Dobro: Troubleshooting Buzzing Problems

Date: Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:43:23 -0600
Subject: Re: Folk of the Wood Contact Form: Dobro

Message: I have a Regal Black Lightening Dobro and I have replaced the cone and the saddles and have even got the spider bridge where it lays perfectly flat on the steel. I get a buzz out of the middle three strings and it continues to sound like it is out of tune.

The new cone was a John Quarterman cone. Could you please help me figure out what is wrong with my Dobro?

Thank you so much for assisting me in solving my problem.

Greetings Jennifer,

Thanks for writing ... I'll do my best:

1. You might first consider having Beard Guitars set it up properly for you. They can go over it and ensure that it will not buzz and will make sure the cone is seated properly.

2. Have you tried the center tension screw. Try turning it a revolution or less and see if it takes out the buzzes.

3. Additionally, make sure all of your strings are properly seated in their respective slots on the bridges.

4. Make sure you're tuning up to pitch with an electronic tuner and that you're using the proper gauge strings. Such as:
.018, .020, .029w . 036w .045, .056w

Let me know how else I can assist,

Mickey Cochran

Subject: The dreaded cheepie Regal "RD-35" dobro
Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 17:52:54 -0400

Hi Mickey,

I had purchased a Regal RD-35BS dobro a while back ( I know you don't like these) I had a flood a while back and some water got into the resonator.
I shook it out and everything seemed to be ok. Now (several months later) I'm getting a nasty buzz whenever I play it.

Greetings John,

This could be something relatively simple...first try tightening the cone tension screw about a half revolution...this screw is located through the hole at the top of the coverplate...

If this doesn't work, we'll need to take a pencil eraser and start pressing down on the inside to calculate where the buzz is coming from...

One other possibility is that you might need a small piece of leather or cloth under the tailpiece...this is where the tailpiece meets the coverplate...this is a common problem of which we've repaired many times...

Let me know how it goes...Mickey

Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: Fwd: Bridge Issue
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 2004 22:46:46 +0000

Mickey

Greetings Bret,

I greatly appreciate all of your advice and information about the ukelele. I am now trying to learn the resonator. You have some great information on your site and from that I realize that the resonator I borrowed is a roundneck and what I want is a squareneck. I am looking at a squareneck Regal RD-45 to start with. That is all I can afford at this time. Is this a good starter instrument?

Sure, the Regal RD-45 is a perfect student level squareneck...with the right set-up, I believe it can effectively be played within a professional setting...just the same, it makes the perfect starter dobro since the strings are spaced just right...very easy to learn on...

A general question: it has been difficult to stop the ringing, buzzing sound with the roundneck I have been playing. Is this because the strings are so close to the frets?

There could be other reasons for the buzzing...including the fact that the action is too low...I'd have to see it in person to pinpoint the buzzing problem you're encountering...

I went from a metal to a glass slide and that helped. Will it be easier to play clean on a squareneck?

Sure, the action on a squareneck is set for dedicated slide playing...you shouldn't encounter any buzz problems derived from fret noise or a low action...

And lastly, what type of slide do you recommend; metal or glass?

For roundneck dobro, I personally use a glass slide...for squareneck, nothing beats the Steven Steel slide...which is quite a bit heavier than the standard bottleneck type slides used on roundnecks...with our squarenecks, we offer full accessory packages that include the Stevens slide along with other essentials...call James our sales manager for more info: James @ ...

Keep on Pickin', Mickey

As I have gotten older, acoustic instruments have become my favorite. I played guitar in a band for 25 years with the telecaster and old Fender amps but the simplicity of the acoustic instruments is what does it for me now. Thanks for all your help.

Bret

Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 14:04:36 -0600 (CST)
Subject: A buzzing dobro needs help

Greetings Mike,

Hi Mickey, I've seen how much help you offer others and was wondering if you'd take a second to help me as well. I recently bought a squareneck and can't seem to get a couple of the strings (the g and high e primarily, in standard tuning) to stop buzzing.

This sounds like the strings are not seated properly in the bridge...most dobro bridges are separated in two pieces dividing up the 6 strings in half. Since this is happening on one of your bridges, it could be the way the bridge is seated itself...

Another good measure would be to loosen your strings, and take some creased sandpaper, and work out the grooves in your Dobro's nut...this ensures that the strings are seated correctly, without any foreign matter impeding its vibration, in their respective slots.

I recommend that you take your dobro to a luthier before trying the following...however, if you feel confident or have had experience in adjusting dobros: There's also a possibility that your tension screw, located at the center of the bridge coverplate...if tightening this screw, you'll want to be extra careful not to overtighten...you might try tightening one-half revolution and no more than one revolution...try it in small increments...(see disclaimer below)

I'm hoping that you know of a quick little trick that I haven't thought of. Any help would be great! By the way, your site is magnificent and an excellent tool for starters and pros alike!

Thanks so much for the kind words regarding our website...and let me know if you figure out your problem...

Mickey

-Thanks in advance,
Mike