Hi all ,
I am looking for some fool-proof instructions , ( for me ) on how to design and build my own resonator . I have a good guitar neck , completely fretted , and I want to make a small travel/practice style of resonator guitar , so the resonator would very small too . I'm not after a professional finish here , any kind of finish will do , and any help at all would be greatly appreciated .
Thanks in advance ,
Ingo.
Ingo. I've build a few resonators. From metal bodies to electrics, so maybe I can help. First, what kind or neck do you have, Square/round? And what type of guitar are you looking for. Lap style or spanish? There isn't really much of a choice as to resonator size. The Dobro/spider type is 10" and the National type is 9". Tricones used a 6" cone but these are unsuitable for single use. If you're looking for a travel lap steel design check out the Resophonic Outfitters site, Paul Beard (he better start paying me advertising commision) has a real neat portable steel with a National type cone and coverplate. Feel free to email me if you need to.
National mandolins used the same resonator and coverplate as the guitars, but these were bisquit cones. There are mandolin cone and spider setups that are smaller. Does Paul's travel guitar use the spider design? I have only seen it on the website and figured since it has a National type coverplate that it used the bisquit cone. How was the sound?
Hi Ingo
Try Pat Williams "Homemade Lapsteel Guitar" page. She's built several resonators and has some info on the page and asks for questions/comments. On one RezoLap she used an aluminium popcorn bowl for a cone and a pot lid for a screen. And believe it or not it looks and sounds good. I think she visits the forum occasionaly. Good Luck.
I believe the name is Pat Webster and I am truly a fan. I love the ingenuity of her ideas and will definitely take inspiration from some of the guitars here if and when I get around to some more projects along the lines of resonators and/or lap steels. Check this stuff out-- http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Studio/8462/index.html
Hi all ,
Thank you very much for all the great information , and encouragement . I really appreciate that . Bill and Jon , that's a great site . Thank you very much for the link .
I'm really looking forward to getting started .
Ingo . <p ALIGN=CENTER><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b">[This message was edited by Ingo Mamczak on 10-22-99]</FONT></P>
) on how to design and build my own resonator . I have a good guitar neck , completely fretted , and I want to make a small travel/practice style of resonator guitar , so the resonator would very small too . I'm not after a professional finish here , any kind of finish will do , and any help at all would be greatly appreciated . 
