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Topic: '' Lets talk Dobro's '' |
Gary Preston
From:
Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 12:53 pm |
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| Ok Guys and gals this is a new topic for me . I'm in the market for a new Dobro . As always we know there will be a difference of opinions and thats ok with me . Keep in mind i have never owned a Dobro and have very little experience playing one . I love the sound of them and hence i want one . I should have bought one years ago but having three pedal steel guitars seemed enough . I have been on the internet looking at different brands and reading the comments . I know i will have try some of them to see what i like the best . Thanks in advance for your thoughts . Best regards to all and have a happy holiday season . G.P. |
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David Nugent
From:
Gum Spring, Va.
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 1:14 pm Dobro
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| If cost is not an object, I would heartily recommend a "Beard" resonator guitar. New, they are priced on average from $1900.00 and up for the "R" models to $3700.00 for the "E" series and "Mike Auldridge" signature model. Beard also has a lower priced alternative "Goldtone" series that are manufactured overseas and then fitted with Beard hardware. I own the solid mahoghany model and it is a great guitar, sounds as good or better than my "Dobro" F60. |
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Marvin Born
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 2:12 pm Dobro
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Gary,
Uptown strings in Westerville has a Goldtone "Beard"
Dobro in stock. I have played it. I suggest you stop by there and try it out before you buy.
It has been there for a while and maybe they will talk on price.
Marvin |
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D Schubert
From:
Columbia, MO, USA
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 3:19 pm
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| The best advice is to play a bunch of them before you decide. I prefer the sound of the old Dobros that were made in California or Chicago, before World War II. They vary like crazy from guitar to guitar, but the good ones have a more dark, sweet, or complex tone than the new botique/custom resonator guitars being built today. Gruhn's in Nashville would be one place to start looking. Old wood-bodied Dobros are still an affordable option. The new ones (Beard, Scheerhorn, etc.) have more volume and presence, but -- to my hillbilly ears -- they lack the lonesome houn'dog whine & mojo of the old ones. |
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Val Drummond
From:
Maryland
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Gary Preston
From:
Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 3:23 pm
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 Val i would have to rob a bank to pay for one of these guitars !  |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 3:25 pm
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earlier this year I picked up my first Dobro ever, a Square Neck Gibson Hound Dog Deluxe. I was walking around GC and they had a used one, which looked like brand new one, I offered them less than they were asking , they accepted and I took it home with a new hard case as well, tags were still on both. Turns out it was purchased at best a few weeks earlier and brought back the day after the purchase and traded for another Guitar. They could not sell it for new so I guess I got a good deal @ $300 for the HD Deluxe.
I guess it's a middle of the road Dobro but I am really loving it. Wish I got one years ago...
Gary go get a Dobro, you will not be sorry !
T
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
Last edited by Tony Prior on 20 Dec 2009 2:32 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Val Drummond
From:
Maryland
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 3:52 pm
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Gary,
Marvin Born had a good recommendation too. Especially, if the guitar was set up a Paul Beard's shop. I have a buddy that purchased a Goldtone Beard. He was a happy customer. Great customer service there.
Good luck with your purchase. A dobro will bring you many years of music pleasure. |
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Gary Preston
From:
Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 3:53 pm
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 Thanks Tony . This would be something i could pick around on and not have to fire up all the amps etc, to make some noise . I know i am going to drive my wife crazy on this dobro . She will lock me in my music room until i find the runs and licks i'm sure . This should be fun for her !  Thanks all . G.P. |
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Gary Preston
From:
Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 3:56 pm
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| Jim you got any suggestions for a mask ? Or just use the one i have already ! You guys are the greatest thanks . G.P. P.S. one thing i did pick up on . I saw where one of the dobros neck ran part way through the body ,is this something to be concerned about or not ? |
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Kevin Robbins
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 4:16 pm Dobro
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Sent pm 11-19-09
_________________
MASGA, Mullen G2, Hilton, Evans, Webb, Walker |
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Ben Elder
From:
La Crescenta, California, USA
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 4:21 pm
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What D Schubert said. Look for something with a soundwell and an original short-legged spider/(stamped) lug cone: Os & Josh Heaven. These are still available (for no reason I can fathom) under $1000 sometimes.
Pre-war vs. modern boutique makers: do you want tone or are you trying to kill banjos?
Tone for me.
