Dobro or resonator for newbie?

Parr Bryan · From: Nacogdoches,Texas

Lookin' at buyin' one.
1. Do any have a scale like my D10? I tried one and the scale is much longer than my steel.
2. Are there any 8 string ones (I want C6 tuning) for under $600 that sound good?
3. What else do I need to know but don't know to ask?
Thanks for the help.

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

1) What's the scale length on your D10? Without knowing that, I can't answer. I can say that most resonator guitars have a 25" scale length, whereas many electric steel guitars have a 22.5" scale length. I don't believe anyone makes a short scale resophonic guitar under $600, but I could be wrong.
2) I don't really know of any eight string resonator guitars under $600, regardless of whether they sound good or not. I understand Gold Tone is coming out with an eight string model, but it's slightly more than $600.
3) The two brands recommended in that price range are the Gold Tone (Paul Beard) models and the Wechter (Scheerhorn) models.
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Mark Eaton · Posted 19 Jan 2010 5:38 pm

Parr, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the vast majority of pedal steel guitars have a scale of at least 24 1/4 inches?

And as Brad mentioned, your typical resonator guitar will have a scale of about 25", which isn't a huge difference, unlike comparing it to some lap steels having a 22 1/2" scale.

Are you concerned about slants being too difficult with a 25" guitar?

My advice is not to sweat it - you are going to want the longer scale for the sustain - after all, we are talking about an acoustic instrument here.

For 8 string dobro players, this new Gold Tone Beard being unveiled at the NAMM Show is pretty exciting stuff.

The ballpark street price of the new 8 string Gold Tone is $750, and I don't believe you are going to do any better than that unless you find an older OMI Dobro 8 string, and for it to come in at $600 or under it will no doubt be in pretty shoddy condition.

Here is a link to a photo of of the new 8 string:

http://reso-nation.org/files/imagepicker/b/beardbizguy/pbs8.jpg
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Dave Thier · From: Fairhope, Alabama, USA

I'll second what Brad and Mark have said. As Mark mentioned, they are different instruments and take a different approach. My guess is that the string spacing on your D10 is considerably closer than a dobro.

Dave

D Schubert · From: Columbia, MO, USA

Another thing you may want to consider is that Dobros are usually set up for (and sound better with) heavier string gages -- maybe a 0.013" to 0.016" on top and larger from there.

With that in mind, you could probably tune to C6 with an E on top (FACEGACE) or a D on top (ACEGACED) but not with a high G. If you like the high 5th on top, you may end up using a lower G6 or A6 tuning -- with the same intervals.

I believe that Mike Auldridge uses G6 (EGBDEGBD) for his eight-string tuning. At the moment, I have one of my six-strings set up with the highest six notes of that tuning (BDEGBD)...but I miss the root on the bottom.

Ulrich Sinn · From: California, USA

hi -

is there word on when this one will be available?

U.

Dave Thier · From: Fairhope, Alabama, USA

The word posted over on Reso-Nation is that the 8 string GT will be available in 2-3 months and Paul Beard is currently taking orders.

Dave

Ulrich Sinn · From: California, USA

Would you be so kind to let me know what email I can use to get in touch with Paul Beard?

For some reason the above post was the only information I could find on that new instrument...

Thanks,

U.

Beard Guitars · From: Maryland, USA

You rang?

I will have at least one of the new PBS8's in Dallas Smile

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