Now I've got a Dobro I need to amplify it...?

Tony Harris · Post by **Tony Harris** » 6 Jul 2005 8:27 am

Thanks everyone for your advice on buying a cheap dobro recently - Regal D45. Sounds fine and I played it on my weekend gigs (after only 3 hours practice, so Jerry Douglas has got nothing to worry about yet...)! I could move 'on mic' for solos and back off a little the rest of the time. Trouble is, I couldn't hear myself enough (Durn banjo player and amplified bull fiddle!). Thought of getting a cheapish pickup fitted - someone has recommended the passive Fishman. Anyone tried one? But then I have no way of controlling volume...? Ideas?
Thanks.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 6 Jul 2005 8:34 am

Welcome to the wonderful world of Dobro amplification. What you will discover is that there is no good solution. There are passable solutions (try resophonic outfitters for a few).

What most people have settled on is just miking it.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 6 Jul 2005 8:48 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>someone has recommended the passive Fishman. Anyone tried one? But then I have no way of controlling volume...? Ideas?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Why not install a pickup and then play through a volume pedal?

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 6 Jul 2005 9:23 am

I got one of those beasts too and I find there is a basic flaw in the design. The cone faces upwards instead of out and therefore is not much more than a passable personal monitor. At this point in my dobro career however,it's probably crucial that no one else is subjected to the sucktivity emanating from my Quarterman upgrade.I do have a Fishman on there for future use......

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 6 Jul 2005 9:54 am

The sound techs will conspire to destroy you before they cringe into a fetal position, and may even employ a hit man!

....use a mic!

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The Road Traveled "From Then 'til Now"

Bob Storti · Post by **Bob Storti** » 6 Jul 2005 11:31 am

This idea has crossed my mind several times, so I'll just toss it out there. What if you use a microphone for your "main" sound and then setup a simple personal in-ear monitor system for the dobro only. Using a Fishman (or other brand) pickup, into a small guitar headphone amp (C Tech Pocket Rock-It, Rockman Guitar Ace, etc. - clipped to your belt), and then into a set on ear buds (using either one or both buds). I would think that it would be enough volume to hear yourself under "reasonable" bluegrass conditions. Just a thought and as always YMMV.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 6 Jul 2005 11:57 am

This is one of the reasons I'm considering giving up the Dobro completely in favor of the Lap Steel. I'm starting to get addicted to controlling my sound and I've learned to do all my standard G dobro licks on a lap steel tuned to D.

One needs to remember that the original design of the resonator was to create amplification on its own before there was amplification. The idea of amplifying an instrument that was specifically designed not to be amplified is an interesting conumdrum. While you do lose the particular unique sound of the Dobro, you gain a tremendous amount of flexiblity by moving towards a lap steel tuned to an open D or even a G tuning.

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 6 Jul 2005 12:17 pm

I use the Fishman Passive and a LR Baggs pre-amp as well as a Mic. The pickup I use for most rythem/background work and, then step up on the mic to give a little bost for soloing. That said....nothing will sound as good as just a mic but there are times when you just need more volume than you can get by just micking it.If you need that much volume you sometimes have to give up a little of your tone...its all a compromise.Helps if you have a "good" sound man.

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SHO~BUDS, Steelkings,
Fender guitars,
Hilton pedals, Preston
covers, and Taylor(Tut, that is)Resos.

Still Country after all these years....

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 6 Jul 2005 1:31 pm

Larry's got the right idea. I use a Fishman passive resophonic pickup and feed that into an acoustic preamp. This way you have some tone and volume control.
Erv

Howard Clark · Post by **Howard Clark** » 6 Jul 2005 2:36 pm

I have a an old National Triolian (single cone, bisquit bridge) with a raised nut. I installed an old DeArmond archtop pickup at the end of the bridge and use a mic as well. It sounds suprisingly good, I think it is because neither the mic nor the amp need to be turned up into feedback territory. I can also hear myself just fine.[This message was edited by Howard Clark on 06 July 2005 at 03:43 PM.]

Bill Blacklock · Post by **Bill Blacklock** » 7 Jul 2005 9:10 am

I use a Schatten design "blackbox" volume control, there exellent.
ahttp://www.schattendesign.com/blackbox.htmnd

The McIntyre feather installed in my "TUT" dobro sounds about as good as a gerbil peeing in a tin cup. Next time around I'm going to try "Scattens designs" dobro pickup. I believe thats were Fishman got there idea for there dobro pickup design.

