Subject: Which Squareneck Resonator?


Hi,

Greetings Roland,

Glad to assist if I can:

I am a guitar/banjo player who is interested in learning bluegrass dobro. I have read through all the dobro questions on your site. However, I am still unsure which squareneck dobro you would recommend in the $300 - $400 price range. I realize there is some difference in price between brands in this range, but not much. I can also hear some differences in your video samples, but it is hard to discern the real differences without being there. Assuming I will not do a Quarterman upgrade, based on quality of construction, tone, and playability which would you choose: the Regal RD45, the Johnson Nashville Slide JR400S, or the Morgan Monroe MSQ-TB?

I like them all for different reasons...and all sound decent and offer comparable features and tonal quality. They are all within the same price range and they all are imports. They will not have the differences that high-end dobros reveal between themselves. For instance, a high-end Gibson reveals a completely different quality as compared to a Paul Beard.

Any one of these imports will serve you well for beginning dobro...of course, they will all be outgrown within 1-2 years. A few experienced dobroists keep one of these imports as a second dobro to kick around with...and, some will install pick-ups in imports so that they don't change the acoustic integrity of their high-end dobro. Once a dobro is plugged in, its natural acoustic properties are nullified and all of the tone is being emitted from the sound reinforcement system being used.

Next qustion, if I was to plan on a Quarterman upgrade, which would you choose?

We've done quite a few RD-45 Quarterman upgrades with great success...it makes a tremendous difference in tonal quality...offering a nice fat low-end...coming very close in tone to more expensive dobros. Even so, if you're just starting out, this conversion may not be necessary...especially since your focus will be on learning technique...I didn't used to think it would make much difference when I heard the first conversion performed by a local friend...however, after completing our first in-house conversion, and doing video samplers, there's an obvious improvement in tonal range.

Final question, is it really worth the Quarterman upgrade for a beginning player?


Only if you plan on holding on to the dobro you're converting...this ensures that once you do gain some technique, the tonal range offered by the Quarterman will have its place. And, if keeping it as a second dobro even after purchasing another more expensive dobro at a later date. If you're planning on using our 100% upgrade policy, you'll want to keep the instrument stock since there would be a depreciation on the custom upgrades.

Hope something here helps...Mickey

(You have a very famous name!)

I appreciate your help.

Thanks,

Roland White

Subject: Dobro Questions

Dear Mickey, Just wanted to say thanks again for all your help with my beautiful mandolin. Because of you I'm able to pursue a dream I've had for a long time. I'm practicing hard and have begun lessons with Alan Bibey. He is one of the best as you know. I hope all is well there in NM. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you. You are the best. I'm also looking at going ahead and getting a dobro for the Christmas season and to add to my list of instruments I'm able to play for the theatre. Don't worry my main concern right now is the mando and getting some bluegrass ready for next year. Robert and I play every night. I'm learning a song now for the Christmas show. What kind of dobro do you suggest as me getting right now. Can you just switch the nut around on a Johnson. The video sampler sounds great. I love the metal bodies. The enlgand sounds great too. What would be the cost to get this ball in motion? Thanks for taking the time. Have a great weekend.

Greg Rowles
Myrtle Beach, SC

Hey Greg,

The best Dobro I've played to date is the Beard...I'm working on some video samplers of these now. I personally own one myself. Another phenomenal dobro would be the Jerry Douglas signature model made by Gibson. I finished the video samplers on these...they can now be viewed on our Video Sampler page.

Now, let's talk about a realistic start-up dobro:
1. The Johnson squareneck (Nashville Slide) is one of the best deals going...and I love the diamond inlay on these...and, we have no problem converting these to left-handed. They do have a spun cone...and, if you want, we can even convert them to the quarterman cone (although, I wouldn't recommend it since they sound fine stock)...it also does have a soundwell.

2. The Regal squareneck (RD-45) is also a decent start-up dobro. Very similar to the Johnson other than they have dot instead of diamond inlays. Be aware, there's an RD-35 you'll want to stay away from...they are far cheaper in cost (compromised in construction)...we currently do not carry them since they are not up to specs.

