I started this thread so as not to distract from a relative newcomer's post regarding purchasing a Gold Tone instrument. The ad and off topic discussions led me to thinking (yes, very dangerous):
Gold Tone builds and markets all current squareneck resonators with a trademarked "Zero Glide" nut. On a lapsteel instrument, assuming standard squareneck string gauges (EJ42, for example), this will result in strings 2 through 5 clearing the (dead flat) bar by 0.002" to 0.006" at the nut. Is this too much? Probably not, unless one has a really really light touch with the bar. That said it can't ever be set up to dead flat. So are "Zero Glide" nuts installed on squareneck resos as a benefit in tone or tuning, easier (though not absolutely perfect) setup, brand consistency, or some other reason?
Also, it's ironic that the "Mastertone" trademark is used to describe a Gold Tone PBS model featured in the Reverb ad. Gibson used but never trademarked the moniker for their high end banjos; Gold Tone didsometime after Gibson forgot about making banjos. However, Gibson did trademark "Dobro", was a legal putz to those who might have used it generically, and then subsequently trashed the Dobro line. A personal revisionist history would have someone like Paul Beard purchasing the "Dobro" trademark and restoring the once iconic brand.
Musings. I think I'm avoiding necessary work. Carry on...
Edited by - daver on 10/17/2024 09:06:28
I did a simple calculation using gauges from EJ42s. The center four strings would be low compared to a straight line from 1 to 6 by between 0.003" and 0.006". I do not have near enough experience to know whether I'd notice that or not.
The attachment shows the difference between a straight line and the string height assuming the bottom of the string is a constant height. Even if the bottom of the string were tilted so 1 and 6 were at the same height, the gaps on 2-5 would be the same.
-K
One more thing on the analysis above. The largest gap is 0.006" on the 2nd string which is 0.018" in diameter. So the gap is 1/3 the diameter of the string. Again, no idea if it makes a difference. I am going to look at a GT this weekend so it's something I'll check.
-K
quote:
Originally posted by l2tI did a simple calculation using gauges from EJ42s.
Same calculation I did. Thanks for adding the graph! Might you also be an engineer?
quote:
Also originally posted by l2tI do not have near enough experience to know whether I'd notice that or not.
When you try it out, you will! Please report back to us!
I'm a software engineer but do a lot of mechanical and electrical hobby stuff. Turns out the local guitar doesn't like like a PBS-M but one of the lower models. I may or may not look at it but I wouldn't pay the asking price if it's not an M.
There's a mint PDS-M but it's in Brooklyn which is about 3.5 hours from me. It's all of a couple miles from my son's apartment so if I haven't found anything, it's still there, and I happen to be visiting, I'll take a look.
-K
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