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Post by jamesfarrell on Aug 18, 2007 1:41:18 GMT
Hi everyone. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with Donmo resos? I know Tark had one and had a bad experience. But I wanted to know anyone else that has one or has seen one. I'm really liking the one in the pics below, but I'm concerned about sub-par workmanship. I've spoken to Don via email and he seems alright. He explained that the rust buckets are made from non flat metal which is rolled and sometimes the metal is not flat, which might explain some of the imperfections. He explained that the galvos and brass ones are made from flat metal and the tolerances are a lot better. Besides some of the things I notice in the pics below the workmanship looks ok. By the nut, the headstock wood looks a little butcher and the hand rest screws seem a tad misaligned. This is minimal and I'm wondering if I'm being a nitpicker. If I'm to spend 2k on an instrument, I want to be happy. I find it sort of odd that Don only works with one type of wood. He seems to not like the idea of using mahogany and ebony for fingerboard. What do you think? Tark, you can PM me if you want or email me. Basically I'm getting a style o around xmas and then contemplating ordering a custom National. Before the custom national, that will make 3 nationals and I'm contemplating something different. I hate the Amistar headstocks, so that's out. I wish they had something I liked. I'm basically wanting something different as said, but if it must be another national tricone, then so be it. I'm thinking steel / antique brass finish with deluxe style 1.5 neck. unconventional@verizon.net     |
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Post by tark on Aug 18, 2007 4:30:02 GMT
Hi There,
Yes its me again I'm afraid.
I found the fact that Don uses local Australian timbers that are largely unknown in the rest of the world one of the things that attracted me to his guitars in the first place.
As I understand it he uses woods that have similar qualities to the 'mahogany' (which may actually be one of a dozen species) and maple that we are used to. Good quality ebony and mahogany are probably a bit pricey in Oz.
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Post by mirrormist on Aug 18, 2007 7:29:20 GMT
Hello James I like the design also so I can understand why you would fancy having a Dommo they look fabulous The quality of the bridge cover however is poor and a complaint wouldn’t be out of place if it was a cheap reso from China…It looks to me as coverplate holes may be misaligned as well as the finish of the bridge cover holes radius(see the distance top hole to edge on both sides) this seems to have compounded the error imo. I would expect it to look somewhat as is, if it were a prototype but as a production model I would say the quality of finish is unacceptable… at least to me that is  The pics you show may be an early Dommo so I wouldn’t wish to do the maker and injustice by my remarks Best wishes |
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Post by jamesfarrell on Aug 19, 2007 2:42:31 GMT
The pics are not of an older Donmo, but one that a guy just got a week ago. He didn't have anywhere to host the pics, so he sent them to me.
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Post by blueshome on Aug 19, 2007 21:34:10 GMT
James, Why not bite the bullet and order a Fine Resophonic -they are the best new reso guitars available.
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Post by jamesfarrell on Aug 20, 2007 13:04:53 GMT
Are those tricones wood? Looks like some are made out of wood, or is it metal finished like wood?
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Post by parabuteo on Nov 28, 2015 0:27:50 GMT
Hi everyone. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with Donmo resos? I know Tark had one and had a bad experience. But I wanted to know anyone else that has one or has seen one. I'm really liking the one in the pics below, but I'm concerned about sub-par workmanship. I've spoken to Don via email and he seems alright. He explained that the rust buckets are made from non flat metal which is rolled and sometimes the metal is not flat, which might explain some of the imperfections. He explained that the galvos and brass ones are made from flat metal and the tolerances are a lot better. Besides some of the things I notice in the pics below the workmanship looks ok. By the nut, the headstock wood looks a little butcher and the hand rest screws seem a tad misaligned. This is minimal and I'm wondering if I'm being a nitpicker. If I'm to spend 2k on an instrument, I want to be happy. I find it sort of odd that Don only works with one type of wood. He seems to not like the idea of using mahogany and ebony for fingerboard. What do you think? Tark, you can PM me if you want or email me. Basically I'm getting a style o around xmas and then contemplating ordering a custom National. Before the custom national, that will make 3 nationals and I'm contemplating something different. I hate the Amistar headstocks, so that's out. I wish they had something I liked. I'm basically wanting something different as said, but if it must be another national tricone, then so be it. I'm thinking steel / antique brass finish with deluxe style 1.5 neck. unconventional@verizon.net [img src="http://www.fite-evil.com/ /d4.jpg"] |
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Post by washboardchris on Nov 28, 2015 15:32:24 GMT
PM sent
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Post by petej on Nov 28, 2015 17:44:12 GMT
Donmo guitars
petej
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Post by preacherman on Dec 5, 2015 18:41:51 GMT
I own a wood bodied Donmo guitar, I bought it 2nd hand.
After contacting Don about the weird soundhole grille on the side of the guitar I found it was one of the first 12 he made and the buyer requested it.
