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Topic: Should I buy a Dobro? |
Bill Llewellyn
From:
San Jose, CA
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Posted 17 Aug 2003 5:59 pm |
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All my efforts at PSG (since 1999, not much to speak of) have also sparked in me an interest in the Dobro. I think it's a marvelous instrument and I really love the sound! I think I'd like to get me one someday and see how bad.... uh.... how well I might do with one. Any advice?
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Bill, steelin' since '99 | Steel page | My music | Steelers' birthdays | Over 50?
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Kenny Davis
From:
Great State of Oklahoma
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Posted 17 Aug 2003 6:03 pm
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| Yes |
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Jeff Strouse
From:
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Posted 17 Aug 2003 6:04 pm
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You could always get one of the Regal Resonators to see how you'll like it. That would only set you back about $400 as opposed to a grand for a "dobro"....
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Alan Kirk
From:
Scotia, CA, USA
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Posted 17 Aug 2003 6:19 pm
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Bill,
Check out http://www.gryphonstrings.com/ in Palo Alto. You can go there and play resos. You might find that Regal's bargain sound isn't quite tonally rich enough for you.
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 17 Aug 2003 7:08 pm
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Bill, the whole reso world is another facet of steel playing that holds many wonders and beauties. For as simple as the R,3,5 standard 'dobro" tuning is, there's an infinity of beautiful music in there. I strongly suggest you get a copy of the new Allison Krauss and Union Station live DVD or video. Jerry Douglas' depth of emotion and musicianship will astound you! And there's something wonderful about sliding around on an acoustic lap guitar that just makes for an intimate experience you just might not get from a pedal guitar. If you get hung up looking for something to start on, give me a mail, I've usually got some good guitars around!
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C'mon by and visit!- www.markvanallen.com
My Bands: Sugarland Kate and the Retreads Kecia Garland Band Shane Bridges Band Dell Conner Blues Band
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 17 Aug 2003 9:00 pm
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| Quote: |
| Should I buy a Dobro? |
What? You don't have one?...  |
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Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 18 Aug 2003 6:24 am
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Yes.
I think of it as an acoustic steel. It is portable and versatile. Lots of ways to tune for different styles. Along with Jerry Douglas, listen to Gary Morse's "Resophonic Rodeo" to hear western swing on a 7 string G6 tuning. Listen to Barney Isaacs play Hawaiian on a 6 string C6 Dobro. Or listen to Rob Ickes play jazz on a 6 string.
Happy hunting.
(last 3 CD's available here on the Forum)
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Stringmaster T8, Benoit 8, National Tricone, MSA U12
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Bill Llewellyn
From:
San Jose, CA
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Posted 18 Aug 2003 7:06 am
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This is all sounding good, fellows. I'm suffering from a little sticker shock, though, since the prices I've looked at online are in the 2k range. I only paid about 1200 for my MSA!
Thanks for the tip on Gryphon Strings, Alan. I'll have to drop in there and test drive a few of these instruments.
I've seen Jerry Douglas on a few PBS specials in the last year or so, since the film Oh Borther Where Art Thou has helped bring a resurgance of interest in bluegrass. Jerry is just unbelievable. |
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James Quackenbush
From:
Pomona, New York, USA
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Posted 18 Aug 2003 11:00 am
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Bill,
If you buy yourself a Regal RD-45, and do a couple of easy modifications like put in a Quarterman cone kit and level off the spider so it hits the cone evenly, you will end up with a Dobro that is not too expensive and will EASILY sound as good as any $1,000 or better Dobro.... I sold mine, and I'm gonna have to get another one ... I really miss it, and will soon order another one....Jim |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 18 Aug 2003 1:36 pm
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Why don't you pull up www.folkofthewood.com
They have an excellent selection of resophonics for sale and if you ever want to trade up, they allow wheatever you originally paid for trade in.
Erv |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 18 Aug 2003 3:05 pm
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| And Ron, don't forget Mike Auldridge's "Eight-String Swing" album. Great music, and tone to die for. Do yourself a favor, and stay away from the Regals. Get a Crafters, or something--maybe from Mark Van Allen. |
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Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 19 Aug 2003 7:00 am
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Bill,
Here is way to get over the $$ hump.
I know more than a few players use a 6 string round neck acoustic guitar with a raised nut to play with a bar. I started out that way, experimented with tunings, strings, bars, picks, and learned the basics. It won't have that resonator sound, but it is a way to get going.
Don't use your best Martin, be careful with string gauges. Start with a six string with a truss rod and you will be ok.
Ron
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Stringmaster T8, Benoit 8, National Tricone, MSA U12
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 19 Aug 2003 9:57 am
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It all depends on "how" you're going to play- just for fun, and learning, I really think the upgraded Regals or Flinthills are fine. Lots of today's reso heads got started or still play those. I have a Regal now that sounds pretty darn good. On the other hand, for someone with some time in on pedal steel, where the bar and picking techniques aren't so alien, or for recording, etc., the tone, feel, and general vibe of a more expensive guitar would be more rewarding. Out of all the mid-range resos I've seen, the Crafters seems to have the best "high-end" look and feel. I did go through a pile of "average" Crafters here in Atlanta to find the one I have, which stands up very nicely tonally and volume wise to my Beard. There are some other custom builders making very nice resos in that general price range as well, although they may be harder to find or need to be custom ordered. There are a whole lot of posts about this very subject in the archives on Howard Parker's fantastic resoguit list: http://www.resoguit.com/
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C'mon by and visit!- www.markvanallen.com
My Bands: Sugarland Kate and the Retreads Kecia Garland Band Shane Bridges Band Dell Conner Blues Band
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Grant Johnson
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 19 Aug 2003 10:01 am
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Beard offers a Flinthill Dobro with a hardshell case and a full Quarterman/Beard upgrade and set up for around $600. They sound as good as many of the $1200 Dobros to my ears.
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www.bigsmokey.com
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Harry Williams
From:
Duncan, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
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Posted 19 Aug 2003 12:54 pm
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Bill:
Dobro is a wonderful instrument and Jerry Douglas is an inspiration to anybody - whether or not they play the dobro. The point I want to add that it's great to have acoustic intruments around for all those times where electrified music is not practical or inappropriate - picnics, kitchen parties, parties, shindigs, hootenannys, goofing off etc etc 
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Bob Watson
From:
Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
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Posted 19 Aug 2003 2:51 pm
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| I used to notice that all of my favorite steel players also played dobro. I finally picked one up 7 or 8 years ago ( a Regal that I had set up with a Quarterman cone ) after playing steel for around 20 years. I love playing dobro and it has brought a whole new perspective to my steel playing. I would definatley encourage you to get one, you won't regret it. |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 19 Aug 2003 9:26 pm
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| And there's always the occaisional power outage... |
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Chuck Fisher
From:
Santa Cruz, California, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 21 Aug 2003 1:47 pm
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A friend did me a favor and loaned me his 1920's national dobro, a mahogany one. Now I want a dobro of my own but I'm spoiled, the Regals and Johnsons just dont get it.
Well I guess he did me a favor ;-/
CF |
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