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Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 23:38:18 -0600
Subject: Dobro amplification

Hi Mickey, Very good news!
The guitar I ordered (Johnson Resonator Guitar) has arrived today (18th october 2001).
Everything is OK. My compliments to your staff. Everything was packed professionally.
Thanks for everything. I'll recommend "Folk of the Wood" to my friends if they need something. 

I still have one question: if I ever want to amplify the sound, which transducer do I use? I have a BAD experience with the Shadow SH 2500E
Is it possible to place a flat transducer underneath the strings? Wich one?
Walter Mertens
Geel - Belgium

Thanks for the positive update Walter...

I'm not sure which Shadow you're referring to, we've had nothing but great results installing Shadows in Dobros. One of the best transducers, which is held in high esteem by many major players, for the resophonic guitar would be a McIntyre Guitar pick-up. These are great for reproducing the natural tonal quality of a dobro. Now, if you're playing in an electric band...with drums, your best best is to install a magnetic pick-up at the very end of the fretboard. There are many brands available...most will do the job well...on a Dobro, magnetic pick-ups can be intrusive since they require serious modifications to install. Mickey

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Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2001 10:41:01 -0600
From: Russell Godfrey
Subject: Octave Mandolin Amplification


The McIntyre pick up in my absaroka doesn't cut it for me sound-wise, too boxy,
tub-like sounding...I'm thinking of adding a "fishman" piezo to it along with the
McIntyre and have the two together. Do you see any problems that I should be aware
of?

I'd probably remove the McIntyre in the effort of installing another piezo; otherwise, you might encounter some out of phase problems. ...additionally, first try the piezo on different spots on top of the soundboard for best placement...then install permanently under the soundboard at the exact same spot that best met your expectations. You can then resell the McIntyre pick-up to recoup your costs.

I think the twinning them may give me the missing element that I seek. Have you
heard of anyone else doing this?

I've never heard of two separate piezos working simultaneously...although, it's your experiment, and it just might work. Now, I have seen piezos installed with mini-mics...which work to keep a balance of electric and acoustic properties.

Let me know. I'd appreciate any info you can give
me. Once again, congrats on the video. I'll be using it for sure. I know that it
will help me. I really do like your style.

Thanks again for your valued input. Mickey
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Date: Fri, 5 Oct 2001 02:27:52 -0600
Subject: Re: Johnson O/M Pick-Up Questions

Thanks for the info! I never thought about the out of phase issue. Our local
technician is pretty good so i'll ask him to take that into consideration. I wish
I knew what else to do. The mini-mic. thing might work...i'm so worried about the
feedback potential. If you were going to put a pick-up into yours, what would you
do? And what is the real difference between a McIntyre and a Fishman pick-up?
All i can see is that the McIntyre is "insulated" by a wad of...rubber, plastic,
or gum. Russell Godfrey

Well, ultimately, as an acoustic purist, having a high-end Sennheiser would be my preference. Unfortunately, when playing with other instruments plugged in, it's difficult to compete for volume, and there's even more liklihood of feedback.

Therefore, I would most definitely go with a permanently installed piezo with an inline pre-amp along with built-in graphics. Additionally, I would buy a California Blonde amplifier designed for acoustic instruments...this would also minimize the reverberation problem normally encountered with amplifying acoustic instruments.

I haven't seen too much difference between any of the piezo pick-ups...

One other consideration you might make, which would eliminate any feedback problems, would be a magnetic pick-up installed in the soundhole, such as the Dean Markley...unfortunately, the sacrifice would be that the instrument begins to sound more electric than acoustic...although, in combination with the California Blonde Amp, you might still achieve an acoustic sound with a magnetic pick-up.

Keep on pickin'...Mickey

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Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2001 00:05:58 -0600
Subject: Re: Regal Dobro Bass Questions

I'm afraid that I spoke too soon...
I have a two more quick questions. Is it possible to get an acoustic
electric dobro (either the Regal or the Johnson) in black? After further
exploring your website I quickly noticed the Johnson Resonator bass, which
appears to be the exact same bass with the Johnson name instead of Regal.
Are there any other differences that I should know about before purchasing
one? If there are no apparent differences I would appreciate it if you can
recommend which one might be more reliable.
Again, thanks for the help in advance.


