| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Dobro amplification idea
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Dobro amplification idea
Tim Toberer


From:
Nebraska, USA
Post  Posted 25 Mar 2023 5:46 am    
Reply with quote

I have been experimenting with making my own bobbins - winding pickups in a very low tech way. Finally I got around to winding a small floating pickup for my archtop guitar and it it got me thinking. There have seen a few threads about the problems of amplifying resonators and I think something like this may work. This pickup is very very low output and very microphonic. I could only get about 2500 winds of 40 gauge wire on the bobbin and the magnet is a 2 1/4" Neo. The pickup has 1.37k resistance. Strong magnet, big wire, few winds. It looks like a CC pickup.

I was using it with my new Quilter Superblock (amazing by the way) and pretty much have to crank the master volume all the way up and I don't get useable volume until the gain is about 8 then the volume goes up quick from there. At full gain I get a pretty nice vintage bluesy breakup, dialed back just a little and I get a nice clean with a VERY faithful acoustic sound and NO feedback problems at all. I feel like this pickup with a few more winds maybe exactly what I want for my archtop, and I think it may work for a dobro as well, but haven't tried it. Has anyone tried anything similar? I already hear the doubters chiming in. Oh Well I am unsure if anyone makes a pickup like this. It's weird, but I actually really like it. I think it may tame my clone Tweed Deluxe too, currently on loan, can't wait to get it back and try it out. I need to get me a Dobro!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Tim Toberer


From:
Nebraska, USA
Post  Posted 25 Mar 2023 6:19 am    
Reply with quote

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Tim Toberer


From:
Nebraska, USA
Post  Posted 25 Mar 2023 6:21 am    
Reply with quote

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Peter Jacobs


From:
Northern Virginia
Post  Posted 25 Mar 2023 8:12 am    
Reply with quote

I like the idea, Tim — a microphonic pickup may help with adding some natural resonance. Krivo pickups are built that way (according to their website).

Does the cat help reduce eddy currents and standing waves? I don’t think there’s room in my gig bag for one, though.
_________________
Peter
---------
www.splinterville.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@splinterville6278/videos
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Larry Allen


From:
Kapaa, Kauai,Hawaii
Post  Posted 28 Mar 2023 11:49 am     Dobro PU
Reply with quote

I was able to buy a DXR5 dobro PU from Bill Lawrence in St. Louis in the late 90’s, so far the best after trying several over the years Very Happy

_________________
Excel steels & Peavey amps,Old Chevys & Motorcycles & Women on the Trashy Side
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Tim Toberer


From:
Nebraska, USA
Post  Posted 29 Mar 2023 5:39 am    
Reply with quote

Peter Jacobs wrote:
I like the idea, Tim — a microphonic pickup may help with adding some natural resonance. Krivo pickups are built that way (according to their website).

Does the cat help reduce eddy currents and standing waves? I don’t think there’s room in my gig bag for one, though.

I never leave home without 2 or 3 cats Razz
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Glenn Demichele


From:
(20mi N of) Chicago Illinois, USA
Post  Posted 8 Aug 2024 6:19 am    
Reply with quote

I made a low profile neck pickup for my C6 neck. It has few windings, a 1k Rout, and correspondingly low output. I used the tiny transformer from inside an XLR to 1/4” mic adapter - 600 to 50k ohms, connecting the pickup to the XLR side (600). Output is nice and big, and sounds great.
_________________
Franklin D10 8&5, Excel D10 8&5. Both amazing guitars! Homemade buffer/overdrive with adjustable 700Hz "Fender" scoop., Moyo pedal, GT-001 effects, 2x TDA7294 80W class AB amps, or 2x BAM200 for stereo. TT12 and BW1501 each in its own closed back wedge. Also NV400 etc. etc...
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron