Now I've got a Dobro I need to amplify it...?
Moderator: Brad Bechtel
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Now I've got a Dobro I need to amplify it...?
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.
Thanks.
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- Michael Johnstone
- Posts: 3841
- Joined: 29 Oct 1998 1:01 am
- Location: Sylmar,Ca. USA
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......
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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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....use a mic!
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<font color="#990000">The Road Traveled "From Then 'til Now"</font>
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- Location: Matthews, North Carolina, USA
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.
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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.
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
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- Location: Fort Edward, New York
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....
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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
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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.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Howard Clark on 06 July 2005 at 03:43 PM.]</p></FONT>
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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.
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
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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
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
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- Jerry Hayes
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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!
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It's all on 12, who needs 20!
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.
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
- Posts: 140
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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
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
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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
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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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