Official Luthiers Forum!

Found this website after someone pointed out to me for info on building a reso guitar. Just wondering why there doesn't seem to be much action here on the "Resonator Forum"(checking it on a regular basis) as there is on the others. I know a lot of you guys are regulars on the "Resonation" page.
I for one have a Ton of questions on building one and have actually started the body, but had it warp here in our very dry climate . At a stand still for now. Post's, Baffles, Sound Well,Plyood, Solid Wood, Beginners like me are stumped. Sound well looks easier, but the post guitar has some merit too. Most of you guys seem to be building regular acoustic guitars too. There is a huge amount of info on acoustic guitar. Not one thing about Reso's with the exception of Gary Dusina's articles in Resonation. I've got plans from Beard, but there isn't really any instruction on those plans.
Bought the book by Cumpiano & Natelson at the suggestion of someone. It's a great book, but not much applies to reso building.
Any thoughts or insight on this???
Dave

I think the perception is that the market is too small to be worth producing a book on the subject.

I've just contributed to a new book on electric guitar building and when I'd finished I made a proposal to the publishers to write a book on resonator building. The intention was to cover two models - a 14 fret round necked biscuit bridge and a 12 fret square necked spider bridge. That way people could "mix & match" to produce other types. The publishers just weren't interested in pursuing it, although I get lots of questions all the time about how you build them and (from non-builders) how they work and how you make them work better.

Personally I think the post method is much easier than the soundwell method. I'm not sure what you're stuck on - I think Gary's articles on Reso-Nation are very comprehensive - but if you have questions you don't think merit a full discussion on the forum feel free to email me.

_________________
Pete
http://www.petewoodmanguitars.com

About 3 years ago I looked seriously into self-publishing
a book on metal and wood resonators. After talking with
William Cumpiano and Jason Lollar and looking at the work
involved I decided the effort wasn't worth it for the
number I'd probably se

Dave,
I beleive we are better off that we don't have construction manuals for resonator guitars. If one person were to write a book on this, then you would only have that one persons opinion of how it should be done or what makes this right and that wrong.

The basic information like how to make a neck, bend sides, keep the wood from warping or cracking, fretting and fret boards, scale lengths and so on is easily found on this forum and others like it such as the MIMF.

I also beleive that if you are building or planning to build an instrument wether it's a resonator or an acoustic, and you have a question, don't be afraid to ask the question here on the forum. Every question you get answered is just more information available in the archives to the next person that comes along. Most of the time there will be many different views/opinions and a new technique will pop up every now and then.

Hey Guys,

I've been approached several times to publish a book, and like Mike, I found the cost and hassle factor to be a bit much. Personally I really don't think a book on resonator construction would sell enough copies to cover all the cost and show a profit.

The one thing that gets to me is when I hear someone who has built "one" guitar, call themselves a "luthier". Sorry guys, but when this person has paid their dues and has fifty guitars sold, then they can call themselves a luthier.

Resonator guitar construction is changing everyday. All we need to do is exchange information and forget about the "S" word. Secrects...

Thanks for letting me sound off.

Gary Dusina

Well said Gary...

I've built a couple handfulls of guitars and one resonator. I consider myself to be a novice still. I know I've built some exceptional instruments, but as Gary said, there are dues you need to pay in time and in numbers to be considered a "real" luthier.

As to resonator construction, the best information I've found anywhere is Gary's article, which Pete "LousianaGrey" Woodman mentioned is found on another site - Reso-nation.com.
Check it out.
You will have to sign up (free) and log in to view everything. It's a great site for reso enthusiasts. We're hoping we eventually can build this part of the OLF as well as that site.

Don Williams38766.6799421296

_________________
"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

As Rick Davis said, a luthier is a guitarmaker who charges more than $1000.

_________________
Pete
http://www.petewoodmanguitars.com

Hi Dave and welcome to the OLF!

Thanks Serge for the welcome! Don, I've been a member of the Resonation for a year now. And do check it every day for new info. That's where I found Gary's article. Also saw your guitar in the making. You posted pics for several days on your progress.
I guess I was hoping to see more about building a resophonic guitar. Mandolin Cafe is a good example. It has an area just for "Builders". A ton of info and questions by beginners on starting mandolins. When I found this site I was hoping it would have more. Don't get me wrong, I do like this site, but to be truthful, I'm looking on the reso pages only. Maybe I need to dig a little deeper.
Got a guitar I started in June. With the help of another builder, We got the sides bent(walnut) and glued on a top(cedar). Wanted to build a guitar w/modified sound well.My plans were to use a walnut back. Brought her back to where I live and the humidity is about 22-25% and the top warped. Wood came from a very high humidity state(wood was dry). I figured I was safe keeping it in a basement where it was cool and had some humidity. No Way! Thought about wetting the top and putting a weight on it?
Well, I want to say thanks to Don Williams, Louisiana Grey, Gary Dusina, Mike, & D.L. for your input. I know you guys post on R.Nation and I always look for your letters there. I've got a TON of questions, and don't know where to begin. Will be looking for your input.
Dave

wyodave,

I understand your frustration concerning the lack of information. When I wrote the 13 part article I was doing the 80+ hour grind and tried to fit guitar making in on the side. I do regret not putting in more photo's and information, but time just wasn't on my side.

Any questions you have can be answered by any of guys here. Don, Louisiana Grey, Mike D, and D.L.and myself are only a email or phone call away. We all have a great knowledge of the resonator guitar and are willing to share our ideas.

Don't give up on the resonator guitar. I only see good things for it in the future.

GaryD

What Gary said. This instrument is coming into a new life. There a great players out there, and never has it been so widely accepted and respected a medium. I'm just beginning to be able to make noise with mine, but it is so fun even though I sound like a hack...

_________________
"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Hey Don,

If I haven't told you already, nice maple guitar buddy. The honey color came out perfect and I bet it sounds like a million bucks too.

What you said...With players like Jerry D. Mike A. Rob I. and Jim Heffernan, I only see this instrument going to the top. We also need to say thanks to builders like, Rudy Q. Jones, Tim Scheerhorn and Paul Beard. Rudy was the first to re-start things back in the late 70's with his new "baffle" and solid wood guitars. His guitars were and still are the foundation for which all modern resonator guitars a based on. And, let's forget Beverly King. I truly believe that if she didn't publish her news letter the Resophonic Echo's back in the early 70's, the resonator guitar just have died a lonely death.

I was lucky enough to have a long distance friend back in the 70's who really helped me understand and build the guitars I make today. A big Thank you to a man named Shannon Gunn of Beloit, Wisconsin. I can't tell you how many letters traveled from California to Wisconsin, but I do know he was my greatest influence with resonater guitars.

We need to press forward and push this guitar to the outer limits. I see only good coming our way...

GaryD      

Gary
I printed your stuff on building several months back. It was great!! As I mentioned , I've started one in solid wood. But I think I should have started from a kit. Talked to Paul Beard last month on his kits. His kits are plywood. The plywood guitars he makes sound pretty good. My reasoning against plywood is because of my 70's 60D. But his Mike Auldridge is a great sounding guitar. So maybe the parts & pieces from a kit would give a guy an idea of the process. On the other hand, I've got a guitar that Carroll Benoit built for me last year & I've not heard a guitar that has better tone than this solid maple. Truly a masterpiece! He actually got me interested in building. A true craftsman from the old school!
The interest in Reso guitars seems to be growing. My interest right now is solely for my playing. At some point in time I might build one for someone else but....that's not even a notion right now. I enjoy playing and have for 25 or so years. It's a kick!
We are all glad that you builders on this forum share your ideas. Hope it keeps going.
Dave