The odd things about my guitar are the Flat coverplate and deep soundwell the national buscuit hardly has anything shaved off the saddle. I think the sides are MDF on my guitar too and no fretboard radius. Inside it has a single bar brace on the back instead of the y shaped one.
The guitar resonates well and came sporting a national slim pickup I have gigged it a few times and it is strikingly different to look at.
All of his guitars have a rustic feel, he is re-using materials, and building some striking looking guitars, he has improved his craft.
Actually some of the native Australian wood is fantastic for making instruments. The reclaimed timber is a good option too. The 1920's and 1930's galvonised steel is course stuff to work i believe it can give you flu like symptoms.
I like the idea of re-using materials.... maybe not MDF though.
I saw a Donmo mandolin at a festival 3 years ago while this guy was re-stringing it and the chrome and metal work were very fine. I only spotted one tiny flaw in the seams (I'm assuming silver solder) it was a less than 5mm blob.
I think I would happily buy another Donmo an I'm attracted to the new wood bodied guitars he's stared doing, I'd want a different f-hole though, you can request that.
Hmmmmmm x-mas on the way.....buy myself something....
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Post by Stevie on Dec 5, 2015 18:58:50 GMT
The galvanised treatment burns off when welding or brazing. I was once told that the airborne floating white streamers contain arsenic. You shiver in bed that night. By the morning after, the symptons have largely gone, leaving just a strange sort of sore throat that fades over the day.
Don't do it people!
e&oe...
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Post by resotonic on Dec 6, 2015 20:31:10 GMT
I've a Donmo tricone from 2008. You have to take into consideration that these guitars are a one-man work of art as well as a resonator guitar and mine does display a lot of bumps/imperfections that I dig!! Like steampunk art in a way... I have made some changes to mine over the years. I found the paint on the neck to be quite heavy/slow so I sanded it off to reveal a beautiful Australian wood with great color/grain. Did the same to the headstock. I picked a Donmo and had the guitar made originally because Don offered a saddle-mounted pickup for a tricone (which nobody else did at the time) with Vol control. That ended up being replaced with a National Slimline. Being new to the tricone style in 2008, I ended up putting too much pressure on the delicate three cones (Australian made) and damaged them beyond playability. The strings were sitting so low they were rubbing on the body at the hand rest. National Hot Rod cones are compatible with a Donmo, not sure if a National tricone bridge is tho'. Sprayed the galvanised body with a satin finish that keeps the galv treatment from flaking off. Also keeps the original tank making logo on the back of the guitar body intact. Last thing I've done is replace the saddle with an all-maple piece that has brought out the best in the guitar - balance between strings and sustain.    |
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beulah
MM Forum Member
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Post by beulah on Oct 2, 2018 9:33:42 GMT
I am lucky enough to own Donmo #75 previously owned by Lee Bates who can be seen playing it on YouTube - just type in Donmo single cone resonator for sale.
I have tried contacting Don without success to compliment him on the quality of #75.
By chance yesterday saw me in a guitar shop among a slew of Nationals and Regals and Dobros only one of which among maybe 30 top resonators held the proverbial candle to mine at any level be it sound, build quality or aesthetics. Yup, a National Tricone, what else?
Have to say however that a tricone's complexity of tone isn't to everyone's taste at which point my Donmo becomes a serious contender.
In my opinion there is a serious research task to hand here. A comprehensive overview and cataloguing of Don's output of the past 30 years would be a truly significant contribution to our resonator community and long overdue. He's a master and an unsung trailblazer.
I recall talking to Don at Derringer's Music around 1998. I was holding a National at the time and mulling its Ozdollar 11,000 price tag. Don took a look and, roughly translated, said: "Don't blow that much, I can make you one just as good at a reasonable price in the very near future." Can only observe that he was as good as his word.
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Post by Michael Messer on Oct 2, 2018 19:14:19 GMT
I was also in touch with Don Morrison in the early days. I forget now, but I think I advised him about cones and one or two other things. I haven't been in touch with him for many years, maybe since he first started.
If you believe that Don's work should be catalogued and documented, which I agree it should, then I think you might have just volunteered to do it!
While you are cataloguing Australian resonator guitar builders, you should take a look at Greg Beeton's work.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by leeophonic on Oct 3, 2018 5:38:27 GMT
I had a Donmo a year or two ago, it may have been no 75 that you mention. They are well built and value for money, if memory serves me right the nut was too slim for me but I am sure Don could make one with a 1 3/4 if asked.
Interesting the coverplate was flat and the cone was deeper in the body as a result, so it has it,s own sound as a result. Which you would expect it is not a National it is a Donmo.
On the whole I like Australian guitars, different tonewoods and quirky due to isolation, I have two Aussie lap steels, a cole clark and a Maxim, the Maxim is the guitar which is always out ready to grab.
I fancy one of the Galvo models as finger marks on shiny resos is a bugbear!!!
There is a Donmo currently at Guitar Village in Farnham, it is the same one from the recent Auction in Wiltshire, that may let you know the price point if you want to make an offer.
Lee
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