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Author Topic:  Dobro Repair
Dan Beller-McKenna


From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
Post  Posted 16 Nov 2021 3:01 am    
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Can anyone recommend a good reso repair person in northern New England. Getting a zing from my first string and I think it's rough notch in the saddle. This is a Beard Decophonic with the Fishman pickup installed at the factory, so I really want someone highly familiar with the system to take a look at it. Yes: I know shipping it to Beard is the first choice, but they have a long backlog, and I can't afford to be without it for months.

When I called Beard about this when it first arose a few months ago, the person on the phone (a salesperson whose name I forget) walked me through reseating the cone through a series of steps involving tuning down the strings and adjusting the tension screw. That helped temporarily, but I can;t recall the sequence of steps. Anyone know this trick? I could use it in the meantime.


Last edited by Dan Beller-McKenna on 16 Nov 2021 4:17 am; edited 1 time in total
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K Maul


From:
Hadley, NY/Hobe Sound, FL
Post  Posted 16 Nov 2021 4:16 am    
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In my experience very few guitar repair people know much about dobros. If you’ve tightened the adjusting screw on yours already you probably should not tighten it further. You might try moving the spider a tiny amount. Loosen the strings a little then rotate the spider left or right just a whisker with fingers or screwdrivers against the spider legs through the square coverplate holes, one on each side. This will reseat the resonator and change the angle of the string passing across the saddle. That’s worked for me before. Failing that call Denny at Beard again. He’s not just a “salesperson”. They are great folks.
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Dan Beller-McKenna


From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
Post  Posted 16 Nov 2021 4:20 am    
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Thanks, Kevin. I'll give the spider shove a try.

Whomever I spoke with at Beard described himself as "just a sales person," hence my labeling. Obviously, though, he knew a hell of a lot about resos. He was extremely helpful.
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Glenn Wilde

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 16 Nov 2021 5:51 am    
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Reshaping a saddle slot or even changing out a saddle is not too difficult if you have patients and at least some mechanical skill, if you are not so inclined or just dont want to then by all means seek a pro. I'm sure you'll find help here either way.
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Dan Beller-McKenna


From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
Post  Posted 16 Nov 2021 6:55 am    
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I have changed out a saddle on a beater reso, but wouldn't do it myself on this guitar. But, more importantly, the saddle here is connected to the Fishman pickup. Hence my search for a repair person who really knows that system.
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Bruce Bjork


From:
Southern Coast of Maine
Post  Posted 16 Nov 2021 7:10 am    
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Dan Burke in Freeport replaced my cone quite a while ago, in the past he built some Reso’s. Onehoss@comcast.net. Not sure if he’s doing repairs. Www.BurkeReso.com. Or dan@burkereso.com.
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Dan Beller-McKenna


From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
Post  Posted 16 Nov 2021 7:17 am    
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Thanks, Bruce!
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Lance Clifford

 

From:
Oregon, USA
Post  Posted 16 Nov 2021 7:48 am    
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Dan,

You might give Jacob Klag a call https://www.fretboardrehab.com/ He's close, in Rochester and if he's not the guy he will likely know who to send you to. 603-343-5185
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Dan Beller-McKenna


From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
Post  Posted 16 Nov 2021 7:51 am    
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Thanks, Lance. Very near me!
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Lance Clifford

 

From:
Oregon, USA
Post  Posted 16 Nov 2021 7:54 am    
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You're welcome, Dan.

Let us know how things work out...
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Howard Parker


From:
Maryland
Post  Posted 16 Nov 2021 11:40 am    
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**WARNING**

Just an FYI. If you miscalculate dressing the insert (it is the PICKUP) you might well lose hundreds of $$ in the reinstall.

Shoving the spider around as previously described is a "user function" as is occasional cleaning/disassembly.

THIS VIDEO MIGHT HELP in the process.

Feel free to reach out.

Former Beard guy.

hp
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Howard Parker

03\' Carter D-10
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Dan Beller-McKenna


From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
Post  Posted 24 Nov 2021 3:37 am    
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So, moving the spider ended up solving the issue. I had tried it to no effect. But a more-experienced local dobro player (Bob Kordas) suggested I try shoving it over a it a little more and that did the trick.

Thanks for all the suggestions!
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