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Topic: That Dobro Sound |
Brian Henry
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Posted 9 Dec 2015 4:31 pm |
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| I have some pending gigs with bluegrass bands, but they really want a dobro sound. What is the best effect p dal that I Can use to get the dobro sound. I am amazed that traditional country is almost nonexistent but blue grass is alive and well in the church and the world! Thank you for your suggestions! |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 9 Dec 2015 5:27 pm
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i'd try the tom bradshaw mxr reso pedal.
probably the easiest cheapest best sounding way to go. |
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Brian Henry
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Posted 9 Dec 2015 5:34 pm
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| Thank you Chris. It does seem like the best deal,on the market! |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Ron Pruter
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 9 Dec 2015 6:25 pm
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Brian,
What Chris says is better but if you want to go cheap, search the "Fish and Chips" threads. A cheap pedal you can pick up for $25. RP
_________________
Emmons SKH Le Grande, '73 Fender P/J bass, Tick tack bass, Regal high strung, USA Nashville 112. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 9 Dec 2015 6:38 pm
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| Ron Pruter wrote: |
Brian,
What Chris says is better but if you want to go cheap, search the "Fish and Chips" threads. A cheap pedal you can pick up for $25. RP |
That's what I am using.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 9 Dec 2015 7:06 pm
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I love my Bradshaw pedal.
It doesn't sound like a Dobro with a mic on it, but it sounds more like a Dobro than a Dobro with a pickup in it.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Tommy Detamore
From:
Floresville, Texas
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Posted 9 Dec 2015 7:25 pm
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| Quote: |
| but it sounds more like a Dobro than a Dobro with a pickup in it. |
I have a pickup in my dobro that I have used a few times to record direct and it fooled some pretty discerning ears. It's not a dead ringer for a miked up box, but it sounds surprisingly close. Closer I would say than any simulator box I have ever heard.
Not arguin', just sayin'....
_________________
Tommy Detamore
Quilter Labs, Goodrich Sound, Source Audio, Neunaber Audio, and Stringjoy Authorized Dealer
www.cherryridgestudio.com
www.steelguitartracksonline.com |
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Tom Dehlinger
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 9 Dec 2015 7:58 pm that dobro sound
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| I have a MXR "Bradshaw" pedal that I purchased to enhance the magnetic pickup on one of my dobros. I'm now using a Fishman Jerry Douglas pedal for the dobro and so the MXR is sitting idle. It's in mint shape and for sale for a good bit less than a new one. |
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Glenn Demichele
From:
(20mi N of) Chicago Illinois, USA
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Posted 9 Dec 2015 8:04 pm
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I used an acoustic guitar simulator in my Boss Gt001, but its pretty much just a mid boost. The MAIN thing that makes is sound really like a dobro is a "dead" bar. I use a piece of teflon rod, but you could use a piece of wood or something that kills the sustain. I'll bet you could get a good sound with a dead bar and a your tone controls.
_________________
Franklin D10 8&5, Excel D10 8&5, homemade buffer/overdrive, Moyo pedal, GT-001 effects, 2x BAM200 for stereo. 2x GW8003 8" driver in homemade closed-box. Also NV400 etc. etc... |
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Terry Niendorf
From:
Boise, Idaho
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Posted 9 Dec 2015 8:50 pm
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I acquired a Match-Bro recently. Used it only a couple of times but I (and the band) think its a better sound than the Bo-Bro. Really pretty good. Here is a link for one that happens to be on E-bay right now: http://www.ebay.com/itm/281861798491
I have the one page "Settings" sheet I could e-mail to you. (Has Buddy E's signature on it.) |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 10 Dec 2015 2:17 am
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The deader bar does help. I use a polished aluminum bar, the same one I use for getting the Mooney Fender sound.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Scott Duckworth
From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 10 Dec 2015 5:21 am
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I have a Goodrich MatchBro. I've tried the graphic EQ and its nowhere close to the MatchBro. Same way with the BoBro and others.
The MatchBro and the special bar that comes with it is the best simulator on the market. You have to think "Dobro" when playing not just use it as another effect. I've fooled Bluegrass pickers with my MatchBro and have had people come up to the stage on a break looking for the Dobro.
_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit (for sale) |
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Carl Mesrobian
From:
Salem, Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 10 Dec 2015 10:11 am
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Had a Match Bro - sold it, tried EQ, bagged it, use my dobro, love it  I'd opt for the MXR or the real deal..
And what Jack said about playing like a dobro, not only trying to sound like one.
_________________
--carl
"The better it gets, the fewer of us know it." Ray Brown
Last edited by Carl Mesrobian on 10 Dec 2015 10:25 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 10 Dec 2015 10:23 am
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Somewhere in my box of stuff lies a"Finch&Chimps"pedal that works great for that Dobro sound! 
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 10 Dec 2015 11:03 am
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| Jack Stoner wrote: |
I have a Goodrich MatchBro. I've tried the graphic EQ and its nowhere close to the MatchBro. Same way with the BoBro and others.
