In search of The Squareneck !

klinke · From: denmark

Hi folks ! I'm a Jerry Douglas, North Mississippi Allstars, Corey Harris, Ben Harper, kinda guy.
Just getting into lap-style dobro playing, and have in my search come across a number of brands producing squarenecks. Right now i'm looking at a 189 $ Flinthill dobro posted on ebay.com, also an R.Q. Jones set for a 100 $. can anyone tell me if these guitars are worth the while, or even better, name some good cheap ones. Thanx. Valdemar.

Andy Alford · Posted 16 May 2001 5:48 am

There are several really nice dobros that are built right and are a great value.Having bought my first Dobro back in the 70s I can not see where buying a $800.00 -$3.000 Dobro is justified when you can get a really nice sounding Dobro for $300.00 or less.I have owned many high end Dobros.Many of the guys on the Forum have bought the Korean made guitars and love them.Some have added a Quaterman Cone set up.I have a new Regal Squareneck that sounds as good as any I have ever heard right out of the box!Many of the guitar makers like Ovation and Regal are now building guitars in Korea.Let us know how you like your guitar.There is a very nice guitar shop "Folk of the Wood" that has alot of info on Dobros.They have one of the best guitar sites on the web.Also Be sure and check out "Brad's Page of Steel".I hope this helps.Have a very nice day.God Bless You.

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

I have a list of builders on my web site. The RQ Jones you mention on eBay will certainly go for a lot of money; he's considered one of the better builders out there.

I recently picked up a Liberty Palm resophonic guitar through an eBay auction. It's a very affordable guitar with a very distinctive look, but my particular guitar needed a bit of tweaking to sound its best. I haven't yet decided whether to upgrade the cone or not.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 16 May 2001 at 10:23 AM.]

Howard Parker · From: Maryland

Andy Says:

Andy Alford · Posted 16 May 2001 1:39 pm

The Quarterman Cone Setup can make many dobros sound grand.For someone who has been around dobros since the 70s I am amazed at the improvement that the right setup can make to any dobro.Remember that the top on a dobro is not what produces that dobro twang.The cone and proper setup are the keys to a dobro.The dollar test does not mean you are geting a top sounding dobro.Play as many as you can and pick out the best one.I would not buy a $4.000 dobro just starting out.

Al Terhune · From: Newcastle, WA

I'll second Andy's endorsement of the new Regal squareneck. I think they retail for $320, but I believe they still sell on eBay (where I got mine a few months ago) for $189 plus shipping (no case), and I have to say it was the first thing I've bought new that appeared to be "too good to be true," but it's not only a beautiful guitar that's built professionally right up to the inlay on the fretboard, but the sound is really appealing -- and it wasn't too good to be true, just simply true. And for those who do know, a simple adjustment of the screw in the cone can make the difference between sh*t and heaven.

Patrick Cullie · From: Lyons, Colorado, USA

I was at dobro workshop and Tim Scheerhorn took a 300 dollar FlintHill (they're all the same, the cheaper ones I think and are made in Korea by Samick) and put a Quarterman cone and an ebony-tipped maple bridge in the thing in about 15 minutes and it sounded like a dream. I have his number at home somewhere if you, or anyone else ever wants to get in touch w/him. I was going to have him do it to my mid-30s Regal/Dobro squareneck but he didn't have anymore cones with him. I think he mentioned $150 for the job. The Quarterman cones go for around $70. I put one in my Dobro 70s roundneck. They are loud and very balanced and sweet. You sacrifice a little brightness I believe, for more volume and overall tone.

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

I recently sold my Flinthill which I had upgraded by Paul Beard with the bone, nut, Quarterman cone, etc. It made a huge difference in that instrument and I was happy with it for several years.

Having just purchased a custom Benoit resophonic, I can objectively report that there is a huge tonal difference between an instrument built with fine tonewoods and master-quality construction and one from a factory. There is a richness of overtones as well as consistency across the entire tonal spectrum in the Benoit that wasn't there in the Finthill despite the upgrade.

