Reso Question?

[Sonny Jenkins]

I know next to nothing about adjusting or setting up a reso. I have an 8 string Benoit that I pick up and play once in a while and recently I'm getting a faint rattle, buzzing in the strings. Does that sound like I might need to tighten the cone screw a little? I know the strings are probably long past needing change,,,would that cause the rattle?

Is there a good reso st up person near me?

[Doug Anderson]

On my first reso, the rattle was due to the tailplane vibrating on the top of the resonator. It just needed a piece of felt or similar between the tailpiece and top of the resonator. A guitar tech confirmed that a lot of resonators need this.

[Howard Parker]

Hey Sonny,

It'll take you 30 seconds to check the cone tension screw (Assuming no old Fishman "do-nut" pick-up installed)

With an appropriately sized screwdriver:

1. Insert in cover plate palm rest hole and engage the screw.

2. Back off the screw until obviously loose.

3. Slowly tighten the screw until you feel resistance (screw head contacts the saddle)

4. Once contact is felt tighten screw 1- 1 1/2 rotations.

That's it.

Other typical/possible causes:

Old strings with loose windings

Spider bridge rotated slightly (bridge must be at right angle to the neck)

Loose tuning machine

On a guitar with domestic components (like the Benoit) cover plate or tail piece are typically NOT an issue.

Hope this helps.

This video, especially the last 10 minutes or so, may help.

hp

[Sonny Jenkins]

Hey Howard,,,thanks my friend,,,so good to hear from you!!!!
I guess that procedure is to be done with normal tension on strings? Think I'll put new strings on and and finish with that little adjustment.

Thanks again!!!!!

[Howard Parker]

Hey Sonny!!

Yessir,

While under tension!!

You take care and Happy New Year!!!

h

[Sonny Jenkins]

Well I finally got around to trying that solution and found that the screw is so tight I can't loosen it,,,maybe frozen or ???
guess I'll go ahead and take the strings off and see how "deep" I have to go to fix things. It has a pick up of some kind,,,I'm not even sure how old this guitar is.

[Howard Parker]

Well I finally got around to trying that solution and found that the screw is so tight I can't loosen it,,,maybe frozen or ???
guess I'll go ahead and take the strings off and see how "deep" I have to go to fix things. It has a pick up of some kind,,,I'm not even sure how old this guitar is.

I'll bet it has a Fishman do-nut pickup mounted to the tension screw, which will be pretty tight already. You would have to remove a second nut, under the cone. If the pickup is installed as suspected, the tension screw will probably not be your issue.

Change those strings yet???

h

[Sonny Jenkins]

Hey Howard ,,thanks for that response, may have saved me some real problems!!!!

No, have NOT changed strings,,,you think that may be source of the rattle/buzz? Hope haven't done any harm by trying to loosen screw,,,I put some pretty good pressure on it,,,may have budged ever so slightly

[Howard Parker]

Here are the instructions for the pickup I believe you have installed. (spider bridge). It's not a great pickup but there was not much available at the time your guitar was built.

When chasing down a buzz/rattle I always start with a fresh set of strings.

Does the issue occur on all strings....or? as you strum the guitar try putting pressure on the strings between the bridge and tail piece. Any change?

You just have to work from one end of the guitar to the other with visual inspection/pressure, etc.

I'll add that as an acoustic instrument, there are wear items (cone, strings, nut, bridge inserts) as well as things that just loosen with playing over time like tuning machine nuts, cover plate screws and other hardware fasteners.

A process of elimination.

h

Also, since I don't know the specific guitar..How do you have it tuned and what tuning was the guitar actually set up for. I doubt we know for sure. Put a C6 string set on a guitar setup for G6 may well cause issues on a dobro (skinny strings flopping in larger nut/insert slots)

[Sonny Jenkins]

Thanks so much Howard!!!!
I bought it 3 years ago,,,not from original owner
He was playing as a 6 string G, ,,I put a new set of G6 strings on at that time and have not played all that much,,,,nor changed strings.

Yes, ,I'll start with new string and start the process of elimination

Thanks again my friend!!!!

[Sonny Jenkins]

Hey Howard,,,,I think I may have found the problem. I think there is not enough break in the strings at the bridge ( maybe the strings have gradually cut in deeper slots?). When I press down on tailpiece, at the ball of strings, The rattle, or buzz goes away. When this weather here in Texas warms a little I'll go to the shop and make a new bridge insert,,,,maybe make it a little taller also. I'll let you know the out come

Thanks so much for your help!!!!! Miss seeing you in Dallas!!

[Howard Parker]

Dallas!! Woo Boy!!Me also!

Yep..Low break angle is worth investigating. Check to see if the cone itself hasn't sunk around the edges due to either damage or age.

Sounds like you're on the right track!

h