Good road reso?

Mike Fried · Post by **Mike Fried** » 13 Oct 2006 3:44 pm

It looks like I may have some road work coming up involving playing amplified "Dobro-like" reso as well as pedal steel. I don't want to continue to take out/beat up my 8-string Beard and would like to find a really good-sounding 6-stringer for less than $1,000 (the visual aspect of playing an acoustic/electric standing up is necessary on his gig or I'd use a simulator or CatCan). What are the best of the current Regal/Gold Tone/etc. reso's out there? I'm especially interested in good sustain on the lower strings up the neck; acoustic volume is less important as it will be amplified with a Fishman pickup (my favorite so far).[This message was edited by Mike Fried on 13 October 2006 at 05:19 PM.]

Chris Morrison · Post by **Chris Morrison** » 13 Oct 2006 7:55 pm

I have a Goldtone/Beard mahogany standard as well as a Beard Model R. I like and play both guitars. Though it doesn't have the depth and richness of the 'R', the Goldtone is just fine below the 12th fret. I keep it at work to play at lunch and frequently notice that it's _fun_ to play. Beyond the 12th fret it's weaker, but whaddya want for less than $600 vs more than four times as much.

I've heard that the Regal to consider is the "Black Lightning" with Quarterman cone -- I've heard good things about it, haven't heard one in the flesh. HTH, Chris[This message was edited by Chris Morrison on 13 October 2006 at 09:02 PM.]

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 13 Oct 2006 10:30 pm

From what I have found-I prefer both the Goldtone Beard and the Wechter/Scheerhorn over the Regal BL, and out of the three I think I lean toward the W/S, aka as the "Frugalhorn."

I'd go for a Rob Ickes model-$900 plus.

------------------
Mark

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 14 Oct 2006 2:51 am

The Scheerhorn/Wechter is a great sounding dobro for the $$. Elderly has them for $750 to $850.

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 14 Oct 2006 8:06 am

Mike,

You're one of my favorite players.

Years back I started on a Regal and, having invested my money in pedal steel guitars, didn't have the scratch for a top-of-line suare-neck. I waited and waited for a mid-priced model to come along that would still be a step-up in sound. Now there are several to choose from.

I'm happy with my Gold Tone Maple Deluxe. The mahogany version is nice, too. Both guitars are easy on the eye and have a very sweet tone out of the shipping box. My guitar doesn't have the midrange and bark of a Scheerhorn, but it records and performs well enough to get compliments. Keeping new strings on it helps the low notes speak.

best wishes,

Drew

------------------

Drew Howard - website - Fessenden, Derby and Fender guitars, 70's Fender Twin, etc.

[This message was edited by Drew Howard on 14 October 2006 at 09:07 AM.]

Gaylon Mathews · Post by **Gaylon Mathews** » 14 Oct 2006 11:59 am

Check with Marv Pfleuger up in New York state...(after he digs out of the snow). He's building me one to use on the Gretchen show. No feedback problems with his product as he puts a circuit board in them and a pickup. There is no acoustic value after this is done so it has to be used through an amp or direct. Tim Sergent from Dierks Bentley and Jeff Surratt from Josh Turner are using his guitars. I can give you his number if you need it. Just email me.

------------------
Gaylon's Homepage
www.gaylonmathews.com

Gretchen Wilson
www.gretchenwilson.com

[This message was edited by Gaylon Mathews on 14 October 2006 at 01:00 PM.]

Mike Fried · Post by **Mike Fried** » 14 Oct 2006 9:47 pm

Thanks everyone for your input here. Living in Nashville, I do have the opportunity to check out firsthand probably most of the instruments mentioned here (Gruhn has GT Beards and Regals, and Corner Music has the Wechters), but I still value your informed opinions very much.

Gaylon, the Fluger is a great instrument and I will definately consider that route if I get enough work for it to justify buying an "electric only" reso. I'm leaning toward something more traditional/versatile (and maybe less expensive) for now, as I may end up not having that many "electric" gigs for it, it's kind of a "spec" purchase...

