USA Hound Dog Dobro question

[gaucho]

I know this has been discussed, but the search function turned up nuttin'! Is there a way to tell a USA Hound Dog from a China made one? I was playing a used one in a shop today and was curious if it was really a USA one. The Gibson website shows the exact same photos for the USA ($1599) and the China ($450ish) models and the specs are pretty much identical. The one I played sounded great and it was a good deal if it is in fact a USA model. It had the serial # stamped on the top edge of the headstock, which I think I read somewhere was the way to tell a USA model.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Gaucho,

I am afraid you have hit a raw nerve with me on this one as I despise the Gibson company for what they have done to the Dobro brand name and range of instruments.

I have looked at the Gibson website and they do not give a clear explanation of the differences.

Here is the Gibson blurb about the Chinese-made Hound Dog...

With its classic Dobro® lines, maple wood body, and classic single cone resonator/spider bridge construction, the Gibson Original Dobro® Hound Dog Round Neck is stunning in both appearance and tone. In addition to the bridge’s ebony saddle atop a maple base, the full, warm tone of the Hound Dog Round Neck is enhanced and projected by a new proprietary Dobro® cone. With its classic construction compelling tone, the Hound Dog Round Neck represents Gibson Original’s deep respect for both the instrument’s history and the needs of today’s players.

Here is the Gibson blurb about the USA-made Hound Dog.....

With its classic Dobro® lines, maple wood body, and classic single cone resonator/spider bridge construction, the Gibson Original Dobro® Hound Dog Round Neck is stunning in both appearance and tone. In addition to the bridge’s ebony saddle atop a maple base, the full, warm tone of the Hound Dog Round Neck is enhanced and projected by a new proprietary Dobro® cone. With its classic construction compelling tone, the Hound Dog Round Neck represents Gibson Original’s deep respect for both the instrument’s history and the needs of today’s players.

I am not saying Gibson does this and the last thing I need is a letter from their lawyers, but if I were to import the parts for my MM Guitars and assemble them here, rather than in China, I could quite legitimately say that my guitars are 'Made In England'.

Shine On
Michael.

[gaucho]

Thanks for the reply Michael, I suspect the same thing. If you look at the photos on the website, they use the exact same photo (as determined by zooming in and checking the fingerprint-like grain pattern) for both. You used to be able to tell them apart by the headstock logo, the China one was a decal and the US was stamped. Now they all are decals. This one is a great deal if it's US made and a rip-off if it's a China made (based on the new prices). I played it for a hour or so and it sounded sweet with no issues. I have a Gold Tone set up in the Beard shop which I love, but the Hound Doug had a very different, swampy tone. And I like swampy! I wasn't planning to buy it but rather working on a trade. That is if I can determine it's origin!

[davey]

HI

I have a USA made one which I rate very highly. I bought it before they started selling a much cheaper version, so it's definitely USA. The cone is very thin and gives a rich sweet tone. The neck is made from a single piece of well figured Maple.

So--- I just bought a Chinese one to have a look at it, it was £200 second hand. (Hound Dog Deluxe)

To be fair, it's well made and set up. The neck is made from some sort of hardwood and is made from 4 pieces, that is, the neck and headstock are one piece, and the heel, is four pieces thick. On the Chinese one the heel goes to the back of the Guitar and on the USA made one it stops short.

The sound of the Chinese one is metallic and harsh, though the new strings may have something to do with it. It should take a standard Beard cone though which is £50.

The pickup is actually very good on both of them provided you like a slightly dirty sound.

Anyway, having poked about inside the Chinese one, It's now on Ebay. It was fun to mess about with whilst snowed in.


I'll take some photos later and put them here.

[gaucho]

Davey, does the China version have a serial # stamped on the top edge of the headstock? I've heard some decent reviews of the "deluxe" model, which has screened sound holes rather than the "f" holes.

[davey]

The USA one has a stamped number on the top of the headstock, the China one has a serial number printed on the top rear of the headstock.

Mine is on Ebay: Item number: 260716462978

As a matter of interest, I've had three 1930's Dobros, two wooden ones and one metal one. They weren't very good. The necks were big and uncomfortable

On the other hand, I have three 1930's Nationals, and they're superb although I think they're a bit more temperamental than the Dobros. You can put them away playing like a dream, and next time you take them out of the case they buzz like ****. I think they don't like changes of temperature.

[skydog]

Saluti a Tutti- Tempo fa ho acquistato usato un Houng Dog Dobro/Gibson made in china 1212120183 serial number ,and for the money spent ,about 200 euro is a good price ,when I try,I am not expecially entusiast ,but I like it ,I m not professional guitar player,I am an Harp Player who like too too much play Dobros and guitar - The prblem come when I try to charge the cone,dont move ,have glue ,Open the cone ,great work to free it without damage the cone-remove the cone and under the spider ,I see a point of bud fusion who damage a little in the center of the cone ,I work to polish and dont have a spring ,I replace it between spider and cone,and another under the cone ,to charge the Fishmann pick up - So rebuit all and with surprise o horror ,I see the soundwell more large than the cone ,about 5 mm around - Rebilt ,try to center alls ,and little miracle,sound better ,more volume ,but when I move the guitar ,sometimes,lost the center and sound bad ,I must try to re set or charge the cone but change the sound - So is a Great disappoint for Gibson/Dobro ,The cone is Dobro stamped - If have something to do for the soundwell large,I give you Thanks -sorry for my bud English -Regrds Gd Skydog - Cagliari Italy

[Deleted]

Hi skydog.
If the hole the cone sits over is smaller than the cone, you are OK - the larger soundwell should give you a bit of room to play with if the intonation is not quite right.
When its assembled, providing the strings are slack, you should be able to move the cone with spider around a bit, but it won't move once the strings are to tension.
Or have I misunderstood?
TT

[skydog]

Hi tank you for the answer ,Yes I think ,you understand the problem,The soundwell is more large than the cone,who just I move for the tune -but sometimes,expecially when I move by car ,when I play again,buzz one string or two ,I dont want charge too much the cone ! What you think about the Johnson Tricone built about some years ago mod EST 1993 ? Tanks a lot,regards Gd Skydog