Ultimate Setup?

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652 Members, Created 1/27/2011 -

Administrators: Randyc1959 (owner)

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From tkocason on 12/5/2011 4:25:07 PM

Just had to let y'all know my latest "ultimate setup" on my Maple Blossom!

I tinker with my setup a lot, trying different bridges, head tightness, picks, strings etc...

Well, i think I've finally found the ultimate combination,.....for now anyway.

The head is a an A to A#, I've been using a 11/16 size bridge, so I got the heavy - 11/16 moon bridge, and I put a full size tile sponge (from the hardware store) inside the resonator (between the Co-rod and the wood), kinda low towards the tail piece.

Wow, the moon bridge was the final piece. The tone is now awesome with no sharps on the fretted strings. And the sponge gives me a monster 4th string (D). It's blowing me away!

Don't laugh 'till you try it. I'm not changing a thing.............er, ..........for now.

11 Comments
	peewee says: 12/5/2011 4:38:23 PM Your kidding, right? about the sponge!
	tkocason says: 12/5/2011 5:11:14 PM Nope, dead serious...there's a couple of threads on here about it. Check it out.
	SirRight says: 12/5/2011 9:03:03 PM Sound file?
	tkocason says: 12/5/2011 10:12:12 PM okay, coming soon.
	RUSTYSTILL says: 12/6/2011 7:41:28 AM The way I understand it, too many conflicting overtones create muddy, harsh or unwanted "noise" and sponges or cloth material can help absorb this. I put a bridge made by Pat Huff (Doc's banjos) on my Whyte Laydie, stuffed a bandana inside the head, and she sounds very clean and almost "woody". On my Calico I think this setup would inhibit her brilliance from coming out, kind of like Linda Rhondstat trying to sing through a sponge. Jim
	RUSTYSTILL says: 12/6/2011 8:00:33 AM The way I understand it, too many conflicting overtones create muddy, harsh or unwanted "noise" and sponges or cloth material can help absorb this. I put a bridge made by Pat Huff (Doc's banjos) on my Whyte Laydie, stuffed a bandana inside the head, and she sounds very clean and almost "woody". On my Calico I think this setup would inhibit her brilliance from coming out, kind of like Linda Rhondstat trying to sing through a sponge. Jim
	RUSTYSTILL says: 12/6/2011 8:00:44 AM The way I understand it, too many conflicting overtones create muddy, harsh or unwanted "noise" and sponges or cloth material can help absorb this. I put a bridge made by Pat Huff (Doc's banjos) on my Whyte Laydie, stuffed a bandana inside the head, and she sounds very clean and almost "woody". On my Calico I think this setup would inhibit her brilliance from coming out, kind of like Linda Rhondstat trying to sing through a sponge. Jim
	SirRight says: 12/6/2011 8:16:09 AM Ah, Rusty just answered a question for me; I own a Calico and was wondering just that.
	tkocason says: 12/6/2011 8:35:22 AM Yes, I played a Calico a couple of weeks ago, I don't think I would change it much, but for a $2.00 sponge, it might be fun to try. On my Maple blossom, part of the improvement may be that the sponge pushes out o the Resonator a little to create the taper-like amplification. But, surprisingly, the highs are still plenty high (still has plenty of ring for me).
	Strelnieks says: 2/14/2012 1:20:55 PM My John Hartford came with a thin cloth, almost felt-like, layer on the inside of the resonator. Is that a "sponge"? It's always had a nice, woody sound.
	tkocason says: 2/14/2012 2:37:04 PM A cloth is not a sponge, but it's probably for the same purpose. Different items for different sounds. The idea is to limit some of the sustain.
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