Any Resophonic Players Here? Dobro?

chetatkinsdiet · 27th December 2006, 01:41 AM

I'm about to get one or two new/used resonator guitars. I'm going to get something fairly decent. I'm not sure what to get though as there are so many to choose from. I could afford a vintage Dobro, but can't touch a vintage National, so I'd probably look at one of the new National Delphi's or maybe Style 1 (is that the inexpensive one?) or at the upper end of what I'd pay for one....maybe one of the Tricones that have the steel body. I see the newer Dobros for decent prices, so I'm not as much worried about them. Instead of a Dobro, I might be interested in the Dobrolektric. Anyone played one of them?

Any ideas or experience....lemme know.

m

Pohaku · 27th December 2006, 07:18 PM

I'm looking at a national tricone myself. I've had the opportunity to play a number of vintage resonator guitars (a friend and client owns a vintage guitar shop), and I don't think that the vintage units sound any better than the new ones - especially the metal body guitars. As far as I know, the manufacturing process for the resonators is still the same. As such, I'm inclined not to spend the money on a vintage resonator. Personally, I like the sound of the metal body guitars more than the wood body Dobro style guitars.

chetatkinsdiet · 27th December 2006, 07:28 PM

I'm with you on the vintage vs new for metal bodies. Sure, I've played some vintage models that are amazing, but the $7K or so is way out of my budget. In my price range, I think the new models are just as good as the older ones.

I sort of like some of the wooden Doboro models as well for certain things, but overall, like the metal bodies. I'm sort of torn as I really like the growl of a good single cone/biscuit model. I'm probably going to get one of the Delphi's as they can be had for around a grand to fifteen hundred. There are a few in that new Duco color that are over $2K, but it's hard to pay for looks on an item like a resonator. Now, if I were looking at a Tricone, I'd definitely be looking at nickel plating and engraving....they're just so dang cool looking.

later,

m

wardshorsehead · 28th December 2006, 04:49 AM

I have two newer Nationals, a Delphi and a M-2.

I love them both, but if I had to pick one, it would be the M-2. It has a slightly "warmer" tone and a bit more sustain, but can still do the single cone growl. It is sonically in between a single cone steel body, and a tricone.

Those Duco finished models are awesome. I played a green one at Mass Street music in Lawrence, KS. It looked amazing, but sonically it was still very much a Delphi. At $2700, a bit expensive for the looks.

My M-2 and Delphi were both purchased used (in literally like new condition). You should be able to find a Delphi used and in great shape for $1k. The M-2 might be a little more (or not...). Mine together were under $2k, including a pro setup on each.

My M-2 has nice Grover Kluson styled machines. The machines on the Delphi are absolutely awful. I'll be upgrading to the Waverly-Sloan tuners after the holidays. They are available for $200 from StewMac...but strangely are a $500 option if ordered on a new instrument from National.

The neck on the Delphi is more pleasing to me...a very subtle v-shape. The M-2 has a real club of a neck, and a little wider board.

If I were a slide player exclusively, I'd probably opt for a metal bodied single or tricone. For general fingerpicking, I really like the tone of the M-2 with picks or fingers.

You'd be happy either way. They are awesome instruments. I owned a 30's Duolian years ago...and aside from that elusive mojo of old guitars, the new Nationals are quite a bit more functional in terms of playing in tune / intonation. They also are built better.

The newer Dobro / Gibson offerings haven't impressed me at all. I don't like the feel and the quality seems quite a bit lower than the Nationals. In a dobro styled guitar, I don't think you can touch the sonics or quality of a National until you look at some of the Beard or Sheerhorn offerings (which are quite a bit more than most of the Nationals).

An interesting guitar that I'd like to see are the brass bodied Delphis that Elderly Instruments in MI is having made. Essentially a Style O with the powdercoat finish...and only a couple of hundred more than a new Delphi.

Now to save for a Lazy River Weissenborn-style steel...

