Six-string to seven-string conversion

[D Schubert]

I'm considering the possibilities of converting one of my resonator guitars, biscuit cone or spider cone, to a seven-string for lap style G6 tuning GBDEGBD. Seeking advice from you guys that have done it? The good, the bad, the ugly? Or should I belly up to the bar and buy a 7-8 string guitar to begin with?

[Howard Parker]

Back when I was with Beard Guitars I recall doing a few conversions on spider bridge guitars. All conversions have their challenges.

As I recall the 7 string conversion:

Change spider to an offset spider (allows access to tension screw)

Install 7 string tail piece

Install/setup a SINGLE piece bridge insert (standard split will not allow 4th string placement)

Install/setup 7 string nut

Install 7th tuner (String 4) dead center at the very end of headstock

Depending on the specific guitar design the 8 string conversion may/may not be possible:

Determine if there's enough width under the palm rest to accommodate 2 additional strings at slightly reduced spacing.

If not: Replace cover plate or remove palm rest

If so:

New nut and bridge inserts

Install 8 string tail piece

If headstock allows install 2 tuners

If headstock won't allow.... Dead stop!!

I can't recall a single instance that we converted a domestically built guitar.

You do you!

Hope this helps

h

[BJ Burbach]

So I assume that you have exhausted the possibilities of GBEGBD.
My feeling is that if you do a conversion, first of all you lose string separation.
Second, you spend money and will end up with a guitar that you cannot sell, if you change your mind.
If you buy one used, it will be worth the same next week and you can sell it right off. Players flip eight stringers like crazy. You only cry once.
I got an eight stringer, thinking I might pull off a string, if I wanted, which would play fine, but I never did.

Best bet is to get a mid tier eight stringer, Maybe a used Gold Tone, McKenna, or Adams which might be around $1000. Dobros tend to have pretty close strings on the eight stringers and usually beat up bad, so repair$. There are a fair number of McKenna sevens out there. Some new guys, too, like Stepick. He makes a nice guitar.
I stick with Adams. Nice wide neck. I have two. one for G6 and one for C13. (love that low C) Pickup truck tough and sound great.
There was a nice Adams8 on the forum earlier this year for 800 and even Marty's old tricone8, too. Both great deals.


Happy Holidays to SGF steelers. You are all the greatest!
BJ

[Stanislav Paskalev]

I have a cheap resonator weissenborn (resoborn ? weissdobro ? who knows) that was converted for 7 strings.



The bridge was a continuous one even before the conversion and the guy that did it simply flipped the blank around and cut new notches. The tailpiece was modified with another central hole and a new nut was made, overhanging a millimeter or so. The new tuning key was added where the logo was and the logo plaque was moved right above the nut.

It sounds and plays fine.

I have another 6-string reso, a cheap tricone one which I also plan on converting.

[BJ Burbach]

Very nice, ( what's the brand?) I love converting cheap guitars!
Great ones, not so much.
BJ

[Glenn Wilde]

I had a cheap Regal RD30 I got for a couple hundred bux that had a nice wide fretboard and solid headstock, it would've been perfect for a conversion. My vintage Regal would be too narrow.

[Stanislav Paskalev]

Very nice, ( what's the brand?) I love converting cheap guitars!
Great ones, not so much.
BJ

Thanks! That's an Anderwood - from what I can gather that was a UK brand that imported, setup and sold square neck guitars while the guitars themselves were made in China.