Advice on a pickup for an Ozark "Dobro"

Christopher Hillman · From: Manchester, UK

Hi everyone,

I know this might seem a bit like old ground, but im looking for some quick advice on a pick up for my ozark 3515SQ (Dobro style). Its a square neck, wood body with a spider resonator. http://www.ozark-acoustic.com/guitars/3515SQ.html

These arnt an expensive guitar, but i've had it for about a year and cant use it live as it has no pick up.

I thought of going for the Fishman Nashville... but what do you guys think?

My needs are:
-Ocasional song use as a break from pedal steel or guitar.
-For use with a live band (country, Country Rock etc) with drum kit, so i need something that will compete using the venues DI's etc.
-Acoustic gigs too.

I don't want to skimp on a cheap pickup as i imagen once its rigged up i'll get a lot of use out of it... i just can't spend hundreads.

I was going to buy a Fishman Nashville off ebay (USA), but i'm in the U.K and i think with duty etc its going to be really expensive...

Any advice or other pickup options are welcome... its a complete unknown for me.

Thanks, Chris Smile

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

What's your budget? What type of amplifier will you be using? How loud do you need to be?
There are a number of different resonator guitar pickups out there, if you don't want / can't afford to buy the Fishman Nashville pickup and Jerry Douglas pedal. Most other pickups will benefit from a device such as the Baggs Para Acoustic DI. Depending on your setup, you will almost certainly be dealing with feedback issues. A good inexpensive EQ option is the Boss GE-7 pedal.
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Bill Mollenhauer · From: New Jersey, USA

I have a really cheap Regal that I experiment with and I put a $35 Dean Markley piezo pickup on it and it doesnt sound too bad. It is the one that uses the sticky putty.

I took off the hub cap and masking taped it to one leg and one brace of the spider. I left the hubcap off but I think you could run the cord out thru one of the holes in the cap. The tape comes loose over time so you would need to find a more permanent way, maybe use plastic cable wraps.

I only play by myself so you may be more picky with the sound.

Bill

Christopher Hillman · From: Manchester, UK

I guess my budget is about £150. I think with postage i could get a Fishman Nashville posted over... just unsure what they will charge me when it gets here. Don't really want to go over that, as i dont really have the money... some ok paid gigs have come in though, so i thought i'd put a pickup on it know before its spent.

I don't an acoustic amp so i'd just have to DI box it for a while. I need to be loud enough play it with a band.

I guess as best example i can find is this type of things... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPYxj3QBkIs Just ocasional dobro work with a band.

Like i say though i'm only saying the Fishman pickup because its all ive seen and i know it must be pretty good.

Michael Hillman · From: Boise, Idaho, USA

Hello, Chris, I've stuck a number of pickups on or, more accurately in resophonic guitars with varying degrees of success. Most recently installed the Fishman Aura in my Luttrell, and use it with the Aura box, and I feel that it sounds much better than anything else I've ever tried. It is however probably more than you are looking to spend for the Ozark project. I have used a less expesive Fishman with an older Dobro through a DI box with reasonbly good success. I still favor using a microphone, but understand that on the bandstand that is not always the best answer. Hope this is helpful, and, we may be distant cousins. My great grandfather 10 generations back was kidnapped from a fishing boat on the River Thames, and sold for his passage to America, mid 1600s, I guess that was not uncommon in those days. He is known as "the Emigrant" John Hillman, settled in Martha's Vineyard off the coast of Massachussets. Best of luck with your project, let us know what you do and how it turns out. - Michael Hillman
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Two Spector 5 string basses, Martin D-18, Taylor 812CE, 1996’Epiphone Sheraton, 1944 Epiphone Zenith, a killer Luttrell 6 string resophonic, 1932 Model 56 Dobro, Beard Model E, Martin Soprano Uke, 10 string 1953 Alkire Eharp, Peavey Nashville 112, Fender Bassman, Fender 75 watt Rumble, and a Fender 100 watt Rumble.

Christopher Hillman · From: Manchester, UK

Hi Michael! Thanks for the advice... i think that might be a bit more than i can afford right now... but i'll have to keep researching this i think. Fishmans do always seem to sound good from what i hear compared to other makes, but im not much of an acoustic man.

Thats crazy about the kidnap story! it interesting to think there could be a connection from all that time ago.... and its funny that you got in contact! I've only just remembered about this, but until about a year ago (assuming this is the same guitar) i had a black zum steel U-12, early 80s and while trying to track it back on the forum, i came across the one you were selling which looked like it may have gone to the U.K. in the end. I bought one off my friend here in the U.K. around summer 2009 (assuming this is the same guitar). It was a 7x5 and looked the spitting image appart from something next to the tone knob on one picture.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=123567&highlight=

Its probably a different guitar but i always thought it would have been interesting if two people called Hillman had owned it.

This was mine anyway (best i can find) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZe3LZ4oJdQ&list=UUVAWd0nsep5M6QMnrrIt3dQ&index=4&feature=plcp

Sorry for the change of subject everyone haha Laughing

Michael Hillman · From: Boise, Idaho, USA

Hello Chris, Good to see your response, I made a few attempts at pedals, and really enjoyed toying with the U12 Zum. It seems like I did sell that to someone on your side of the pond, but I don't recall the name. Send email to me at mhillman@overlandwest.com and we'll discuss Hillman history without imposing it on the rest of the forum--I have some information to share with you along those lines. Best - Michael
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Two Spector 5 string basses, Martin D-18, Taylor 812CE, 1996’Epiphone Sheraton, 1944 Epiphone Zenith, a killer Luttrell 6 string resophonic, 1932 Model 56 Dobro, Beard Model E, Martin Soprano Uke, 10 string 1953 Alkire Eharp, Peavey Nashville 112, Fender Bassman, Fender 75 watt Rumble, and a Fender 100 watt Rumble.

Ken Byng · From: Southampton, England

Chris
Schatten make excellent resonator pickups. They have sound files on their web site straight from the pickup, and the result is extremely authentic and accurate.

http://www.schattendesign.com/resonator.htm (Go to 'sound' tab).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vogkP1FBqi0 (A live performance with instrument mikes just for decorative purposes. Recorded from amp output)
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Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E,

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