Bradshaw's resonator pedal

James Marlowe · From: Florida, USA

I'm one of the happy owners of this pedal. I've had a few opportunities to try it out. I find it very easy to get a good 'Dobro' sound with it. I have not tried it along with any other effects but I'm sure it would work out just fine with fuzz, etc.
I play the only lead instrument in a 3 piece band. I guess there IS such a thing as too much steel. So, the resonator pedal adds some variety, in my way of thinking. And btw, I happen to like the sound of a "Pedal-bro", so my lack of experience with resonator guitar style playing doesn't stand in the way.
_________________
J.R. Marlowe
Life has many choices. Eternity has TWO. I choose Heaven.
Black '95 Zumsteel SD10, 4+5;Black Mullen RP SD10, 4+5
NRA Life member

James Marlowe · From: Florida, USA

And I meant to add, Tom Bradshaw is great to do business with. Thank you Tom!
_________________
J.R. Marlowe
Life has many choices. Eternity has TWO. I choose Heaven.
Black '95 Zumsteel SD10, 4+5;Black Mullen RP SD10, 4+5
NRA Life member

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

Great product!
Thanks Tom
Using a plastic bar like the ones Goodrich provided makes a more convincing acoustic Reso decay and tone, IMHO
_________________
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12

Greg Cutshaw · From: Corry, PA, USA

Tom should add the plastic bar as an option!

Tom Bradshaw · From: Walnut Creek, California, USA

I've received various questions from potential users of the Resonator, as well as was interviewed for an article in a European steel guitar club's newletters. Those questions and my answers are included when I ship a Resonator to a customer. Because of this topic here on the Forum, I'm going to provide the answer to a similar question that was asked of me for that interview. Here 'tis:

Q. "Do you need a special kind of tone bar for steel guitarists to use, or can you use the Resonator with a standard PSG tone bar?

A. "I didn't want steel guitarists to have to change bars whenever they chose to include the Resonator's effect. The design of the unit doesn't require one, but I suspect that using some other kind of tone bar (plastic, wood, aluminum, etc.) will create a different sound, perhaps even more "dobro-like" than just employing the Resonator by itself. I look forward to hearing from anyone who experiments with the Resonator and makes discoveries with its sound(s). My experiments didn't prompt me to produce a special tone bar (or bottle-neck slide) to accompany the Resonator. However, I encourage users of the product to do so. As I said, their efforts could elevate the Resonator to another and unanticipated, level of musical enhancement, an outcome I'd applaud.

"In particular, I want users to employ the Resonator with other effects. I believe in time that the Resonator will end up enhancing many other effects devices and instruments, creating many new sounds that users (and the listening public) will appreciate.

"Let me hear about your discoveries. ...Tom"

Providing a plastic tone bar would have added additional cost to the whole package. At this time, I'd prefer to have users experiment with the unit. Should their experiments lead to finding a better tone bar to use with the Resonator, then I'd prefer a consensus as to which is the best tone bar to provide with the unit. That outcome suits me best, rather than my making the decision without input.

Also remember, the Resonator was produced for guitarists, not just steel guitarists, and I've sold many to those guitarists. Providing a tone bar for that group would be useless. I'd hope that they would experiment too, then tell me which slide works best with the unit. ...Tom
P.S.: If anyone would like to read the complete packet of information I send with each purchase, let me know and I'll email the file to you. [tommybradshaw@gmail.com]

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

I just received mine and like it a lot.
I used it on a small bar gig with a four piece band last night, and recorded off the floor.

The results are here in MP3 format:
http://picosong.com/ec8L

http://picosong.com/ecAz

The first is a current New Country hit called "The Boys Round Here". No need to comment on the song, but I was able to cover the signature dobro licks, and it sounded right.

The second file is just the dobro solo on from Alan Jackson's version of "Mercury Blues".

The equipment I used is a GFI E9 PSG into the Reso Pedal > VP > Nash 112. Same BJS bar I always use.

I found that I have to pick harder and closer to the bridge than normal to get the dobro sound. Also the reverb totally off.

Thanks Tom! This pedal is a keeper.

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Here's an off the floor recording of my second night with this effect.

http://picosong.com/efF3/

Note the dobro is doing the fills, but the PSG does the solo. (really just a push of a button)

The different textures really help this 4 piece band sound fuller.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I brought mine to the Kansas City steel jam, and one of the players played a reso through a mic.
I believe my Zum through the Bradshaw box sounded closer to a quality Dobro than did the reso (of unknown brand), it sounded kinda tubby.
And my fiancee (who has a pretty good ear) agreed with the assessment.
Will it sound better than a good Dobro with a good mic? Naah. Will it sound better than ANY dobro with a pickup? I wager yes.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

If you are going to use a "dobro simulator" then you need to think and play like a dobro.

A steel guitar builder (who will remain nameless) once told me, after hearing me play my Matchbro with dobro licks that this is the way to play it. He said he heard a big name steeler (who will also remain nameless) use one basically as just another effect and he said it sounded bad.

I don't claim to be the world's best steel guitar picker but I've fooled bluegrass pickers with my Matchbro. I've also had people come up to the stage during a break and wonder where the dobro is.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

James Marlowe · From: Florida, USA

[quote="Jack Stoner"]If you are going to use a "dobro simulator" then you need to think and play like a dobro.quote]

This is a matter of opinion. As I said in the first post, I happen to like the sound of a 'pedal-bro', which isn't played typical 'dobro' style. It may sound crappy in your ears, but to me it sounds good.JMO.
_________________
J.R. Marlowe
Life has many choices. Eternity has TWO. I choose Heaven.
Black '95 Zumsteel SD10, 4+5;Black Mullen RP SD10, 4+5
NRA Life member

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

James, the Pedabro style, sorta a cross between Dobro and pedal steel styles, is hard to get right. Yeah, it's cool, but hard to nail. I don't even try.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

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