Greetings...glad to assist you further...

We do pick-up installations on any choice of acoustic dobro bass we carry...of course, these are permanent transducer style pick-ups that give the basses more of an acoustic feel with less of the solid-body electric sounds gained from the lipstick style pick-up on the RD-05E.

One of the most popular pick-ups is the Shadow...this pick-up retails for 95.00...both the pick-up and installation is a total cost of 139.00.

There aren't any noticable differences between the Johnson and the Regal...although, the Regal has been around for many years now; whereas, the Johnson dobro bass was just introduced a few months ago.

Mickey

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Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 12:00:48 -0400
From: "Vincent A. Calcaterra"
Subject: Choice of Pick-Up for Kentucky mandolins

Hi,

I've been playing violin regularly in various different ensembles for
the last 30 years and I was recently asked to play mandolin for a band I
regularly play fiddle with. I picked up an inexpensive used "Rogue"
acoustic/electric mandolin, only to find that I needed a better mandolin!!
I don't want to spend a lot since it is not my main instrument, but I also
would like to get an instrument that I could use on gigs. My guess is that
one of your Kentucky instruments with a piezo bridge would be good for the
country/bluegrass/alternative sounds I need for this group.

Could you make a suggestion, and would you consider a trade-in of the Rogue?

thanks,
-vince


Greetings Vince,

For the best value, the Kentucky KM-300 series or KM-250S would be a good choice...as far as pick-ups go, we have quite a few to choose from: Fishman (bridge style pick-up), McIntyre (used by Weber and others), or our standard Shadow piezo (which everyone seems pretty happy with)...I would still consider a pre-amp to ensure that I have mobility on stage and am not sacrificing volume potential.

Now, the ultimate stage mandolin would be a Rigel with pre-installed piezo pick-up...

Hope this helps...

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Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2001 15:44:41 -0600
To: russell godfrey
Subject: Bridger & Absaroka

Regarding the pick-up, the Fishman works fine in the Trinity College, but the
McIntyre in the Weber is the problem. Unless you eq it carefully, it's got a
"tub" boxy sound. I think I'll order a "Pick up the World" for it because
the testimonials coming in are awfully good. I'm certain the Shadow in the
Johnson will be just fine. I've only heard good stuff about the shadow. But
I still need you to answer my question from yesterday...what is the sound
difference between the Absaroka and the Bridger? I think because of the
sound hole, as opposed to the f-holes, it would have a bigger sound? More
treble, or more bass? I'm thinking that maybe the next one i aquire should be
a Bridger for the style of music i play. Let me know, o.k? And your price,
too. It'll take a while to get the $ together for, it but I might as well
start now. God, July has been VERY busy for gigs, and we have NONE lined up
for August. Feast or famine. And the "Walter Bodega Band" is going to record
soon, so when that happens I'll send you a comp. of it. We're going to do
another acoustic as opposed to Celtic Rock c.d. And i'll send you also (for
your listening pleasure) Mandoliriums verrrrry rough 2nd "planned"
c.d....don't let anyone but you and family hear it, cause it's real rough and
the guys would kill me if they knew i did it.So i'm hopinh this week os the
week I get the Johnson. I'll let ya know. Get back to me when you've got time
about the Bridger. Have a good one!

Check out the Mandolirium Website

Greetings Russ,

The Bridger reverberates more than the Absaroka...more of an open woody tone...probably, a little more difficult to amplify due to the woods be more alive. Definitely more bass on the Bridger...I personally like the tight sound of an f-hole archtop octave. The Absaroka will cut through better acoustically...

For the style of music you play, I believe you'd love the tonal quality of the Bridger...and, yes, I'd say the sound would be bigger. Mickey