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Post by chrisburnuk on May 9, 2021 9:58:31 GMT
Hi folks,
Could I ask if anyone has any insight or experience of a National model D spider bridge resonator please ? How would they compare to a Gold Tone or Beard Deco Phonic 27 for example?
There’s one for sale in the UK at the moment for £1200 hence using the Gold Tone & Beard as a reference point… closest I could think of in price.
I can’t seem to find too much about them. Oh.. and it’s a round neck !
Thanks
Chris
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Post by snakehips on May 9, 2021 10:57:40 GMT
Hi there !
I’m probably the least qualified to comment on all things Dobro / spider-bridge guitars.
What I do seem to remember is that the Model D was regarded well as a homage to vintage Dobros, rather than modern Dobro type guitars.
The cosmetics are maybe not as close to vintage Dobros as some would like but close enough.
What I would say though is that the build quality will be excellent.
If I ever get a hankering for a Dobro type guitar, and if I don’t want to pay vintage Dobro price levels, but willing to spend circa £1200, I’d rather spend it on a NRP Model D, than any Gold Tone etc
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Post by Michael Messer on May 9, 2021 11:03:55 GMT
Hi Chris,
The Model D was National Reso-Phonic's attempt at getting into the Dobro marketplace. They did a great job, it is a nice spider bridge style guitar and it sounds great. The problem I have always had with this guitar is that it is not very "Dobro-ish" in its sound and I am not sure why. While I am sure there are a few, I cannot name any bluegrass Dobro players that use a Model D. Paul Beard has a reputation for making great Dobros and he has many years experience. I am not a great fan of Beard guItars, they just don't do it for me, but I am in the minority. I believe that some of his instruments are manufactured in China and I am not sure which ones, but I have no problem with that at all.
I would seriously consider the Model D as I think it is a very good instrument and seeing that it's a round neck, you are not going to what most people do with Dobros, or are you?
I hope that is helpful and not confusing.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by mikeholland on May 9, 2021 11:36:59 GMT
Paul Beard is an American Boutique guitar manufacturer that specialises in Resophonic instruments. He designed a range of resophonic guitars for the Gold Tone company. These are not Beard guitars but do have his name associated with them. They are called the Paul Beard signature model. As far as I am aware Paul Beard does not have any instruments made directly for him outside his own facility. He does, or did sell a few of the Gold Tone resophonic guitars that where set up at his facility using his in house manufactured cones. Apparently the Gold Tone guitar is a well regarded instrument but if you get a Beard setup instrument they are quite exceptional. I note that these instruments are quite expensive now which I think defeats the point of importing instruments from the Far East!
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Post by Michael Messer on May 9, 2021 11:53:48 GMT
Paul Beard is an American Boutique guitar manufacturer that specialises in Resophonic instruments. He designed a range of resophonic guitars for the Gold Tone company. These are not Beard guitars but do have his name associated with them. They are called the Paul Beard signature model. As far as I am aware Paul Beard does not have any instruments made directly for him outside his own facility. He does, or did sell a few of the Gold Tone resophonic guitars that where set up at his facility using his in house manufactured cones. Apparently the Gold Tone guitar is a well regarded instrument but if you get a Beard setup instrument they are quite exceptional. I note that these instruments are quite expensive now which I think defeats the point of importing instruments from the Far East! \\ Paul Beard Goldtone resophonic guitars are manufactured in the Far East, as are many of the finest built products in the world. Shine On Michael |
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Post by chrisburnuk on May 9, 2021 12:28:42 GMT
Hi there ! I’m probably the least qualified to comment on all things Dobro / spider-bridge guitars. What I do seem to remember is that the Model D was regarded well as a homage to vintage Dobros, rather than modern Dobro type guitars. The cosmetics are maybe not as close to vintage Dobros as some would like but close enough. What I would say though is that the build quality will be excellent. If I ever get a hankering for a Dobro type guitar, and if I don’t want to pay vintage Dobro price levels, but willing to spend circa £1200, I’d rather spend it on a NRP Model D, than any Gold Tone etc Thanks for the info.. much appreciated. It is the old school dobro type vibe I’m looking for rather than the more ‘modern tone’ I think. I really love the tone Clapton gets with a dobro… that’s the type of sound I’m hankering after. I believe he uses an old 30’s dobro. Thanks Chris |
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Post by chrisburnuk on May 9, 2021 12:33:35 GMT
Hi Chris, The Model D was National Reso-Phonic's attempt at getting into the Dobro marketplace. They did a great job, it is a nice spider bridge style guitar and it sounds great. The problem I have always had with this guitar is that it is not very "Dobro-ish" in its sound and I am not sure why. While I am sure there are a few, I cannot name any bluegrass Dobro players that use a Model D. Paul Beard has a reputation for making great Dobros and he has many years experience. I am not a great fan of Beard guItars, they just don't do it for me, but I am in the minority. I believe that some of his instruments are manufactured in China and I am not sure which ones, but I have no problem with that at all. I would seriously consider the Model D as I think it is a very good instrument and seeing that it's a round neck, you are not going to what most people do with Dobros, or are you? I hope that is helpful and not confusing. Shine On Michael Thanks Michael, you’re right it’s not the bluegrass type approach I’m after. I really love the bluesy slide tone Clapton gets with a dobro. Thanks for the info.. much appreciated Chris |
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Post by Michael Messer on May 9, 2021 12:59:28 GMT
My pleasure, Chris.
