Need New Dobro

Tom Mortensen · Post by **Tom Mortensen** » 15 May 2002 2:42 pm

I have been playing a custom made dobro for 30 years and finally it is beyond repair.
I would like to buy another dobro but don't know where to start.
What will I have to pay for a good one.
I like the more modern sound, what brands and models should I consider.

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tombleu.com

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 15 May 2002 5:34 pm

Wow! What did you do to the old one to completely wear it out?

Tom Mortensen · Post by **Tom Mortensen** » 15 May 2002 5:49 pm

The old dobro was built at a shop in Phoenix.
It's beautiful and constructed of Brazilian Rosewood.
It is an 8 string and I believe that Norm Hamlet and Mike Stewart have similar models.
It was built by a student at the luthiery, and has a couple of design flaws that have caused it to crack. I have done a lot of work to correct this but now the tail piece has broken. I will probably find someone to build another tail piece but still would like to find something a little more reliable and less fragile.

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tombleu.com

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 15 May 2002 7:06 pm

Try Ivan Guernsey, in Marysville, Indiana.
Phone #(812)293-4524. Builds the best sounding Reso guitar out there, prices are not out of reach, and there is no better guy on the planet to work with! He just built Mike Auldridge a monstrous 8-string, as well as Mike's 6-string guitars. I'm not sure about waiting time, but it's worth it!
Mr. Auldridge, if you're out there, would you help this man out?

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 16 May 2002 5:34 am

In addition to Ivan's wonderfull guitars, both Paul Beard and Dick Deneve make 7 and 8 stringed reso's. Gary Morse plays one of Paul's on his solo release and I believe a forumite recently took delivery of one of Dick's.

Paul Beard's shop is 301-733-8271. I believe Paul has a booth set up at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival this week.

Dick's phone is 315-695-6342.

I've played all 3 luthiers. Love em' all, own a Beard 8 mahogany. Just seems to talk my language.

Cheers,

h

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Howard Parker
poobah@resoguit.com
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 16 May 2002 5:38 am

And how could I forget...

Forumite Ted Smith's Melobro!!!

h

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Howard Parker
poobah@resoguit.com
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT

Ally · Post by **Ally** » 16 May 2002 6:05 am

Heard great things about Gregg McKenna's guitars ... he has an 8 string on buy and sell right now ...
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum3/HTML/013275.html

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 16 May 2002 7:00 am

Tom, Roberto-Venn is still there. You should drop them a line about it, I'm sure they'd be intersted in knowing what becomes of some of the guitars that leave their school.
The Ph # is 602-243-1179
Yopu said you liked the modern sound and Randy Allen is another making 'newfangled' resos. He has sound clips on his site.

Pete Grant · Post by **Pete Grant** » 16 May 2002 3:38 pm

I don't know if Randy Allen has yet to make an 8-string, but one of his six strings is the best I've ever played. And that includes a fairly wide range of dobros. The others (I've played 2 others of his) are in that same league.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 16 May 2002 4:22 pm

Also check out ...

Sheerhorn - choice of J. Dougals & Sally Van Meter (big sound; big bucks; big wait)

Benoit - gorgeous craftsmanship & tone

Gibson - all-Mahogony Jerry Douglas model.

As well as custom resophonic makers ...Dick Deneve, Greg McKenna, Oliver Apitius & Joe Yanuziello.

The London Resonator Centre can introduce you to many boutique European makers: http://www.resocentre.com/

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 17 May 2002 6:55 am

Carrol Benoit builds custom guitars. 6 and 8 strings. Many choices. I have played the 8 and it is great

I will pick mine up in about 2 weeks.

website is benoitguitars.com

I have a new gibson dobro roundneck 6 string for sale now. It sounds clunky compared to Benoit's guitar.

Dave Horner · Post by **Dave Horner** » 17 May 2002 7:10 am

You might also want to check with Todd Clinesmith in California. Very fine guy, and by all accounts I'm aware of, a top notch Reso luthier. toddclinesmith@hotmail.com
phone-707-725-0600.

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 17 May 2002 10:05 am

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=870146710

Here's a new Clinesmith on eBay