Sound

This is my first reso, but have played guitar and banjo since 1961. The sound, to my ears, was better than I'd expected from a $200 import. Balanced and loud. No buzzes.

Sound Rating

8

Appearance

Beautiful and well-executed sunburst finish on top, with nice w/b/w/b/w binding. Mahogany (or mahogany-looking) back and sides. I particularly like the diamond "snow flake" position markers on the fingerboard. Arrived, double boxed, without a scratch. And chrome is chrome . . . nice and shiny.

Appearance Rating

9

Customer Service

No opinion since I haven't needed any (yet).

Customer Service

not rated

Overall Comments

Even if you're not a compulsive "shade-tree dobro mechanic" as I am, the $200 Rogue, right out of the box, is an incredible value! And . . . assuming I keep enjoying this new hobby, the only way I have to go is "up" when it comes to someday buying one of the fine furniture models . . . though I have a hunch that one of the more expensive components of "high end" anything is the logo on the peghead.

Overall Rating

8

Sound

The HRS Classic Tri Cone is great for me, both for bottleneck slide and finger-stye picking. The sound is rich and bright . The bass response is very good as well. I had the National Hot Rod cones installed in it instead of the Continental cones. Great sustain. I use a lot of natural and false harmonics in my playing and they just jump out. This guitar can be used for more than just blues. I do a little Mexican style guitar in the vein of Ry Cooder, and some classical type riffs, mixed with some Jazz. This guitar is just great for what I want to do with it. So, far I'd say there is nothing I don't like about this guitar. Also as promised no buzzes or rattles as is common place on some Tri Cones.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

I didn't get the distressed nickel plated finish, so it has a very nice shine. No flaws in the finish. The mahogany neck has a beautiful dark finish to it. Real smooth. It has a great neck profile. A real handful....as it should be. All joints on the guitar are solid.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

Lenny is a great guy to deal with. Personable and friendly. Doesn't try to push anything on you. Kept me updated on the progress of the guitar as it was ninth in the que to be setup. Lenny offers a 100% one year trade in value on the Nationals he's sells. Seems to me that's a great deal!

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

This is my first Tri Cone, and my first HRS. It won't be the last Tri Cone or any other guitar I purchase from Vintage Nationals. The Tri has that bluesy sound, but is much richer, and has great volume. I couldn't be more pleased with this guitar. It plays and sounds great. I can only imagine the sound will get better over time as all parts meld together. The cones will open up. Great guitar, great customer service. Hats off to Hot Rod Steel.
For any doubters out there you CAN purchase a more than decent reso that has been manufactured in China and done over by a guy like Lenny back home in the good ole' US of A !!!

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Scott Grove has a number of lap steel/ dobro tuition DVDs and CD Roms.Not only are they excellent- this man is a great teacher and a gentleman- but at prices better than reasonable.You would be pushed to find a better teacher.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

The book is all in the traditional G tuning. Shows scale patterns and arpeggios for Majors, minors and 7ths + more. The greatest part of this book, being a newbie with an extensive music background, is the movable scale patterns that show you what notes in the scale for any key all over the neck for every string.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

Solid overall sound, from bright bluegrass to deeper blues. I went with a small body, open inside- no soundwell or baffles

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

Body- birch plywood, with a chocolate stain, to match one I liked one Tom's website
Binding- ivory triple binding; I had requested white, but Tom emailed me to say he thought ivory might look better, and it does
Neck- Beanwood, like the old Dobros; he even left off the 15th fret dot per my request, like the early Dobros.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

Tom was ever so friendly; we discussed each component and dimension, and he was happy to comply with all my requests. He even offered to do a non-standard slotted headstock; I prefer that but stayed with his so folks can tell by its shape it's an Appalachian. It did take a little longer to build than estimated; I was in no hurry, and it is after all custom instrument and well worth the wait.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

I essentially had Tom match a ca. 1928 Dobro I'd tried but couldn't afford, and he was happy to do so. Everyone who's played it wants one

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I just received my new custom Martin Gross Capo. It is just great.
Easy one time adjustment and the capo is very easy to use, has fantastic tone and does not pull strings out of tune. It is most likely the last capo I will ever buy.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Just recently pick up this stainless bar.
I am impressed on how easy it is to hold in my hand. Doesn't seem to slide around in my claw like a regular Stevens although it is shape the same. It has to my ear a nice clean sound. I would rate it at a 9.5. It would be a 10 if it was just a bit heavier.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

Beautiful! It's warm, rich and powerful, but with superb sensitivity and balance. It's all I could have hoped for and more.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

It looks stunning. The blend of colours and the Rosewood/Koa binding makes it look like such a classy instrument.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

The nicest, most communicative and passionate builder I've dealt with. Kudos to JD!!

