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Topic: ShoBud Dobro? |
John Ehrensperger
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 15 Mar 2015 7:22 pm |
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I'm trying to get some information on a ShoBud 7-string dobro that I bought at a guitar show about 20 years ago. The headstock is inlaid with the initials "JDW" and the neck has extensive abalone inlays. There is also abalone inlay around the top binding. The body looks for all the world like a 12-fret Martin rosewood dreadnought body with a Dobro spider bridge and hubcap cover. It is NOT a "ShoBro", which I understand were made by Gretsch, although it did come in an old Gretsch case. It appears to be a mostly hand-made instrument.
I've been told that it was built by Shot himself, although I don't have any authoritative information on that. Does anyone know anything about these instruments, when it might have been built, who JDW might be, etc? Any information would be much appreciated. Thanks. |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 10:14 am
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Photos of the instrument in question might be helpful.
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A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 11:22 am
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I have one at my shop I am about to do a set up on. It is a Sho Bud and not a Sho Bro as well. I will open it up and hopefully find a date and a serial number. Possibly other info I will share when I get into the job. It has the same abalone trim, Brazilian Rosewood / Spruce top. I am curious to find if the woods are solid or laminate, I am assuming solid by the looks of the guitar... and the weight, it's a heavy Bro'.
The initials on the top are most likely that of the original owner. TC Furlong has one with Shot inlaid on the head. I would guess it was Shots guitar at some point. A forum search will find TC's post when he found the guitar.
Todd |
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John Ehrensperger
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 11:23 am
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Here are some pictures of the instrument. I couldn't figure out how to navigate the upload system early this morning.
There's a good bit of finish checking and a substantial top crack at the end block. Otherwise it is in good, if well-loved, condition. Contrary to some of the comments in the links provided, it has a pretty nice bark, at least when it has fresh strings. I wonder if some of those comments related to the "ShoBro", which is a completely different animal.
Thanks for the information provided so far, and hopefully more to come.
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 12:20 pm
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Was Ira Louvin doing the inlay work then?
My thinking is the guitars that had no "Bark," were the ShoBros made by Gretsch. I had one, and it was a dud.
_________________
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David Knutson
From:
Cowichan Valley, Canada
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 2:03 pm
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I also have a 7 string that was made by Shot, but after he had separated from ShoBud and ShoBro. It has SJ inlaid on the headstock, which he apparently did on several guitars. Never seen another with this body shape though.
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David K |
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Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Posted 16 Mar 2015 2:38 pm
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Does the crack run to a cover plate screw ?
If so, it's sign a that it is solid wood top and possible they did not brace the spruce properly. I've seen this a bit on early solid wood resonator instruments .
You should have a caul glued in there at some point. |
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