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I posted this on the main forum but was asked to post it here

I have been motivated to try something different. I have been inspired by the old National resonators such as the El Trovador. It is a deeper wooden body resonator with a single cone biscuit bridge. Traditionally they have a great delta blues sound. That is what I am looking for.

I have decided to build a roundneck with a body based on my OO. It is a 24.9 scale, 4 inch body like the El Trovador. The rest is all my design. There are not too many plans out there. Paul Beard has a couple, but the wooden body plan is for a spider bridge,(different with a soundwell that goes from top to back) and the plan that is a single cone biscuit bridge is a metal body. So I made up my own plans. Most Nationals have a A beam that attaches the neck all the way to the tail block. This goes back to when they started by making banjos. I am going to use my standard double mortice and tenon. It will have a National spun single cone with biscuit bridge. Instead of F holes, I have dog print holes.

For woods, I have a piece of curly cedar from the Zootman that it too flimsy for an acoustic so I have epoxied it to a scrap piece of lutz that Shane used as packing material. (Not a bad set actually) Most Reso's have a very stiff top. This laminate is very rigid. Cocobolo back and sides. Slotted headstock. Waverly 3 on plate tuners.

Thanks for looking at my experiment. Hopefully it will turn out. I have been working 4 days straight on it.

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

I have an El Trovador and you can't go wrong with a similar guitar. I also laminate my tops and leave the backs braced in the traditional acoustic fashion. Can't wait to see the results.

Looking good Andy.
If you aren't using a stick I'd suggest that you make the tail block thick enough to support the edge of the back of the well lip thats against the top. I'm not sure if you need it but it wouldn't hurt to have the back supported there. That back corner is where all the string pull will be since the tail piece is used and the connection to the well will also keep the tail from being pulled forward. At least that's what I think.
Mike, how's you El T. supported? Is there a stick in it?

Looks Great to me, I like that dog thang, nice to see someone who has the guts to break from tradition and do something without getting too radical. I like the whimsical nature of this design and look forward to seeing the end result. Good show!

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You just pick up a chord, go twang, and you're got music. -Sid Vicious

I'm really looking forward to seeing some pictures of this when it is done. Actually I would love to hear it also.
Chuck

Looking good Andy!
And you are moving fast!

Could you give us some details on your well assembly?

Joe

hey andy, is that thing done yet?
looks nice!

I hope he doesn't mind me posting these, but I believe the guitar is done. I have these because I am building Andy's new wesite so I figured I would post them for him. Looks great!!!

Man that is pretty!
Now we want to hear your thoughts about how it sounds, and anything you would do different next time. We might just want to borrow some of these ideas.

Joe

wow!

Let's hear it bark!

WOOF!!!!!!

Andy, Looks really great. For me that's a bit of inspitation. I have a great piece of Curly Redwood and a nice set of Koa that I hope one day will end up a reso.

Cheers,
Danny