Replogle Cones- The Genesis
Mike Replogle learned the art of hand-spinning resonators directly from “the Old Man”, an old-school metal spinner that immigrated to the US and was the spinner-behind-the-scenes for virtually every Dobro resonator since the 1960’s. Replogle studied, practiced, and perfected his hand-spinning technique under the direct tutelage of the Old Man in his retirement, preserving the legacy of the authentic Dobro cones for future generations.
The Legacy of “Spinning the Cones”
Beyond researching the Legendary Dobro designs and coming up with some new ones himself, it was the mid-1990’s when Mike Replogle personally learned the complete old-school hand-spinning process directly from “the Old Man” that was the “spinner” behind the Dobro cones since the late 60’s. Replogle began learning the arcane art of cone spinning, mainly to make sure the knowledge wasn’t lost as the “Old Man” was ending his spinning career and as Gibson was absorbing the company, eventually moving it from California to Nashville. Replogle studied, practiced, and perfected his hand-spinning technique under the direct tutelage of the Old Man in his retirement. Since that time Mike Replogle has meticulously spun cones that maintain the standard of the original hand-spinning process and arcane techniques of the original Dobro resonators. These cones are not and can not be spun by present-day automated lathes, and Replogle Cones provide the continuity of the Dopyera technology, preserving the legacy of the authentic Dobro cones for future generations.
Replogle continued to personally supply cones to Gibson until they ceased US production in the early 2000’s, and expanded to other manufactures and custom builders including Scheerhorn, Crafters of Tennessee, Beard, Owens, Wechter, Weber, and Regal (Saga Music) among others.
With his unique understanding of “what it takes” to put together a cohesive resonator guitar, Replogle has expanded his product offerings to more types of cones, and also spider bridges, biscuit bridges, and complete resonator guitars. Replogle Resos… The Legacy Lives On…
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