Official Luthiers Forum!

Can anyone tell me the sound difference between a smooth biscuit bridge cone and one with raised spiral ridges? Any brand preferences for a biscuit bridge 9 1/2" cone? Thanks.

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GEO
perpetual beginner

Hey George, I haven't had enough experience to advise you there, but I bet if you posted the question at this forum, http://www.guitarseminars.com/gs/viewforum.php?f=1, you'd get some good advice. A lot of biscuit bridge resonator folks there, even Bob Brozman, the man who literally wrote the book on National resonators, is a frequent contributor.

Joe

Joe:

Thanks, I will give that forum a try. And try to get my spelling right too.

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GEO
perpetual beginner

In cones other than Nationals I've found little difference in tone quality (ie, they all suck). This includes Quartermans. Just get one from National Reso-Phonic.

Really? I've always heard good things about Quarterman cones. Just wondering what you didn't like about them?

Joe

They are good stuff when it comes to Dobro cones but I've bought both single biscuit and tricone sets from Q-Man and they are much thicker and don't have the response and tone of the National cones.

Thanks Mike, it's good to know where to spend your money!

Joe

I've lived and learned on this subject, that's for sure.
On the subject I just got a new set of National tri-cones and these are the newest 'hot rod' cones. They are noticeably more flexible than the last set I got a couple years ago. Can't wait to install 'em.

The main purpose of the spirals is to strengthen the cone. National also had little radial lines around the perimeter of their cones around 1935 for strength is the guess. Any affect on tone, who knows. But if it can be made thinner and more responsive as a result?
I'll be interested in hearing what Mike has to say about the new cones too.