| Author |
Topic: Help with my Pedal Dobro |
Donald Stackpole
From:
Oviedo Florida, USA
|
Posted 17 May 2010 3:02 pm |
|
Hello, I built this pedal dobro many years ago and have finally decided to take the cover off, dust it a little and start to learn how to play it. But, first I need to supply it with some electronics. pickup, pre-amp and what ever anybody would recommend. It sounds great without but want to add it on. I am working on a new bridge (don't know what happend to the original one) Should I use brass or aluminum at the resonator? also is there what would be recomended as far as CD's or Books to teach me how to play?
 |
|
|
 |
Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
|
Posted 17 May 2010 5:16 pm
|
|
It's a beauty don!
Looks like a 10 string dobro??
_________________
A.K.A Chappy. |
|
|
|
Larry Jamieson
From:
Walton, NY USA
|
Posted 17 May 2010 5:50 pm
|
|
Nice piece of work, Don...
Is it set up like an E9 pedal steel with A, B and C pedals? Any knee levers?
If it is an E9 tuning, you should get some steel guitar instructional material, like the Winnie Winston Book. Click on the "Instruction" link at the top of the page and see what is available through bOb at the Steel Guitar Forum. |
|
|
|
Larry Bressington
From:
Nebraska
|
Posted 17 May 2010 7:51 pm
|
|
I'd like to hear that baby tuned up in G with 6 strings don! Smokin!! 
_________________
A.K.A Chappy. |
|
|
|
Jerry Roller
From:
Van Buren, Arkansas USA
|
Posted 17 May 2010 8:03 pm
|
|
I would get a GHS Accoustic Guitar mic and velcro the small preamp onto the resonator cover and point the miniature gooseneck mic into one of the holes in the cover. It is a mic but can be turned up without feedback. Very natural sounding. $100.00
Jerry |
|
|
|
David Nugent
From:
Gum Spring, Va.
|
Posted 18 May 2010 3:53 am
|
|
Donald...It appears from the photos that you have used a complete resonator cone and spider bridge assembly. My advice would be to install a "Schatten" resonator guitar pickup which attaches to the underside of the cone. I installed one in my acoustic Dobro and found it to be very natural sounding. I also noticed a metal plate in front of the assembly, installing a quality steel guitar pickup there wired to a three way switch (in conjunction with the Schatten) and then to an endplate jack should add more tonal variation.
....Very nice work on the instrument, congratulations! |
|
|
|
Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
|
Posted 18 May 2010 4:26 am
|
|
| David Nugent wrote: |
Donald...It appears from the photos that you have used a complete resonator cone and spider bridge assembly. My advice would be to install a "Schatten" resonator guitar pickup which attaches to the underside of the cone. I installed one in my acoustic Dobro and found it to be very natural sounding. I also noticed a metal plate in front of the assembly, installing a quality steel guitar pickup there wired to a three way switch (in conjunction with the Schatten) and then to an endplate jack should add more tonal variation.
....Very nice work on the instrument, congratulations! |
Re the Schatten pickup, David is absolutely spot on. It gives the most accurate reproduction of any pickup on the market.
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E, |
|
|
|
Donald Stackpole
From:
Oviedo Florida, USA
|
Posted 18 May 2010 4:41 am Thanks to all for the input
|
|
Thank you all so much for sharing your knowledge. I am honored to be a part of this unique group of people. This month I turn 50, and my goal is to try to learn to play the instrament well enough to play in a local band. It is something I have always wanted to do. You guys give me insperation...
God bless you all.
_________________
Diamond Don
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
GOD, COUNTRY, FAMILY |
|
|
|
Donald Stackpole
From:
Oviedo Florida, USA
|
Posted 18 May 2010 4:45 am Sorry
|
|
Sorry for the spelling errors.
_________________
Diamond Don
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
GOD, COUNTRY, FAMILY |
|
|
|
Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
|
Posted 18 May 2010 6:52 am
|
|
I see it has a Emmons fretboard. Are there any Franklin parts in it? since Franklin made the "pedabro" steels.
Oops it is an Emmons fretboard - sorry.
Last edited by Jack Stoner on 18 May 2010 11:35 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
|
Shorty Rogers
|
Posted 18 May 2010 9:27 am
|
|
| My Franklin fretboard has white spider webs, not mult-colored atoms. Me-thinks this is an Emmons fretboard. The pedals are definitely not Franklin pedals. |
|
|
|
Donald Stackpole
From:
Oviedo Florida, USA
|
Posted 18 May 2010 1:18 pm No Franklin parts
|
|
The instrument has no franklin parts. Most of the parts were machined by myself and an old friend who played Steel guitar and owned a machine shop. all wood work, lamination was hand crafted by myself, I was a custom woodworker for many years and specialized in one of a kind original pieces. I'm not sure about the construction of Franklin's machine but although they look simular I'm sure there are a lot of variations. I built it in 1986. Changed the fret board out due to damage a couple of years later, it was given to me from the same friend. Great minds do think alike. (not that I'm comparing myself to the legendary Paul Franklin)
_________________
Diamond Don
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
GOD, COUNTRY, FAMILY |
|
|
|
Tony Dingus
From:
Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
|
Posted 19 May 2010 7:52 pm
|
|
Donald, got any pics of the changer/cross shafts ?
