Decent, economical dobro?

Chris Brooks · Post by **Chris Brooks** » 28 Apr 2005 11:43 am

Any recommendations for a dobro that is cost effective for this steeler who wants to branch out?

Regal? Fender?

Thanks in advance.

Chris

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 28 Apr 2005 11:46 am

The Beard Gold Tone.....from Paul Beard, Resophonic Outfitters.

I was very impressed with the sound quality and the build quality of this imported guitar.

For an economical resophonic, I would say that this is the best bang for the buck.

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 28 Apr 2005 11:53 am

Beard Gold Tone Squareneck. I got one. They're the best out there in this price range.

If you only have $300 to spend, don't spend it. Save your money for the Beard.

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

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 28 Apr 2005 9:04 pm

Beard Goldtone. Look no further.That said, make sure the setup was done at the Beard facility in Maryland. You can get one through Jimmy Heffernan at www.Jimmyheffernan.net

Steer very clear of the Fender! This otherwise fine company has no clue about resonator guitars.

Travis Bernhardt · Post by **Travis Bernhardt** » 29 Apr 2005 12:01 am

In my limited experience with cheap Dobros the Beard Gold Tone is the best by far.

-Travis

Chris Brooks · Post by **Chris Brooks** » 29 Apr 2005 3:38 am

Thanks guys, from me and a friend who prompted my question.

Looks like the Gold Tone is the lowest price Beard--about $700, right?

Still a lot more affordable than the $2000+ figures I saw at first!

Thanks again.

Chris

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 29 Apr 2005 3:58 am

Chris just buy a Johnson off of ebay for around $200. If you then feel you want to really get into playing dobro put a Quarterman cone and spider in it, it will sound like a million bucks.

There is one on the forum just like the one I decribed for $350, buy it.

Larry Behm

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 29 Apr 2005 4:30 am

, it will sound like a million bucks.

Before, or after taxes?

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 29 Apr 2005 4:48 am

The cheapest Beard Gold Tone is the mahogony model (which I have). These sell for $525 everywhere.

Elderly has them as well as Musicians Friend.

I highly recommend Elderly because you can be sure the instrument has passed through inspection and setup in two places, Beard and Elderly. Musicians friend, Guitar Center and the like basically sell cardboard shipping boxes with a guitar inside (i.e, no setup, no detailed inspection).

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

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 29 Apr 2005 10:52 am

At Elderly

Beard Gold Tone Maple is $750.
Beard Gold Tone Mahogany is $547.5.

Do they sound the same?

Jay Fagerlie · Post by **Jay Fagerlie** » 29 Apr 2005 10:58 am

I bought a Galveston from a forum member awhile back and I think it's just fine.
I have had a couple of pros over with their much higher priced dobros that I A/B'd with my Galveston....a National and an old dobro and although there is a difference, the Galveston works for me. Both the pro players commented that my guitar sounded really good for the money.
(BTW-as far as I know, it is a totally stock guitar)
I say go play some cheap ones and compare before sending $$$ off for a guitar you've never heard.

Jay

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 29 Apr 2005 12:36 pm

I tried the two models of Gold Tones at Dallas. There was a little difference. I would opt for the less expensive model as it was close...IMO

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 29 Apr 2005 12:41 pm

I agree with Howard. I've tried both. They are pretty similar in tone.

I also think the $547 mahogony looks nicer. It's a more simple, cleaner lines design.

The expensive one is too busy for my tastes, I don't like the inlays and the sunburst is not subtle enough (the red doesn't gradually fade into the gold). These are just my opinions.

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

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

Jeppe Grangaard · Post by **Jeppe Grangaard** » 29 Apr 2005 1:52 pm

Hi Chris I’m not mainly a dobroman. I bought myself a Regal (I think it’s called RD 45) just to try the dobro out.
Then put a quarterman cone, a bone nut (or try a steel raised), and a hardwood saddle, and decent tensioned strings,.... and wauvvvv what an improved sound!! At least for a period back then, it got me satisfied and able to work on technique and method. But of course, I’m hoping to afford a real axe by a builder who knows what it takes for a longterm relationship.It’s a good first step. Jeppe

Peter Jacobs · Post by **Peter Jacobs** » 30 Apr 2005 12:20 pm

Anyone try the Sheerhorn/Wechter reso's yet? These look like they should be killer, but I wonde how much better (if at all) they could be than the Beard/Goldtones.