The MatchBro and the special bar that comes with it is the best simulator on the market. You have to think "Dobro" when playing not just use it as another effect. I've fooled Bluegrass pickers with my MatchBro and have had people come up to the stage on a break looking for the Dobro. |
I guess we all will continue to disagree forever. I had a Match-Bro and wanted something smaller than it, that would fit in my pak-a-seat. So I bought a Bo-Bro (which is just a BOSS 7 band Eq). I didn't notice any difference, so the Bo-Bro it was. Sold the Match-Bro. I took apart the Bo-Bro to see what the settings were. I got a Fish & Chips and set it up the same way. Compared it to the Bo-Bro, no difference. Sold the Bo-Bro. I just checked out Greg's site. He uses the same settings I use. Alternating the sliders full up full down. But I also have the 2nd slider at half way. Interesting that he also has the 2nd slider at half way. There's something about the frequency range that doesn't sound good with the slider full up. The Bo-Bro didn't allow adjusting. There are some gigs where I adjust this slider to make things sound better at certain gigs. Things like being stuffed in a corner right next to a wall, and other stage positions seem to affect that frequency range.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 10 Dec 2015 11:05 am
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I also ditched the plastic bar. Although it did make it sound a little better, the lack of any sustain killed it for me. Play a real dobro. The strings do sustain.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Dennis Mike
From:
Wilson, New York, USA
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Posted 25 Dec 2015 6:23 am
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I have a MatchBro, but found that it didn't play well with the other kids (i.e., BlackBox, distortion unit, delay box and compression). Maybe I had it in the wrong spot in the lineup.
Dennis
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Dennis Mike
Carter D10, dobro, acoustic and electric guitar, Peavy 112 |
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Carl Mesrobian
From:
Salem, Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 25 Dec 2015 7:58 am
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| Richard Sinkler wrote: |
| I also ditched the plastic bar. Although it did make it sound a little better, the lack of any sustain killed it for me. Play a real dobro. The strings do sustain. |
With all the time and money spent on effects to simulate a dobro, one could probably buy a cheap dobro and get the same sound - jus' sayin' -
https://www.google.com/search?q=dobro&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#tbm=shop&q=dobro&tbs=vw%3Ag%2Cmr%3A1%2Cp_ord%3Ap%2Cprice%3A1%2Cppr_min%3A150%2Cppr_max%3A250
If carrying another thing is the issue, sell all your stuff and take up ukulele or piccolo. I've done gigs with my pedal steel, banjo, electric guitar, 2 amps, pak a seat, music, all carted and set up myself - I don't see what the big deal is- If the bandleader wants you to do something, you have the option of saying "ok" , or dealing with the consequence of doing only what you want. If you are the bandleader you can argue with yourself 
Yes, I use effects, but only minimal (fuzz or overdrive) , depending on the gig and venue
Merry Christmas!
_________________
--carl
"The better it gets, the fewer of us know it." Ray Brown |
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Dennis Wood
From:
Savannah, TN USA
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Posted 25 Dec 2015 10:50 am
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I agree with Carl, I tried all kinds of electronic devices, then just gave up and bought a $300 Regal reso. It sounds like a real resonator guitar, and looks like a real resonator guitar. Actually sounds pretty good miced up with a s57 and i am NOT a bluegrass dobro picker. If I don't need it, i just leave it in the case.
DW
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auribus teneo lupum |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 25 Dec 2015 11:11 am
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Those who choose real resonators... Do you play live gigs, especially loud one's? I've had 3 Tut Taylor dobros, one with a fishman pickup in it. Even with a Fishman Loudbox with all it's feedback control thingies, I couldn't get rid of the feedback on stage. Tried micing them too, same problems. Very large venues with a good sound system and monitors, real dobros can work well. So in live situations that an acoustic reso won't work, a simulator might be the only way to go.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Dennis Wood
From:
Savannah, TN USA
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Posted 25 Dec 2015 12:21 pm
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I do play live, with 3 different bands and loud at times. Feedback is a problem with a real reso and i really dont have a good solution for that.I do have a Fishman pickup in mine that I use if it's really a loud gig. My rack system tubefex has the front input that overides the rear input. I just have to remember to change to my reso patch, which is set for zero volume, before I plug in.I don't play the reso but maybe on two or three songs. Dobro Sims do have a place on stage, but for tone I prefer the real reso.
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auribus teneo lupum |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 25 Dec 2015 2:25 pm
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If you want to hit the halfway mark between a stomp box and a full body reso, try the Marrs Cat Can lap steel. Tiny onstage footprint, looks (obviously) like you're playing a different instrument, and has a pretty great amplified sound, no feedback. I have one I'm restoring that will be up for sale shortly.
_________________
Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com
www.musicfarmstudio.com |
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 25 Dec 2015 2:32 pm
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Complete Nashville pickup/Aura rig. No feedback. Can play at "stupid" volumes.
fwiw.
Those with Fishman pickups, old style or "Nashville" (Jerry Douglas).
h |
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