strings for dobro

Terry Sneed · From: Arkansas,

I'm a newbie on dobro, and was wondering what most of you dobro players use. Nickel wound or bronze coated strings?
My dobor has bronze strings on it now, so I ordered another set of bronze strings. The GHS Tim someody series. But if Nickel wound sound better, then I'll exchange the Bronze for the Nickel.
Also, for playing Bluegrass style dobro, what are the best scales to learn? I suppose maybe the open string scales , but I have a book by Doug Cox that shows several different patterns to make a G, C, and D scale some with the root on the 5th string and some with the root on the 6th string. He also has minor arpeggios, and 7th arpeggios etc. There is no way I can remember all the arpeggios in his book. I guess what I'm asking is which ones should I try and memorize? Mostly Major scales and arpeggios, and just learn a few minor, and a few 7th, for bluegrass dobro? Thanks Smile

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Lynn Oliver · From: Redmond, Washington USA * R.I.P.

I like phosphor bronze strings, either the D'Addario EJ42 or the ghs 1650 sets.

As to scales, chords, arpeggios, and so on--the more you know, the larger your musical vocabulary. I wouldn't try to learn everything at once, though. You might start with the major scales and the basic chord shapes in various keys. When that starts to feel limiting then explore some new scales.
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Gregg McKenna · From: South Windsor, Connecticut, USA

Can't go wrong with the D'Addario J-42 (or EJ-42). Priced very reasonably also. Very Happy

Terry Sneed · From: Arkansas,

Thanks guys. do ya'll use a particular gauge for your 3rd string?
I read somewhere an 029 is best for the 3rd.

Terry

Lynn Oliver · From: Redmond, Washington USA * R.I.P.

I think .029 is a bit heavy for a third, putting it at a much higher tension than the other strings.

The 1650 set uses a .028 and I wouldn't go any higher than that. I normally use a .026 third, the same as the EJ42 set.

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

The J42's are hard to beat. TTerry, I mean NO disrespect here, but you're asking what scales to learn, in another thread, how to play standing up, etc. Is there anybody close by you that can help you with this stuff? You need to learn all the scales that you can. Can you remember 'em all? Don't try, at least at first. Learn one major scale---But learn in in every key. One of the best things about a G-tuned dobro, is that harmony notes are REAL easy to find! If you've got a friend to play some rhythm guitar while you practice, it'll help a lot. Don't try to do too much at once, and don't sweat the little details to begin with. Concentrate on playing in tune, with a simple little melody, using knowledge that you aready have. It's a fun instrument! Have fun with it!
Again, no disrespect intended. Enjoy yourself!!!

Bryan Bradfield · From: Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

Terry -

Don't worry specifically about scales. Whatever books, or videos, or whatever courses you have, just go through the material methodically.

Concerning strings, when you wear out a set, try another brand, or another composition (nickel versus bronze). YOU have to decide what sounds best to your ear, regardless of what anyone else may tell you.

Concerning 3rd strings, if you haven't yet decided on brand or string composition, you don't need to worry about 3rd's. Your ear and your hands will tell you what you need in a 3rd, once you have a bit of experience.

What you didn't ask was how often to change strings. Your ears and hands will tell you this, as well.

Stephen Gambrell gave good advice about seeking out a guitarist. Some big gains will come from playing with others.

Terry Sneed · From: Arkansas,

Mark Eaton · Posted 2 Jan 2007 10:54 am

A few dobro string sets are using a .029 now for the third string. It's not too heavy, and will last longer than the .026 in the D'Addario set. Beard makes a set with a .029 third string.

I agree with Gregg-I really like the D'Addario J-42's, but lately I have been using a custom set put together by luthier and fine dobroist Brad Harper:

www.Harper-resophonics.com

These have a .017 1st string, and a .028 3rd string, phosphor bronze, and are manufactured by GHS. $5 a set plus shipping.

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

Terry, I apologize if I said the wrong thing the wrong way??
This is a great place to learn, ask all the questions you need to! You're a steel player trying to learn dobro, and I'm a dobro player trying to learn steel Embarassed

. As I said, I meant NO disrespect from my post, and I CERTAINLY wasn't trying to say that you shouldn't ask questions. Watch Jerry Douglas play. He moves around. If you can get ahold of some of those old Flatt and Scruggs TV shows, watch Josh (and the rest of the boys) work that mike. Mike Auldridge will occaisionally reach around and adjust his guitar, especially before a ride. A guitar on a strap is gonna move around. Don't try to anchor your left hand somewhere to keep the guitar from moving. This will severely limit your playing range. Rather, make sure your left hand is close to the neck, where you want to play.

Terry Sneed · From: Arkansas,

No harm done Steven, and thanks for the tip on not anchoring my pinky when playing down close to the nut. I was headed toward a bad habit. Smile

Terry

Steinar Gregertsen · From: Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.

Terry, if there's no one you can learn from where you live, then the best way to learn is just to sit down and play that thing.

From your signature I understand that you already play guitar, so I assume you know your way around the fretboard in standard tuning. Now, just map out the dobro fretboard (if you use the standard dobro tuning you already know three of the strings) and play along with CDs, the radio, TV, and most importantly - (an)other musician(s).

Don't be afraid to make mistakes and feel that you've embarassed yourself,- we've all done that and most of us still does (heck, I bet even Jerry Douglas falls flat on his face now and then, he just doesn't release it on CD for the rest of us to hear... Wink

)

I won't pretend to be a very 'proficient' player, guess I'm good at what I'm good at and lousy at what I'm lousy at, but this was how I got started. Living in a tiny little "city" in the south of Norway there were no one around to show me anything, I just tuned the lap steel and started playing.

You'll figure it out.. Wink

Steinar
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Tony Dingus · From: Kingsport, Tennessee, USA

Terry, I don't know if you got my e-mail and I've been having trouble posting on my home computer.
Here's 2 C scale postions to work out of.

Terry Sneed · From: Arkansas,

Thanks Steinar, and yea Tony I got your email and printed the scales off, Thanks a bunch!

I do have another question for ya'll though. At what fret do most players quit using a capo? I mean if I put my capo any higher than the 5th or C fret, it starts sounding more like a mandolin than a dobro.

Terry

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

I wouldn't use a capo beyond the fourth fret (in open G tuning, the key of B). Usually it's just the second fret (key of A) for those fiddle tunes.

You should learn to play in all keys regardless of what tuning you use.
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Kyle Everson · From: Nashville, Tennessee

In regards to your 3rd string, try both a wound and an unwound. The unwound lends itself more to that old Uncle Josh sound. It's really up to your ears which one you choose. Good luck!

btw, the capo is good for doing the open licks in A, but don't rely on it too heavily. You should be able to utilize the advantages of the open tuning in any key.

Michael Breid · From: Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA

I like the Beard '29's. I have a 85 dobro brand reso guitar and these seem to give me the best sound. I've also plugged up the the three holes in the center and taken the screens out and bound the holes. That sound works for me.

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