Which low-end Dobro Sounds Good?
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- Larry Jamieson
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Which low-end Dobro Sounds Good?
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
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- Paul Arntson
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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<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Paul Arntson on 20 July 2004 at 11:43 AM.]</p></FONT>
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<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Paul Arntson on 20 July 2004 at 11:43 AM.]</p></FONT>
- Gerald Ross
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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
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 20 July 2004 at 12:13 PM.]</p></FONT>
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
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 20 July 2004 at 12:13 PM.]</p></FONT>
- Erv Niehaus
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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
http://www.vintagemandolin.com/02DobroVine_451582.html
- Larry Jamieson
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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.
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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.
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
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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
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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
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loveridehd@aol.com
Carter D-10/C6 & E9, Oahu 6 string lap/C6, and two Resonators/open G
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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
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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
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
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