Drew, thank you much for your kind words! I was wondering, did you try both the mahogany and maple GT Beards when you bought yours? If so, how would you describe the difference?

Also, can anyone tell me the negatives re. the Regal BL? I've seen some great prices on them online (although I'm reluctant to buy any acoustic instrument without playing it first), and they sure look like a handsome stage instrument and seem to have the "right" specs.[This message was edited by Mike Fried on 14 October 2006 at 10:54 PM.]

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 15 Oct 2006 12:12 pm

I had a couple of the Regals that I removed the cone and spider from, cleaned all the messy glue and sawdust from the interior, and replaced those parts with a Quarterman cone and a Stew Mac Cast spider. I also replaced the bridge saddle with a maple-and-ebony-capped saddle, and spent quite a bit of time on the setup.
The instrument sounded great and would compare favorably with the stock Goldtones, but not nearly as good as the Wechter. For all the time and $$ I put into it, I'd rather spend $750 on the Elderly Wechter deal. I probably had $450 in the Regal, as well as the hours spent on the work, not bad if you have the time but if not the Wechter is hands down a better instrument.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 16 Oct 2006 11:49 am

The Regal BL is the high end of the Regal line, already equpped with a Quarterman cone. I think they had some neck separation issues that have since been corrected, but I have played a few in shops, and I can't exactly put into words-but they just plain didn't sound as good as the Goldtone Beards or W/S.

Maybe it's a setup issue, that's such a big part of a dobro.

I'm fortunate to own a killer sounding maple Clinesmith, but that's a whole other kettle of fish, as well as a whole other price category.

------------------
Mark
[This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 16 October 2006 at 12:50 PM.]

Ron · Post by **Ron** » 16 Oct 2006 7:55 pm

Email me at robroagain@eoni.com.

Robro Ron

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 16 Oct 2006 8:25 pm

Mike,

The mahogany Gold Tone was sweeter than the Maple Deluxe but not as loud.

cheers,
Drew

------------------

Drew Howard - website - Red guitars sound better!

Mike Fried · Post by **Mike Fried** » 19 Oct 2006 8:41 pm

UPDATE: I ordered a Guptill S-3 reso from Elderly today - great specs, and made in California out of solid tonewoods for under $1,000. They had a factory 2nd onhand (finish not quite as glossy as usual, which is actually my preference anyway), and I should have it by early next week on 48 hour approval. I'll post my impressions of it for those who are interested. Thanks again to everyone for their input![This message was edited by Mike Fried on 19 October 2006 at 09:42 PM.]

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 20 Oct 2006 8:13 am

Mike-I'll be awaiting your review. An American - built reso for just under a thousand. A rare bird indeed. Sounds almost too good to be true. Checked it out on the Elderly site-looks pretty nice.

The one thing I would question is the cone. I think the description is "spun aluminum." Sounds kind've generic.

If it were me, I would have them replace it with a Quarterman before they pack it up and ship it.

------------------
Mark
[This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 20 October 2006 at 09:14 AM.][This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 20 October 2006 at 11:14 AM.]

Mike Fried · Post by **Mike Fried** » 20 Oct 2006 4:21 pm

Mark, I thought about the cone but decided to give the builder the benefit of a doubt before changing anything. I'd rather change it out myself if it needs it, as I'm putting a Fishman pickup in it and will have it apart for that anyway (assuming it passes muster and I keep it, of course).

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 20 Oct 2006 5:13 pm

Do you already have the Fishman? I do, and though it was considered the best at one time-you might want to check out the Schertler Basik.

Mike Fried · Post by **Mike Fried** » 20 Oct 2006 5:24 pm

I have a Fishman in my Beard 8-string and like it a lot through the Baggs Para Acoustic preamp (had to roll off a lot of highs though). The soundguys that have heard it really like it too, it seems to have a good amount of "room sound" in it somehow. I've heard great things about the Shertler but it's out of my budget after spending almost all of it on the Guptill. I have a line on a Fishman for cheap, so i guess it'll be that for starters...