Dobro Simulator Recommendations

Cameron Parsons · Post by **Cameron Parsons** » 3 Nov 2016 4:28 pm

Tell me your best dobro simulator recommendations...and GO!

Chuck Blake · Post by **Chuck Blake** » 3 Nov 2016 6:33 pm

Tom Bradshaw MXR Reso pedal with a polymer bar...

Bryan Daste · Post by **Bryan Daste** » 3 Nov 2016 8:30 pm

+1 for the Bradshaw pedal. Only sold mine to buy a dobro

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 4 Nov 2016 2:15 am

I have one of the Bradshaw "reso's". I bought it when my MatchBro died and it looked like it couldn't be fixed. It is very close to the MatchBro and it sounds as good with a standard steel bar as it does with the plastic (or whatever it is) Goodrich MatchBro bar.

I have two "quick and dirty" sample files. One is with the (repaired) MatchBro and one is with the Bradshaw unit, for comparison.

PM or e-mail me for the files.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 4 Nov 2016 2:26 am

I think that this is the first direct comparison I've seen of the Bradshaw vs. Goodrich. I'm glad to read this, Jack, since I know your experience with and opinion of the Matchbro (which I have agreed with, from my own experience). My question, since the introduction of the Bradshaw/MXR, has been 'how does it compare with the gold standard.' Finally I have the answer.

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 4 Nov 2016 2:33 am

I just use a Boss GE-7 stomp box....With the right settings of the sliders it's "Instant Dobro"...I also have an Original Match/Bro ...so I could compare the tone. The good thing with a Graphic is you can make minor adjustments with the sliders to compensate for room acoustics. I still use the bar that came with the Match-Bro. Michael Douchette EX road player with Tammy Wynette told me about how to use the GE-7...believe me it works, plus the reliability of Boss.

"

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.

Bud Harger · Post by **Bud Harger** » 4 Nov 2016 5:45 am

For the Boss EQ (GE7):

#1 up; #2 down; #3 up; #4 down...and so on...

with little or no reverb.

Tommy Detamore · Post by **Tommy Detamore** » 4 Nov 2016 5:53 am

Of course you could just get a Telonics combo Cam. That way you get a few extras thrown in

Cameron Parsons · Post by **Cameron Parsons** » 4 Nov 2016 7:20 am

Tommy, I just realized the Telonics amp has the sim built in! Do have any tracks recorded with it? Of course, I just bought a new amp and probably shouldn't press my luck with my understanding wife.

Thanks to all for the replies!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 4 Nov 2016 7:28 am

The Goodrich Matchbro is the unit that set the standard, all the others are wannabees.

Tommy Detamore · Post by **Tommy Detamore** » 4 Nov 2016 7:58 am

Tommy, I just realized the Telonics amp has the sim built in! Do have any tracks recorded with it?

No I don't. I have mainly just used it live with a certain band from Houston, Texas ðŸ˜œ

But I should try that....

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 4 Nov 2016 6:42 pm

Erv, I think the Dunlop Bradshaw is slightly ahead of the Goodrich. It's no wannabe.
I've got a video in my other phone that needs trimming and uploading, but I used it on "Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox".
It doesn't sound as good as a Dobro with a mic on it, but it sounds better than a Dobro with a pickup on it.

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 4 Nov 2016 8:02 pm

I've found the 3-knob Match-Bro to be quite decent as a dobro-sim.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 5 Nov 2016 2:22 am

As I own both, a Goodrich (the original model with a tone control in bypass) and the Bradshaw. They are both very good but the Goodrich is still the closest sounding.

I used the Bradshaw on a job and everyone liked it but said the Goodrich was better. I used the Bradshaw at our last steel guitar club and everyone liked it.

As I have my MatchBro repaired, it will still be my "primary" unit. As someone mentioned it is the "gold standard".

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 5 Nov 2016 6:52 am

The Goodrich Matchbro is the unit that set the standard, all the others are wannabees.

Erv, I think the Dunlop Bradshaw is slightly ahead of the Goodrich. It's no wannabe.

As I own both, a Goodrich (the original model with a tone control in bypass) and the Bradshaw. They are both very good but the Goodrich is still the closest sounding.

Some people like poTAYtoes and some people like poTAHtoes. (Or is it poTAYtos and poTAHtos? That darned "e"!)

Lee, from South Texas

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 8 Nov 2016 1:51 am

Well said Lee

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.

Jeff Garden · Post by **Jeff Garden** » 8 Nov 2016 3:32 am

or you could just say "spuds", Lee

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 8 Nov 2016 3:55 am

Hey Jeff...that's real British......we never say ..Go and buy some potatoes....it's always Go and buy some spuds

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.

Alex Cattaneo · Post by **Alex Cattaneo** » 8 Nov 2016 6:06 am

I'm surprised no one mentioned it, perhaps no one tried it, but the Fishman Jerry Douglas AURA pedal is amazing. Anything you put in there will come out sounding like a dobro. I use mine with a lap steel and its fantastic. Works on pedal steel too. Heck, if you plug a ukulele in there, it will come out sounding like a dobro.

I tried EQ pedals before but there is no comparison, the Aura JD is in another league altogether. Plus you have 16 different images, so a lot of different tones and possible adjustments depending on the instrument you are using. I use image 2 for my Asher lap steel.

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 8 Nov 2016 6:34 am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi1U81KwQII

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 8 Nov 2016 7:33 am

The Fishman is over twice the price of the Bradshaw unit.

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 8 Nov 2016 7:45 am

To me it's too complicated, players want a simple set/up for a Dobro sound, just for a short part of a song, and not used too often either. Nothing really like a straight sound of a steel...with just a little effect "if" needed. One man's meat is another man's poison.

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.

Sho-Bud and Carter Universals, various amps,Original Matchbro, Boss Ge-7.

John Limbach · Post by **John Limbach** » 8 Nov 2016 9:05 am

Alex:

How about putting up a sound clip of your Asher through the Aura? Would like to hear that.

John

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 8 Nov 2016 9:57 am

Alex Cattaneo wrote:I'm surprised no one mentioned it, perhaps no one tried it, but the Fishman Jerry Douglas AURA pedal is amazing. Anything you put in there will come out sounding like a dobro. I use mine with a lap steel and its fantastic. Works on pedal steel too. Heck, if you plug a ukulele in there, it will come out sounding like a dobro.

I tried EQ pedals before but there is no comparison, the Aura JD is in another league altogether. Plus you have 16 different images, so a lot of different tones and possible adjustments depending on the instrument you are using. I use image 2 for my Asher lap steel.

Are the Auldridge images still available?

Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 13 Nov 2016 5:10 am

I use a Behringer EQ700, $25, a 7 band EQ, 1 down, 2 up etc.
For as much as I use a dobro sound it works well for me and the price is right.

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Dobro Simulator Recommendations

Dobro Simulator Recommendations

I'm told these settings work...