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5 finger ninja - Posted - 01/22/2014: 23:05:12
I have a somewhat hotrodded Galveston squareneck. I installed a Beard cone, bone nut, maple tipped saddle but left the cast spider bridge that it came with.The guitar sounds good but lacks something in the low end. It is a maple guitar. How might a Beard spider effect my tone? Will the upgrade be worth it?
Marvin
Edited by - 5 finger ninja on 01/22/2014 23:06:51
Zach Hoyt - Posted - 01/23/2014: 05:37:41
I have had Beard spiders in both of my resonators and like them quite well. I don't know anything about the spider that you have now, so I can't say how it will be different.
Zach
tigchrome - Posted - 01/23/2014: 09:36:57
Your spider is most likely heavier than a Beard spider. As such your stock spider doesn't have the resonance the Beard has. This doesn't even take in the alloy used in your stock spider vs the Beard. I would imagine that Paul Beard did a lot of research on different alloys before he settled on what he sales. I can tell you from personal experience that when Bobby Wright did a new setup on my W/S, the#14 spider was a lot better than the stock spider that came with it.
Greg Booth - Posted - 01/23/2014: 10:02:12
I played a W/S Elite 9520 for a few years and it sounded good and recorded nice, but it never was very loud or responsive until I took out the heavy import spider and put in a #14. Big difference, big improvement.
5 finger ninja - Posted - 01/23/2014: 10:04:38
well Im sold....off to to stewmac.com I go!
Slideman1939 - Posted - 01/23/2014: 11:02:19
In addition to being the proper alloy, Beard's # 14 is EXACTLY the right proportions and dimensions as the original because it IS based on the Dopyera original.If you ever visit Paul's shop he can show you the hardwood spider made by the Dopyera's that went to the foundry for the original sandcastings..As noted in the remarks above, some of the foreign import spiders are rough castings that are slightly clunky/ heavy. This affects how the spider legs do their job, carrying the vibrations from the bridges to the edge of the cone.
SamCy - Posted - 01/23/2014: 11:21:29
StewMac once also sold a heavier import spider. Make sure you get the #14. Below are pictures of a typical import spider and a #14. You can see the difference in the bulkiness of the casting. The import Beard sells weighs 5.7 ounces while their #14 weighs 4.3 ounces, for a 33% difference. Weight has the greatest effect on the trebles, while stiffness has the greatest effect on the basses. So for certain, the #14 will increase power in the trebles and overall responsiveness. Depending on how stiff the added bulk makes your import, you may also hear improvement in the bass.
harperk31794 - Posted - 01/23/2014: 13:10:10
You might think of trying ebony tipped saddles instead of the maple, the maple seems a little mellower and the ebony brighter with a good bottom end. If you do change spiders, the new adjustable spider from Beard is great and you can swap saddles in and out fairly simply.
Chief
5 finger ninja - Posted - 01/23/2014: 13:41:17
quote:
Originally posted by harperk31794
You might think of trying ebony tipped saddles instead of the maple, the maple seems a little mellower and the ebony brighter with a good bottom end. If you do change spiders, the new adjustable spider from Beard is great and you can swap saddles in and out fairly simply.
Chief
sorry it was ebony tipped...oops lol
5 finger ninja - Posted - 01/23/2014: 16:15:08
Just ordered the Beard #14 spider!! I also ordered a new set of ghs reso strings from stewmac, as I dont like to loosen and tighten them too much...I think it makes em go dead pretty fast. I'll just throw the new set on when I change the bridge. I needed to order some quality hyde glue anyways so killed 2 birds with one stone.
'That's Earl' 5 days
'Guernsey Resophonic Guitar ' 12 days
