Working on my first build, and have a question.

[Danny Smith]

Hey all, I am working on my first build. Just got my beard parts, and the screens don't fit snuggly in the 1 7/8 in hole I drilled. Do these get a dab of CA glue to keep them in place or do I need to do something different?

Thanks for the help. Here are a few pics. I will post more soon.

Danny

[Peter Wilcox]

Welcome Danny. I don't know the correct answer to your question - I used a different soundhole scheme on the reso I built, so I didn't have to use the screens. I just now pried off one of the screens from a cheap Chinese reso I have, and it was glued on with what looks like a PVA wood glue, not what I would recommend as it has no strength gluing metal to a finished surface, though it works here where no strength is needed. (And it looks like they used a butcher knife to cut the hole ) I'll use a few dabs of CA gel to re-attach it.

Maybe someone else will have a better idea for you.

[Danny Smith]

Thanks Peter, I will see how it goes once I get some finish on it. perhaps there will be enough build up to make a tighter fit. It is not real loose, but would be annoying if it fell of sometimes. worst case I will put a drop of CA glue on it a call it good.

[Jim Hepler]

Danny,
I built a reso guitar last summer. When I was getting ready to put the screens in, I contacted resophonic outfitters who had supplied the parts, and asked them about how to install them. They said the screens were press fit and that the holes should be (I think) 1 7/8ths. I made a test hole and it was too big - the screens were loose in that size, so I fiddled around with my dremel hole cutter on test pieces until I found a size where they were snug. Then I just pushed them in - no glue. I don't have that guitar here, so I can't measure the exact size the holes ended up being. I think I just nudged my hole cutting jig one way or the other until I found a size that worked. Incidentally, I was curious what difference they made to the sound, so once the guitar was done, I played it with and without the screens and (somewhat to my surprise) I thought it was a richer sound with the screens in place. Looks better too.

I assume you've seen Mike Connor's "Squareneck Resonator - Detailed Build Notes" thread in this forum. It is pretty thorough and I found it a source of may helpful ideas. (thanks Mike)

Good luck and post some pictures.
Jim