F.

infiniteposse · 28th December 2006, 07:01 AM

I just bought my first National this year, an O-14. It's got a little more reach on the high end and makes the slide thing a little more comfy for me. As mentioned above, the newer models are super solid and evidently better built than the origionals. I'm extremely happy with mine.

I'd highly recommend playing whatever it is you're going to buy though if at all possible. I went to a local shop and played a used Tricone which was a killer price and I thought I'd definitely buy, a Delphi and the O-14. The Tricone didn't have enough growl for me and the Delphi didn't have as much depth as the O-14, so I went with the O. It's a joy to play.

http://www.nationalguitars.com/lo_band/style_o_14.html

SteveE9C6 · 28th December 2006, 06:36 PM

Long time pedal steeler and occasionally a resonator player here...

I'd check out the Beard Gold Tones if you want a great value.

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/BGT4S.htm

chetatkinsdiet · 31st December 2006, 10:39 PM

I ended up getting a couple.....

I found a slightly used Delphi in the Vintage Steel finish. It's sort of a matte/nickel looking finish....not too shiny, but not the power coated either. Again, I LOVE the green Duco's, but I can't pay a thousand for a paint job. ...can't wait for it to get to me.
I also got a little Dobro Reso-lectrik. It's probably just going to be a fun guitar to own. I might be able to use it for acoustic gigs and such.
I've also got my eyes on a Tricone as soon as a newer used one pops up.

later,

m

Robert Sands · 28th February 2007, 10:44 PM

I'm a Reso player. First you need to decide what you want - metal or wood. They're totally different and then is it a square neck played horizontally on your lap with a steel or a bottle (round) neck played like a guitar? A wooden lap version is used for bluegrass, country and also blues. Think Jerry Douglas, who I actually just saw perform the other night at a small theater near me. Add rock, jazz and a few other styles to that list when you see a guy like him do his thing. Wow! If he plays close to you go, because you will hear what this instrument is capable of. I own a Beard Mahogany R and it's great! Jerry plays a Beard also. The Mahogany R is about $2600 so if that's too much then I say try a Beard Goldtone. I played one recently and it was really nice for the money which I remember as being under a grand. Professional instrument and way worth the price. If you want a bottle neck metal bodied reso then National is a well respected maker. There's also tri cones, which are played horizontally on your lap with a steel but are made of metal. Listen to the different styles of music that are played on each of these and then go in the direction that turns you on. They are all super and get ready to have a blast and a half on the reso journey. These instruments are a lot of fun to play. Also, I would start with just one instrument and get real good on it before buying a second. These are not easy to conquer - so different than anything else we play that you need to dedicate time to just one and start with one style, say bluegrass or Hawaian or blues - whatever and get to a decent level with your playng before moving on. Just one persons opinion. Best of luck.

GuitarRuss · 21st May 2007, 05:54 AM

I wish I had the budget for an expensive Dobro, maybe in a few years. The one I have now is amazing for the price range. It's a Regal that has been modified. Changed the nut to TUSQ, also replaced the brass bridge piece to TUSQ as well. This gave me a huge increase in volume and clarity. A luthier did both of these and did an adjustment to where the bridge was and now my intonation is fantastic.

I highly recommend TUSQ for dobros because it increases volume which means more resonator sound - it's louder than bone and has more sustain. If you have a superloud high-end dobro try it out, but it might be too much, but for lower end ones - huge, huge difference. Playing with a brass bridge piece is ridiculous as it doesn't transfer much vibration at all, what's the point? A luthier introduced me to this stuff and I've changed the nut and bridge piece on my Bouzouki, Flamenco guitar (nut - TUSQ, bridge - bone because I liked it a bit more because the guitar is already really bright) and my Dobro. They also make bridge pins for acoustics that can help if you've got a nice solid top.

