madhermit - Posted - 09/18/2009:  11:33:49

First off, hi all. I'm new here, basically because I'm new to the resonator world. I recently bought an O Style (biscuit) Republic. I ordered one but it had some issues, so I exchanged it for a new one.

My question is, I loved the initial sound the first one had (heavier in the mid to bass range) whereas the new one seems much brighter unless I play very close to the bridge. Are there any modifications I can do or have done to increase the bass and mid side of the tone?

Thanks!

fibrebundle - Posted - 09/18/2009:  19:00:00

Yes you can. My Republic brass single cone (palm trees, etc.) sounded great out of the box, but too bright for my taste. Solution: change the stock ebony capped maple saddle with a pure maple one. I got hold of a maple saddle blank from Stemac, and copied the original one. The tone is much, much better, the notes ring out a lot clearer, and it has a darker sound. I think changing the saddle alone has altered and improved the sound a lot. This is a tip I had got from the Michael Messer reso forum. By the way, I have not changed the original rosewood biscuit.
You could also replace the stock Continental cone by the NRP hot-rod cone. However, I have heard that the resulting improvement in sound is largely due to the maple biscuit and saddle that come with the NRP cone (this is rather surprising, though). Therefore, I did not change the cone, and am quite happy with the result.

madhermit - Posted - 09/18/2009:  19:07:19

Thanks a lot! I was actually planning on swapping out the biscuit/saddle and nut because within the first couple hours of playing, a weird buzz developed all along the G string (this oddly enough happened with both this guitar and last one) and I'm hoping that that'll remedy the problem.

Do you know anything about these: forbiddenguitars.com/carbonFib...idge.html

I wasn't sure whether to spring for the upgrade or not. After your comment I may just do as you did and swap for the straight maple instead of trying out anything new.

Call me ignorant, but you're able to change the saddle separate from the biscuit? I thought they were glued indelibly together.

Thanks for your help!

fibrebundle - Posted - 09/18/2009:  19:15:52

A Carbon fiber biscuit will make your guitar sound brighter. That is not what you want, so just replace the saddle with a maple one. If you want an even greater improvement in tone, replace the biscuit+saddle with the NRP maple biscuit bridge. The only problem is that the NRP one will end up making the action lower than you want. Solution: change the saddle that comes with the NRP biscuit, and replace it with a higher maple one. The only problem you might encounter in this operation is that strangely the saddle in the NRP biscuit bridge is GLUED to the biscuit. So,
you might need to figure out how to pull it out.
I had a similar problem with the buzz on the third string. It is usually the ball-ends of strings rattling against the coverplate. Solution: Glue a thin strip of leather on the coverplate just under the tailpiece. This way, the ball-ends will be in contact with the leather surface. This is a common problem, and the most common solution.

Edited by - fibrebundle on 09/18/2009 19:18:22

madhermit - Posted - 09/20/2009:  05:30:52

Thanks again! I'll definitely skip the carbon fiber and go with the maple. When you say "make the action lower than you want" do you mean just too low for slide playing or entirely too low to play? And is this is style you were talking about? beardguitars.com/Merchant2/mer...y_Code=BI

And I tried putting a couple different types of material under the tailpeice but it didn't do it. It's not even so much as buzz as it is that it sounds like I'm palm muting that one string. I'm inclined to think it's the saddle because it does it on every fret and even if using a capo, which I don't think would be the case if it was an issue with the nut.

Thanks again for all your help!