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Topic: finger picks hitting Dobro cover plate |
John Sluszny
From:
Brussels, Belgium
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Posted 24 Mar 2021 10:19 am |
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I have two square neck reso guitars. One is a Goldtone Beard and the other is a real Dobro. They both sound very good, although differently. The problem is that sometimes with the Goldtone my finger picks hit the coverplate, especially my middle finger !!!
I have just realized that the Goldtone spider bridge and saddle are lower than the Dobro ones.
See pictures:
Is there a way I could raise them as high as the Dobro ones ?
Please help. Thanks ! |
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 24 Mar 2021 10:31 am
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Yep..
Typically accomplished with new bridge inserts and setup.
HERE!! are replacement, slotted inserts. Sand material off of the bottom to achieve the desired action (which should be checked under tension/tuned up).
Beard has a range of options/materials, slotted and unslotted.
Hope this helps.
h
_________________
Howard Parker
03\' Carter D-10
70\'s Dekley D-10
52\' Fender Custom
Many guitars by Paul Beard
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 24 Mar 2021 10:37 am
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I'll add that while you are in the guitar you should check and make your that the cone has not sunk or deformed.
I'll assume that this isn't a recent development and that the guitar was just set up with a lower action.
h |
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John Sluszny
From:
Brussels, Belgium
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Posted 24 Mar 2021 1:03 pm
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Thanks Howard for your quick reply.
Indeed, the guitar was setup with a lower action.
I'll check with Beard for replacement.
Thank you again. |
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Brian Evans
From:
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted 28 Mar 2021 11:14 am
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| As long as the string break angle over the saddle stays within reason (15 degrees or so) you can raise the action until you start to run out of clearance beneath the coverplate. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 29 Mar 2021 7:12 am
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Suggest you measure the existing height and/or clearance before you disassemble it and estimate how much more saddle height you want. Size your new inserts accordingly.
It gets tedious as the cone sinks when loaded, so it may be difficult to get a static measurement otherwise. |
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John Sluszny
From:
Brussels, Belgium
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Posted 29 Mar 2021 10:05 am
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| Brian Evans wrote: |
| As long as the string break angle over the saddle stays within reason (15 degrees or so) you can raise the action until you start to run out of clearance beneath the coverplate. |
Thank you Brian. I guess you mean raising the action of the inserts. If so how should I do that ???
Thank you again. |
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John Sluszny
From:
Brussels, Belgium
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Posted 29 Mar 2021 10:07 am
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| Jerry Overstreet wrote: |
Suggest you measure the existing height and/or clearance before you disassemble it and estimate how much more saddle height you want. Size your new inserts accordingly.
It gets tedious as the cone sinks when loaded, so it may be difficult to get a static measurement otherwise. |
Thank you Jerry, good idea. |
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John Sluszny
From:
Brussels, Belgium
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Posted 30 Mar 2021 3:33 pm
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I can’t even remove the cover plate, the screws are over tightened !!! 😡🤬😖🥵🥶😱
Got two precision screwdrivers. One with a small handle, the other one with a bigger one.
Screws don’t move.  
Any idea ? Thanks. |
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 30 Mar 2021 4:37 pm
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I've been inside of dozens of Goldtones and all used wood screws that back right out without issue.
John, you are the original owner? I have never experienced what you are seeing on a factory assembled Goldtone.
h
_________________
Howard Parker
03\' Carter D-10
70\'s Dekley D-10
52\' Fender Custom
Many guitars by Paul Beard
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John Sluszny
From:
Brussels, Belgium
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Posted 31 Mar 2021 1:22 am
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Sorry Howard, I didn't understand. Indeed they're wood screws, but still I can't remove them.
I bought the guitar in London years ago in a place called the Dobro Store or something like that, it was in Denmark street or nearby and the shop doesn't exist anymore. The guitar looked brand new when I bought it tho' they could not give me the original GoldTone case !!! (they gave me another one) Was it a trade ? Now I'm just wondering
Last edited by John Sluszny on 31 Mar 2021 9:30 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 31 Mar 2021 5:47 am
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My original OMI Dobro purchased back in 73 has a wear mark exposing the brass. Perhaps I'll live long enough to develop a real Willy hole. Ironically, the OMI string height is lower than my Wechter guitar. It too, though now has scratches in the area. It might be unavoidable.
A piece of clear shipping tape placed in the area will prevent this. I did this effectively on a borrowed Dobro. |
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Mark Evans
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 31 Mar 2021 6:02 am
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Character marks
_________________
Larry Pogreba Baritone 'Weissenheimer
Late 30’s Oahu Tonemaster
Early 40’s Rickenbacker Ace
Asher Electro Hawaiian
Hermann Guitars style 1 Weissenborn
2017 Richard Wilson Style 1 Weissenborn |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 31 Mar 2021 8:34 am
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I can't imagine not being able to back out cover plate screws unless they are super glued in. They are like #4 size screws and should move easily with the proper cross point driver as Howard states.
Sometimes those screws are easily stripped out and maybe someone has super glued them in? Otherwise, I have absolutely no idea what has happened with those screws.
If you have a soldering iron, you might try applying heat to the center of the screw and that should loosen any adhesive and allow them to turn without chipping out the wood. |
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John Sluszny
From:
Brussels, Belgium
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Posted 6 Apr 2021 9:17 am
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| Jim Pitman wrote: |
My original OMI Dobro purchased back in 73 has a wear mark exposing the brass. Perhaps I'll live long enough to develop a real Willy hole. Ironically, the OMI string height is lower than my Wechter guitar. It too, though now has scratches in the area. It might be unavoidable.
A piece of clear shipping tape placed in the area will prevent this. I did this effectively on a borrowed Dobro. |
Thank you Jim,
I don't mind to much about scratches, only the sound of the picks hitting it bothers me. |
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Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 8 Apr 2021 2:16 am
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Yeh John, I somehow bent the point of your post.
BTW shipping tape will also change the tone attack envelope of pick hitting plate. It will reduce the high end.
Good or bad, I'm thinking sting height effects the total volume/sustain/tone too. |
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