Wanting to buy a new Dobro

L. A. Wunder · From: Lombard, Illinois, USA

Last year, the dobro I've had for over 25 years started giving me problems. No sooner would one difficulty be dealt with, then another would crop up. This year, I've decided to just forgo all the madness, and just buy a new instrument. I don't have that much money to spend, and plan to trade-in a six string guitar to help finance this endeavor. What I need is your advice and experience. I am looking at either a Dobro " Hound Dog", a "Recording King", or a "Morell", all square necks. If any of you have had experience with any of these brands, I sure would appreciate your opinions and advice. Also, I play in church and have to use an amp, since the music director refuses to either mike us, or put us through the board. That said, would you recommend a dobro with electronics already on board, or a clip on mike on an acoustic model?

Thanks in advance for your help.

L.A.

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

I used to own a Dobro Hound Dog. It did the job. I don't know about Recording King. But judging from the electric lap steels that Morell puts out, I'd stay away from that one.
_________________
Amor vincit omnia

Bill Mollenhauer · From: New Jersey, USA

Since you are looking at resos at the low end of the price range, I dont see why you wouldnt be better off financially and dobro wise to just fix the one you have. Why not tell us what is wrong with yours. People here have a lot of knowledge and could give you information on fixing the problems with your dobro. Most problems are not that hard to fix.

Bill

L. A. Wunder · From: Lombard, Illinois, USA

Thanks for the replies.

Bill- I've already tried repairing it - twice. I've replaced the tuning keys and the saddle nut, and filed grooves in the nut at the key head end. I also installed a Lace dobro sensor last Summer so it could be amplified. The instrument never recovered, no matter how much TLC I gave it. It won't stay in tune, and it sounds off-key anytime I play a flat chord (Bb, Ab....etc). The pick up doesn't work well either, amplifying some strings more than others. I think the fact that my current instrument is a round-neck with an extension nut doesn't help, since some strings barely clear the pickup. Yes, I did my research beforehand, which included getting advice from the Forum.

Edward- I'm glad to hear that you liked the Hound Dog, and that's the one I was leaning towards in the first place.

I appreciate the replies so far, and if anyone else would like to chime in and help me, please bring it on!

Jim Bates · From: Alvin, Texas, USA

I would at least call Beard guitars and see what they charge for a complete set-up on your guitar. If you liked it before, then consider spending a a 'few' bucks to restore it.

Sorry, but the Lace sensors and any that mount underneath strings, just make the dobro into a bad electric. It is unbalanced because the bass wound strings are always lower volume than the plain steel strings - been there, done that.

Thanx,
Jim

Billy Gilbert · From: Texas, USA

I would spend a few more bucks and get a Beard Gold Tone set up by Paul Beard. If you buy a cheapo you could easily spend as much or more getting it to play and sound right than the Beard would cost.

When you installed the pickup you may have let the spiderbridge slip forward or backward, or even twist. The measurement from bridge to the 12th fret should be exactly the same as the measurement from the 12th fret to the nut. Check at both ends of the bridge and make sure those measurements are the same. Very Happy

L. A. Wunder · From: Lombard, Illinois, USA

Thanks guys.

Billy- I measured at both ends of the bridge, and also to the nut, and the measurements seem to be equal. I'll check and re-check to make sure, but I think it's ok.

I'd love to be able to afford a Beard Goldtone, but I think it may be awhile before I can scrape together that kind of cash. I think a big part of my problem lies in that Lace pickup. I would prefer not to use it in church this year, but without amplification, I can't hear myself, let alone be heard in the band. Being miked is out, do any of you good folks on the Forum know of anything I can use that would mount somewhere other than under the strings? They have such things for acoustic guitars, but they all mount in or on the tone hole. Being able to clip it on for mass and remove it afterwards would be a plus. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

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