Dobros.

Brian Hunter · Post by **Brian Hunter** » 3 May 2011 3:13 am

Where would be a good place to look as far as a budget model dobro that a person could buy t play around with and seeing how they like it? I mean as far as makers and price ranges.

Brian Hunter · Post by **Brian Hunter** » 3 May 2011 3:15 am

Oh, I guess my price range would be no more than 600 or so. I would want a square neck.

Tony Davis · Post by **Tony Davis** » 3 May 2011 3:50 am

If I needed another Dobro I would go for a Beard....Square neck with a Beard cone in it.....they are a nice guitar at a reasonable price.
Talk to Howard Parker there...tell him you are a friend of mine...when he stops laughing ...choking ...and.."I cant believe you admit to that !"...he will look after you !
Tony

Beard Guitars · Post by **Beard Guitars** » 3 May 2011 5:05 am

Love and kisses Tony!!!

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 3 May 2011 6:45 am

Look at the Gold Tone Beard guitars as probably the best instrument in that general price range. I own a Wechter Scheerhorn and am very satisifed with it. The Recording King line can be pretty good as well depending on whether the instrument is set up properly.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 3 May 2011 7:05 am

IMO, value for value $ + Sound....the Beard Goldtone cannot be beat.....

And Howard Parker is a great guy....I don't care what they say!......

Brian Hunter · Post by **Brian Hunter** » 3 May 2011 7:33 am

Sweet! Just about everyone here is always just as helpful as can be.

Brian Hunter · Post by **Brian Hunter** » 3 May 2011 7:37 am

Well, headed right over to Howard's page and saw this.

http://www.beardguitars.com/Merchant2/m ... _Code=GTRG

Come nearer mid or late summer I know where some of my money's going to go.

Twayn Williams · Post by **Twayn Williams** » 3 May 2011 10:11 am

Brian Hunter wrote:Well, headed right over to Howard's page and saw this.

http://www.beardguitars.com/Merchant2/m ... _Code=GTRG

Come nearer mid or late summer I know where some of my money's going to go.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has one of these and can compare it to the 6-string version. I'm concerned about the volume and tone of these 8-string resonators. If either volume suffers AT ALL from the addition of the 2 strings I'll stick with the 6-string, BUT if the volume is the same and the tone is similar then I'll spring for one as well.

Chris Byars · Post by **Chris Byars** » 3 May 2011 12:54 pm

I purchased a Gibson Dobro a few years ago and have been pretty pleased with it. It looks rough, but I like that personally. About $350. That being said, I plan on getting a new cone and bridge from Beard soon

Damon Wack · Post by **Damon Wack** » 4 May 2011 8:52 am

I did not have the standard Beard, but I owned both a Mike Auldridge Model six string and an eight string. They were both cannons.

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 4 May 2011 9:55 am

I recently received a new Mckenna dobro, just another alternative out there...I also owned a Beard and she barked nicely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0fdvdQOS1g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW_2NnIWD0o

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 4 May 2011 11:23 am

Damon Wack wrote:I did not have the standard Beard, but I owned both a Mike Auldridge Model six string and an eight string. They were both cannons.

Damon, I don't recall if you were in the class with Mike and Cindy Cashdollar at Resosummit, but he made sure to point out that though the new Gold Tone Beard 8 string is a fine value in an 8 string resonator, it's not in the same league as his signature model - and it sure as heck shouldn't be since a "Real" Beard MAS sells for ballpark $3000 more!

I think six string Gold Tones are a fine value, and really, for the vast majority of resonator playing applications if it isn't one's "first" instrument, they are darn good guitars.

But IMO they don't hold a candle to an actual Mike Auldridge model guitar. And what I love about the Auldridge model is the consistency of the build. Everyone I have ever come across sounds outstanding.

Six string vs. eight string in general? In an A/B comparison, I have always felt (to my ears anyway) that the eight string guitars never quite measure up to a great six string resonator guitar. Close, but just not quite there.

Gary C. Dygert · Post by **Gary C. Dygert** » 4 May 2011 12:54 pm

I've got a Gold Tone Beard squareneck, and it's great. Before that, I had a cheap Johnson, which was ok to fool around with. Forget Fender. Beard's website has a section for instruments with slight blemishes at reduced prices. Mine allegedly has a blem that I can't find.