rodnrev - Posted - 03/13/2009:  20:19:42

For what ever reason I've never noticed this, but as I have attended some bluegrass jams over the last few weeks, I have noticed that different pickers have their reso's strung up differently. Some have the ball end hooked in the top of the tail piece and the string routed underneath, while others (the majority) have their's strings running over top of the tail piece. Is there a particular reason or advantage to either way ? Which is correct?

"You can have everything in life you want , if you will just help enough other people get what they want" - Zig Zigler

Thanks,Rev

prewar37 - Posted - 03/13/2009:  23:54:28

Rev,
I have seen what you're talking about and I've wondered the same thing.... why did they do that? The correct way to route the strings on the tailpiece is over the top with the ball end under the tailpiece. The only reason I can think they would string it the other way is, they just don't know it's wrong. If you think about it, the strings over the top with the ball end under, makes it easier to replace a string if you break one in the middle of a set or jam. It also reduces the amount of downward pressure on the bridge, which allows for more spider and cone movement, and gives you more sustain. More resonance ...isn't that what the resonator guitar is all about? My 2 cents.
Keep on pickin', prewar37

Mbradford6288 - Posted - 03/14/2009:  03:23:28

There are other issues that could cause a player to string underneath the tailpiece, mainly string angle across the bridge. Not enough angle and the strings will buzz between the tailpiece and the saddles.

If there's not enough angle, then the saddle is too low, on a roundneck, normally due to a bad neck angle, which eventually occurs in all resos. In a squareneck, with neck angle not as much of an issue, normally due to an improper setup or improperly made saddle, which if you're taking your reso to a normal guitar luthier who isn't used to resos, is a distinct possibility.

Finally, like it or not, some people actually like it that way and want that extra downward pressure. It might be cool if there was a list compiled of all reso approved luthiers. If you're in the LA area, you can always bring it by McCabe's in Santa Monica.

jaykellogg - Posted - 03/14/2009:  04:50:57

My first reso was a roundneck. When I bought it used, I had to restring it to install the nut riser. The previous owner had routed the strings under the tailpiece. The tailpiece should have a leather pad to keep it from buzzing against the coverplate and mine didn't. I think stringing it that way kept the strings or tailpiece from touching the coverplate.

W. Jay Kellogg

otdobro - Posted - 03/14/2009:  05:25:45

This is usually done in an attempt to put more downward pressure on the bridge, but it usually leads to problems. Your strings now have a chance to rattle on the coverplate, and this method actually lifts the tailpiece, and cancels out what you were trying to accomplish. If you don't have enough angle, you need higher bridge inserts. In other words this is a good example of two wrongs don't make a right. I like my inserts as high as they will go, and still be able to change strings. Higher inserts also will usually eliminate any problem of your picks hitting the coverplate while playing, which is a big issue with a lot of the imports. (You can tell the builders aren't players) Jim

El Dobro - Posted - 03/15/2009:  11:36:37

There are several reasons that this has been done. The very early Dobros had low coverplates and straps, making little room for higher cones or bridge inserts, so the strings were placed under the tailpiece for extra pressure on the cone. There have been cases where the cone collapsed and instead of bending it back up or replacing it, the strings were placed under the tailpiece. There have been times where the neck has pulled way up or warped, so the guitars were restrung to bring the pressure on the cone back. Lastly, players have seen other players do this and think it's an accepted method of playing.

Don
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