Brent LaBeau · Post by **Brent LaBeau** » 7 Jul 2005 9:17 am

I highly recomend the K&K "Golden Bullet" for this type of aplication. http://www.kksound.com/goldenbullet.html
I just added one to my bull fiddle.
For the price they can't be beat.
Just be careful where you stand in relation to your amp/monitor.

Regards,

Rev. LaBeau

Michael Breid · Post by **Michael Breid** » 14 Jul 2005 8:05 pm

I use a Audio Technica wireless lavaleer mic with the on/off switch attached to my strap. The mic can be mounted to the plate with a small piece of duct tape. I go though the house P.A. where I work. It does very well for me. Good luck. Michael

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 15 Jul 2005 6:20 am

I have a Gibson Hound Dog which came with a factory installed Fishman P/U which IMHO is totally useless when playing with a loud band. I bought a MacIntyre feather type pickup but haven't had the chance to use it yet. I hear they're much better. A couple of months ago I found a used Flinthill round neck with raised nut which had a Barcus/Berry pickup on the top at the end of the neck. It was about the size of a humbucker and about as thick as a domino. This dang thing sounds great and is loud as can be. I just run it through the acoustic setting on my Boss board and it does a great job and I can get as loud as everyone else with no feedback whatsoever.....JH in va.

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It's all on 12, who needs 20!

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 15 Jul 2005 7:39 am

For several years I've been using a small Sony tie-clip mic and a L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic D.I. preamp. It's a great combination - an SM57 also works *really* well with the Baggs. It even works with piezo setups, warming them up.

It's absolutely essential for amplified acoustic playing IMO. I've even used it on upright bass, also mandolin and guitar.

Great unit. You can tweak the EQ, warm up the tone and run to an acoustic amp, use a direct-inject into the board or both.

I don't even look at new gadgets for acoustic amplification the Baggs works so well.

Bernard Beck · Post by **Bernard Beck** » 16 Jul 2005 5:10 am

I have a 1974 Dobro, spider bridge.
Had the chance to visit the OMI factory in 1991. I asked them than what was their advice. They sold at the time a "SHADOW" pickup. I installed it myself. It works fine with my electroacoustic MARSHALL amp. I really can get the sound I want.
From what I understand, the pick up issue is not the only one, the amp issue is very important.
Amplifying a dobro will always imply feedback problems. On the marshall electroacoustic, there are 2 antifeedback control knobs and I do use them both.
Good luck on finding the best amplification for your dobro.
Bernard

Yann Obergfell · Post by **Yann Obergfell** » 16 Jul 2005 5:38 am

When I bought my first dobro there was an old-style mc intyre pickup in it. Soundwise it useless. And it feedbacks very quickly. I'm using a Audio-technica PRO35X. condenser mic. If the monitors aren't too loud, it works great, and it faithfully reproduces the sound of my reso. An other thing: since it is not permanently mounted, you can put it very easily on an other instrument. (reso or else).

Larry Allen · Post by **Larry Allen** » 18 Jul 2005 2:20 pm

I've tried Fishman, Baggs, Lace, George L,and plenty of others over the years and the absolute best Dobro PU is Bill Lawrence's. Any volumne, any amp, loud or acoustic band, no problems or feedback. Last time I bought one (2002) Bill was getting $60. I have several on different Dobros. :0........Larry

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Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 18 Jul 2005 6:28 pm

Try that Lawrennce through the Baggs preamp - that'll be the ticket.

Keith DeLong · Post by **Keith DeLong** » 21 Jul 2005 4:07 am

I have a Schatten pickup bolted on the bottom of the cone, just remove the nut and put it on(I got someone to do it for me). It does need a graphic EQ to get rid of feedback around 200 Hz, but it does work well IF YOU CAN GET THE SOUND TECH TO TURN IT ON! GRRRRR.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 21 Jul 2005 4:29 am

sounds about as good as a gerbil peeing in a tin cup.

That's the sound I've been trying to get for years! Thanks for the tip......

Anyone try the Highlander pick up?