MitchellB - Posted - 12/07/2008:  09:54:09

This is a two part question. I've never handled a quality cone and was wondering if anyone could tell me the differences between the often mentioned Beard & Quarterman cones and the cheaper ones? I have heard they are spun and not stamped, but exactly how is this done and how can you tell the difference. Are they lighter, heavier, different shape or different metallurgy than the other cones?

M i t c h e l l

harperk31794 - Posted - 12/08/2008:  01:38:14

THe main difference between Beard/Quarterman and the cheaper cones is Tone and Volume and it is remarkably different. I heard that Tim Sheerhorn is also spinning cone now, they should be on par with the Beards and Quartermans, just to keep typing I also heard that John Quarterman had stopped production.

Ken

IFKAD, So Easy a Caveman can do it.

exdmd - Posted - 12/08/2008:  07:52:49

I've used both Beard and Quarterman cones in my resos. The Beard cone is very close to the Quarterman. If you balance the cone on a pencil and tap the cone, the Beard and Quarterman's sound very close. They also sound very close in the guitar. I got a Scheerhorn cone in from Elderly but sent it back. When I tapped that particular cone it did not ring true, also was not a drop in fit, I would have had to trim the cone edge. Based on my tap test I did not want to trim it and then not be able to send back if I was not happy with the tone. I might have gotten a lemon, others have been happy with the Scheerhorn cone. All three are spun cones. Advantage to the Beard cone is ready availability from Resophonic Outfitters.

soonerfan - Posted - 12/08/2008:  19:13:39

The Scheerhorn and Quarterman have a much sharper ledge where the spider rests than the Beard cones, If you compare the Scheerhorn to the Quarterman the rings are alot tighter on the Scheerhorn and it is ever so lighter. I droped a Scheerhorn cone in to try it out and liked it, then put the Quarterman back in to compare, So far the Quarterman is still in there. Is the Quarterman better than the Scheerhorn? I don't think so, nor do I feel the Scheerhorn is better, but they do sound different. I guess I'm just used to the Quarterman.

"you got to have a metal block."

Edited by - soonerfan on 12/08/2008 19:14:35

Beard Guitars - Posted - 12/09/2008:  13:12:45

It's all in the hands..Beard hands in this case!

tinyurl.com/5w6uu8

Howard Parker
Beard Guitars, LLC
howard@beardguitars.com
301-733-8271

Edited by - Beard Guitars on 12/09/2008 13:43:16

brian2 - Posted - 12/09/2008:  15:42:36

Having recently replaced the stock, cheap cone in my Flinthill with a Beard cone, I can tell you that the Beard is much lighter, and rings a lot more in the "tap test".

brianwallenmusic.com