Fluger dobro

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Has anybody been using the new Fluger solid dobro for live work? Have heard great things about them, but i would like lots of opinions from those who work in the real world of 'Live Dobro'.
Thanks kids.
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A.K.A Chappy.

Don Barnhardt · From: North Carolina, USA

I don't know about that particular model but Marv Pfleuger modified a standard dobro for me and I'm real pleased with it. He's a good guy to deal with.

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Thanks don, what did he do to it??
This new dobro out is supposed to be electronic and solid body, some road players are using them, but i have not had the chance to see one in action, supposed to be, no feedback and near perfect Dobro tone!
_________________
A.K.A Chappy.

Danny Hullihen · From: Harrison, Michigan

Larry. I saw Gary Morse playing a Fluger dobro when he was touring with Dirks Bentley, and the tone sounded as good as any resophonic guitar. The big plus side is they could crank it up in mix, and there were no feedback issues as is notorious with most other resophonic guitars. Marv Pfleuger also makes a 6 or 8 string lap steel version of this too, and it's switchable from lap steel, to dobro and it sounds fantastic. This model can be laid right on the neck of your pedal steel. It's definately the answer to being able to play at high volume levels without feedback problems.

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Thanks danny, that sounds like the one, they cost approx a grand which is fine, but i really wanted some feedback on how well they sound before i buy one, live dobro is such a frustrating issue and i dont like the Simulator i have that much.
_________________
A.K.A Chappy.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

Larry I have a Fluger RGS 8 stringer which is just spot on for playing Dobro live ...lots of volume, no feedback issues, and I can just plonk it up on the C6th neck. It has the Dobro processor built into it and you can also play it as a straight lapsteel. I use an AB switch to toggle between the RGS and my Zum !
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Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Thanks paddy, is the tone very reminiscent of a real dobro?
_________________
A.K.A Chappy.

Don Barnhardt · From: North Carolina, USA

Larry...My dobro and the Fluger guitar you're interested in are electronically the same. It's basically the Marrs cat can. It's not for an acoustic gig but for playing with electric instruments and drums etc I don't think you can beat it. You can play it as straight steel or in resophonic mode. In resophonic mode you have three controls; volume, tone, and reso which can almost give you the classic dobro sound or distortion and anywhere in between. The beauty of it is that you can crank it up as loud as you want it without feedback.

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Thanks guys, i have been using a
Goodrich super bro 2b dobro simulator for live work, having my back neck set up in 6 string open G, i dont like the goodrich sound at all, it's close but not too close.
I went back to real Dobro, but then we have all the feedback issues.
My concerns are this; Does the fluger have different electronics than the Goodrich super bro2b simulator.
I dont want to buy another cheese grater, it has to sound very, very close to a real dobro.
Thanks Guys.
_________________
A.K.A Chappy.

Danny Hullihen · From: Harrison, Michigan

Larry, the Fluger electonics are not the same as what Goodrich was using in their Matchbro. Although I believe the Fluger guitars are as close as anyone has come to getting to a real resophonic (Dobro) sound, you have to keep in mind that this is being accomplished via electronics to "simulate" the sound.

As another example, there are amplifiers that have built in programs that can make an electric guitar sound like an acoustic, and for the most part, they do a fair job of it. In fact, Peavey had a program for some of their rack mount processors that "simulated" the sound of a resophonic guitar, but here again, it wasn't perfect.

Although I believe that the Fluger guitars has nailed it better than anyone else has, you will find some charictaristics that not exactly the same. Meaning, if you are extreamely picky about getting the "exact" tone and sustain of an acoustic resophonic guitar, and are totally unforgiving in that realm, then NONE of the electronic simulators are going to totally please you. However, if you're looking for something than can get the job done in amplified environments, and can fool most ears, then the Fluger guitars are indeed the answer for that.