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

Exactly what I wanted. Just a wonderful instrument made by a wonderful builder.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I am a very new to the Dobro but not new to music and learning. I have been playing banjo semi pro to pro player for a number of those years and have been around the block a time or two. Starting the dobro was a tough choice for taking on a new instrument can be very humbling. I came across Troys videos on U Tube and became interested. I then checked out his website and I was blown away by the material offered at such a reasonable price. His lessons are clear, well recorded and his teaching demeanor makes you feel like you are sitting in the room with him. He leaves no stone unturned by offering jam tracks and tab to go along with the video lesson. Where else could you go and get the hottest licks you ever wanted for 13 bucks? I dare say nowhere. I have never seen such a complete teaching site anywhere that could even touch his for any instrument. My daunting task of being stage ready for the dobro in a year seems so much less daunting with Troy. I guess you might say this is a rave review. You all need to check him out.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

I primarily use this for bluegrass, and it nails it. Classic tone, but with a slightly modern "edge". It is not REALLY loud, but in place of that, it is full and lush sounding with a nice bite. It can hold its own in a band. I have played gigs with it, and it has always pleased me.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

Beautiful guitar. Mahogany laminate all around, including neck. Solid peghead. I got the one with aged brass hardware and walnut finish on the wood...looks stunning! It does have 2 bass side finish cracks and 1 on the treble side, hence the 300 dollar price tag...regularly 500. But this has NO effect on its sound whatsoever.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

Since I purchased it from Ebay, I don't really know of the warranty.

Customer Service

not rated

Overall Comments

Great guitar for the money. Bell like Quarterman cone standard. Looks and sounds great. Best value for a reso.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

My style is Bluegrass that is inspired by Josh Graves & Mike Auldridge. This guitar has a maple top & back & mahogany sides. I get the loudness of the maple, the warmth of mahogany & great sustain all the way up the neck. The sound is rich, full & deep. I get the punch of Josh & the sweetness of Mike with this guitar. It is a real tone machine. Its a great compromise of the older & modern dobro sounds.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

The guitar looks as good as it sound. With the maple top & mahogany sides, it has a Les Paul type look. The top is done in a sunburst finish, white binding, chrome hardware. The wood finishing looks as good as any i've seen on any other high end reso. I've been playing since 1984 & i've seen a lot of resos. This rates with the best looking ones i've seen.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

This was the first time i dealt with Steve Smith & RedLine. They were the best people i've ever dealt with. They had 4 resos & let me play on all of them as long as i wanted. They treated me & everybody else who visited their booth in friendly matter, regardless of how serious the person was on buying someting. They also return my emails & calls.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

I've been playing for nearly 30 years. I currently play in a band that that plays all over the country. I've played on all the top resos before & this was the guitar had the sound i wanted. I tell people all the time, its all about the sound you want. This has it for me, the sweet original dobro tones, the volume of the modern resos. If your looking for a high end reso, i would high recommend contacting RedLine & trying some out.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I purchased this bar when i took a dobro to Paul to put some new tuning keys on. He has 4 different ones, one based on the Stevens design, the others have different degrees of sloping on the ends. I got the Stevens style. I have used it since October of 2011 & have had no issues with. It fells good & handles really well. Highly recommended.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Outstanding song.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

Well balanced tone for an inexpensive guitar. Not too bright, not muddy. Holds tune fairly well. It sounds like a reso, you can tell it's not a straight acoustic guitar. I play mostly classic rock and blues-based rock on an electric guitar. I play the Dobro "Spanish Style". Mostly slow blues, delta blues, but I mess around with folk, country, bluegrass. This guitar covers my eclectic tastes very well.

