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jwstahl - Posted - 09/24/2008: 03:52:36
I'm a rookie reso picker - been picking dobro for 9 months. I finally got around to replacing my Regal cone & bridge with Beard stuff. Big difference, especially in volume.
My question is about the tensioning bolt - in his DVD, Paul Beard recommends starting with 1 1/2 turns, then adjusting to suit taste to a max of 2 1/2 turns. Is there a general relationship between degree of tightness and volume, sweetness of tone, etc? Or is it best to just experiment blindly?
I assume there's a settling-in period after changing tension?
Any advice is welcome - hope this isn't a stupid question.
Thanks,
John
phil dean - Posted - 09/24/2008: 07:42:07
The way I and some others adjust the tension screw is as follows: turn the screw down until it just touches the top of the slot, then adjust til the rattling and buzzing( if there is any) stops. Usually a max of 1&1/2 turns . You shouldn't have to tighten any more than that.
masteresoguitars.com
Steevarino - Posted - 09/24/2008: 09:58:51
I do it pretty much the way Phil says above. I have been talking set-up with some seasoned local reso. pickers, and one thing they add is to go back to the screw a day or two after the initial set-up, and tighten it maybe 1/2 turn more. If you like what this did to the sound, leave it that way. If not, turn it back to almost where it was.
I'm not sure how important this extra step is, but it makes sense to me, as it gives time for everything to settle in. Chances are, once a player gets through this set-up routine, that he won't go back to that screw for quite some time. I have noticed that when I try the screw a day or two later, it usually seems to be a bit looser than I remembered it being, so maybe there is something to it....
Steevarino
RedLIneResophonics.com
CumberlandAcoustic.com
D.L.Huskey - Posted - 09/24/2008: 10:00:57
quote:
Originally posted by jwstahl
* Is there a general relationship between degree of tightness and volume, sweetness of tone, etc? Or is it best to just experiment blindly?
John,
( IMHO)
If you'll notice when you have the tension screw backed off completely, your dobro will sound as though it is being played down in a bucket. Really muffled and muddy sounding.(And by the way, There should not be any buzzing or rattling when the tension is backed off the screw. If there is something isn't quite rite)
With the tension screw backed off that means that the center of the cone has no direct coupling or connection to the bridge saddles. So the only sound you hear is what vibration can be transferred through the legs of the spider bridge.
As the screw is tightened you will hear the sound start to clear up and get louder, and will continue to do so up to a certain point. Most time about a 1/2-3/4 turn of the screw after contact with the bridge. If too tight the cone will be restricted and can't work. If too loose the cone cant get the energy from the bridge to work.
As you adjust the screw, do it in very small increments. The changes in the sound will be subtle.
*I assume there's a settling-in period after changing tension?
After you put in that new cone-n-stuff give it a few hours of good playing and check the set-up after everything has settled in.
*Any advice is welcome - hope this isn't a stupid question.
The only stupid question is the one that is not asked.
Happy Huntin....D.L.
D.L.Huskey
Lookout Mountain, Ga.
'Regal Black Lightning' 1 day
'Willie Payne RIP' 5 days
