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Topic: 10 or 12 string acoustic steel or dobro? |
Michael J Pfeifer
From:
New York NY 10036
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Posted 5 May 2012 9:49 am |
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Hi Pickers,
Does such a beast exist? |
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chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
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Posted 5 May 2012 10:19 am
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Back in the late 70's, I bought a 10-string Dobro from OMI. It sounded ok to me because I didn't know what a good sounding Dobro sounded like. Not being one to leave well enough alone, I converted it to a 12-string, which crushed the cone and cracked the spider. Donald Young, of National Guitars, who was working at OMI at the time, spun a better cone, replaced the spider, I put it back to 10-strings and it sounded better. I don't have any pics of that guitar, at the moment.
The issue is how the pressure of the strings on the cone can damp it.
Years later I converted a 12-string acoustic, that I got in a pawn shop, to be a 10-string (and I don't have any better pictures), but you can get the idea. I connected a titanium ring, welded to the titanium bridge, that has a series of titanium rods welded to it, to hang down inside the body. The idea was that they would vibrate sympathetically to the strings that were being played and resonate inside the body.
Structurally, I "beefed" the neck with an aluminum brace and I added a wider nut with a couple aluminum bars down the sides of the neck.
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Michael J Pfeifer
From:
New York NY 10036
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Posted 5 May 2012 10:28 am
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Hi Chas,
Thanks for the reply. Is there a company that manufactures such a beast? |
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Michael Maddex
From:
Northern New Mexico, USA
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Michael J Pfeifer
From:
New York NY 10036
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Posted 5 May 2012 12:33 pm
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| Thanks Michael. Do you know where someone could purchase a new modern version? |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 5 May 2012 3:05 pm
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A 12 string Quad Cone and a 10 string single cone......both built by Carrol Benoit......
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L. Bogue Sandberg
From:
Chassell, Michigan, USA
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Posted 6 May 2012 8:45 am
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Howard,
Is there any chance we could hear that 12 string, 4 cone monster. When you first posted photos a while back I thought it was one of the most beautiful and scary looking guitars I'd ever seen. Intimidating, and I play 8 string reso all the time. But what does it sound like?
Bogue |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 6 May 2012 9:02 am
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| I'll see what I can do after I finish uploading more vids from The Non Pedal Sessions in Dallas....... |
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norm mcdaniel
From:
waco tx
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Posted 6 May 2012 1:22 pm Acoustic backpackers
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If you are looking for some acoustic 12 stringers go to http://dllapsteel.com/  
Norm in Waco tx |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Melvin Elliott
From:
Mississippi, USA
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Posted 7 May 2012 5:26 am
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I own an OMI bell brass chromed 10 string with the Wild Rose engraving. It was made in 1976 and I believe it is the one mentioned on Pete's web page as
John Dopyera saying they made "one". They had a model 10 wooden Dobro in their catalog back then. |
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Michael J Pfeifer
From:
New York NY 10036
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Posted 7 May 2012 11:12 am
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| Thanks for the feedback, pickers. Pete Grant's instrument looks experimental. I guess no one is producing a modern 10 or 12 string acoustic steel or Dobro. If you come across one,please let me know. Thanks again. |
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L. Bogue Sandberg
From:
Chassell, Michigan, USA
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Posted 7 May 2012 11:52 am
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Gregg McKenna built a few 10 string resonator guitars. Sadly, he closed up shop about a year ago. My everyday 8 string and a 7 string are McKennas and I've been very pleased with the sound and quality of both. If one of his 10's shows up on the used market, it's worth a serious look.
Bogue |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 7 May 2012 12:07 pm
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| Michael J Pfeifer wrote: |
| Thanks for the feedback, pickers. Pete Grant's instrument looks experimental. I guess no one is producing a modern 10 or 12 string acoustic steel or Dobro. If you come across one,please let me know. Thanks again. |
Carroll Benoit currently builds the 10 string guitar that I posted a photo of...... |
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Michael Maddex
From:
Northern New Mexico, USA
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Posted 8 May 2012 8:00 am
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| Michael J Pfeifer wrote: |
| Thanks Michael. Do you know where someone could purchase a new modern version? |
I think that all of these posts show that a new one is going to have to be a custom job. If I wanted a new one, I would contact a couple of builders and see who is interested and what s/he would charge, how long it might take, etc. BTW, good thread -- I'm enjoying the pics and the comments.
| HowardR wrote: |
| ... and a 10 string single cone ... |
Very cool, Howard, but I count only nine strings -- but ten tuners? Maybe I need a new monitor? Or glasses? Can you help me out here?
| Melvin Elliott wrote: |
| ... OMI bell brass chromed 10 string with the Wild Rose engraving. It was made in 1976 ... |
How are you doing Mel? I sure would like to see a photo or two of the 10-String if you've got one handy. Thanks.
_________________
"For every expert, there is an equal and opposite expert." -- Arthur C. Clarke |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 8 May 2012 8:57 am
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I'll say one thing.......nothing gets by eagle eyes on The Steel Guitar Forum...... 
Yes, I have nine strings on that guitar.....originally it had ten and after awhile I decided that I'd rather have nine strings with a wider string spacing.....so I had a nut & saddle made in order to do that...... |
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Jim Konrad
From:
The Great Black Swamp USA
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Gregg McKenna
From:
South Windsor, Connecticut, USA
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