Sound Rating

8

Appearance

Sunburst finish gold/amber to brown/black, laminated flamed-maple body, f-holes, 12-fret round flamed-maple neck, solid headstock, rosewood fretboard, dot inlays, 19 frets, fan design coverplate, spider bridge, trapeze tailpiece. The flamed-maple veneer gives it a nice look. One of the fret markers is recessed into the fret-board. Luckily it is at the 12th fret so it doesn't bother me, but it is there.

Appearance Rating

8

Customer Service

??
Not applicable

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

It's not a Beard, Harlow, Fishook, etc., but it is a serviceable resonator guitar. Plenty good enough to learn on and you won't cry when (not if, when) you scratch the finish. The flamed-maple veneer gives it a more expensive look.

Overall Rating

8

Sound

Full, complex tones, lots of sustain. I like it!

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

Simple neck & fingerboard, nothing fancy. Some sanding flaws where somebody sanded across the grain- not sure this is a defect, I did order a distressed finish so I won't feel bad about actually using and letting others use my reso!

Appearance Rating

8

Customer Service

Lenny was easy to talk with, eager to answer questions, and as helpful as could be. He did keep me posted on the ETA of my guitar.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

This is my first guitar, purchased about 6 months ago. Many of the people I've let play it are very experienced musician types. They gave me grief about buying a Chinese guitar, even if reworked in California- UNTIL THEY PLAYED IT. All have been very impressed, and some are saving pennies to buy one for themselves. I have a hard time getting it back from them.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Like the movie Inception where there is a dream within a dream, this album is one great Dobro player paying homage to the songs of another. Ferrell Stowe plays 12 songs he heard Josh Graves play and the result is truly a dream within a dream.

As great bluegrass musicians do, Ferrell shares the air with other great musicians for what comes off as a terrific instrumental jam. Here are the songs:
Randy Lynn Rag
Flatt Lonesome
Cannon Ball Blues
Cuttin' the Grass
FIreball Mail
Home Sweet Home
Fireball
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Shuckin' the Corn
Goggy Mtn. Rock
Evelina
Maggie Blues/Maidens Prayer

I bought mine directly from Ferrell and he even inscribed it for me. What a class act. Every Dobro player should get his and her own copy!

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Just got this new bar in today and I am really liking it compared to the Lap Dawg I have been using. I like the weight better as well as the nose shape. Not a bad choice for an inexpensive bar.

Overall Rating

8

Sound

Crystal clear high end, and low, grumbling bass. Mids are rich, not too bright, and not at all dull; a perfect mix of tone from one end of the fretboard to the other. This guitar sparkles if you need it to, and growls when it's played aggresively. It blends seamlessly to whatever style I'm trying to achieve.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

The guitar is a deep, rich brown that gradually gets about two shades brighter toward the center. Tightly flamed curly maple body and neck match nicely and the satin finish maintains the dark mood of this guitar. The hardware is powder coated black and has a rough texture that keeps with the toned-down appearance. Wonderful looking guitar.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

Tooter Meredith is among the nicest, most genuine people I've ever done business with. He's always looking for something to improve on, and tries to capture exactly what the customer wants. He stands by his work.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

This guitar was light years beyond what I expected. Opening the case for the first time was a high point that won't soon be forgotten.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

Guitar has a clear bright sound.
(I call it old timey)

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

satin finish. Very clean. Hardware is nice and shiney.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

I have dealt with Paul and his crew before,,,I can't say enough good things about them.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

This will be a second guitar, It is what I will use for jammin'

Overall Rating

10

Sound

I really like this guitar, i was going to get a traditional acoustic, but after doing an 8 page research paper on resonators, i wanted to get this one. It has a very unique sound a lot of low to mid growl and trebles that cut through anything in our band. sounds pretty good all the components of a professional guitar except for the cones which i will upgrade.

Sound Rating

7

Appearance

This guitar is simply beautiful i play on the street randomly, and i have had countless amounts of people young and old complement my guitars looks, it really takes you back to a byegone era. im actually pretty brutal on any instrument and this one only looks better as it gets more and more beat up.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

Customer Service

not rated

Overall Comments

I love this guitar tighten the spider and place napkins under the spider legs to get rid of buzzing this guitar has literally been infused to my soul it is a part of me, do yourself a favor and buy this under priced guitar before the manufacturers catch on.

Overall Rating

8