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Topic: Spider Bridge/Cone Adjustment Screw |
Michael Johnstone
From:
Sylmar,Ca. USA
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Posted 17 Jul 2003 5:53 pm |
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| What is the correct amount of pressure that should be applied between the bridge and the cone on a spider type reso guitar? Is there a range of playable options - more pressure/more twang - less pressure/more mellow etc. And how do you know how much is too much? Anybody? -MJ- |
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 17 Jul 2003 7:11 pm
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My rule is 1/4 turn beyond the point of resistance. There is not a lot of room for error...a "wrinkled" cone is an ugly thing to behold. 
------------------
Howard Parker
poobah@resoguit.com
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT-L
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Mike D
From:
Phx, Az
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Posted 18 Jul 2003 6:53 am
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Michael it really doesn't affect tone, it's more like, more turn/less buzz - less turn/more buzz.  |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 18 Jul 2003 10:57 am
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Mike D, with all due respect, Howard's right. You should NEVER, EVER try to use the screw to stop a buzz, unless it has worked itself loose somehow, and I've never seen that happen.
Michael, just make sure the spider's legs are level all the way around, the cone is not flattened along the edge, the rim of the guitar(where the cone rides)is free of anything, including finish, then snug it down, and go a quarter to a third turn more. This screw isn't a tone control, it just holds everything together. |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 18 Jul 2003 11:30 am
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| The Beard(?) maintenance and setup video I got said to tighten the screw until the rattling just stops, and maybe a little more. But that only applies to when you are putting it back together after taking it completely apart. Sometimes if a rattle develops when you change strings, then a half-turn or so will stop the rattle. I see no harm in that, but agree that if the rattle is not stopping you don't want to just keep turning the screw. |
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Michael Johnstone
From:
Sylmar,Ca. USA
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Posted 18 Jul 2003 2:14 pm
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| The guitar in question is a new all mahagony Regal RD-45 with a shop installed Quarterman upgrade.The thing sounds sweet and huge but developed a rattle when I changed strings so I thought I'd ask before I started cranking on that screw. Thanx guys. -MJ- |
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James Quackenbush
From:
Pomona, New York, USA
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Posted 18 Jul 2003 2:42 pm
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MJ,
Make sure that the cone is sitting in the middle of the cutout, and not off to one side....There is very little play on the setup you have so look closely.....Medium gauge strings will also have more tension on them than lighter guage strings...In most casees medium gauge strings will also be louder...If you find that the strings are too light, you would be better served to go to a heavier gauge....If you tighten that screw too much, you could damage the Quarterman cone which had a better tone since it's spun much thinner than the stock cone...Tighten ever so gingerly, and don't overtighten !!...Easy does it pal...Good Luck....Sincerely, Jim |
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Bryan Bradfield
From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
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Posted 18 Jul 2003 3:41 pm
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Stephen is correct. Tighten the screw to eliminate a screw buzz. I used to unscrew the tensioning screw every time I took the guitar apart. Then during reassembly, I would retighten the screw. This is a progressive retightening. As the string tension is increased, the spider compresses the cone, and the screw loosens. You can see it physically vibrate. Only when full string tension is achieved can one give it that extra 1/4 turn that Howard mentioned. Based on this thought, when Michael changed strings, I suspect that he may have gone to a heavier guage, thereby causing the spider to compress the cone a bit more, and loosen the screw.
When I was unsure whether the screw was the culprit, I would loosen the screw on purpose, then screw it in until it snugged, then give it 1/4 turn more. If the buzz was still there, check elsewhere. |
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Mike D
From:
Phx, Az
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Posted 19 Jul 2003 7:09 am
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Mike D, with all due respect, Howard's right. You should NEVER, EVER try to use the screw to stop a buzz, unless it has worked itself loose somehow, and I've never seen that happen.
That's a good point Stephen but I wasn't saying that the tension screw was the only way to stop buzzes (however a guitar with a loose screw will buzz) I was addressing the 2nd part of Michael's post where he asked if the screw affected tone. He hadn't mentioned a buzz at all in his first post.
The screw should be adjusted when the guitar is first strung up, usually again after everything has had a chance to settle and I've had them need it again after going to a new tuning. |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 19 Jul 2003 12:35 pm
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Yeah, Mike, I see what you were saying, and I guess I ead you wrong. Sorry!
Michael, did you take all six strings off at once?
And yet another testimonial for "Regal." |
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Mike D
From:
Phx, Az
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Posted 20 Jul 2003 5:01 pm
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| No biggie Stephen, just wanted to make sure I was clear. (which I often am not) |
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Michael Brebes
From:
Northridge CA
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Jackie Anderson
From:
Scarborough, ME
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Posted 22 Jul 2003 6:20 am
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Mike, did you by chance run the strings over the top of the tailpiece (as the last point of contact towards the bridge) rather than under? You get more downward pressure on the bridge and cone running them underneath.
If you are making any change that would affect pressure on the cone (e.g. changing string gauges, or tuning, or tailpiece stringing, or bridge insert), it's probably good practice to back off on the screw before tuning up, and then bring it cautiously back to that "just beyond" point.[This message was edited by Jack Anderson on 22 July 2003 at 07:22 AM.] |
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