Coverting Dobro to 7 string

Gregg McKenna · Post by **Gregg McKenna** » 17 Aug 2007 6:41 pm

Michael Hardee wrote:Alan, maybe you can play 8 strings crammed onto an inch and 7/8 nut, I sure couldn't.

Mandocello?

Matt Campbell · Post by **Matt Campbell** » 17 Aug 2007 7:02 pm

I'm thinking that someone told me that 7 medium guaged strings was about all the pressure or load you want on standard cone and spider. Any more effects the voice. Is this true?

The basic reason I decided on the 7 string was that I play 5 string banjo and I relate the banjo neck to the dobro in my mind so well. And primarily a guitar and banjo player I didnt want to much difference in string spacing with the dobro. And, having the E or 6th tone in the middle would allow me to get fuller minors and 6th chords ( Love my swing), but still have a bluegrass sound if I want it. I also thought I could pull this off without any major plugging of holes and refinishing and the like with out defacing the original art work of the peghead as I really like the beauty and sound of my guitar (except heavy humidity knocks it in the dirt)... Installing the 7th (Banjo style ) tuner on the back side of the peghead in a ebony block mounted at a right angle should be pretty well hidden and well accesible.

Ha..Ive been practicing landing slanted 7th chord triads on standard 6 string G tuning with some sort of quick accuratecy, which is a "hoot". Some times I miss it pretty bad !!!!! Where's my eye glasses?

Matt

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 17 Aug 2007 8:24 pm

Michael Hardee wrote:Alan, maybe you can play 8 strings crammed onto an inch and 7/8 nut, I sure couldn't.

Most 10 string pedal steels are closer than that. You can get a bridge as wide as 3" under a regular-sized resonator cover. The bridge will overlap the groove in the spider but that can be handled. I'm in the process right now of building a lap steel with a resonator and palm pedals. I intend to put an 8-string roller bridge under that cover. A roller bridge is vital with pedals of any sort.

Matt Campbell · Post by **Matt Campbell** » 18 Aug 2007 3:54 am

Hey that sounds pretty Kewl.....I have had the same thoughts about palm levers on a dobro......I had a D8 console for a while with Epiphone EZ benders on it. I bought it as a kit from Mark Vinbury and finished it myself. Mark is a nice fellow and worked with me on the design. It was guite a guitar. My problem is I'm a acoustic player at heart and, I dig pretty deep and agressive, so I like heavier guage, thick sounding, strings and they dont work very well with benders. But, inovative people change the world !!!!

Matt

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 18 Aug 2007 6:19 am

Years ago someone sent me these pix of a Regal 6-to-8 conversion using mando 4-in-row tuners. FWIW....Drew

Matt Campbell · Post by **Matt Campbell** » 18 Aug 2007 2:59 pm

Ive seen this picture somewhere before....I just noticed, there are eight keys, and the nut, saddle, and tailpiece are for seven?

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 19 Aug 2007 7:22 am

Yeah. So I guess it's a 6-to7 conversion

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 20 Aug 2007 12:32 pm

I bought a Johnson biscuit guitar from Musician's Friend a few weeks ago. Somethin' to drag around and not worry about. They were being blown out for $150. If you could get one, it would be the perfect candidate to experiment on!
If you find you love 7 or 8 strings, put some moola into a Beard conversion.

Matt Campbell · Post by **Matt Campbell** » 20 Aug 2007 6:28 pm

HA, My wife and I are very soon to be full time RVr's and if I get another guitar, I will be sleeping in the back of the pickup

Ian · Post by **Ian** » 24 Aug 2007 10:49 am

Matt,

Have you considered simply tuning the 4th string up from D to E? Much easier and cheaper and you'll still get that minor, seventh sound you're looking for.

Just a thought,

Ian

Matt Campbell · Post by **Matt Campbell** » 24 Aug 2007 6:07 pm

Ian, thanks and a good thought....yes I have tried it some.....but two reasons why I would like the seven string....first I also play five string banjo and alot of the bluegrass style stuff I play on the dobro(open G ) tuning really utilizes that needed D string.....second I also really love swing and ballads and thats why I would really like to have a E also.......So its kinda like I want my cake and eat it too.....