Frequently Asked Questions About Paul Beard Road-o-Phonic Travel Resophonic/Dobros

Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 05:59:25 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Beard Road-o-phonic

Hello,

Can you explain how the electronics work on the Beard
Road-o-phonic? I don't see any controls on the
instrument so how do you select/mix the two pickups?

Thanks,
Steve

Greetings Steve,

I own one of these myself...take it on trips with me...

The two pick-ups are mixed through one jack...apparently, Beard has them phased together and it seems to do the job...

For added control when playing plugged in, try a pre-amp, with volume and tone controls, between the sound reinforcement and the road-o-phonic...to date, I haven't had any issues with mine acoustically nor electrically.

Wishing you the best in your research efforts, Mickey

Subject: mr. small hands
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 21:09:28 -0500

Mickey, or someone,

Greetings,

Glad to assist you further:

I've been planning to order a Regal RD-45 (I'll be a beginner), but I missed James the other day so I'm waiting 'till he returns Friday. Meanwhile, I've noticed the Beard Road-O-Phonic and I'm really drawn to it for several reasons.

I happen to own one of these and am thrilled with mine. I usually take it whenever I go on a long trip.

What's the thing mounted just below the fretboard?

This is a magnetic pick-up system...

If the vibrating length of the strings is 2" shorter than a normal dobro, but the number of frets is the same, then are the frets closer together?

Yes, there will be a slight variance in distance...however, I've never noticed it switching from a full-size to the Road-o-Phonic...

Despite the shorter vibrating length, the tuning is the same as a normal dobro???

Yes, it tunes up to the exact same pitch as a standard squareneck dobro...open G tuning: G B D G B D

It feels similar to a full-size too...however, it's a specialized dobro and should be a dobro bought as a second: for travel, different voicing, unique playing situations, electrifying, and for a different tonality in the studio.

You use regular strings and just cut off a couple inches?

Yes...it uses the standard length strings...

I understand the quantity of sound will be lower because the resonator is so small, but what about the quality of the sound? (Yes, I've listened to the video clips). Screen holes or unscreened holes must contribute to the tone of the instrument, but this instrument doesn't have any.

Yes, it will have less volume than a full size...it will have a different projection and will not compete as well within a full jam session. Screen holes would not affect its tone...it has a different shaped body style that seems to contribute well for minimizing feedback when plugging in (due to less resonance) and for a more nasal focused voicing.

Again, this is a very specialized dobro that works well within unique playing situations and allows for nice portability for travel.

Merry Christmas to you if you celebrate Christmas.
And thanks for your time.
David

Thanks David, and a Happy Holidays to you! Mickey