Peter

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 30 Apr 2005 12:27 pm

I got a Regal and paid $160 used. It already had the Quarteman upgrade and I ordered a new spider from Stewmac... it sounds pretty good even with the stock spider, and since I am putting a pickup in it I see no reason to upgrade guitars right now. It sounds pretty good.

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Sierra S8, Polytone Mini-Brute IV, Gibson GA30RVT, Teese RMC2 Wah, pyrex and bakelite bars

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 30 Apr 2005 12:47 pm

The Fenders, by the way, SUCK.

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Sierra S8, Polytone Mini-Brute IV, Gibson GA30RVT, Teese RMC2 Wah, pyrex and bakelite bars

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 30 Apr 2005 1:15 pm

To really get the most out of the upgrade on a Regal, it is a good idea along with a Q-cone and improved Spider to install a new (bone) nut and an ebony or some other improved bridge cap.

The deal is this: You buy one of those Beard Goldtone mahogany guitars at $525-$550 and all of this stuff already been done for you (Beard's new spun cones have a good reputation).

Keith's Regal found used at $160 is obviously a steal-more power to anyone who can find something like that. The new Beard Goldtones are better built guitars than the Regals, so goes the theory. I read an article recently that Saga (Regal) is re-thinking their resonator line because these new Goldtones have given them a thorough kick in the pants in this category.

The higher end Regal Black Lightnin' with a Quarterman already included has apparently not panned out so great-some construction problems.

To buy a lower priced Regal new and have a luthier do all the upgrades in total is going to run you $450-$500. Might as well spend a little extra dough getting a Goldtone set up at the Beard shop-and have a guitar ready to play from the get-go, and something gig-ready, if you are of that persuasion.

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Mark
[This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 30 April 2005 at 02:44 PM.]

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 30 Apr 2005 2:11 pm

I've done a lot of shopping, and my recommendation is to go with the Gold Tone.

I have a Beard Gold Tone mahogany, and a Gold Tone maple. Both are excellent guitars; the maple has a more defined treble... not harsh, but punchier,... than the mahogany, which is sweeter sounding. I'd say the maple is more like a modern sounding reso while the mahogany is more of a pre-war sound.

Fortunately, my maple guitar has a more subtle, brownish sunburst than does some of the (for want of a better word) gaudier examples of that model. It does have the "hearts and flowers" inlays in the fretboard, and the headstock logo is abalone as well. The edge bindings are maple on the fancier model, ivoroid on the mahogany.

FWIW, I have the maple tuned to G6 (lo to hi BDEGBD), and the mahogany generally in straight bluegrass G (GBDGBD). For the Hank Williams play I'm currently involved with, the mahogany is tuned in E7 (EBDG#BE).

Both these guitars are fitted with Fishman transducers installed by Paul Beard, and they work great with a Fishman pre-amp. My thanks and kudos to Paul and Howard Parker who did the wonderful work on my Gold Tones at the last TSGA Jamboree.

BTW, there will be several resophonic seminars at the 2006 Jamboree, including one on setting up a reso. Go to the TSGA website link below for more information.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 30 Apr 2005 3:26 pm

I would think that the Beard/Goldtones would have a better resale value, should you want to upgrade later on.

Ron Shepard · Post by **Ron Shepard** » 1 May 2005 6:59 am

How is the volume on the Beard/Goldtone? I'm looking for a reso with alot of punch and volume.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 1 May 2005 9:14 am

As to the issue of volume, my Gold Tones are louder than any of my pre-war vintage dobros, which are smaller bodied California guitars. I'm really quite pleased with my Gold Tone purchases.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Chris Brooks · Post by **Chris Brooks** » 2 May 2005 7:08 am

Wow, thanks, guys, for the good responses! This is a big help. Looks like the less expensive Gold Tone is the most practical way to go.

And Keith, I shall certainly keep your delicately-phrased caveat in mind! :>)

Cheers

Chris

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now living in the Ocean State ....

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 2 May 2005 3:00 pm

*****And Keith, I shall certainly keep your delicately-phrased caveat in mind! :>)*****

I didn't mean for it to be delicate... How could I clear this up? Hmmmm.

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Sierra S8, Polytone Mini-Brute IV, Gibson GA30RVT, Teese RMC2 Wah, pyrex and bakelite bars