3. The England Hawaiian, more of a pro's choice (not a start-up by any means), is also a really cool squareneck...very unique in that a metal bodied squareneck is hard to come by. The sound has far more sheen along with a tremendous volume not normally found in wood-bodied resophonics. There are nice clean tones without the clashing overtones characteristic of wood-bodies. These were made from the original metal bodies of the OMI Dobro factory out of California and do not have a sparkling new look (very minor scratches and dings). The last of a dying breed though and I would have to say highly collectible. Mickey

To: "Larry Ghan"
Subject: Re: inquiry about resophonic guitars: what have you got?


Hello-- I am inquiring about resophonic guitars. I am interested in a better quality reso/round neck. Certainly would like a national or gibson dobro, but can't justify the cost at this point. I am just exploring (seriously) the idea of such an instrument investment for the first time. Presently I own and play a better quality of guitar and am interested in expanding my repitore into acoustic blues type of genre. My skills are still developing and for some time my interests have been moving toward fingerstyle-blues. I am serious enough to have made some serious investments into several exceptional insturments already, but as interested as I am in resophonic style music I am not sure how far I may (or may not) go with it. I just want to explore the Idea for awhile. However if I do get a reso, I don't want a cheap piece of junk that while it might look good won't really hold up and help me develop my musicianship (A statement which in itself is open to a very wide interpretation!) I quess I would be open to your suggestions. I have been very impressed with the Johnson Tricone (esp the Czech version) as a first choice. 

Yes, the Johnson is superb...although, I believe they've just recently moved their Dobro manufacturer from the Czech Republic to China. I don't expect it to donwgrade the product necessarily...now, Regal just introduced a metal bodied line, including the tri-cone, manufactured in the Czech Republic. The pricing and models are located on our website under "Regal Metal Bodies".

Their wooden resophonics seem fairly nice also, although they possess signicantly different sound from the all metal tricone.

This is true...a metal body has a certain bell-like sheen...a wood-bodied has more warmth...

Also regal, especially the tobacco mahogany triolian model holds an interest for me, atleast esthetically. 

The Triolians all have the biscuit cone system which gives it the nasal sounding, monotonic, classic blues dobro sound.

However I'm not tied to any of these models and would consider other options and genuine suggestions from you folks to help meet my needs, as I make my decision. New or used are options for me. I care more for "good sound" and long run playability/stability over "flash and shine". I like a vintage look that highlights the tone woods and workmanship in the insrutment as part of the overall presence of the guitar and the craftmanship that built it rather than the garrish and flamboyant aqua-marine, bright red, cheesy yellow or other such"paint-Jobs".

I agree...playability and tone are everything...appointments and instrument style are secondary...

(Sorry Regal) My reso experience is highly limited as I have only picked up a few Johnson models in the past (euro not asian I believe) and found them to be most impressive at the time. But again regal has picqued my interest as well though I've not seen one "in person" much less played one. 

I've seen the latest metal bodied Regals...and wow...they are beautiful in every respect.

To "cut to the chase" could you offer me some advice or suggestions as how I might begin to consider a reasonably "good to higher quality" resophonic with out "breaking the bank" that could grow with me as my skills develop? Again I certainly would consider a good quality used instrument (like a Gibson Dobro ,National, or whatever) as long as it's not beat up too bad, along with those other options I've discussed. I quess my price range would be $400 upto maybe $750.?.

Sounds like the Johnson or Regal would be a good starting place for these price points. We've had quite a few used Gibsons and Nationals but all have sold for over 1000.00...remember, you always retain your initial purchase price when buying a new dobro through us...so you can upgrade to a Gibson at a later date without losing any initial investment on the Regal or Johnson.