I believe the Fluger RGS guitar that Paddy long mentioned is the best of both worlds in these regards, as this instrument doubles as both a lap steel, and a Dobro. With a bit of overdrive added, it also makes a great blues and/or rock slide style guitar. I think the RGS is the most versitile of all of them. Most of the Fluger guitars are set up with the "G" tuning like the Dobro, however, the RGS is quite capable using other tunings such as "E" "C-6th" or even the "F" tunings that I'm hearing on some of Alan Jackson's recent recordings. (the Nashville guys like to keep you guessing about "how did he do that?") It's one of the reasons of why we go bald before our time! Laughing

I am definately NOT a good respohonic player by any means of the definition!, but here again, if you're looking to get that "Dobro" sound in a live band environment, and with the capability of being heard without feedback problems, then the Fluger guitars are indeed the answer.

Franklin · Posted 6 Jul 2009 7:02 am

I record with the eight string Fluger dobro. I own several other brands and opt for the Fluger everytime. I am amazed at how well it cuts through the recording process. Its the first dobro I've owned that works in all situations.

Paul

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Thanks guys for all these wonderful answers, so here's my ultimate and final question which is very hard to answer.
[I just dont want to blow another Grand unless i'm going forward in tone! ]
Sorry, i'm tone anal!

Does the FLUGER sound Better than the GOODRICH SUPER BRO 2B SIMULATOR?

Thanks guys one more time
_________________
A.K.A Chappy.

Don Barnhardt · From: North Carolina, USA

The only way to answer your question is to find someone within driving distance that has one and try it.

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Thats true don, i'll have to try and find one somewhere, or else take another gamble,
ah sod it, it's a tax right off
Laughing

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A.K.A Chappy.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

Larry I think what gives the RGS the edge is the fact that you can tune it to a dobro tuning...whereas the Goodrich Matchbro (which I also have) is usually used on the E9th tuning which is a little less authentic when trying to simulate a dobro -- unless you know which strings to avoid of course!!

Paul - do you use the hollowneck Fluger, or the standard model ???
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Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Sounds good paddy, what i actually do is tune my rear neck [only 6 strings to open G] but yeah, the sound is not all that authentic and it makes it difficult to honk down on open rolls and pull off's etc. [ mindset]
It dosent make you want to play like Dobro player, where as my dobro pushes me that way with it's tone .
It sounds like the Fluger is much more oriented that way then, sorry guys, i know this is a hard question to answer, but man... Nobody round here got one!!
_________________
A.K.A Chappy.

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Paddy, I think you are correct. The ability to tune a Fluger to standard dobro tuning makes a big difference in getting the timbre of a real dobro. Marvin Fluger lives 4 miles from me and is a close friend. He is a construction genius. I remember doing sound tests with him on his prototypes in his shop getting that dobro sound as exact as he could get it. Many of the road players use Fluger elecric dobros for that reason, and NO feedback. They are a very well thought out instrument.

John Macy · From: Rockport TX/Denver CO

Like Paul said, they record extremely well...I did a session last week with Dan Dugmore and his sings through the track with no eq....nice to look at, too Smile

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John Macy
Rockport, TX
Engineer/Producer/Steel Guitar

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Thanks john, was that the $1000.00 one solid body or one of his special real dobro's.
_________________
A.K.A Chappy.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

Larry have a look at Marv's website http://flugerguitars.com/

he has a regular-type dobro with the RGS electronics built into it as well as the lap type.
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Thankyou paddy, i think i'll just buy one and call it good, there is no substitute for trying.
If you like it, Then i'll like it.
I have an Email into marv already.
Thanks paddy, i really appreciate it coming from you.

P.S, Your C.V [ Resume] looks bloody great mate, Wow, weldone lad, brilliant credits!!!
_________________
A.K.A Chappy.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

Good onya Larry ..you won't be sorry !
where did you see my bio ??
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.

Jeff Harbour · From: Western Ohio, USA

Paul,
I've read somewhere that you tune your 8-string dobro to G6, but can't find a breakout anywhere. What do you tune each string to?

Jeff

Charley Wilder · From: Dover, New Hampshire, USA

I'm not in the market for any of these guitars, I'm just checking them out. I'll tell you one thing, I'm sure impressed with the prices on all of his guitars! They look darn reasonable to me!

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