You could probably use one rod at the bottom with a lag screw and acorn nut at the top the way Gibson did during the Bow Tie era. You would have to measure to see how far down in the rim the resonator cone would sit and fit the rod to accommodate it.

The instrument in the photos are homemade -- so, not quite relevant to the question. For details and sound samples, see October 2022 to May 2024 posts on https://www.its.caltech.edu/~politzer/ .

Interesting that you should post this, David. I am working on a similar design with the same type of resonator. I plan to put a wood top on mine with a center hole for the bridge to extend through, and a square dowel through the rim under the resonator.

Culloden -- As clear from the comparisons in my recordings, my "resophonic banjo" is relatively quiet. A resonator back could help a little but not much. The commercial ones have pick-ups for good reason. A real resonator guitar does a lot with the sound coming off the back of the cone. As to a top, I think a protective grill would be louder than solid wood. I hope we'll get to see and hear how it comes out.

quote:

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Originally posted by davidppp

Culloden -- As clear from the comparisons in my recordings, my "resophonic banjo" is relatively quiet. A resonator back could help a little but not much. The commercial ones have pick-ups for good reason. A real resonator guitar does a lot with the sound coming off the back of the cone. As to a top, I think a protective grill would be louder than solid wood. I hope we'll get to see and hear how it comes out.

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I was originally planning to use a cover plate but a Dobro plate is too big and a National plate is too small. A grill might be beyond my ability to make. I will be using a banjo resonator on the back.

Per my former Rickard Resophonic, no.  I mean, there's a bar kinda thingy there, but a coordinator rod?  Nope.

My factory Dobjo has a dowel stick which attaches to heavy springs inside the body. I’m guessing mine was made in 80s? I don’t know if Dobro still a valid brand these days or gone under, and when?