Bottom line? Flinthill's or Regals make great starter instruments and will take you far but if your budget allows, you'll hear a huge difference with a Sheerhorn, Beard, or Benoit resophonic.

Andy Alford · Posted 23 May 2001 1:07 pm

Andy,
The pre war Dobro's that were made by National,Dobro,and Regal were made in factories.These are the guitars that our idols played long before any of the builders you sited were born.These were the craftmanship of skilled luthers. They often sell for more money than many of the new modern custom guitars .People like my self buy them to play. Are factory prewar National,Dobro,or Regal Dobro guitars starter guitars?Should we consider any factory dobro a starter guitar?

Al Terhune · From: Newcastle, WA

While it may be true that there is an apparent difference between a hand-made (or boutique) resophonic guitar and a "factory"-built one from Korea, the bottom line is this: Put either guitar in the hands of a pro, include it in the mix of a recording with a trio of other instruments, and it no longer matters whether it cost $2,000 or $200 -- you're going to hear a resophonic guitar doing it's job -- music to enjoy. Granted, those with wonderful ears might point out the differences, but 99% of the people listening to the record can't. I've always felt this way about a Martin vs. a Yamaha -- put it in the studio with the other instruments, and the average person (myself included) couldn't care less whether it's an expensive guitar and cheap guitar -- it's music!!!! (That said, I do wish I had the money to buy one of those expensive dobros!!!)

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Andy & Al,
Good points; well said. Al, I agree that in the studio, in the hands of a great player, any guitar will sound great. In the end, it all comes down to the individual instrument, I guess. I conceed that a given beat up 30's Regal could sound better than a given new boutique instrument. In general, however, I think lutherie is currently in a golden age with many new instruments out in the market that far surpass vintage ones in terms of construction and tone. This doesn't apply to Martin D-45's, Bakelite Rics or Fender customs

[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 24 May 2001 at 07:54 PM.]

Howard Parker · From: Maryland

Al Says:

Al Terhune · From: Newcastle, WA

Andy V - I agree 100% -- Those who know what they are doing have taken all the good from the old and added their own stylings and reasonings and come up with superior instruments: the tone, construction, beauty. And for good reason -- back then, not too many people had money, and the ones who did, didn't play guitar. Now, we've got more money and more people who have it to buy these superior/costly pieces. (This point could be argued, but I think it's basically true with few exceptions.)

Howard: You took one point and gently turned it into another point. My point still stands, but I agree with your point whole-heartedly that (and Andy V made this point, too), each musician has a reason they play what they play -- some because that's all they can afford, and others because not only can they afford it, but they can hear (and appreciate) the superior differences in their incredibly-crafted guitars (and these are the guys who can hear the difference when hearing the record, too, bless their hearts).

[This message was edited by Al Terhune on 25 May 2001 at 09:08 PM.]

sliding bill · From: UK

I am the proud owner of a Guernsey 800. I got the reso bug bigtime and made this once in a lifetime investment.
However, on the road (I have a job that makes me travel a lot) I take a Flinthill Paul Beard Upgrade.
The Flinthill , as it already has been said, is a wonderful guitar and stands up in any jam.
My Guernsey however is a sweet beast that actually makes me sound a better player.
Ivan's magic has worked for me !
I have also played RQ Jones and Scheerhorns -- they are so much sweeter than any factory built guitar that I have laid my hands on.
Money is always an issue -- I invest too much of my hard earned cash in music (according to my good lady!) and so value is important. But even she thinks the Guernsey has a sound to cherish.

TAlk to other players and get a rounded view of what is around there.
$3000 is a lot of money for a guitar that sits on a stand in the corner of a room.
Whatever you end up with -- go pick it.
It's the most fun I have ever had (within reason) and I wish I had started 20 years ago.

Good luck with the search.

Bill in England

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Aspiring to mediocrity

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