MissouriTomCat - Posted - 09/06/2010:  11:08:21

I know some feel that you shouldn't put money into an import reso, and I understand that logic. In fact I have often felt that way too. But, being new to the reso, not seeing an upgrade in the immediate future, and wanting my squareneck Regal import to sound the best it could, I took the leap.

Steve from RedLine Resophonics offered me a very good deal on a Quarterman cone, RLR spider, and a new bridge (actually a couple) to try. With the deal he was offering, I just couldn't pass it up. I installed them this weekend (with a birch bridge) and man, did it make a difference in the sound! It increased the volume and made the tones much more clear, but I think the thing I like the best about it is that it "balanced the tones out" for lack of a better term.

By balanced them out, I mean that now the bass and treble notes, from one end to the other, all seem to have about the same amount of punch or attack for the same picking force (much improved over the import cone & spider). And it takes very little picking force to produce a loud, clear, ringing tone. As I learn to control my picking better on the reso, I can see this giving me more control, like making it easier to bring the melody notes out stronger than fill notes, while still allowing the sweet and mellow tones to be produced by the guitar. I may not be very good at explaining it exactly, but am very happy with the results.

All in all, I think this was a great upgrade. It was easy to do and made a world of difference for the better. I was really impressed by everything being perfectly level and seating so well in my guitar. Like Steve said, if I sell this reso, and can't get my money back for the new cone and spider, I could always put the original cone and spider back in it. But, as good I think it sounds, I'll probably be keeping this, even if it someday gets relegated to a "campfire reso" or such when I do upgrade. If anyone would like more details than I've shared here, just PM me through the hangout.

I appreciate everyone's help her on the RHO as I've started this reso-journey (this is a great place!) and especilay, thanks again Steve!!

Tom

Grizz - Posted - 09/06/2010:  12:09:45

That is great news!!!!!!!!! Congratulations. You have a great idea about keeping it for a "campfire" reso or even if you do get an "upgrade" you can tune it differently. It's a win/win situation. Now, have some fun, enjoy and happy pickin'.

Mike

MissouriTomCat - Posted - 09/06/2010:  17:03:37

Thanks Grizz.

Oh yeah, I'm having a blast with it. Went to a friend's cookout this weekend and played the few songs I know so far on the reso, then just played chords softly behind a mandolin and guitar as those guys played the few songs they knew. It was great. They were surprised I left my banjo at home!

Hadn't thought about different tunings, but that's certainly a possibility. I better stick with open G right now though, until I learn it pretty well.

Working on forward slants now in a few songs I'm trying to learn, and they are coming along fair. I don't know about those backward slants though, I don't think my hand turns that way!!

Tom

Grizz - Posted - 09/06/2010:  17:46:34

I am taking things slowly and letting them come as they may. The slants will come. Everything in it's time. On the tuning I meant later once your comfortable with the standard you may want to explore different tunings and rather than go back and forth on one, if by then you do have two, you can leave one set up to standard tuning and one say to open D or whatever floats your boat. I know quite a few people do that. Enjoy and happy pickin'. I wish you nothing but the best.
Mike

Edited by - Grizz on 09/06/2010 17:48:28