On Sep 7, 2009, at 1:06 PM, EmailMeForm wrote:

Your Name: Audie
Subject: feedback on my Gibson Dobro

Message: Hi, I would like to know how I can stop the feedback on my Gibson Dobro. I lose to much volume when I turn it down, if I am ten feet away and turn back up it still gets carried away, tried turning the amp away, no help. I read it might have a Fishman Resonator Picup but do not know what modle it is to see what I can get to go with that picup to help stop the feedback. Hope you can help!

Thanks For Listening.

Audie

Greetings Audie,

I happen to have a Gibson Dobro with a factory installed pick-up ... and have been performing regularly in an acoustic-electric setting.

My suggestion is to try a Fishman Preamp in between the Dobro and the amp and you should not have the issue. Additionally, make sure the preamp has a Graphic EQ of which will allow you to lower the lows (this will minimize feedback to a large degree).

Hope it works. The Preamp will also push the signal for you so that you can gain better presence and volume without having to push the volume on your amp.

All my best,

Mickey Cochran

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Date: Sat, 11 Apr 2009 20:12:21 -0600
Subject: Re: A thought

After we talked this morning I got to thinking about what we had discussed regarding pickups, preamps etc on Dobros and other fretted, stringed instruments and so you don't think I am an absolute purist, I do own an acoustic-electric with a small 15W Rolland cube amp for those applications it is needed. However a thought along those lines, I think the reason I tend toward the pure acoustic side is I have a great respect and love of the human voice when properly modulated, controlled and trained. It is to me the purist kind of instrument bar none. I am not much of an Opera fan but certainly do enjoy a good vocalist an that beautiful counterpoint of 3 and 4 part harmony as in Bluegrass and just pure Barbershop quartet harmony. A friend of mine and I used to work counterpoint two and three part harmony on both guitars and guitar and fiddle and that was fun and rewarding in some of the intonation we achieved. If I were to electrify any instrument I would only do it if I could also include a good quality pickup and preamp with at least 4-band EQ. 

I totally agree ... I believe I love the sound of an acoustic instrument in its most natural state first and foremost. The subtle transient sounds, the dynamics, the resonance and just the pure aural experience of acoustic instruments is far unsurpassed by any electric instruments I've ever heard to date.

As far as sound reinforcement, I personally would only concern myself about a pick-up system if and when I have to perform on stage. I've tried the mic approach, and unless all of the instruments on stage are using the same, it just doesn't suffice. So, the onboard EQ with installed piezo/transducer seems to be the optimal set-up.

I put in about two to three hours of good practice this afternoon on the Dobro practicing my rolls and fingering as well as a couple of new tunes I have picked up. I start Monday on using Steve Kaufman's parking lot practice backup and having to learn some new tunes lie Alabama Jubilee, Sally Goodin and about 48 others on the 4 CD set. Should keep me out of mischief for a while EH?

Sounds like a blast ... I love Kaufman's back-up CD's.

Your Friend and Acoustic Partner, Mickey

Your friend always and your struggling student,
Jack

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Subject: Fishburn pickup for Dobro
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2005 15:36:28 -0600

I purchased my Regal RD-45 from FOTW, and have had the Quarterman cone/ebony
and maple bridges/bone nut upgrades added by you. After searching for a
pickup, and communicating with Jerry Douglas, I have decided to purchase a
Fishburn, and, as there are no luthiers in the DFW area I trust to work on
my Dobro, was wondering if you would do the installation for me, and how
much you would charge.

Thanks for your response,

Clint C.
Euless, TX

Greetings Clint,

I personally haven't heard of the Fishburn...could you be referring to the Fishman pick-up? We've installed hundreds of these over the years.

Let me know the exact pick-up system you're looking to install. Fishman does make a dobro pick-up that does work efficiently...especially if using a pre-amp between the pick-up and sound reinforcement system.

I'm sure if Jerry Douglas recommended this pick-up system, then it is as good as it gets.

Mickey

Subject: RE: Fwd: Fishburn pickup for Dobro
Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2005 07:09:26 -0600

You're right, it's the Fishman. I plan on purchasing the "active", and not
the passive, pickup. According to Jerry D., he uses both the Fishman and
the McIntire, but, now, prefers the Fishman, as it is bolted on to the cone.
Since I've never played with a pickup before, I have no idea, but our church
is having a new sound system installed, and they want all the music coming
through the pre-amp, instead of the microphone I've been using.

Thanks for your quick response. I've never had anything but good dealings
with FOTW!

Clint

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Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2002 07:10:46 -0700
Subject: Regal RD-45 w/McIntyre Dobro Pickup

Hi Mickey,
I just bought my husband a Phantom of the Opry Mandolin (can't wait for
it to finally get here!). For myself, I have a Regal RD-45 on layaway
with FOTW. I have two questions: 1. If I have you install a McIntyre
Dobro Pickup will that degrade the sound of the Dobro when I don't have
it plugged in? The reason I ask is because I see that that it is
attached to the Spider Bridge, and since I am new to Dobros, I don't
know what effect that would have on regular acoustic sound. 2. What
books and/or videos do you recommend for a beginner on Dobro, but a long
time guitar player? Is their a package deal (I am ordering the Dobro,
Pickup, Capo, Strap, Arched HS Case, 2 steels, etc.). Thanks, Jan
Moulds - Washington State
PS-Love the website, and particularly the awesome pictures. Most people
won't buy things they can't look at, but your pictures are so good, it's
like being there. Great Job!

Greetings Janice,

I love the "Phantom"...I like finishes that deviate from the standard sunburst. Morgan Monroe is putting out a fine mando at a tremendous value.

In answer to your questions:

1. If I have you install a McIntyre
Dobro Pickup will that degrade the sound of the Dobro when I don't have
it plugged in? The reason I ask is because I see that that it is
attached to the Spider Bridge, and since I am new to Dobros, I don't
know what effect that would have on regular acoustic sound.

The McIntyre Dobro pick-up is designed to not interfere with the acoustic properties of the cone system...and, at the same time, to optimally reproduce the sound of the a Dobro electrified.

Hope this helps, Mickey

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Subject: Megnetic Pickup
Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2002 15:19:45 -0500

I recently jammed (I played bass) with a guy playing a dobro with a Kent
pickup in the neck position. He played through a Fender Princeton Amp. This
set up sounded quite similar to a steel guitar, not like a dobro at all. My
question is what dobro and pickup combination would give the best steel guitar
sound? I hope this is not a question that sounds sacrilegious to you. This
guy's abiltiy combined with his instrument yielded some great sound on the old
country we were playing.

Thanks, MIKE SUMERALL

Greetings Mike,

Glad to assist...

Since you will be plugging the Dobro in, and be depending on the magnetic pick-up for sound reinforcement, the quality of the Dobro wouldn't be as critical. As long as it's got great playability, and the string spacing is comfortable, you should be able to use any import Dobro to fill your needs. My suggestion would be a Regal RD-45...which does have the spun cone and is reasonably priced. Then, using a single coil magnetic pick-up at the base of the neck will give you that Fender Pedal Steel sound...since the Regal is relatively inexpensive, drilling holes for mounting the pick-up wouldn't be an issue.

Hope this helps...Mickey