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Topic: Square Neck Dobro |
Mike Dexter
From:
Derbyshire, England
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Posted 8 Nov 2006 4:36 pm |
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| I'm a newcomer to Dobro and about to buy my first square neck.Can anyone give advise on the better ones on the market---and the ones not so good? |
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Ron Bednar
From:
Rancho Cordova, California, USA
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Posted 8 Nov 2006 4:52 pm
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Hi Mike and welcome. The long and short of it is you get what you pay for. Suggestions as to specific guitars would come if we had a budget to work from. How much do you want to spend?
Cheers, Ron[This message was edited by Ron Bednar on 08 November 2006 at 04:53 PM.] |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 8 Nov 2006 4:54 pm
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What price range? I just bought a Beard/GoldTone solid Mahogany from Elderly, they sell them for $895 and I'm very satisfied with it. Well balanced full sound with good sustain...
Steinar
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"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights
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Randy Reeves
From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 8 Nov 2006 4:58 pm
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one year ago I received my first resonator. it is a beautiful National Model D sq. neck. it is in walnut. it is single cone with spider bridge.
the craftsmanship is excellent. it has really warmed up from a good year of playing.
I ordered this guitar because I wanted a certain sound. Ive played metal, but wood is what I wanted. it gives ,to my ears, a classic sound.
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Mark Eaton
From:
Sonoma County in The Great State Of Northern California
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Posted 8 Nov 2006 5:38 pm
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Mike-we need to know your price range.
Be aware that the term Beard/Goldtone misleads some folks (though I know Steinar isn't doing it on purpose!  ).
These are exceptional instruments for the money, and not to sound nitpicky, but the thing is called the Goldtone Paul Beard Signature.
In other words, the guitar is manufactured by Goldtone, in an Asian factory, and was designed by master reso luthier Paul Beard. I have run across a few folks that get thrown off by the Beard name being first, and thought it was built at the Beard facility in the state of Maryland.
The best ones in fact have come in from Asia and been set up and received final assembly at the Beard facility. I don't recall if Elderly sets them up, or if they have Beard set them up-but I recall that Elderly has good dobro people that know their stuff.
The lowest priced Goldtone/Beards can be had for under $600 here in the U.S.
The National shown above is a nice guitar, but it is in the $2,000 plus range if memory serves. I like the sound of those National Model D's, but for whatever reason, many of the bluegrass guys don't care for them.
Another good option that doesn't break the bank is the Wechter/Scheerhorn.
But as I wrote at the top, we need to know what you are willing to spend.
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Mark
[This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 08 November 2006 at 05:39 PM.] [This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 08 November 2006 at 05:42 PM.] |
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Chris Morrison
From:
Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 8 Nov 2006 5:40 pm
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See the Goldtone Beard reviews at http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum2/HTML/007657.html
(search SGF for 'Goldtone Beard' for lots more).
imho, the GT Beard mahog. laminate reso is a _very_ good "starter" squareneck Chris[This message was edited by Chris Morrison on 08 November 2006 at 05:44 PM.] |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 8 Nov 2006 5:49 pm
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Hey Mark, I'm writing "Beard" first because it makes me feel better, right? 
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| I don't recall if Elderly sets them up, or if they have Beard set them up-but I recall that Elderly has good dobro people that know their stuff. |
This is what Elderly writes on their website:
"We obtain these directly from Beard so his highly experienced staff can inspect and set up each instrument."
Plus - "fit with genuine Beard parts, most notably the resonator cone and spider bridge."
For some good sound samples of various resos, visit the "Guitar Comp" page on Rob Anderlik's website, he has recorded several under the same circumstances, using the same equipment and playing the same tunes - Guitar Comp.
Steinar
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"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights
[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 08 November 2006 at 05:56 PM.] |
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Bill McCloskey
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Posted 8 Nov 2006 5:59 pm
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| In my opinion there are no more beautiful guitars than Benoits and there are no better sounding guitars than the Beard MA's. But both are expensive. |
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Lynn Oliver
From:
Redmond, Washington USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 12:03 am
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I spoke with Ivan Guernsey earlier this week, and he happens to have a model 680 in stock. Until recently the wait for a new Guernsey was about two years.
Another maker to consider is Rayco; the Rayco deep maple model is a wonderfully balanced instrument: loud, with the strong treble you need for bluegrass, but still with sweet lows up and down the neck.
By some strange coincidence my reso teacher, Orville Johnson, plays both a Guernsey and a Rayco...
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Lynn Oliver
 
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Joe Lipman
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 9 Nov 2006 5:31 am
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Just in case you're interested, I have a used, near-mint Goldtone mahogany squareneck for sale with hardshell case for $425 + shipping from Nashville. I have an add in the for sale section.
It's a fine instrument, but I got the bug for a better instrument (unfortunately before my skill level requires it).
Joe
ragtimejoe@comcast.net
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Darryl Hattenhauer
From:
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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