| Author |
Topic: Advice on square neck Resophonic/Dobro purchase... |
Chuck Snider R.I.P.
From:
West Virginia, USA - Morgantown, WV
|
Posted 22 Dec 2008 8:53 am |
|
I currently am learning to play pedal steel, and for those times when a PSG migh tbe a bit too much, or when there is no power for the amp, I am considering (not immediatley, and possibly not for a very long time) buying a square neck resophonic (aka Dobro). I do not want to spend a lot on it, and would consider used or new.
However, I would appreciate getting some advice regarding what brands/models to consider, and what sort of things to look for and/or avoid. I would be considered a beginner, and don't want to get thest best, but I would like to get one that would sound decent enough that I would not have to feel like I would need to move up a level later. My initial take is to spend less than $500, and hopefully one I could get out of it nearly what i have in it, should i deceide to sell it later. Of course, the lower the price the better, but would like a decent one.
Thanks,
-Chuck
_________________
GFI U-12 Ultra Keyless, Carter Black U-12, both with Alumitones, and a sweet '70 Sho-Bud Permanent D-10, NV400 in Rick Johnson cabs, NV112, '73 Vibrosonic in Rick Johnson cabs, Hilton pedal, Steeler's Choice seat, Bessdang Gizmos from Dale Hansen, and a few other widgets and doodads.
I may not sound good, I just don't wanna sound bad. |
|
|
|
HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
|
Posted 22 Dec 2008 11:33 am
|
|
IMO,.....the best value......is the Beard Goldtone......
it's great to go right out of the box with no upgrades or mods...it's very well made and asthetic wise, very nice looking..and the sound/tone is excellent......an all around winner.... |
|
|
|
Bill Hampton
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 22 Dec 2008 11:45 am
|
|
| I agree with Howard, the Gold Tone Beard is a very good choice. I also like the Wechter Scheerhorns. You can typically find either one for around $500 used on the forums, but make sure if it's a Gold Tone, that it is one that was set up in the Beard Shop. |
|
|
|
Herb Steiner
From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
|
Posted 22 Dec 2008 12:02 pm
|
|
I own and enjoy two Beard Gold Tones, both with Fishman Aura pickups and set up by the Beard Co. I just finished a month-long tour with Michael Martin Murphey on reso exclusively and everyone said the Gold Tones sounded excellent and they performed like a champ. I recommend them highly, though there are others available that are worthy guitars as well, e.g. the Wechter Scheerhorn.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
|
|
|
Mike Harris
From:
Texas, USA
|
Posted 22 Dec 2008 1:20 pm
|
|
| I bought a used Beard PBSM (it sounds great)--how do I know if it has the Beard shop setup? |
|
|
|
Jim Konrad
From:
The Great Black Swamp USA
|
Posted 22 Dec 2008 2:40 pm Re: Advice on square neck Resophonic/Dobro purchase...
|
|
| Chuck Snider wrote: |
$500, and hopefully one I could get out of it nearly what i have in it, should i deceide to sell it later. Of course, the lower the price the better, but would like a decent one.
Thanks,
-Chuck |
I would go with a used American made instrument like an OMI Dobro. They are respected, and hold or go up in value. Every once in a while a see a nice OMI for sale in the $500-$600 range.
Good luck!! |
|
|
|
Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
|
Posted 22 Dec 2008 4:07 pm
|
|
| Quote: |
| I bought a used Beard PBSM (it sounds great)--how do I know if it has the Beard shop setup? |
There will be a Beard setup sticker under the bass side screen.
h
Herb my friend, what was your road setup? You can PM me if you like.
_________________
Howard Parker
03\' Carter D-10
70\'s Dekley D-10
52\' Fender Custom
Many guitars by Paul Beard
|
|
|
|
Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
|
Posted 22 Dec 2008 4:19 pm
|
|
I rarely weigh in on OMI vs imports....
"Dobro" design has remained virtually unchanged through the decades. Both the Beard designed Gold Tone and Scheerhorn designed Wechter incorporate advances used in hand crafted guitars built by those luthiers.
Both designs are physically larger than the OMI and the internals of both designs are different than traditional "Dobro".
Not to put down the old design. The OMI still commands a decent price, but, the Gold Tone and Wechter just offer...MORE, of everything.
