Resonator

A metal cone over which the strings of a specially constructed “resophonic” guitar pass. The resonator is sometimes referred to as a “pie pan.” Resophonic guitars are designed with 1 or 3 cones, which give the guitar a distinctive metallic twang. The pie pans were originally employed to produce more volume than a wooden soundboard. With the advent of electric amplification volume was no longer an issue. The distinctive tone, often used in country or blues, is the reason to play one of these instruments.