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Topic: Tut Taylor Tennessean dobro |
Fred Brown
From:
Austin, TX
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Posted 16 Aug 2002 9:24 am |
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I've run across a new Tennessean (model TTT), complete with the case. It has a large discount because of a scratch on the back. I haven't seen one of these and have not had my hands on one. Is anyone familiar with these? How do they compare to the Regal RD45's? This TTT will be about twice the cost of the Regal.
Assuming that the scratch is all there is and it's not too noticeable, would I be getting twice the guitar? What about holdong it's future resale value.
Many questions. But I don't know where to turn.
Thanx in advance,
Fred |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 16 Aug 2002 10:35 am
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The Tut Taylor Tennessean resophonic guitar is a fine instrument, in my opinion far better than the Regal RD-45. I've played one at Gryphon Stringed Instruments and preferred it to the three Dobro® resophonic guitars they also had.
I can't answer how it would hold its future resale value, but if it's only twice the price of a Regal, it's probably well worth it.
If you don't want it, let ME know.
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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 16 Aug 2002 11:02 am
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Yep...
A "Pro" quality instrument. Any comparison to the Regal would be purely hallucinigenic (that's a good thing btw).
hp
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Howard Parker
poobah@resoguit.com
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT
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Gary Anwyl
From:
Palo Alto, CA
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Posted 16 Aug 2002 11:42 am
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The eternal question of how much one should spend on an instrument.
I've been playing dobro for a few years now. I play dobro in a bluegrass group that jams every week and occasionally gigs. I recently bought a used Tut Taylor Tennessean to replace my Regal RD-45S. The Regal had the Quarterman cone upgrade. Here's my humble opinion.
The Regal with a Quaterman cone is a great entry level instrument but it does have its shortcomings. The TTT is definitely a better instrument and one you can live with for a long time.
The complaints I have about the Regal are:
- The stock Regal cone is relatively "dead" sounding to my ears, especially as you move up the neck. You have to replace it with a Quarterman cone. Otherwise, in terms of tone you're not in the same ballpark with other dobros.
- In terms of volume I find the Regal too "mellow" even with the Quarterman upgrade. I'm not sure why. It might be the spruce top (the TTT is all mahogany, other Dobros are maple) or maybe the laminated back and sides. If you're recording or playing at a gig where you're mic'd it's not a problem, but in an all acoustic jam with four or five other players I find it hard to be heard. The TTT is not only louder but it's also "punchier".
- The saddle on the Regal is really low. I can't play too close to the bridge otherwise my fingers bump into the coverplate. Does anyone else have this problem? Also because of the low saddle the strings go under the tailpiece rather than over the tailpiece which make restringing unnecessarily difficult.
I've also played the TTT side by side with Gibson Dobros. Like Brad I prefer the TTT. Tonewise I think they are comparable. The TTT is slightly less expensive and the construction is much nicer.
It's up to you to look at your own finances and requirements and decide what's right for you. In my case, the TTT is definitely worth 3x or 4x the price of a Regal.[This message was edited by Gary Anwyl on 16 August 2002 at 01:34 PM.] |
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Tony Dingus
From:
Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 16 Aug 2002 2:18 pm
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I have a 1972 model TTT that has great tone and volume and I love it so I think you made
a good choice. I get compliments on it all the time.
Tony |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 16 Aug 2002 4:06 pm
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| Hi Fred---You made a great, wise choice. The Regal is a Korean made, mass-produced student(at best)model. The Taylor, was made under the supervision of Mark Taylor, son of the great Tut Taylor, who knows as much about resonator construction as anyone who ever lived. So, it's probably worth 5 or 6 Regals. As for the scratch, it'll probably compound out. If not, so what. You've got a great guitar. And as several others have posted, even old Dobros sre relatively inexpensive, compared to old Martins, whatever. So your guitar will always be worth at least what you paid for it. And if you decide you don't want it, let me know. |
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Fred Brown
From:
Austin, TX
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Posted 19 Aug 2002 9:07 am
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I want to thank everyone who weighed in on my questions. All were very helpful ...and patient. So I went for it. I hope to receive it by the end of the week. Now I can upgrade the pup on my old Dickerson, set it up with an alternate tuning and have several steel choices in the ol' arsenal.
thanx again,
Fred |
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Fred Brown
From:
Austin, TX
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Posted 20 Aug 2002 9:19 am
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One last comment on this thread. I found out from the fellow selling me this guitar that he has several more. He called me to let me know mine was going out today. I should see it in several days. He told me he had bought a batch of 5 and has sold a couple. Seems like a heck of a nice guy and real helpful. Again, I don't have a dog in this hunt. Just passing the info on in case anyone is interested. Seems like someone expressed some interest.
Don Gann
donnergump@pokynet.com
Imboden, Arkansas
Thanx again for all who helped me make this decision,
Fred |
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