In my world, it's pretty much acknowledged that these 2 designs forced Gibson to abandon the market.
Just one guy's .02, of course.
_________________
Howard Parker
03\' Carter D-10
70\'s Dekley D-10
52\' Fender Custom
Many guitars by Paul Beard
Last edited by Howard Parker on 22 Dec 2008 7:25 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
|
Mark Eaton
From:
Sonoma County in The Great State Of Northern California
|
Posted 22 Dec 2008 7:09 pm
|
|
Whenever I see a used OMI for sale these days for $500-$600, they look about like they fell out of the back of a truck and bounced down a hilly San Francisco street a for a couple minutes.
For a fairly clean one you will have to probably pay $800 and up.
Some of them sound good and some sound like crap.
_________________
Mark |
|
|
|
Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
|
|
|
|
Herb Steiner
From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
|
Posted 23 Dec 2008 12:31 am
|
|
Howard, my man
After several involved phone and email conversations with Cindy, what worked best for me in the various concert situations I found myself in was running DI, Aura setting #11, blend about 80-90% pedal, phase switch to the left. I will call you when I return home to further amplify my answer and discuss other matters with you. Thanks for all the help with my setup.
HS
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
|
|
|
HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
|
Posted 23 Dec 2008 9:28 am
|
|
I've probably picked on about a dozen GoldTones during the past three years at the Dallas show.....and picked one at the PSGA show that was purchased by John Swain.....
I own two OMIs from the 70's......
Get the Goldtone and don't look back.....my opinion... |
|
|
|
John Drury
From:
Gallatin, Tn USA
|
Posted 25 Dec 2008 5:05 am
|
|
Chuck,
The guys are right about the "Gold Tone". However, an older Korean made Regal can be picked up cheap, $250- to $350-. They are rock solid.
I have one that I put a Quarterman cone, and a maple saddle with ebony cap on and it sounds as good as my Gibson Dobro. Total outlay - under $400-
Set up instructions are on the Stew-Mac site, it is not all that difficult.
Good luck!
_________________
John Drury
NTSGA #3
"Practice cures most tone issues" ~ John Suhr |
|
|
|
Mike Harris
From:
Texas, USA
|
Posted 25 Dec 2008 6:41 am Bargains are out there from time to time
|
|
If you're patient you might find a great deal on a good instrument. I picked up a Gold Tone Paul Beard solid mahogany (PBSM, 1200 list) guitar for 400 plus shipping. Its only flaw was a small varnish chip in the back.
I know the cone quality is important on a resonator guitar, but I think that all solid wood instruments are far better than all laminates. |
|
|
|
Mark Eaton
From:
Sonoma County in The Great State Of Northern California
|
Posted 25 Dec 2008 11:16 am Re: Bargains are out there from time to time
|
|
| Mike Harris wrote: |
I know the cone quality is important on a resonator guitar, but I think that all solid wood instruments are far better than all laminates. |
A massive generalization, Mike.
Some high quality laminate birch wood sets cost more than a fair number of solid wood sets, and build up into world class resonator guitars.
A couple of shining examples: The Beard Mike Auldridge Signature model, and the resonator guitars of Ivan Guernsey, which Mike played for a number of years before he signed on with Beard to produce his signature model. And Forumite Gregg McKenna builds outstanding resos out of laminate birch.
_________________
Mark |
|
|
|
Rob Anderlik
From:
Chicago, IL
|
Posted 25 Dec 2008 6:41 pm
|
|
As one of my college professors used to say - there are topics about which rational people can disagree; and...as regards instruments, solid wood vs plywood is one of those topics.
In so far as it relates to the Gold Tone models, I can say without hesitation that - in my opinion - there is a noticeable difference between the solid mahogany model and the (less expensive) laminate models (maple and mahogany), the solid mahogany version is well worth the extra $$$.
I say this having spent a week or so going back and forth between the 3 models when I recorded sound clips for the Gold Tone company web site.
Just one man's opinion, but I don't think it is a massive generalization to say that - generally speaking - fine instruments are made out of solid wood, not plywood. Of course, there are exceptions, and I agree with Mark that the MA6 and Ivan Guernsey guitars are examples of such.
Mi dos centavos... |
|
|
|
