| Author |
Topic: 8 string resonator guitar? |
Don McClellan
From:
California/Thailand
|
Posted 30 Jan 2002 2:53 pm |
|
| Do any of you know who makes a reasonably priced 8 string resonator guitar? |
|
|
|
HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
|
Posted 30 Jan 2002 4:37 pm
|
|
| Ted Smith - Melobar |
|
|
|
Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
|
Posted 31 Jan 2002 10:29 am
|
|
I don't know of any manufacturer who offers an eight string resonator guitar as a standard model. There isn't enough of a demand for such instruments to justify building them other than on a custom order basis.
------------------
Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
|
|
|
|
Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
|
Posted 31 Jan 2002 10:39 am
|
|
I believe that Dick Deneve is now making eight string resonator guitars. He can be reached at:
Dick Deneve
1333 Oneida River Rd
Pennellville, NY 13132
315-695-6342
I don't own one of his, but, have played many of his "6's" and have been very impressed. The prices he's quoted have been on the lower end for hand crafted guitars.
Hope this helps a bit.
Howard
------------------
Howard Parker
poobah@resoguit.com
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT
|
|
|
|
Don McClellan
From:
California/Thailand
|
Posted 31 Jan 2002 11:04 am
|
|
| I use a 6 string, square neck Regal type reso (C6/A7) to play Hawaiian music. It sounds nice and people love it but for Hawaiian music I prefer 8 strings. I don't know much about Dobro playing in general but for lap steel 8 strings is so much more common these days (isn't it?) than 6 stringers. It surprises me that 8 string resonator guitars aren't very common. Why not? The extra chords you can get with 2 more strings is well worth it IMHO. The tuning I use for the 6 strings is (hi to lo) E C A G E C# For 8 strings I use B E C A G E C# C. There is a big difference. |
|
|
|
Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
|
Posted 31 Jan 2002 11:04 am
|
|
Carroll Benoit makes a fine guitar including 8-string models. I don't know if you'd call them "reasonably priced" but I think they're underpriced for the quality of materials & workmanship. Check 'em outfor yourself at:
http://www.benoitguitars.com/Showroom.htm |
|
|
|
Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
|
Posted 31 Jan 2002 11:16 am
|
|
Don asks:
| Quote: |
| It surprises me that 8 string resonator guitars aren't very common. Why not? |
I think that most "Dobro(tm)" style guitars are still played in the context of traditional country (whatever that is) and bluegrass. Assuming a G6/C6 kind of tuning, well, the 6th just gets in the way of what you typically want to hear/play.
If I'm playing bluegrass I pick up the 6. If I swing I reach for the 8.
All of this is just my .02 of course.
Howard
------------------
Howard Parker
poobah@resoguit.com
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT
|
|
|
|
HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
|
Posted 31 Jan 2002 3:47 pm
|
|
| Well then, certainly keep a close eye on ebay. They show up from time to time. |
|
|
|
chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
|
Posted 1 Feb 2002 9:58 am
|
|
| next time anyone sees merle haggard's group, check out norm's 8 string custom dobro....very different! |
|
|
|
John Reali
From:
Arlington, VA, USA
|
Posted 1 Feb 2002 10:26 am
|
|
| I have been looking for an 8 string dobro for sometime now, and I have come across two options; One is to convert a six string, but then you get into string spacing issues. The other is to order a custom one. Paul Beard makes 8 strings, for around $2600.00. I called Scheerhorn recently and his 8 strings are $4200.00 with a TWO YEAR wait. I think his guitars sound amazing, but that is quite a bit of cash. The Melobro is very cool also, and cheaper, but there is a bit of a wait for one. I have not seen any new 8 string for under $1500.00. |
|
|
|
Don McClellan
From:
California/Thailand
|
Posted 1 Feb 2002 8:20 pm
|
|
| Howard Parker, Thanks for the tip. I called Dick and he happened to have an 8 string reso on hand and I bought it. With case and shipping, $1,375. |
|
|
|
Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
|
Posted 2 Feb 2002 4:28 am
|
|
| Congratulations, Don. Sounds like you got a great deal. It's always cool to see the forum work this way to help solve someone's problem. |
|
|
|
Bob Stone
From:
Gainesville, FL, USA
|
Posted 2 Feb 2002 8:08 am
|
|
| A friend of mine has a DeNeve all-maple reso six and it's a great guitar. Beautiful loud tone, very sweet. DeNeve's prices are a bargin. |
|
|
|
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
|
Posted 2 Feb 2002 9:12 am
|
|
I think you should shop around for a good used one. I have an 8 string official Dobro that I bought several years. It was a standard model that Dobro put out but I'm sure not to many dealers stocked them. My eyes really lit up when I saw it and I'm sure the dealer was glad to get rid of it. It truly is a specialized item, but I love it. I'm a sucker for the 6th tunings. 
Uff-Da! |
|
|
|
Don McClellan
From:
California/Thailand
|
Posted 2 Feb 2002 10:49 am
|
|
| I forgot to add that he also agreed to install a pickup in it for that price. The guitar and case was $1,200., the pickup was $100. and the shipping from New York to Maui is $75. He's going give it to UPS on Monday. I feel very lucky to not have to wait a year or so for a new one and not to have to search for a "decent" used one although looking for a used one might have been smarter. Its hard to tell. |
|
|
|
Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
|
Posted 2 Feb 2002 2:19 pm
|
|
Don..
Pleased to be of service. I met Dick at the Josh Graves tribute last year along with Paul Beard and got a chance to swap guitars with a bunch of different players. The guitars represented more than a dozen luthiers. Dick's guitars really impressed me and they are priced quite reasonably (imho).
Dick is also very free with advice and design consultation for players attempting to build their own "one off" guitars.
A real gentleman....Let us know your impression when the guitar is delivered.
Howard
------------------
Howard Parker
poobah@resoguit.com
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT
|
|
|
|
Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
|
Posted 4 Feb 2002 6:32 pm
|
|
Greg McKenna wrote me:
I read on the Steel Guitar Forum where people are looking for 8 string Resonator Guitars. I'm building 8 string models along with my standard 6 string models. My Birch model 8 string features
2 7/16" nut width, Quarterman cone, rosewood fretboard, and hardshell case for $1500.00 plus shipping and my walnut model is $1550.00 plus shipping. For more info visit the McKenna Guitars Website.
------------------
Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 04 February 2002 at 06:33 PM.] |
|
|
|
