Drill to dobro

Dan Beller-McKenna · From: Durham, New Hampshire, USA

Hi all,

I'm thinking of installing a K&K pickup in my cheapo (Johnson) resonator. I'm only being so brave as to install it myself because the guitar came so cheaply that I don't want to sink a lot of money into it, and the location is fairly set and straightforward as opposed to some other pickups that sink or swim on precisely where the pickup is placed.

This pick up requires a drilled whole in the side for the jack. I've never dreamed of taking a drill to any of my instruments. Any special instructions anyone can impart?

Thanks!

Dan
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Durham, NH
dbmCk mUSIC

Gary Lynch · From: Creston, California, USA

I've seen luthiers use a small drill bit but then they use a hand reamer to enlarge the hole to the exact size. If you used the large drill bit you will rip up the wood.

It's worth the money to have a luthier do that work for you.

Jason Dumont · From: Bristol, Connecticut, USA

Hi Dan,
When having to drill into an intrument thats already been finished, I put a piece of masking tape over the area I'm drilling into. This seems to help a great deal with preventing the laquer from chipping around the edges. I start with a very small drill and then work up to the correct size. Take the tape off slowly to prevent it from pulling up the edge of the finish Very Happy

.

Robert Leaman · From: Murphy, North Carolina, USA

I've seen and have an end pin which is also a 1/4" jack for the connection to the pickup. This was installed in a Model 36 Dobro for a MacIntyre Acoustic Feather. The end pin is where the shoulder strap attaches to the guitar body. I think that such end pins are available from various online sources.

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

I hope you've read all the stories about resonator guitars and especially tricones doing alot of feeding back. While many players, including Cindy Cashdollar with her National Tricone, do use internal pickups, many others, including Bob Brozman, use microphones. If you really want to use a pickup and really want to install it yourself, you may want to look into that a little more. If you buy a microphone, you will be putting less money into this particular guitar and more into your general equipment, since the mic can be used with every acoustic guitar you will ever own.

Gary Lynch · From: Creston, California, USA

Check out the information on the Highlander pickup site. They are located next door to National Reso-Phonic and have done a lot of research. They many be able to help you decide.

http://highlanderpickups.com/

Dan Beller-McKenna · From: Durham, New Hampshire, USA

Thanks for the thoughts folks.

I have been trying to use a mic, but because space is limited on stage, I have to play sitting behind my pedal steel and it is very difficult to get the mic positioned welll AND get my vocal mike close enough to sing into. The pickup would make my life a heck of a lot simpler. Anyway, I have been having trouble getting enough volume without feedingback with the mic.

The endpin jack option would require drilling not only a larger hole at the endpin, but also drilling through the metal string holder itself to enlarge the hole. One of my bandmates who's a carpenter said I should use a spur point bit, but my local Tryue Value clerks didn;t know what he was talking about (and, obviously, neither did I!). I think I will let hom drill the hole.

Dan

Steinar Gregertsen · From: Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.

Drill the hole below the strap plug,- I would be very careful with having the output jack on the side of the reso since you can destroy the wood if you accidentally trip on the cord or something.

Check this photo of Master Douglas and you'll see the jack is plugged in right below the strap pin:

Steinar
_________________
"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube

Larry Robbins · From: Fort Edward, New York

Dan,
Here's a pic of how I did mine.
Just click on the pick to get a better view!
Good luck. Smile

_________________
Twang to the bone!

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

I have used a tapered ream to enlarge the strap pin hole. It will easily ream the metal too.

Larry Robbins · From: Fort Edward, New York

Dan
I would also recomend using a cord with a right angle end .
That way if you accidently move beyond its length,it wont be so apt to damage your inst.
_________________
Twang to the bone!

Jerry Tillman · From: Florida

I do this type of thing on some pretty exspensive guitars.The suggestions here are good.Let me add,go slow,use a hand reamer.If you are only going to do it once let somebody else do it that knows what they are doing.If you are going to keep doing it you have the right idea to start on cheaper victums.

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

Another possibility is using a mini-mic... Audio Technica, among other manufacturers, makes several very nice mini mics on tiny goosenecks, that clamp directly on the coverplate. They are generally used for saxes and similar instruments, and have high gain before feedback. I've been pretty happy using them live, they sound way better than any of the pickups I've had in my resos.

Bryan Bradfield · From: Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

To drill the hole at the correct size, without the need to enlarge with a reamer, look for a Forstner drill bit. This bit has cutting teeth at the outer circumference, and will cleanly cut through the finish at the circumference, while drilling the hole.

Dan Beller-McKenna · From: Durham, New Hampshire, USA

Thanks to everyone for all the great advice! I think I will show it all to my carpenter / lead guitarist and have him hold my hand while I drill into the poor guitar. (More likely still: I'll just ask him to make the incision for me!)

I'll post some pics after the deed is done.

Dan

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

There's no way I would drill it. Find a ream!

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