( Probably rules out a lot if not all the domestic instruments I realize.) Could you give me some feedback and ideas from your perspective? Sorry this memo is so long and tedious but perhaps it will give you a concept of what " I think I am looking for" and then perhaps you can throw some suggestions my way in the mean time. Please respond at your earliest convenience and please provide me with a contact within your company as this thing evolves.Thank you for your attention to this inquiry, best wishes--Larry Ghan

I'm glad to be of assistance. I've posted your questions on our new Forums section located on our website. Stay tuned for other responses...contributed by other dobro players.

Mickey

From: "Stephen Hines"
Subject: metalbodies - Lefty?


Greetings Steve,
In answer to your questions:

I hope some of y'all are folks of the brass and nickel as well....I'm a
lefty player kind of just getting started on the guitar; as I develop, I'm
hoping to get a metalbody, like an old National Style O... I've researched
price and availability of those; I've also looked in to the new Nationals,
the Johnson replicas, and the Dobro DM-33.. can y'all tell me if there is a
specific difference in construction to make a lefty out of one of these, or
can I simply get a righty, modify/replace the nut and bridge and string it
left-hand?

We've converted a few metal bodies to left-handed...and, can do this for you upon your decision of what model you decide on. It does require some modifications on both the nut and the saddle...which mostly is cutting new v's for the strings to reside in.

Old National vs. New National vs. DM-33 vs Johnson replica Style O?


The Gibson is superb quality through and through...the Johnson's are OK especially for the price (but, they are most definitely a compromise). The Old Nationals cannot be beat...and the new ones are also every bit as good as what Gibson is making....

I'm getting into fingerstyle blues now; I would also plan to play a lot of
slide (when I learn how)... is the difference in the two going to have much
influence on my choice, or will that mostly be a matter of setup? My
current thinking is I want a round neck, with a very slightly radiused
fingerboard, which would give the 'best of both worlds' option, I hope....

I also play quite a bit of slide...and love the sheen of a metal body...setup can influence these dobros tremendously...although, setup will not improve the quality of craftsmanship on any instrument. If you're into fingerstyle blues, you'll most definitely want a roundneck dobro.

Hope this helps...Mickey

Hi.

I've been hacking around (purely pleasure) on guitars, banjos,
dulcimers, etc for years, but am suddenly obsessed with resonators.
That leads to a couple questions.

I'm sold that I'd rather have a single than tri-cone (out here in
Montana the bears are more into loud than harmonics) but cannot decide
between steel body and wood. Can you explain a few of the differences,
advantages, drawbacks?

Also, what about brands? Regal seems to be one of the better lower
priced instruments, but I really am drooling over National's Radio-Tone
Bendaway. I must be a closest Stratocaster freak, and love the RTB's
look, but really blinked when I saw its $1,400 price tag.

Will probably go with the lower priced outfit first to see if I like it
and then trade up, but am wondering what you think of Nationals vs.
Regal. Particularly, have you fooled around with the RTB? Got anything
comparable but cheaper?

Thanks

Ron Marr

Hello Ron,

Glad to assist...the main differences I've found between a wood bodied dobro and a steel bodied is the tone...(outside of the obvious fact that the metal bodied dobro is outrageously heavy)...the wood bodied dobros have a warmer tone...not so much of the bite and metallic tone of a steel body...and this tone variance is very obvious...

As far as brands, it's more a matter of price differences. The National is a professional dobro through and through...with an unbelievable tone. If tone is a barometer, it would directly correlate to the price in the case of a National (we're an official National Representative)...The Regal is a great workhorse Dobro that offers a decent tone at a decent price...they're at the very least nicely crafted and do not have the appearance or tone of a cheap instrument. I personally haven't played the RTB...although, we're currently working on a National dealership which has been approved. So, please stay tuned for future updates to include the complete National Line-Up.

We do have another line-up of Dobros that may be of interest to you. I feel that the Johnson Steel-Bodied dobros, made in Czechoslovakia, are a tremendous value that surpasses all expectations for the price...these offer a (close to) National tonal quality at a more affordable price! Check out some of our video samplers on these...
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page319.htm


Let me know if you have any further questions or if I can assist you with anything else...
Mickey Cochran