Resonator question

[jpw23]

I have a Regal resonator with one of those clunky, aluminum nuts(fits over the existing nut) I suspect this is why I'm getting a piss poor tone(does not ring out or sustain much) Can I just get another nut that is high enough for slide playing and glue it in or is there something I'm overlooking?

 

[Horsedoc]

I assume you are playing lap/dobro style, and this is a round neck that was altered to play that way. If that's what you want, it's no big deal to get a high nut fabricated, or even bought "off the shelf". If you are going to play slide, then just take it off. You'll want to be able to fret some as well as slide. If it's a square neck, I'd wonder why it didn't have the high nut to begin with.

 

[jpw23]

Its a round neck and came with the nut thingy(thats a tech.term) I only play slide on this thing....so just replacing the nut would work then?

 

[Anfontan]

I have a Regal resonator as well and got a good price on it because the previous owner said he could never get a good tone or sound with it. I took it apart and discovered that the resonator cone wasn't seated well, there were wood shavings that prevented a proper seat to the guitar's top, I cleaned out the rough wood and finely sanded it just a tiny bit and it's like a totally different guitar. And the slip-on raised nut even makes it sound better after getting the cone adjusted properly.

 

[Horsedoc]

If you're just playing slide, put a standard nut on it, but keep the action just a bit high. I you're new to playing slide, you'll want to learn to fret some in addition to the slide, so keep the action at a happy medium. Does it have a standard nut under the "thingy"? Maybe all you have to do is take it off.