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![]() Question for Bob: setting up tricone for Gypsy Jazz
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| Author | Topic: Question for Bob: setting up tricone for Gypsy Jazz |
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Bill McCloskey Member Posts: 942 From: Registered: Jan 2005 |
The responses about my trading my tricone for a gypsy Jazz guitar got me thinking. My tricone is currently set up for slide playing (heavy guage strings etc). What would be required to set it up for Gypsy jazz style playing: lighter guage strings I imagine. Anything else? IP: Logged |
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Bob Brozman Member Posts: 2590 From: Brozmanistan, Earth Registered: Nov 1999 |
No Problem! Just try a set of mediums or even LIGHTS, and see how it plays for you. If the action is still too high, have a look at tightening the neck a little or having a repairman EXPERIENCED with Nationals lower the saddle slots a little. You can do that yourself with a 3-corner file if you are slow and careful. IP: Logged |
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Tadragh1 Member Posts: 207 From: Jablonna, Poland Registered: May 2004 |
It would probably be good to lower the strings even if the guitar would be easy to play after reducing the gauge - in my opinion the gypsy accompaniment sounds better with that percussive effect of low strings. You have a fine instrument for the genre, why to change it? (vide Oscar Aleman) IP: Logged |
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HowardR Member Posts: 276 From: nyc,ny usa Registered: Mar 2005 |
quote:
[This message has been edited by HowardR (edited 08-06-2005).] IP: Logged |
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Scott Jacobs Moderator ![]() Posts: 3460 From: Port Charlotte, FL Registered: Apr 2001 |
Bill, Before I bought a relatively inexpensive Saga D500 Selmac copy I learned to swing on a NR-P Style 1 Tricone ala Oscar Aleman. The Saga had low action set up for medium guage Phosphor Bronze strings. When I switched to Argentine style strings on the Selmac I had to shim (raise) the bridge and ultimately I soon plan to have a better compensated bridge made for it. Your Tricone was most likely set up at NR-P with a good compromise for both slide and standard playing. My advise is not to mess with lowering the strings as its unlikely that you'll actually string it with Argies. And if you did string it up with Argies, which I don't think would drive the cones very well, then you would likely want the saddle raised! Trust me, I'm a doctor. Learning to swing in the Gyspy style typically results in a fair amount of experimentation with string guage and pick attack. This will serve you much better and take you much farther than immediately altering the saddle heigth. My advise is to lower the string guage to mediums and experiment with different picks and where on the strings you attack with the "le pompe." My favorite flatpick for swinging on the Tricone is this one by Golden Gate: http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/PK20-S.htm So far I'm enjoying the almost indestructability of Wegen picks with my Selmac but unfortunately I can't get them to sound right on the Tricone with Phosphor Bronze strings. It ends up sounding like a washboard player is accompanying me. The Golden Gates sound much better but they tend to wear out pretty quickly. Please don't alter your Tricone without a visit to an experienced professional, preferably one who has experience playing in this style. Your Tricone has been good to you. Now be good to it and make sure that it is fed a proper diet and receives its yearly vaccinations. IP: Logged |
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Andy Martin Member Posts: 296 From: Perugia,PG,Italy Registered: Jun 2005 |
Hi guys I agree with Scott....don't mess with your Tricone too much.Saddles and nuts are sensitive beasts (this may be a bit Freudian now I come to think of it).In particular go easy on the nut if you're planning to take it down.IMHO,there is really no great need for a nut to be glued down if positioned correctly.In fact,I keep a spare nut correctly notched and actioned for lighter guage strings which I simply drop in for a string change if I'm doing a ragtime or swing show.Just for the evening I use a lighter slide which cuts down a lot a string noise. Be nice to your Tricone. Regards to all Andy IP: Logged |
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Bill McCloskey Member Posts: 942 From: Registered: Jan 2005 |
Having a great time with the tricone: put on light gauge strings and tightened the neck as Bob suggested. I may call Mandolin brothers about getting the action lowered. But I thank you all. I think the Tricone will work just fine for my gypsy playing. IP: Logged |
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