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27th December 2006, 01:41 AM	#1
chetatkinsdiet Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,473	Any Resophonic Players Here? Dobro? I'm about to get one or two new/used resonator guitars. I'm going to get something fairly decent. I'm not sure what to get though as there are so many to choose from. I could afford a vintage Dobro, but can't touch a vintage National, so I'd probably look at one of the new National Delphi's or maybe Style 1 (is that the inexpensive one?) or at the upper end of what I'd pay for one....maybe one of the Tricones that have the steel body. I see the newer Dobros for decent prices, so I'm not as much worried about them. Instead of a Dobro, I might be interested in the Dobrolektric. Anyone played one of them? Any ideas or experience....lemme know. m

27th December 2006, 07:18 PM	#2
Pohaku Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 919	I'm looking at a national tricone myself. I've had the opportunity to play a number of vintage resonator guitars (a friend and client owns a vintage guitar shop), and I don't think that the vintage units sound any better than the new ones - especially the metal body guitars. As far as I know, the manufacturing process for the resonators is still the same. As such, I'm inclined not to spend the money on a vintage resonator. Personally, I like the sound of the metal body guitars more than the wood body Dobro style guitars. __________________ Yeah I'm an attorney, but everyone needs a day job.

28th December 2006, 07:01 AM	#5
infiniteposse Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 295	I just bought my first National this year, an O-14. It's got a little more reach on the high end and makes the slide thing a little more comfy for me. As mentioned above, the newer models are super solid and evidently better built than the origionals. I'm extremely happy with mine. I'd highly recommend playing whatever it is you're going to buy though if at all possible. I went to a local shop and played a used Tricone which was a killer price and I thought I'd definitely buy, a Delphi and the O-14. The Tricone didn't have enough growl for me and the Delphi didn't have as much depth as the O-14, so I went with the O. It's a joy to play. http://www.nationalguitars.com/lo_band/style_o_14.html __________________ Lee www.myspace.com/sonandelder

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27th December 2006, 07:28 PM	#3
chetatkinsdiet Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,473	I'm with you on the vintage vs new for metal bodies. Sure, I've played some vintage models that are amazing, but the $7K or so is way out of my budget. In my price range, I think the new models are just as good as the older ones. I sort of like some of the wooden Doboro models as well for certain things, but overall, like the metal bodies. I'm sort of torn as I really like the growl of a good single cone/biscuit model. I'm probably going to get one of the Delphi's as they can be had for around a grand to fifteen hundred. There are a few in that new Duco color that are over $2K, but it's hard to pay for looks on an item like a resonator. Now, if I were looking at a Tricone, I'd definitely be looking at nickel plating and engraving....they're just so dang cool looking. later, m

28th December 2006, 04:49 AM	#4
wardshorsehead Gear interested Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 21	I have two newer Nationals, a Delphi and a M-2. I love them both, but if I had to pick one, it would be the M-2. It has a slightly "warmer" tone and a bit more sustain, but can still do the single cone growl. It is sonically in between a single cone steel body, and a tricone. Those Duco finished models are awesome. I played a green one at Mass Street music in Lawrence, KS. It looked amazing, but sonically it was still very much a Delphi. At $2700, a bit expensive for the looks. My M-2 and Delphi were both purchased used (in literally like new condition). You should be able to find a Delphi used and in great shape for $1k. The M-2 might be a little more (or not...). Mine together were under $2k, including a pro setup on each. My M-2 has nice Grover Kluson styled machines. The machines on the Delphi are absolutely awful. I'll be upgrading to the Waverly-Sloan tuners after the holidays. They are available for $200 from StewMac...but strangely are a $500 option if ordered on a new instrument from National. The neck on the Delphi is more pleasing to me...a very subtle v-shape. The M-2 has a real club of a neck, and a little wider board. If I were a slide player exclusively, I'd probably opt for a metal bodied single or tricone. For general fingerpicking, I really like the tone of the M-2 with picks or fingers. You'd be happy either way. They are awesome instruments. I owned a 30's Duolian years ago...and aside from that elusive mojo of old guitars, the new Nationals are quite a bit more functional in terms of playing in tune / intonation. They also are built better. The newer Dobro / Gibson offerings haven't impressed me at all. I don't like the feel and the quality seems quite a bit lower than the Nationals. In a dobro styled guitar, I don't think you can touch the sonics or quality of a National until you look at some of the Beard or Sheerhorn offerings (which are quite a bit more than most of the Nationals). An interesting guitar that I'd like to see are the brass bodied Delphis that Elderly Instruments in MI is having made. Essentially a Style O with the powdercoat finish...and only a couple of hundred more than a new Delphi. Now to save for a Lazy River Weissenborn-style steel... F.

