product for me and the foundry that is making them for me, I am currently not yet able to get enough spiders for my current needs. This will turn around soon, and once I get caught up a bit, and have all that my current customers need, I'd like to send you one, Dan, so you can A:B our RLR spider against what you are now using. Who knows? You might discover a better spider along the way AND save some money to boot!

Steve

bris48 - Posted - 03/21/2010:  16:12:26

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That Steve is a GEM !!!!!!
and he is a DAMN smart fellow





I Believe
NUFF SAID

BoBBY

El Dobro - Posted - 03/22/2010:  13:13:01

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I wonder how a carbon fiber spider would work out. Probably be very expensive.

Old Vern - Posted - 03/23/2010:  12:54:25

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I bouht a #14 Beard spider from Elderly Music. It took a lot of cleaning and leveling. I called Beard and they said they only clean up the ones they sell direct. Anything to dealers is as is.

Erik Waynesmith - Posted - 03/23/2010:  17:19:02

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quote:

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Originally posted by El Dobro

I wonder how a carbon fiber spider would work out. Probably be very expensive.

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A few years ago Tim Scheerhorn spent several thousand dollars to have some carbon fiber spiders made, but was very disappointed in how they performed.