| Author |
Topic: Question on Dobro Sound Well |
Russell Baker
From:
Owego NY, USA
|
Posted 10 Apr 2015 12:19 pm |
|
Howdy....
I see that some Square Neck Dobro's(Resonator Guitar)
have a Sound Well.
As I understand it it is glued to the top and bottom of the guitar and I believe it focuses the sound of the cone.
(????)
I see on the Janet Davis Music Site that there
are Sound Wells with and with out holes in the side.
Ok why would one want one over the other?
And would the type of wood used make any difference?
Thanks
_________________
R.E. Baker
There's lots more of me where I come from! |
|
|
 |
Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
|
Posted 10 Apr 2015 2:34 pm
|
|
Soundwells are primarily made from plywood and keep the guitar from imploding. They also form the top the cone ledge sits on.
Some soundwells have round holes. Some vintage guitars models have parallelogram holes.
The soundwells with no holes are marketed primarily to builders so they might customize the openings for their builds.
I believe that the primary supplier of aftermarket soundwells is Beard Guitars/Resophonic Outfitters.
Hope this helps.
h
_________________
Howard Parker
03\' Carter D-10
70\'s Dekley D-10
52\' Fender Custom
Many guitars by Paul Beard
Listowner Resoguit-L |
|
|
|
Russell Baker
From:
Owego NY, USA
|
Posted 10 Apr 2015 9:37 pm
|
|
One would think that something with the term...
"Sound Well" would have more to do with the Resonator
Guitar than just support the top and give the cone something to rest on.
Also if people are buying a blank Sound Well and designing their own openings in it one would think
it would be a factor in the sound of the guitar?
_________________
R.E. Baker
There's lots more of me where I come from! |
|
|
|
Greg Booth
From:
Anchorage, AK, USA
|
Posted 10 Apr 2015 10:13 pm
|
|
Most modern builders of high performance dobros have eliminated the soundwell and go with posts and a baffle or a completely open body. Examples are Scheerhorn, the Beard MAS, JD Signature and E models, Meredith, Schoonover, Clinesmith, Appalachian and many more. The soundwell limits the contribution of the guitar body to the sound and emphasizes the cone primarily for a more traditional old timey dobro sound. There is much more that goes into influencing tone than the soundwell/no soundwell issue, the player's style and taste being the most significant factor I think.
_________________
Greg
Kathy Kallick Band
www.youtube.com/user/aksliderdobro |
|
|
|
Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
|
Posted 11 Apr 2015 5:17 am
|
|
I know that the Beard R & VintageR qualify as high end guitars and have an enthusiastic following. Greg McKenna also builds with a soundwell design. I'm sure there are others.
The Beard "R" based models use an "open" soundwell where there is a significant opening between the upper/lower bouts of the guitar.
Greg is correct that the majority of the builders have moved to other bracing and sound "shaping" techniques.
It's all good. |
|
|
|
John Dahms
From:
Perkasie, Pennsylvania, USA
|
Posted 11 Apr 2015 5:18 am
|
|
Greg Booth's comment on old-timey vs modern Dobro tone has a lot of merit. I am an advocate of the nasal tone of an old Dobro and find the open modern tone which has become mainstream less appealing.
I have a '33 mahogany model 37 that I would not part with. It has the paralleogram shaped holes (snob appeal). I also have a late 30s MagnoTone labeled Dobro similar to a model 19 with F holes but with a sound well (round holes). They both have the same general tone (the MagnoTone just a little less so).
The biggest decision is whether you are seeking the full range modern tone or the older traditional cone tone.
Try them out first and think about the context in which you intend to play then choose which is more appropriate.
_________________
Time flies like an eagle
Fruit flies like a banana. |
|
|
|
Russell Baker
From:
Owego NY, USA
|
Posted 11 Apr 2015 6:45 am
|
|
Possibly I should clarify why I was seeking info...
I am doing some upgrades on a lower end Morgan Monroe Square Neck.
I have ordered a Beard Cone a Bone Nut and Maple Saddle.
When I removed the Cone to measure the opening I noticed that there wasn't any Sound Well or Baffles just the open body.
I am not going to spend a fortune on this Guitar on up grades expecting it to turn into a top notch Resonator,
but I was wondering if instal;ling a Sound Well would be of any real benefit.
_________________
R.E. Baker
There's lots more of me where I come from! |
|
|
|
Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
|
Posted 11 Apr 2015 7:00 am
|
|
Not if the guitar wasn't designed as a soundwell guitar.
Leave well enough alone.
h |
|
|
|
Greg Booth
From:
Anchorage, AK, USA
|
|
|
|
