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Post new topic Dobro Simulators?
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Author Topic:  Dobro Simulators?
Daniel Jones

 

From:
Nederland, CO USA
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2008 11:42 am    
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Hello,

I am perhaps interested in acquiring a dobro simulator to use with my pedal steel, and would like input on the pros/cons of various models. If it helps in the sound I’m looking for, I have to say that I love the sound of Paul Franklin’s simulator on Mark Knopfler’s “How Long” (of course there is the fact that it’s PF playing; I’ll work on that).

Thanks in advance for ideas.

Daniel Jones
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2008 11:53 am    
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I'm sure Paul is using a "Peda-Bro".
That is a pedal steel made by Paul's dad that incorporates a resonator diaphram.

Next down the line ia a unit made by Duane Marrs nick named the "cat can" that incorporates an empty cat can as the resonator.

Then we have the "MatchBro" by Goodrich. There are several different versions of this unit but is a unit that just clips to your guitar leg like a Match Box.

And then we dare not exclude the "BoBro" by Bobbe Seymour that is a stomp box.

Let your conscience (and ears) be your guide! Very Happy
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Jerry Overstreet


From:
Louisville Ky
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2008 5:19 pm    
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Seymour's Bobro is the most realistic electronic reso sim I have ever heard Cool . He also jerked all the knobs off of it, so we can't mess it up Exclamation
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Lee Warren


From:
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2008 3:29 pm    
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Has anyone tried using a Boss AC-2 acoustic simulator pedal and or a graphic eq pedal to get the Dobro sound?
(I'm thinking that Dobro simulators are some kind of notch filter/eq).
Lee
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Rick Nicklas

 

From:
Verona, Mo. (deceased)
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2008 3:48 pm    
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Best dobro simulation I've heard was done by Jerry Roller. And you are correct, you have to think dobro when using it or it still won't sound totally correct. Jerry has it down. Hopefully he will see this thread and tell us what he uses.
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Clyde Mattocks

 

From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2008 4:40 pm    
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My vote goes to the Bobro, however as been pointed
out, you have to think like a dobro player and stay within a fairly limited range, bit it does fool people quite convincingly. Another plus is it sounds
like a muted trumpet if you use the volume pedal to
bring in the notes and think trumpet phrasing (single
notes of course). I use my Boss CA-30 as a slide
sometimes to get a bottleneck effect with it.
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Jerry Erickson

 

From:
Atlanta,IL 61723
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2008 10:14 pm    
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The Bobro is a modified Boss GE-7, or at least a GE-7 pedal assembly. If you have a GE-7, try boosting 200,800,3.2k while cutting 100,40,1.6k. Start with full boost or cut and then adjust to taste. Works for some people.
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Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 25 Apr 2008 2:40 am    
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I'm using an original model Goodrich MatchBro (that has the tone control in the bypass mode). I've fooled a lot of people with it and people come up to the stage during shows and wonder where the "Dobro" is. I did a recording session about 7 or 8 years ago for a local singer and used it on one of the songs. He had a Bluegrass picker friend listen to the cut and he commented about the Dobro and when he told him it wasn't a Dobro he didn't believe it. I did a gig with the singer about a month later and the Bluegass picker came to the show and I had to demonstrate the MatchBro for him.

And, as I've said many times, you have to think Dobro.
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Jim Eaton


From:
Santa Susana, Ca
Post  Posted 25 Apr 2008 10:03 am    
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I recently got a Marrs 6 string Cat Can with the active electronics and have to say it's "da bomb" for me!!! I have a 76' OMI Dobro, a Galveston Dobro with a pick-up built in and in a live situation the Marrs just flat out does the job. I use normal gbdgbd dobro tuning and a chase 2 3/4" tapered bar just like I use with my acoustic dobros.
JE:-)>
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 25 Apr 2008 10:10 am    
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I almost forgot, but years ago Bruce Zumsteg marketed an auxilary pickup that you struck to the neck of your guitar and it made it sound like a resonator.
He even had a preamp that went with it.
Like so many things, I have one but never used it. Whoa!
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Richard Sinkler


From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
Post  Posted 25 Apr 2008 10:21 am    
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I have a BoBro and have fooled many a person. Yes, you have to think like a dobro player. But, you can also play it like a PSG player. That makes you sound like you are playing a Ped-A-Bro.
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Greg Gefell


From:
Upstate NY
Post  Posted 21 Jun 2009 6:53 am    
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Are there any good sound samples of a before and after for this pedal?
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Lee Baucum


From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
Post  Posted 21 Jun 2009 7:22 am    
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You can see a video of the BoBro here:

Click Here

Lee
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Ben Godard

 

From:
Jamesville NC
Post  Posted 22 Jun 2009 4:43 pm    
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Just as a hobby, I have been working on a proto type. Its a lot like the matchbro but better and allows way more control of the sound and it mounts on the leg of a psg just like the matchbro did. However since I got laid off of my job it's been put on hold for a while now. It sounds really good but it is task to get all the electronics to fit in one box. If I ever get it finshed. I will post it on the forum

I think the best sound without actually using the dobro is the Mars Fluger guitars with the built in resophonic circuitry. I think that Dierks Bently's band used one on the album. Correct me if I am wrong.
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Paddy Long


From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
Post  Posted 22 Jun 2009 7:06 pm    
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Show Pro are making a D10 called the Cat-Bro which has a back neck which I think is similar to the Cat-Can, but it has pedals and knee's like the Franklin Peda-Bro! Jeff Surratt will be able to provide a bit more in-depth info on this creation !
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Ron Wright


From:
Modesto,CA
Post  Posted 22 Jun 2009 8:24 pm    
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I get pretty close with a boss PH-2
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