Dobro Simulators

Instruments, mechanical issues, copedents, techniques, etc.

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Fred Welch
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Joined: 11 Oct 1999 12:01 am
Location: Sheridan, MI. USA - deceased

Dobro Simulators

Post by Fred Welch »

Does any one have any advice about the difference between the Bobro and the Goodrich dobro simulator?
Maybe it has been done in the past can anyone direct me to it or give me a little advice? I have tried out the Goodrich model but can't do the same with the Bobro so any comparison info would be great..
fred welch
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Erv Niehaus
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Post by Erv Niehaus »

In my estimation, the Goodrich Matchbro is tops when it comes to dobro simulation.
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Ryan Barwin
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Post by Ryan Barwin »

The Match-Bro is the best one out there...the tone and timbre controls are a definite advantage, so you can adjust the sound get the settings just right (and compensate for the amp settings you've got for the regular steel sound. The Bobro doesn't have that feature...
Will Brown
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dobro simalator

Post by Will Brown »

bought a super bro of bobby boggs best money i ever spent sounds just like a dobro thanks bobby
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Elton Smith
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Post by Elton Smith »

Get you a boss ge-7 equalizer and set the pegs in a football shape.Someone on the forum turned me on to that but I can't find the thread.I asked the very same Q.
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Jack Stoner
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Post by Jack Stoner »

The Goodrich MatchBro, along with the special bar, is the most realistic. I've fooled Bluegrass pickers with mine and I have people coming up to the stage after a show and wondering where the "dobro" is.

I have one of the original models with the tone control in the bypass mode.
Ray McCarthy
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Post by Ray McCarthy »

They stopped making the MatchBro years ago, didn't they?
I have one of Bobbe's BoBros, and although I don't use it much except fooling around at home, it sounds real good, especially with an empty metal can (auto air freshner can) which is about the same diameter as a normal bar. It reduces sustain and adds a little resonator zing to the sound.
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Ken Metcalf
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Post by Ken Metcalf »

My take on the BoBro is I don't like the sound and I wish it had a TONE KNOB....
BUT.. When I kick it on everyone looks and says wow a Dobro..
Also I have a Dobro type acoustic and its hard to get a Real Dobro to produce that pristine sound at a high volume in a live setting.
I got my BoBro used at a good price,
It's good to learn some Dobro licks to play on it.
Don't use mine much but I will keep it. :eek:
Last edited by Ken Metcalf on 26 Sep 2010 6:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Herb Steiner
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Post by Herb Steiner »

I've used a Match-Bro in the past, but it was too large to haul around in my pack-seat for the amount I used it. Sounded real good though.

I have a DBS7 simulator made by a company in Canada. Smaller than a pack of cigarettes, and sounds good.

Haven't tried the Bobro yet.
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

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Ben Jones
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Post by Ben Jones »

used boss ge7 =$40

havent heard the others to compare it to but for a gimmick pedal your gonna use maybe twice a set tops and NEVER in the studio? I cannot believe the difference in quality or tone would be worth the considerable difference in price. YMMV
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Thomas Cepek
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Post by Thomas Cepek »

Herb, do you have more details about the unit "DBS 7" from Canada, you use as dobro simulator. Where can I get one and what would be the price of it ? Do you have a pic of it ?

Would be happy to hear from you.

Kind regards... Thomas
Nigel Mullen
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Post by Nigel Mullen »

I use a little pedal made by Danelectro called Fish & Chips 7 band EQ that works really well for me. They are real cheap to buy (around $50.00) If you want to send me an email I'll show you how to set the sliders to get the dobro effect. This unit is nice and small and has a level slider to get your volume right.
Dickie Whitley
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Dbs 7

Post by Dickie Whitley »

...
Last edited by Dickie Whitley on 10 Sep 2013 6:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Bob Lawrence
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Post by Bob Lawrence »

@ Thomas Cepek

Re: Do you have more details about the unit "DBS 7" from Canada,

Try this URL:
http://kickinsteel.com/dbs7.htm

Website: http://kickinsteel.com/

=====================================================
DBS7

KickinSteel’s new Bro-Sim

That 'Bro sound in a small package.

And it only uses one 9V battery!
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Thomas Cepek
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Post by Thomas Cepek »

Hi Bob, Dickie & Nigel !

Thank´s much for your fast and helpful replies. That´s why I like this forum that much.

Do you know, if I need a special bar to use and sound good with the "dbs 7" unit, or if I can use my normal steelbar ?

Kind regards... Thomas :D
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Doug Palmer
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dobro

Post by Doug Palmer »

Just use a wooden bar.
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Thomas Cepek
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Post by Thomas Cepek »

Tried to get in touch per mail with "kickin´steel" to buy a "DBS7" unit, but they didn´t answere :cry:

Does someone have an idea how and where I can buy one ?!

Kind regards... Thomas 8)
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Zane King
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Post by Zane King »

I use a dobro! :D I love my 6 string but I do believe I'm in the market for an 8 string. The string width on a six is quite different for us steel guitarist. Yet the 8 string dobro has similar width plus you can put a 6th or 2nd or b7 in the open tuning and that's a bit more akin to the steel.

zK
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Bob Lawrence
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Post by Bob Lawrence »

@Thomas Cepek
Tried to get in touch per mail with "kickin´steel" to buy a "DBS7" unit, but they didn´t answere

I contacted them for you and I received a reply from Stew indicating that they were already in contact with you. You should be all set now.

For anyone else the email address is:

sales@kickinsteel (.com)
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Thomas Cepek
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Post by Thomas Cepek »

Zane & Bob, thanks much for your replies.

Bob, I appreciate your help much, thank´s a lot for that.

Kind regards... Thomas :D
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Francesco Porcu
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Location: Italy

Pedabro Effect pedal 2023

Post by Francesco Porcu »

Bob Lawrence wrote:@Thomas Cepek
Tried to get in touch per mail with "kickin´steel" to buy a "DBS7" unit, but they didn´t answere

I contacted them for you and I received a reply from Stew indicating that they were already in contact with you. You should be all set now.

For anyone else the email address is:

sales@kickinsteel (.com)
Hi Bob, just now I see this post discussion on a possible pedal that simulates a pedabro, I'm looking for one but for now on the market in addition to the Goodrich which is out of production, they talk about the Boss and Tom W. but when I hear the sound it has nothing to do with a pedabro, I use a Fishman Jerry Douglas, and I'd like to try another one and this one you mention intrigued me, is there a video where we can see it in action on a PSG? Thanks a lot Francesco
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