The Steel Guitar Forum

...and the same guys who set up dobros for Jerry Douglas, who for about the last three years, has been playing Beards almost exclusively, and at some point, there will be a Beard Jerry Douglas model, to go along with the Beard Mike Auldridge Signature model.

Yeah - Gold Tone/Beards (I always write the "Gold Tone" part first - because they are built under contract in Asia by Gold Tone, and designed by Paul Beard) are great values, especially with the setup done at the Beard facility in Maryland.

But I have also played a few great sounding Wechter/Scheehorns, including the one owned by Brad Bechtel - it's a winner!

David, I don't know what class musician you are,if you are not a pro recording artist,try this. The new Regal RD-40 with the redesigned Tone Chamber is a good and loud instrument. Most every one likes a different tone or there would be only one brand. I like my RD-40 It has a very good hand spun Cone, a Maple Saddle and a Bone Nut. I think you would see very little difference (if any) with a Quarterman Cone in it. The online price is about $375.00 and I have played resonators that cost much more that did not sound as good. This is just my oppinion and the tone I like, but you might not like the tone that is why there are different brands. Never buy for the price, buy for the tone you like. If it is free or costs $3000.00 and you don't like the tone that instrument is not for you. James