baaramu - Posted - 12/28/2024:  08:14:48

Hey Y'all
Looking for a set of Scheerhorn or Quaterman cones for a Tricone.
Can't seem to find any for sale .
Any leads or info appreciated.
Thank you and Best wishes to all.

docslyd - Posted - 12/28/2024:  11:07:47

Barry:
Not what you asked, but the last set that I replaced in a tricone, I purchased from National Resophonic and was very happy with the quality and sound. You can also get them from Beard (Resophonic Outfitters). I'm not aware that Tim spun any cones for tricone guitars (...at least not aware) and Quartermans are pretty much unobtainable these days as John Quarterman has not produced cones in quite some time.

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 12/28/2024:  11:17:41

There haven't been any Quarterman cones available for at minimum three years. I had a pleasant phone conversation with Rob of Blue Note Woodworks  in Oregon a few years ago, and Rob has also posted information on his website.  Blue Note had been a main distributor of the cones for a long time and he worked with John Quarterman at OMI Dobro many years ago in southern California. A few factors have combined to where we might never see Quartermans in production again. 1. Equipment failure - Quarterman needed a new lathe. No idea if that ever happened. 2. Quarterman has been unable to source the particular aluminum alloy he had used for many years. 3. John had been training a fellow several years ago to take over, but the story Rob told me is the guy was going through a divorce where it necessitated him moving out of California, so he had to quit. Add to that, Quarterman himself is now 82-83 years old.

Here is a link if you want get a hold of Blue Note to see if there is any new information on the cones:

bluenotewoodworks.company.site

So unless you can find someone with a private stash that can let some go, new Quarterman cones, tricone or otherwise, might be history.

In the case of Tim Scheerhorn - I guess I need my memory refreshed. I could be wrong, but like Eric, I don't ever recall Tim spinning tricones, I thought he only produced spider bridge cones. When Tim was still building, he only made as far as I know three Scheerhorn tricone guitars. 

Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 12/28/2024 11:20:25

tomkatb - Posted - 12/28/2024:  14:30:19

I had Quarterman cones installed in my Recording King 993 by a noted luthier.

i asked him to sand all the paint off the supporting structure. He complained about that for a half hour.

The improvement was more than dramatic. I hated that guitar. Now I regret giving it to my son for a wall ornament.

Going to drive 6,000 miles to get it back.

baaramu - Posted - 12/29/2024:  12:41:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by MarkinSonoma

There haven't been any Quarterman cones available for at minimum three years. I had a pleasant phone conversation with Rob of Blue Note Woodworks  in Oregon a few years ago, and Rob has also posted information on his website.  Blue Note had been a main distributor of the cones for a long time and he worked with John Quarterman at OMI Dobro many years ago in southern California. A few factors have combined to where we might never see Quartermans in production again. 1. Equipment failure - Quarterman needed a new lathe. No idea if that ever happened. 2. Quarterman has been unable to source the particular aluminum alloy he had used for many years. 3. John had been training a fellow several years ago to take over, but the story Rob told me is the guy was going through a divorce where it necessitated him moving out of California, so he had to quit. Add to that, Quarterman himself is now 82-83 years old.

Here is a link if you want get a hold of Blue Note to see if there is any new information on the cones:

bluenotewoodworks.company.site

So unless you can find someone with a private stash that can let some go, new Quarterman cones, tricone or otherwise, might be history.

In the case of Tim Scheerhorn - I guess I need my memory refreshed. I could be wrong, but like Eric, I don't ever recall Tim spinning tricones, I thought he only produced spider bridge cones. When Tim was still building, he only made as far as I know three Scheerhorn tricone guitars. 

---

Hey Mark,  Thanks for the info . I was afraid of the Quarterman cone situation. Richard Allen of Allen instruments still has Q cones listed for sale.  Tim built a few Tricones but not sure who's cones he used. Not sure where National gets their cones .  I did reach out to Replogle but he's still in R&D on the Tricone cones.  I guess it's National or Imported cones. Hmmm.     You have been in the Reso loop for quite awhile . I assume and hope you are still playing !!   Best wishes and Thanks again. Barry

wlgiii - Posted - 12/30/2024:  16:03:25

Too bad about the Quartermans. When my vintage tricone arrived, I noticed the the cones weren't original, as they didn't have the ridges. I sent a photo to National Guitar Repair, and he said they're probably Quartermans. They sound great. However, the National cone I put in an import biscuit sounds great; I'd go with the National cones.

Wildeman - Posted - 12/31/2024:  05:04:22

What cones are in it now? Or is this a new build?

baaramu - Posted - 12/31/2024:  08:05:12

quote:

---

Originally posted by Wildeman

What cones are in it now? Or is this a new build?

---

This is a 1931 National Squareneck.  I was told that the cones in it now are from Stew-Mac so probably national cones.

I do have the original cones but 1 of them is collapsed .

I tried a set of Beard Legend cones in a different National Tricone and did not care for them.

And the search goes on.

Best wishes and Happy New Year !!

baaramu - Posted - 01/02/2025:  11:03:06

quote:

---

Originally posted by wlgiii

Too bad about the Quartermans. When my vintage tricone arrived, I noticed the the cones weren't original, as they didn't have the ridges. I sent a photo to National Guitar Repair, and he said they're probably Quartermans. They sound great. However, the National cone I put in an import biscuit sounds great; I'd go with the National cones.

---

Hey there,

Thanks for your reply.

If you want to sell the Quartermans and they're in great condition. let me know.

Happy New Year !!

Thanks, Barry

wlgiii - Posted - 01/02/2025:  12:06:46

I'd been wondering what to do with them if I do swap- you've solved that and you're only 7 1/2 hours away. Right now the tricone is wrestling with the Telecaster- it wants new pickups.

PS- I also have a Regal import tricone (roundneck), and those stock cones have sound great. I'm not sure what Regal uses, or if they're inconsistent and I got lucky.