GoldTone Beard Reso

Kevin Ruddell · From: Toledo Ohio USA

I have the standard entry level mahogany model Beard Gold tone SN dobro and it's a nice instrument for what I paid for it. I've tried 3 different type of Reso strings... Beard , Martin and GHS Scheerhorn Cryogenic Phosper Bronze and it just doesn't ring out all that well when tuned to G , although the cone is set properly .
I couldn't contrast and compare different ones in a showroom when I purchased the guitar and there was a shortage of this model available at that time . This was the only one I found . And , yes it is one of the ones that the Beard company went over for GoldTone
I tuned it down a whole step to F and it sure sounds quite a bit more responsive , maybe due to the string tension being different ?
Anyone one else had this issue or opinion with this model guitar ?

Ben Jones · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

I own one and while I'm just starting out on dobro, I think it sounds great. Good volume, sustain, tone. Ive tried three including the one i own and they all been about the same.
First song here (Honeysuckle):
http://www.myspace.com/bobbysmiths

Is it possible the conme has shifted on yours maybe?
any chance of sending it back or exchanging it from where you bought it? Good luck.

Mark Eaton · Posted 26 Feb 2007 8:49 am

Weird.

I can't imagine that everything is "normal" with the guitar if it seems more responsive tuned to F. Those bass strings, particularly the 6th, will get a little "flabby" when tuned to F on the typical reso.

Bearing that in mind, I also can't imagine that the thing would sound better in F, what with less tension on the strings.

And particularly since you write that it received the Beard setup, sounds like a call or e-mail to Beard Guitars is in order.
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Mark

Kevin Ruddell · From: Toledo Ohio USA

Thanks for your comments , when the guitar is tuned to G it just sounds okay but a bit tight . I contacted the Beard company per your good suggestion and got a reply right away with contact info for advice . I might not be adjusting the cone properly and this may be the problem . I turn the tension screw counterclockwise until rattle develops and then turn it clockwise until it disappears . This travel all seems to take place in approximately a half turn radius.
It was set pretty well from the dealer but I tried putting a C6 , then Bb6 tuning on it before going back to the regular string set.

Kevin Ruddell · From: Toledo Ohio USA

I e-mailed Beard Guitars and Howard promptly replied with a suggestion and some info that helped . The cone tension screw just needed another quarter turn to get back to the sweet spot . I was just scared to overtension the cone too much I guess. It sounds much better now.

Mark Eaton · Posted 27 Feb 2007 4:48 pm

That was my gut feeling, but I didn't want to volunteer that info- so I'm glad you got it from Howard.

I didn't want you ticked off at me if something got screwed up!

Cool

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Mark

Terry Sneed · From: Arkansas,

Kevin, I bought the same dobro about 3 months ago and like mine just fine. I did have to drop to a #34 for the 4th string though when tuning to a G6. I was popin those #36's quick.
By the way> Being a newbie to dobro myself, where do you adjust the cone tension?
Can you get a little string rattle by adj the cone tension?
I kinda like a tad of string rattle. Am I in the minority on that?

I have a feeling I'm goin to want to upgrade to a more expensive dobro within a year or so. Could you guys give me some suggestions on a good sounding square neck? I'll probly have to stay around a $1000 bucks or maybe a little more.
Mahogany or maple? Could somebody post that link to the different sounds of the different woods on dobros please?
I thought I had it saved but I don't.

Terry

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