The Conetone Reso-Volt was developed with the intention of providing guitar players a way to capture the sound of classic resonator guitars for amplified performance, without the inherent feedback problems associated with other designs. By enclosing the cone inside the body, reflective feedback is kept to a minimum. The end result is a guitar that feels, and plays, like a modern solid body, but with a very lively acoustic sound all it's own.
My name is Steve Olson, fretted stringed instrument repairperson, guitar builder, and guitar player. I've been fortunate to work for Dan Erlewine, Jackson Guitars, Fender Guitars, and Elderly Instruments. I've been playing guitar since 1970, and I've been obsessed with music even longer. After 25 years of repairing and restoring some of the finest resonator guitars ever produced, I realized that amplifying these instruments was more than a little problematic. The cone, or diaphragm, was developed before amplification was available to most musicians, in order to project a louder sound acoustically in solo, and especially, group situations. Essentially an aluminum speaker in a guitar, capturing this sound proved to be problematic, typically resulting in shrieking feedback. Most manufacturers choose to approximate the tone electronically, without going directly to the source of the sound, the cone. The heart of the Conetone Reso-Volt is the Electric Biscuit pickup, around which the guitar was designed. By imbedding the piezo element inside the biscuit bridge, most of the element is secured directly to the cone to access the harmonic overtones produced by the cone. The result is the accurate reproduction of the cone tone. To add versatility, a magnetic pickup is inlaid under the top, and is able to be selected or combined with the Electric Biscuit. The body is a clamshell design to protect the cone, while allowing the player access to the saddle for string muting techniques, not possible with other designs utilizing metal cover plates to protect the cone. The wooden body plates are vented for acoustic sound monitoring, while protecting the cone from reflective feedback associated with high volume amplification. After years of prototyping, and personal road testing, I'm proud to be able to offer my solution. The Reso-Volt is capable of cutting through a full band in a live setting, and is also fun to play unplugged sitting on the couch. I hope that everyone gets a chance to try one, and decide for themselves!
