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Topic: mica on the inside? |
Connie Mack
From:
phoenicia, new york
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Posted 5 Apr 2008 1:49 pm |
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hi folks,
i had this wacky idea and wondered if anyone had done it before....
has anyone put the formica(or other similar laminate)on the inside rather than the outside of the cabinet?
from just a theoretical point of view, it doesn't seem like there would be too much difference.
and in the same vein, has anyone used spruce as the cabinet top?(or a combination of maple/mica and/or spruce in the construction of the cabinet?)
just something to gnaw on. c. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 5 Apr 2008 3:03 pm
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| Quote: |
| ...has anyone put the formica(or other similar laminate)on the inside rather than the outside of the cabinet? |
I think that the mica affects the tone in that it's mounted between the major parts and the wood. It provides a much harder and more solid mating surface for the changer, nut and tuning head. Mica just glued to the underside would probably have far less effect, and no appreciable benefits.
Spruce is pretty soft, and would probably flex too much if used for the entire cabinet top. Any tuning instability it might cause would negate whatever benefit it may have, soundwise.
All IMHO, you understand. |
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Rick Kornacker
From:
Dixon Springs, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 5 Apr 2008 4:11 pm gotcha covered...
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I don't know that many guitars built that way exist but....I did have Duane Marrs build a guitar for me(my second) that was rock maple, veneered with fiddleback on top and...black mica on the inside surfaces. First of all it was a great surface for all your pedal stops Tonewise...a little brighter(BL705's) than a lacquer guitar, more like the customary mica tone and looked REAL nice. Duane...what a great guy...was game for the "hybrid" config as pure experimentation. I don't know if he built more than one like it. Guess we'll see who chimes in. Respectfully submitted, RK
_________________
"think MORE...play LESS" |
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Benton Allen
From:
Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA
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Posted 5 Apr 2008 6:32 pm
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My D12 BMI is lined with Black Mica on top and bottom of the body.
Benton |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 6 Apr 2008 5:31 am
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I put mica on the bottom of the Stage One tops.
_________________
Doug Earnest
Manufacturer of Stage One & Encore pedal steel guitars
http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com
"Teach Your Children Well" |
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Connie Mack
From:
phoenicia, new york
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Posted 6 Apr 2008 6:09 am
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hey there doug. i was wondering if a builder would chime in. what was your reasoning in putting the mica on the bottom? does it help the sustain even more than just having it on one side?
my thoughts were along the line of what rick mentioned in his description of his marrs-guitar.
i guess the wood grain mica always bothered me when it seems there are ways around it. ie: having real wood veneer instead.
i'm gathering info for maybe one day building one for myself from scratch....love to hear from any other builders out there.....thanx, c. |
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Jerry Van Hoose
From:
Wears Valley, Tennessee
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Posted 6 Apr 2008 10:30 am Emmons w/ black mica as well as flocking underneath
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| Several years ago, I remember seeing a couple of Emmons guitars that were completely covered underneath with black mica. I can't positively remember whether or not they were "flocked" too, however I think they were. Anyway, at the time, the guitar tech told me that it was done in an effort to seal out moisture. I wouldn't have noticed except they were new Emmons guitars that were being assembled. Just wondering, do all Emmons guitars have black mica underneath, then covered with flocking or just the few that I observed being built? |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 6 Apr 2008 11:40 am Re: mica on the inside?
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| Connie Mack wrote: |
| has anyone used spruce as the cabinet top? |
I think spruce might be a softer wood that would be more conducive to cabinet drop.
Does anybody know for sure?
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Michael Pierce
From:
Madison, CT
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Posted 6 Apr 2008 12:50 pm Emmons
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| Jerry, I have a 1978 Emmons push-pull that has mica on the inside of the guitar as well as the outside (and flocking). I was told it was supposed to operate as a moisture barrier... I don't get the impression that too many Emmons had it and I don't believe the newer ones did. I had an '86 LeGrande that didn't. |
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Jerry Van Hoose
From:
Wears Valley, Tennessee
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Posted 6 Apr 2008 4:46 pm Thanks Michael
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| Michael, thanks for the information. It's very much appreciated. Several years have passed since I thought I had seen that and I was beginning to question my memory, ha. |
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Lee Bartram
From:
Sparta, Kentucky, USA
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Posted 7 Apr 2008 4:12 am
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| Jerry i sent you an e-mail,i have a question about a Derby. |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 7 Apr 2008 4:55 am
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Connie Mack -
I use mica on the underside for a couple of reasons -1- it stiffens the cabinet just a VERY little bit
2- looks nice and eliminates the need for
flocking, not one of my favorite things to apply
If it makes a difference in the sound it seems to be very slight, at least in my application.
_________________
Doug Earnest
Manufacturer of Stage One & Encore pedal steel guitars
http://www.stageonesteelguitars.com
"Teach Your Children Well" |
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