suggested renovations to a Johnson wood body round neck resno:
#1 replace the stock cone with a Quatermann ( the 'stock cone' is an excellent example of how the Chinese are recycling American beer cans).
#2 replace the tuning machinery with good quality ones. My luthier suggested Grovers, so I went with that. I suggest replacing these, it will keep the guitar not only in tune, but also make it easier gettin' it in tune. The stock ones were dreadful.
#3 replace the wood bridge with a bone one. This was another suggeston by my luthier. It took me by surprise since I thought 'the wood' was part of the resno. Then again, I was not looking for a 'Dobro' sound, but more of a ruff bluesy accoustice tone. I play 50 slide, 50 finger picking. Anyway, it certainly made a difference having the bridge replaced.
#4 lower the action to taste. Mine was set high for a 'Dobro'.
I mentioned before in another thread that my luthier found the quality of the construction exceptional for a Chinese offshoot. If you by a Johnson, Reqal or any of those other Oriental Brands definately replace the cone with a Quatermann, it's worth it.