changing strings on squareneck dobro

[bod]

Hi - stupid question time again!

Been having loads of fun with the new squareneck "dobro" (Regal RD 40), but that's just come to a temporary halt as I've just broken a string. No big issue, obviously (disappointing though, having saved my go on the guitar until I'd done my work for the day!) but I'm gonna need a new set and don't have much idea of what to go for yet. Of course, this stuff is largely personal taste and its going to take a while and some experimenting with different strings before I work out what I like best, but I was wondering whether anyone had some thoughts to share on good places to start exploring from (and perhaps where not to). The set that it came with were D'Addario strings and I plan to try something else -just to see what difference it makes (that and the fact that I've never met a set of D'Addarios yet that I really liked)

I've been largely playing around in high G (GBDGBD) to get a sense of how that works, but am planning to explore Spanish tuned to G and Vestapol tuned to D rather more in the near future, but I guess most of the likely string choices would be suitable for all these...

Also, and more importantly, I'm imagining that the 'don't take all the strings off at once, just do a couple at a time, keep the cone in place' advice that I read with regard to biscuit-type resonators applies to spider-types too - is that right? Anything else to be mindful of?

Cheers

Dave

[robn]

Hi Dave,

Change the strings one at a time.

I have tried many, many different sets on squareneck dobros. Here is what I've found:

D'Addario EJ 42s are fine - pretty much the "standard" set. Easy to get hold of but nothing to write home about !

MM Newtones in 16-59 Phosphor Bronze - These are what I use for both GBDGBD and open D on my No 1 dobro. Beautiful rich tone.

MM Newtone 16-59 nickel - These go on No 2 dobro (which is a bit like your Regal in design but with a Quarterman cone). Nickel strings give a very traditional old-time/Bluegrass tone. This guitar goes to the pub each week so it has to cut through the mix acoustically

Nickel strings are not as "rich" as PBs, so if you are playing just solo stuff you may want to stick with PBs. But it's worth sticking a set on at some point just to experiment.

Don't bother trying any of the flatwound strings on the market - you'll be very disappointed as they are totally dead on a dobro.

Also, don't be tempted to go beyond a 0.059 on the bass. I know a few players who put very heavy strings on for tuning down to open D - All you get is a thud and no sustain

Don't judge any new set until you have played it for an hour or so - they all sound crap until they are played in!!!!!

Robin

[bod]

Thanks Robin, much appreciated.

I've ordered some MM Newtones 16-59 in phosphor bronze and am looking forward to trying them any day now. I'll be sure to try the a nickel set at some point, too - but am going for the PBs this time around as they seem highly rated and can obtained more readily - I'm missing playing already...

[bod]

Robin, I've sent you a 'personal message'

Dave