Nice looking guitar. Wish I had one.
Tony |
|
|
|
Ernie Pollock
From:
Mt Savage, Md USA
|
Posted 20 May 2010 4:29 am Wow!!
|
|
Donald, that is one beautiful instrument, what a great job. those pedals kind of look like BMI Pedals, or did you friend make those also?? I too would like to see the 'working' parts of the guitar also. Again, complements on a great job.
Ernie Pollock 
new email address: mailto:shobud75@hotmail.com |
|
|
|
Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 20 May 2010 5:32 am
|
|
Donald, so you're a woodworker. That opens up a whole bunch of possibilities. You managed to make a pedal dobro - well, then it ain't such a big leap to have a pedal steel sitting there as well.
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
|
|
|
Donald Stackpole
From:
Oviedo Florida, USA
|
Posted 20 May 2010 12:26 pm Building a Steel
|
|
Diddo... Just went and bought a new CNC already getting started. I'm excited
_________________
Diamond Don
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
GOD, COUNTRY, FAMILY |
|
|
|
Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 20 May 2010 12:32 pm Re: Building a Steel
|
|
| Donald Stackpole wrote: |
| Diddo... Just went and bought a new CNC already getting started. I'm excited |
CNC??? well you got it made man! Tell us on the builders forum as well !
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
|
|
|
Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
|
Posted 20 May 2010 5:30 pm
|
|
It never ceases to amaze me that someone can possess the formidable talent to built such an exquisite instrument, but can't play it. Can't wrap my had around that...
Donald, learning to play should be a piece of cake compared to engineering that lovely guitar... best of luck, and my compliments!
_________________
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!
no gear list for me.. you don't have the time...... |
|
|
|
Donald Stackpole
From:
Oviedo Florida, USA
|
Posted 27 May 2010 6:47 am strings
|
|
Are there such a thing as bronz strings for this pedal dobro, (10 ea.)I herd it would give it a more realistic sound. Or, can anyone suggest the best suited string type.
Thanks,
_________________
Diamond Don
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
GOD, COUNTRY, FAMILY |
|
|
|
Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
|
Posted 27 May 2010 9:28 am Re: strings
|
|
| Donald Stackpole wrote: |
Are there such a thing as bronz strings for this pedal dobro, (10 ea.)I herd it would give it a more realistic sound. Or, can anyone suggest the best suited string type.
Thanks, |
You would have to buy the individual strings (probably from Ernie Ball) and make up your own sets.
Would you consider building more of these magnificent instruments for other players? Maybe even a 12 string version?
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
|
|
|
Franklin
|
Posted 27 May 2010 1:59 pm
|
|
.........The first Franklin Pedabro was built in mid 85......How fast it was accepted in the studio really amazed us. The players that were inquiring about a purchase of a Pedabro was a little overwhelming, this interest prompted Dad to apply for a patent.....We felt it was worth the costly process. Because of the unique design of pulling the strings across the resonator bridge and the slanted acoustic top placed on top of the steel guitar cabinet, we were successful......Patenting a design proved to be a timely process, that took us 16 months, largely because of the required complex drawings and the lawyers patent research needed to insure we were not infringing on another companies patent. We received our approval with a patent number in 87........The way the patent process works.....Once the process was started in 85, the Franklin Pedabro held the title "patent pending" which protected the design idea until the US patents office either accepted, or denied, our application....A few years back we let the patent expire, instead of extending it.....We believe it was the best decision for the community.
Mike,
Bronze strings were my earliest preference......."Forever and Ever, Amen" by Randy Travis.....Bronze Strings........On Keith Whitley's "Don't Close Your Eyes" I used stainless steel strings......I hear a difference......The bronze sounded the best. Because the Bronze strings were too hard to find around town, I switched to stainless.
Paul |
|
|
|
Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
|
|
|
|
Donald Stackpole
From:
Oviedo Florida, USA
|
Posted 28 May 2010 10:46 am To Paul Franklin
|
|
Mr. Franklin, would you be so kind as to send me an e-mail address so I can talk to you.
Thank you,
_________________
Diamond Don
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
GOD, COUNTRY, FAMILY |
|
|
|
Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
|
Posted 28 May 2010 1:28 pm
|
|
| Bob Carlucci wrote: |
It never ceases to amaze me that someone can possess the formidable talent to built such an exquisite instrument, but can't play it. Can't wrap my had around that...
|
Bob, we all have different talents and abilities. Some of us can build and repair instruments, some of us can play them. Some of us can do both equally well. Some can do one better than the other. That's just life.
I'm so incompetent about the mechanical stuff I almost have to take my steels to the repair shop to change a string. 
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
|
|
|
Tony Dingus
From:
Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
|
Posted 28 May 2010 1:32 pm
|
|
Paul Jr correct me if I'm wrong but, I don't think Paul Sr plays steel but builds one of the best. Different talents is right.
Tony |
|
|
|
