Which low-end Dobro Sounds Good?

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 19 Jul 2004 5:48 pm

I have been thinking about trying the dobro. I have two kids in college right now and not a lot of extra cash to buy one. Which of the low end dobros has a good sound? Regal, Fender, Dean? Any particular model or body style that you have and like? Thanks for the help... Regards, Larry Jamieson

Andy Zynda · Post by **Andy Zynda** » 19 Jul 2004 7:24 pm

I tried quite a few, and the Johnson, wood, squareneck was the winner hands down.
2 cents
-andy-

Paul Arntson · Post by **Paul Arntson** » 20 Jul 2004 10:41 am

The best deal I could find was a 1994 Regal squareneck Korean for $200. The closest model they make now to that is the RD45. I think the spiders on the slightly older Regals were a teeny bit more robust.

I did, however, get a lot better tone after I took it apart and cleaned and leveled the inside edge of the tone ring. The plus is that you can upgrade with a Quarterman cone when you want to afford it.

The older Korean Regals are identifiable not only by the serial number (1st 2 digits are the year) but also they had pearlescent tuner buttons which were dropped later.
Happy hunting.
-paul[This message was edited by Paul Arntson on 20 July 2004 at 11:43 AM.]

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 20 Jul 2004 11:05 am

I am anxiously awaiting the new Beard/Gold Tone Dobros. These are a joint effort. The guitars are assembled in Asia using Beard parts (resonator etc.) and then shipped to the Beard factory where they are tweaked prior to sale.

Approximately $500 - $700 street price.

http://www.beardguitars.com/goldtone.html

They should be available soon.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website

[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 20 July 2004 at 12:13 PM.]

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 20 Jul 2004 1:18 pm

I recently bought a Regal "Black Lightning" model. It already comes upgraded with a quarterman cone, etc. It sounds good and really looks classy. I just got done installing a Fishman doughnut pickup on the center screw. The jury is still out on that one!
Erv

Alan Kroeger · Post by **Alan Kroeger** » 20 Jul 2004 2:05 pm

I never tried one but, a number of people have had some good things to say about the Johnson Dobros. A luthier that I am aquainted with gave high marks to the quality of the Johnson Instruments and he is a fussy fellow that builds fancy Violins for classical players.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 20 Jul 2004 4:53 pm

Or if that lottery ticket you bought on a whim comes through, here's a great deal for a paltry $8,000:
http://www.vintagemandolin.com/02DobroVine_451582.html

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 20 Jul 2004 5:27 pm

Thanks for all the good comments. I will probably get a Regal or a Johnson to start out with, and see how it goes. I have played pedal steel for 30 years, so I don't know how I'll get along without the pedals, levers and extra strings... Best Regards, Larry Jamieson

Jennings Ward · Post by **Jennings Ward** » 21 Jul 2004 6:26 am

The answer to your quwstion,,,,,"NONE"
Jennings

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EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +

Charles French · Post by **Charles French** » 21 Jul 2004 7:58 am

DITTO!The answer to your quwstion,,,,,"NONE"
Jennings

I'd save that money. Put an extention nut on a box, tune to G and go at it.

D Schubert · Post by **D Schubert** » 21 Jul 2004 11:18 am

Another vote for "none" ...all of the PacRim wood-body resonator guitars I've heard are lacking in tone, volume, and sustain. And that just can't be fixed with an electric pickup. And it can't be improved that much with a cone-bridge-nut upgrade, either. Been there, done that, ended up buying a vintage prewar Dobro anyhow.

Dylan Schorer · Post by **Dylan Schorer** » 22 Jul 2004 9:55 am

I just picked up a Lebeda dobro that was made in the Czech Republic (birthplace of the Dopyera Bros.) http://www.lebedainstruments.cz/

It seemed, to me, to be much better quality than the comparably priced mid-range resonators (Gibson Hound Dog, Regal Black Lightning). You see a lot of Lebeda mandolins around, but the dobros are tough to find. I believe Elderly.com has a few.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 22 Jul 2004 1:33 pm

My Regal Tricone was made in the Czech Republic but I thought all the Dopyera brothers were dead!

Tom Olson · Post by **Tom Olson** » 22 Jul 2004 2:37 pm

I would classify the Lebeda as more of a mid-range guitar than "low-end." But, I guess it's a subjective thing.

Michael Lee Allen · Post by **Michael Lee Allen** » 22 Jul 2004 5:42 pm

REMOVED

Jack Turlington · Post by **Jack Turlington** » 29 Jul 2004 6:51 pm

Musician's Friend's latest catalogue has a Rogue resonator guitar for $149.00!! I've never laid hands on one, but for that price it'd be worth a try. If you don't like it, you can send it back within 45 days and get your money back. Don't know how you could go wrong with that if you're just trying one to see if you like playing "Dobro".

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 29 Jul 2004 9:47 pm

My Regal RD-45 sounds pretty good with the Quarterman cone in it. You can spend a lot more and get less.

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loveridehd@aol.com
Carter D-10/C6 & E9, Oahu 6 string lap/C6, and two Resonators/open G

Del Rangel · Post by **Del Rangel** » 30 Jul 2004 7:21 am

Elderly Instruments says the Gold Tone Beards will be in by October. See: http://www.elderly.com/search/elderly?terms=Gold%20Tone&step=20&page=4&query_start=76&cname=Search

David Spires · Post by **David Spires** » 30 Jul 2004 9:25 am

Guys,

I played a Gold Tone PBS-D (Paul Beard Signature Series - Deluxe) at the NAMM convention on Sunday, and I thought it was great. I ordered one for the road, and should have it in about 2 weeks with a Fishman/Magnetic Pickup blend. I've always wanted a real quality sounding resonator, but never been able to afford something in that bracket.

My opinion is that this instrument will fill that void nicely! I can't wait to get it.

I'll post more when I do, and maybe even some sound clips - if you guys don't make fun of a pedal steel player trying to play "dobro".

David Spires

Robbie Bossert · Post by **Robbie Bossert** » 31 Jul 2004 9:26 am

Have any of you tried or heard the Rogue Dobro? They look pretty nice in the pics. How do they sound?

Robbie Bossert

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 31 Jul 2004 3:39 pm

Does that 8-grand guitar have a tone to go with the price? You would have to carry a gun to protect it!! Seem a bit gaudy to my taste.
BILL