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Topic: Correct Srew Tension on Dobro Cone? |
Don Sulesky
From:
Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 8:39 am |
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When setting up the screw tension on a dobro I've been told from a 1/4 turn to as much as 1 1/2 turns. Or do you turn the screw just enough to eliminate the buzzing?
Does anyone have the optimune answer to my question? I have a Gold Tone which was setup at the Gold Tone factory here in Florida, but to my ears it never seemed right.
I was told to turn the screw 1 1/2 turns after it seats, but that seems a but much to me as the dobro seems to have lost its twang sound. But it still sounds better than the Tut Taylor I owned for half the price.
Don |
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Eddie Cunningham
From:
Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 9:02 am
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I am no Dobro tech but I've owned three and usually set the screw just tight enough to eliminate the buzz and/or rattle. Too tight might cause reduction of sound vibrations of the resonator plate ! ? Check with someone who really knows !!
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Gary C. Dygert
From:
Frankfort, NY, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 9:04 am
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| I think it was Greg McKenna who told me to go with the 1/4 turn. |
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Don Sulesky
From:
Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 10:07 am
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Thanks guys.
This is what I suspected is right also a 1/4 turn or close to it.
Don[This message was edited by Don Sulesky on 22 November 2006 at 10:10 AM.] |
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Mike Fried
From:
Nashville, TN, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 11:13 am
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| Fishman recommends a full turn at full string tension, for "pre-loading" the cone/spider when installing their pickup, but I think it's mainly to allow some adjustment room for tweaking the tightness of the locknut against the pickup. Otherwise, I've had best results with 1/4 to 1/2 turn. [This message was edited by Mike Fried on 22 November 2006 at 11:14 AM.] |
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Don Sulesky
From:
Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH
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Posted 22 Nov 2006 12:38 pm
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Thanks.
I had the Fishman installed at the time of purchace by Goldtone when I picked it up at their factory store. I have now backed the screw off at full tension and I had no buzzing so I turned it 1/2 turn and it sounds fine.
Don |
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Ron
From:
Hermiston, Oregon
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Posted 25 Nov 2006 12:30 pm
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Tune the Dobro up to full pitch and loosen the screw until it starts to buzz then go 1/2 turn until it stops bussing then 1/4 turn . It may buzz later as it settles in than give it 1/4 turn to stop than 1/4 turn extra. Over tighten bends the cone and it needs a new cone.
Ron |
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 25 Nov 2006 2:56 pm
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The above mentioned guitar has the Fishman pickup installed.
The cone must be pre tensioned by 1 and 1/2 turns in order adjust the piezo element against the bottom of the resonator.
Back off the tension screw and you run the risk of destroying the piezo pickup.
best to call the Gold Tone, the Beard shop or someone familiar with Fishman pickups.
h[This message was edited by Howard Parker on 25 November 2006 at 06:39 PM.] |
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Mike Fried
From:
Nashville, TN, USA
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Posted 25 Nov 2006 10:51 pm
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| Howard's right, don't back off the tension screw with the pickup installed, remove the pickup first then reset the tension screw if necessary. I'd say if it is around a single turn tight now (Fishman's suggested setting), don't mess with it, just do the little few-degrees +/- tweak necessary to get the pickup sounding its best. |
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Don Sulesky
From:
Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH
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Posted 26 Nov 2006 5:12 am
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The owner at Goldtone who I bought it directly from told me 1 1/2 turns but I thought that was too much because the instructions on the Stew-Mac site said a 1/4 turn. I did a test and played the dobro thru my amp at a 1/4 turn and at 1 full turn and the result is that the amped volume is louder at the full turn. Thus what was said about the peizo setting in my case is true.
Don
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