28th December 2006, 06:36 PM	#6
SteveE9C6 Gear maniac Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 162	Long time pedal steeler and occasionally a resonator player here... I'd check out the Beard Gold Tones if you want a great value. http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/BGT4S.htm

31st December 2006, 10:39 PM	#7
chetatkinsdiet Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,473	I ended up getting a couple..... I found a slightly used Delphi in the Vintage Steel finish. It's sort of a matte/nickel looking finish....not too shiny, but not the power coated either. Again, I LOVE the green Duco's, but I can't pay a thousand for a paint job. ...can't wait for it to get to me. I also got a little Dobro Reso-lectrik. It's probably just going to be a fun guitar to own. I might be able to use it for acoustic gigs and such. I've also got my eyes on a Tricone as soon as a newer used one pops up. later, m

28th February 2007, 10:44 PM	#8
Robert Sands Gear maniac Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 262	I'm a Reso player. First you need to decide what you want - metal or wood. They're totally different and then is it a square neck played horizontally on your lap with a steel or a bottle (round) neck played like a guitar? A wooden lap version is used for bluegrass, country and also blues. Think Jerry Douglas, who I actually just saw perform the other night at a small theater near me. Add rock, jazz and a few other styles to that list when you see a guy like him do his thing. Wow! If he plays close to you go, because you will hear what this instrument is capable of. I own a Beard Mahogany R and it's great! Jerry plays a Beard also. The Mahogany R is about $2600 so if that's too much then I say try a Beard Goldtone. I played one recently and it was really nice for the money which I remember as being under a grand. Professional instrument and way worth the price. If you want a bottle neck metal bodied reso then National is a well respected maker. There's also tri cones, which are played horizontally on your lap with a steel but are made of metal. Listen to the different styles of music that are played on each of these and then go in the direction that turns you on. They are all super and get ready to have a blast and a half on the reso journey. These instruments are a lot of fun to play. Also, I would start with just one instrument and get real good on it before buying a second. These are not easy to conquer - so different than anything else we play that you need to dedicate time to just one and start with one style, say bluegrass or Hawaian or blues - whatever and get to a decent level with your playng before moving on. Just one persons opinion. Best of luck.

21st May 2007, 05:54 AM	#9
GuitarRuss Lives for gear Join Date: May 2006 Location: Taiwan (Canadian Citizen) Posts: 512	I wish I had the budget for an expensive Dobro, maybe in a few years. The one I have now is amazing for the price range. It's a Regal that has been modified. Changed the nut to TUSQ, also replaced the brass bridge piece to TUSQ as well. This gave me a huge increase in volume and clarity. A luthier did both of these and did an adjustment to where the bridge was and now my intonation is fantastic. I highly recommend TUSQ for dobros because it increases volume which means more resonator sound - it's louder than bone and has more sustain. If you have a superloud high-end dobro try it out, but it might be too much, but for lower end ones - huge, huge difference. Playing with a brass bridge piece is ridiculous as it doesn't transfer much vibration at all, what's the point? A luthier introduced me to this stuff and I've changed the nut and bridge piece on my Bouzouki, Flamenco guitar (nut - TUSQ, bridge - bone because I liked it a bit more because the guitar is already really bright) and my Dobro. They also make bridge pins for acoustics that can help if you've got a nice solid top.