_________________
"Gopher, Everett?" |
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Will Brown
From:
Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 4:44 pm
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| gary i owen beard goldtone dobro national some 1000))to3500pricerange but i play a cheap johnson chicagoblues with a spuncone bonenut bonebridgeand it sounds better than some of those high dollor ones every one talks about the tone you get most of it from the cone anyway i guess all i am trying to say is you dont have to spend a mint to get a good instrument |
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Mike Greenberg
From:
Nashville, TN
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 7:13 pm
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Gary:
For what it's worth, I came to PSG relatively after having been a dobro player, for many years. As has been mentioned previously, you really can't beat Beard. I bought mine probably 6 years ago. Went to a shop with lots of dobros-- played them all. I asked the store owner ("Mandolin Brothers", Staten Island, NY) why the Beard was twice as loud as all the others and so much bassier (in a VERY good way). I honestly don't remember the reason for the great tone, but I can tell you I have never once wanted to buy another dobro; I have just been so pleased with my Beard. The Vintage-R model that some other folks have mentioned. I think they retail for around $1900 these days. |
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Philip Sterk
From:
Nashville, TN
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Posted 19 Dec 2009 7:47 pm
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| If you live in Columbus...Try the Bluegrass Music shop on S High in Germanville. I was on tour and picked up a nice Regal a few years ago for a reasonable price and when I got comfortable with playing it, I had it "hot-rodded" with a higher bone nut and a beard cone setup. Compared to all the resonators I've played at Mandolin Bros. (except for one, I'm holding out for someday...) I'm really not lying when I say, it sounds as good as just about any $1000+ resonator guitar. The Bluegrass Music Shop didn't have beard but they had Tutt Taylor among a few other respectable brand options. Nice people too. I think on Saturdays the have some guys jamming in the basement... |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 20 Dec 2009 2:33 am
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| Gary Preston wrote: |
| Thanks Tony . This would be something i could pick around on and not have to fire up all the amps etc, to make some noise . I know i am going to drive my wife crazy on this dobro . She will lock me in my music room until i find the runs and licks i'm sure . This should be fun for her ! Thanks all . G.P. |
Gary I play mine pretty much every morning for a short while. I suggest if you are worried about your wife and all, wear the mask that Jimbeau is talking about while playing, maybe your wife won't know it's you ..
just a thought...
I mean, come on, be creative buddy !
t
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Tamara James
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Posted 20 Dec 2009 7:20 am
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I enjoy my Regal Dobro very much. I would suggest trying Reso-hangout and Reso-nation web sites for information. Some of the steel players from here hang out over there. If you get really stuck, Troy Benninger (sp?) has some real nice (cheap) lessons for beginners, just so you can find out where you are going faster.
There is a very good reference book (about $12) you can get at amazon - Fretboard Roadmaps for Dobro Guitar (Paperback) http://www.amazon.com/Fretboard-Roadmaps-Dobro-Guitar-Sokolow/dp/0634001418 I find it very useful. It can cut the "hunting for it" time in half. I took some Dobro lessons from Fred Sokolow last spring and he is a great player and teacher, Im my humble opinion anyway.
Of course, if you feel like you need some lessons..I can suggest someone....
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Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 20 Dec 2009 7:54 am
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Gary, I don't know how you could go wrong with this one, excellent guitar, great price:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=172247
You'll like how the standard GBDGBD lays out. You'll be picking out nice melodies and harmonies in no time. I have a mahogony Wechter/Scheerhorn and I just love it, but I'd have snapped up that Tut Taylor if it was available at the time. Rick
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Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
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KENNY KRUPNICK
From:
Columbus, Ohio
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Posted 20 Dec 2009 2:06 pm
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| Gary, I have a Regal Dobro that I love the "growl" of very much. I like it better than the "Dobro" that I had before, so if you want a good amount of Dobro for a little amount of money, let's go to The Blugrass Musicians Supply on S. High St. You'll walk out the front door with a good instrument in hand, and a smile on your face. |
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KENNY KRUPNICK
From:
Columbus, Ohio
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Posted 20 Dec 2009 2:09 pm
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| Also that book"Fretboard Roadmaps for Dobro" that Tammy has, I have it, and Blugrass carries it as well. I bought mine from Grughn Guitars in Nashville. It contains an audio CD for the examples in the book. |
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Dale Bessant
From:
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
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Posted 20 Dec 2009 2:21 pm
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Gary,
Please check out Bill Blue at Liberty guitars, he only makes one square neck model but I am very satisfied with mine for the price.The tone and volume are great as well...
_________________
BMI S-10,3+4,Peavey Vegas 400,15"BW equipped,Goodrich 120,Zoom Studio rack mount-FX,Liberty Resonator,Fender Telecaster,JT-148 Jazz Box,Blueridge BR-180 |
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Tamara James
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Posted 20 Dec 2009 2:21 pm
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| KENNY KRUPNICK wrote: |
| Also that book"Fretboard Roadmaps for Dobro" that Tammy has, I have it, and Blugrass carries it as well. I bought mine from Grughn Guitars in Nashville. It contains an audio CD for the examples in the book. |
thanks, Kenny! I wasn't sure where to get one in Columbus. I got mine at acoustic Guitar camp last spring. Mine is a singed copy by the Author. Fred spent a good hour going through it with us. He is amazing. |
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Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
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Posted 20 Dec 2009 3:38 pm
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| I highly recommend the Goldtone. |
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Michael Strauss
From:
Delray Beach,Florida
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Posted 20 Dec 2009 5:17 pm
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Hi Gary,
I just got a 70's Dobro square neck and am loving it. It has a metal body and to my untrained ear it sounds great. Now to learn to play.
_________________
Carter S-12U, Sho-Bud LGD (80's), Fender Jazz King, Korg Pandora Toneworks PX4D, Modulus Q6, Ampeg B5R, Lapstick Travel Guitar mod to lapsteel |
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