string spacing on 8 string dobro

[David Cook]

I have an 8 string melobar fiberglass dobro but I only use a 7 string bridge and nut because I don't like the 8string spacing. Are there 8 string dobros out there with wider spacing with perhaps a different cover plate?

Thanks

[Howard Parker]

Not 8.s. Paul Beard is the largest supplier of U.S.A. made coverplates and high end 8 string resos.

From my time at the Beard shop, here are his 7 & 8 string spacing specs:

7 str nut = 8.75
bridge = 11.5

8 str nut = 7.5
bridge = 9.75

Hope this helps.

h

[L. Bogue Sandberg]

A quick measurement on my trusty old McKenna 8 string gave:

Nut = 8 mm

Bridge = 10 mm

the same as Howard's Beard values for all practical purposes.

My cover plate is a standard Beard. Minimum side clearance under the palm strap is approximately 5 mm.

[Adam Tracksler]

I have an 8 string melobar fiberglass dobro but I only use a 7 string bridge and nut because I don't like the 8string spacing. Are there 8 string dobros out there with wider spacing with perhaps a different cover plate?

Thanks

I'm jealous! They sound so great. I have an Adam's at home I'll measure the nut and bridge.

[Adam Tracksler]

Looks like 7.75 at the nut and 9 at the bridge.

[Chris Sattler]

I’ve nearly completed an 8 string build and have managed 8.5 at the nut and 10.5 at the bridge. That takes me close, probably too close, to the standard coverplate and I doubt I have enough height in the bridge for any satisfactory break angle. It is almost flat. I’m hoping the two extra string will provide the required force to load the cone. Otherwise I can always string it under the tailpiece. Failing that I have a pickup cover from a jazz bass and I may customise the coverplate with that.

Here are a few pictures. I’m including a shot of the tailpiece as I think it turned out rather well.

[Howard Parker]

8 string tails are readily available.

[Chris Sattler]

Hi Howard. Yes I know they are available. In fact I did fit one to this guitar. It was the tailpiece which is the same as the regular 6 string but with 2 extra slots added, squeezed in, and behind slots 1 and 2. And again between and behind 5 and 6 slots. This worked to a point. String 8 would not stay in the slot in the bridge because of the sideways angle from the bridge to the tailpiece. I buried it as far as I could but got to a point where any deeper would put the string alignment out too much.

Beard do sell another 8 string tailpiece especially designed for my needs. The same ones found on GoldTone by the look of them. However, the cost, together with freight to my country and the dollar conversion, put it at $125. Yep, $125. So I have the tailpiece made of two regular 6 string tailpieces. I need to refine it a little more. I can get the small gaps to disappear.

I think I will French Polish this reso and it will come up nicely.