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Topic: dual channel preamp for dobro and banjo? |
Cody Russell
From:
Arkansas, now in Denver
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Posted 12 Feb 2008 6:16 pm |
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After reading a couple of recent posts on the forum here I finally broke down and ordered a schertler pickup for my dobro. Let me just say first that I am beyond satisfied with this unit. Great dobro tone and very few feedback problems at a high volume. The only feedback issue that I had was quickly fixed with the soundman doing a little EQing. I also play banjo in most of my projects and I need a dual channel rack mountable preamp to run both through. I currently use an Avalon that works great but I can not afford another and I don't want to run both through the same pre. Does anyone have any ideas or opinions on a good rack mount pre for either dobro or banjo?
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carter pro, 66 twin revrerb, steel king, tut taylor dobro, gibson rb 250 |
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Tom Cooper
From:
Orlando, Fl
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Posted 12 Feb 2008 7:02 pm
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I bought the D-TAR Solstice and it has served me extremely well. I run my dobro k&k pickup along with a sennheiser e906 straped to the faceplate of the cone. I saw a gospel dobro player do that once. I can blend the 2 signal and eq and mute and phase. It is a 2 channel 4 input preamp/mixer. Just google D-TAR and you will find it. It is a branch of Seymour Duncan and Rick Turner. It even has a users forum. I love mine and it was only $300. I can run my dobro, archtop acoustic and my mandolin all out of one box and give the soundman 1 cable. You should check it out. Make sure to order the carry bag and extra power supply. Good luck.
TC |
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Fred Kinbom
From:
Berlin, Germany, via Stockholm, Sweden.
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Posted 13 Feb 2008 1:51 am
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Cody,
Wouldn't just about any mixer do the trick?
Tom,
Are you happy with the K&K Pure Dobro pickup? I think the Pure Western Mini is great, and am curious about the Dobro pickup, but would really like to come up with a solution that does not include drilling a hole in my Dobro.
For solo performances, would micing the Dobro be sufficent (SM57 or other mic) for amplification?
Cheers,
Fred
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www.fredrikkinbom.com - New lap steel album out now - listen here: fredrikkinbom.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-lap-steel-and-harmonium |
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Dave Harmonson
From:
Seattle, Wa
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Posted 13 Feb 2008 2:19 am
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| Cody, the Schertler really does the trick don't it. I've not heard anything else to date that works as well and still lets you play with touch. Fred If you don't need a lot of volume a mic will get the best sound. I think a good condenser mic would be better than the 57. One thing I don't like about miking is the fact that you are stuck in one place. Nice to be able to move around without changing your sound. |
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Tom Cooper
From:
Orlando, Fl
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Posted 13 Feb 2008 2:37 am
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The k&k is good but has limitations. If you try to play with a loud drummer or band it will feed back. Right now I am playing with a hippy bluegrass group and dont worry about it. Yes a little mixer would also do the trick blending. The preamps in the Solstice are supposed to be modeled after a famous old board. Live they really have come through for me. As far as the drilling a hole, you could just use a mic. I cable tie an e906 to the faceplate of the cone and blend it with the pickup but you could just use the mic. You are stuck with the mic right there, but you also have freedom to move around a bit. Just be carefull around monitors. I cant say enough about the D-TAR. I used to have a terrible time trying to play dobro live with bands. I still have to be carefull but at least I have a fighting chance. BTW, I bought one of those lace national pickups, the 200$ one and it just sounded like a lap steel. Not acoustic at all. I play a Regal Black Lightning and didnt mind the hole drilling as it is an entry level production guitar that I drag around to clubs and such. I would suggest getting a beater for clubs and keep your precious baby at home or for special gigs. Dobro live is indeed a challenge. For me blending was the answer. Have not played with loud band, but I did use it with a quieter alt-country type band and the Solstice served me well. Lots of control, vol,eq, mute, phase. Very handy.
TC |
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Tom Cooper
From:
Orlando, Fl
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Posted 13 Feb 2008 2:39 am
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The k&k is good but has limitations. If you try to play with a loud drummer or band it will feed back. Right now I am playing with a hippy bluegrass group and dont worry about it. Yes a little mixer would also do the trick blending. The preamps in the Solstice are supposed to be modeled after a famous old board. Live they really have come through for me. As far as the drilling a hole, you could just use a mic. I cable tie an e906 to the faceplate of the cone and blend it with the pickup but you could just use the mic. You are stuck with the mic right there, but you also have freedom to move around a bit. Just be carefull around monitors. I cant say enough about the D-TAR. I used to have a terrible time trying to play dobro live with bands. I still have to be carefull but at least I have a fighting chance. BTW, I bought one of those lace national pickups, the 200$ one and it just sounded like a lap steel. Not acoustic at all. I play a Regal Black Lightning and didnt mind the hole drilling as it is an entry level production guitar that I drag around to clubs and such. I would suggest getting a beater for clubs and keep your precious baby at home or for special gigs. Dobro live is indeed a challenge. For me blending was the answer. Have not played with loud band, but I did use it with a quieter alt-country type band and the Solstice served me well. Lots of control, vol,eq, mute, phase. Very handy.
TC |
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