Subject: dobro question
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 13:54:06 -0700

Hello,

Greetings George,

Glad to assist:

I have been looking through your website for information on a resophonic guitar.
I have narrowed it down to either a Regal RD-75 roundneck or the Morgan Monroe MRG-TB roundneck.
I do play guitar and want to expand my sound. I plan on playing some blues and some old timey music.
My question concern is the sound and quality difference between the guitars. I have looked at your video samplers
and the regal sounds a little high pitched while the Morgan has a nice deep woody sound, this could be the speakers on my computer.

Our video samplers are recorded digitally at a CD quality sampling rate...so, you can be assured, you're getting something representative of the tonal range...we did change over mics at one time, and this may be an influence between the two...not sure though...

I like both of these guitars...for different reasons...the RD-75 is the reproduction of the classic Regal from the '30s...the Regal name itself has been around for a long time...

The Morgan Monroe is definitely a very responsive resonant dobro...newly introduced...yet, we're very impressed so far...in fact, one of our luthiers owns one of these as his main dobro...

The quality of materials between these two are relative...they're both imports and both offer a tremendous value...only, expect some compromises in finish and materials...otherwise, these guitars would cost hundreds more...maybe even a thousand more plus...such as American makes...remember, these have their respective place as an affordable option to getting into a decent quality dobro without breaking the bank...

Hope this helps...Mickey

I would like you opinion on the sound quality and the materials used in building these guitars, it will help me decide on which to purchase.
Thank you for your assistance and for your informative website.
George Lane, Helena, Montana

Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 16:30:23 -0500
Subject: dobros

For entry level (square neck) dobros, are there major differences between the Regal and Morgan Monroe's? thanks.
Greetings,
These are both superb squarenecks...
The Regal has been around for quite awhile...even in the early 1930s....and offers some nice standard features expected of an all-around squareneck Dobro: Soundscreens, Soundwell, spun cone, etc.
The Morgan Monroe offers a more unique look and feel...it has the F soundholes instead of the soundscreens...and, it does have lots of resonance...it's a great dobro that can be used effectively for a variety of styles...
What can I say? I like them both...I like the uniqueness of the Morgan Monroe, along with the resonant tonal quality...and, I like the more traditional look of the Regal RD-45...
Hope something here helps...Mickey

Subject: Regal Rd-45, Morgan Monroe and Quarterman Cones
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2003 13:55:55 -0400

Dear Folk of the Wood,

Greetings from FOTW:

Soon I will be purchasing my first Squareneck Dobro, of
course from you.

Thanks so much for your confidence in us!!!

I have been doing a lot of research on
two specific beginner Dobros: the Regal RD- 45 and
the Morgan Monroe MSQ-TB. After researching the
different specifications, I noticed that the Regal RD- 45
has been re-engineered. Now it appears to come
standard with a cast aluminum spider and bone nut.

Here are the current features of the RD-45:
Product Code: RD-45 Category: Instruments Brand: Regal Features:
Spruce top
Mahogany back and sides
Solid mahogany neck
Rosewood fingerboard
Mother-of-pearl dot position markers
Nickel-plated brass coverplate and tailpiece
Ivoroid bound body and fingerboard
Multi-ply soundwell
Exclusive hard alloy spider for 30% increased volume
Bone nut
Shop adjusted

Will these new features afford the Regal with same
tonal quality as the model with your Quarterman
conversion?

No...the Quarterman Cone is completely separate from the cast alloy spider...the cone that comes standard with a RD-45 is spun...and, it will suffice for most playing instances. The Quarterman cone will add to the bottom end and fullness of the Regal...it can always be upgraded at a later date...if you're a beginner, you may still want to develop an attuned ear sot that when you do upgrade you'll truly appreciate the difference.

If not completely, would I only need to
add the quarterman cone and maple/ebony saddle,
instead of the entire recommended parts list?

Up to just recently, we're still finding that the spiders that come with the RD-45s are not as high quality as the spiders that we use in the Quarterman Cone...for instance, to purchase a alloy spider from Saga...we pay 8 or 9 dollars...the ones we purchase with Quarterman kits cost 25.00...

Also, what
quarterman cone is Mickey playing in the video sample,
the QC-1 or the QC-4?

This is the QC-1...

I have talked on phone several times with Tradd


(VERY HELPFUL) about the Morgan Monroe. He
informed me that he recently bought the MSQ-TB for
himself and is very satisfied with its sound and overall
quality. I have read and also heard that the Morgan Monroe
line of guitars and resonators have a better level of
craftsmanship, more consistent level of quality, and
better overall tone, than what is currently being manufactured
by Saga (Regal). Do you also echo the same sentiment?

As far as the Regal Dobros go, they've been very consistent in quality...we're also thrilled with the new Morgan Monroe MSQ-TB...they have a great look and tone...and are a tremendous value.

To be honest though, I like the sound of the Regal with the
quarterman cone upgrade; it has a little smoother top end
and better bass response than what I hear with the MSQ-TB
example. Is this because of the cone, or is it just the acoustics
during recording.

I'd have to say the Quarterman cone would be the contributing factor (as stated earlier in this e-mail)...the video samplers are set up with the exact mic and recording setting. Your estimation in tonal differences is exactly what I personally have concluded.

Any information and opinions you can offer me would be
helpful in my decision, since I am unable to actually play
these instruments prior to purchasing.

The Regal has the soundscreens; the MSQ-TB has F soundholes. This doesn't necessarily make a difference in tonal quality...the F soundholes seem to derive from the traditional blues dobros...the soundscreens are more commonly found in bluegrass dobros. Again, both of these dobros are superb...the Regal RD-45, with the Quarterman upgrade would be as powerful a bluegrass dobro as you'll need when starting out. The Morgan Monroe seems to have the edge in tone if you're not planning on upgrading to the Quarterman and are looking for an all-around squareneck at a tremendous price.

Hope this helps...Mickey