Eric plays a 1930s spruce top model 45 Dobro. He also occasionally plays the guitar Mike Lewis (Fine Resophonic) made for him, which is a spruce top Dobro-style instrument based on Eric's original. As well as on various performances and recordings, Eric uses the Fine Resophonic on the Old Sock album.
The old-school Beard is probably a good bet without going for a 1930s model 45 Dobro.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by chrisburnuk on May 9, 2021 13:39:49 GMT
My pleasure, Chris. Eric plays a 1930s spruce top model 45 Dobro. He also occasionally plays the guitar Mike Lewis (Fine Resophonic) made for him, which is a spruce top Dobro-style instrument based on Eric's original. As well as on various performances and recordings, Eric uses the Fine Resophonic on the Old Sock album. The old-school Beard is probably a good bet without going for a 1930s model 45 Dobro. Shine On Michael Cheers again for the info, so the Beard would be closer to the old Dobro sound than the National ? Id love you buy a 30’s dobro.. I know they do become available from time to time... but spending that kind of money & potentially buying blind becomes a bit of a risk, especially then finding a budget for the TLC an older instrument might require. It kind of makes me nervous!! I should have also probably said I was also thinking of adding a pickup ( to a newer instrument.. I wouldn’t ‘butcher’ and older guitar) for plugged in slide tones.. I’m not sure if that would change any advice ! Thanks again Chris |
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Post by Michael Messer on May 9, 2021 14:03:10 GMT
Chris, This is really only calculated guesses, but my guess is that the National is a much better quality instrument in every way, but to my ears they always lack the sweetness of a real Dobro. Whether or not the Beard has that, I cannot answer. The Beard guitars that I have tried at the top of their range, do not have the sweetness either.
The Model D is a good deal and it is not new, which when it comes to sweetness, is in its favour.
The tone Eric gets from his model 45 is beautiful and was one of the sounds that attracted me to resophonic guitars 45 years ago, but bear in mind two things - (1) that he has played that guitar for 50 years, and (2) that 70% of a player's tone is in their playing, not in the guitar.
The plot thickens!
Shine On
Michael
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Post by chrisburnuk on May 9, 2021 14:38:30 GMT
Chris, This is really only calculated guesses, but my guess is that the National is a much better quality instrument in every way, but to my ears they always lack the sweetness of a real Dobro. Whether or not the Beard has that, I cannot answer. The Beard guitars that I have tried at the top of their range, do not have the sweetness either. The Model D is a good deal and it is not new, which when it comes to sweetness, is in its favour. The tone Eric gets from his model 45 is beautiful and was one of the sounds that attracted me to resophonic guitars 45 years ago, but bear in mind two things - (1) that he has played that guitar for 50 years, and (2) that 70% of a player's tone is in their playing, not in the guitar. The plot thickens! Shine On Michael Thanks again Michael… I really appreciate the advice… and sadly even if I played for the next 50 years on his Dobro I’ll never sound like him ! I think the reference of his playing is that he (and Duane Allman) successfully used what in modern times is classed to be a bluegrass sound & instrument, to play amazing sounding blues music. I think you hit the nail on the head regarding sweetness.. Cheers Chris |
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Post by leeophonic on May 9, 2021 21:38:21 GMT
I had a custom model D a few years back, burr walnut and rope binding, lovely guitar but Washboard Chris wanted it so we traded guitars, A Beltona Tricone now sit's in it.s place. Cone was tacked down and tone was very nasally but played very well. The only thing I am still not a fan of is the water based finish, I prefer high gloss. Lee it is in the back row 2nd left (Gone now though as is the Donmo)  |
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Post by snakehips on May 10, 2021 5:19:48 GMT
Hi Lee,
Are there four Dave King guitars in that photo ?
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Post by chrisburnuk on May 10, 2021 7:04:54 GMT
I had a custom model D a few years back, burr walnut and rope binding, lovely guitar but Washboard Chris wanted it so we traded guitars, A Beltona Tricone now sit's in it.s place. Cone was tacked down and tone was very nasally but played very well. The only thing I am still not a fan of is the water based finish, I prefer high gloss. Lee it is in the back row 2nd left (Gone now though as is the Donmo) View Attachment Thanks for the info Lee. That’s a fine looking collection!! The one I’ve seen has less appointments & has screens rather than f holes but is walnut. Cheer Chris |
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Post by slidefever on May 10, 2021 9:07:51 GMT
Hi Chris,
I see you’re asking about a Beard Deco phonic model 27, which isn’t a Goldtone import. I’ve recently sold one on eBay. It’s a fantastic guitar fitted with a Fishman Nashville pickup. Combined with a Jerry Douglas Aura pedal sounded great.
So....why did l sell it?
It sounds very loud and Dobro? like, but seemed a tad harsh with as Michael said, a lack of sweetness. I know it was new but the main reason l bought was it was supposed to be a homage to a 30s Dobro model 27. I was expecting a 30s big neck and similar vibe tonally to an original.
I too was inspired by ECs unplugged album and love the sound of his Dobro.
My first serious resonator was a 1993 maple Dobro which sounded great to me. I got caught up in the shiny National thing and traded it and other resonators for 25 years.
I now have an original circa 1937 Dobro model 27 14 fret and couldn’t be happier. It has a huge V neck with a fair bit of wear, tear and dirt but sounds to me like a Dobro should. Not blue grassy at all. I got it for just under £1200 so l feel vey lucky. It has 84 years of being played to offer in the tone, which can’t be replicated. I’m currently experimenting with different MM strings. Monels are up next.
Best of luck with your search.
Regards
Chris
‘I love slide me’
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