dobrodave - Posted - 12/16/2009:  02:52:29

Hi all, I'm a newby to the forum, but have a question for all you resonators out there. I have a, what we call in the UK, a Friday afternoon guitar. You might call it a Monday morning one. Simply put, it's not very well made. It's a '91 Dobro F60. I bought it new and got a refund from Gibson at the time, but kept the guitar. It had the soundwell glued in to wrong position meaning that nothing lined up. I have subsequently moved it and it sounds ok, but just ok doesnt really cut it for me.

I have been hearing about these sound post and baffle resonators sounding so much better than the soundwell type and would happily give it a go with this Dobro.

Any ideas or suggestions? I would love to hear from anyone with some info.

I'd like to change this old F60 from soundwell to soundpost/baffles, can anyone advise me on how to proceed?

Cheers,

Dave

Edited by - dobrodave on 12/16/2009 08:37:12

DaveInAL - Posted - 12/16/2009:  06:57:38

Preference for one sound over the other is a personal choice. Some folks like the traditional sounds of Oz and Josh and prefer the soundwell instruments they played. Others like the sound of the modern players like Jerry Douglas and go for the post/baffle or open construction.

In very general terms, the traditional sound tends to be a bit brighter and more of the metal sound of the cone. The newer post/baffle and open instruments tend to have larger bodies and have much more emphasis in the mid and low ranges and less of a metallic sound. There are also may be differences in sustain, overtones, etc. Keep in mind, there can be a large variation in sound between guitars of similar construction.

There is nothing better than playing examples of the two different types of construction and hearing the difference for yourself. Listen to artists who play different guitars and see what appeals to you. Also go to the link below and play the Regal vs Scheerhorn clip for an interesting comparison.

robanderlik.com/GuitarComps.html

Dave

Alan Walker - Posted - 12/16/2009:  07:14:49

Hi,

That link is not a helpful comparison IMHO. It's comparing a $7000 post/baffle guitar with a $500 soundwell instrument. A fairer comparison on the same site is to listen to "Grandfather clock" played on the Gold Tone Maple and then on the Wechter Scheerhorn. These are similarly priced, similar quality instruments. The Wechter is post/baffle, the Gold Tone is soundwell.

Hope that helps

Edited by - Alan Walker on 12/16/2009 07:16:17

dobrodave - Posted - 12/16/2009:  07:18:12

Many thanks for the info, I'll have a good listen. I really like the look of the Gold Tone and the sound seems to compare to quite a few more expensive guitars, I'm quite interested in buying one to be honest, but I do still fancy having a play around with the F60, just to see how good I can make it sound.. Cheers, Dave

benspinks - Posted - 12/16/2009:  09:52:05

Go for it! One of the best things I ever did was learning how to do set-ups myself. It's great to take something average and transform it into something sweet, and I’m sure you could do the same with your F60.

Cheers
Ben

dobrodave - Posted - 12/16/2009:  10:02:43

Thanks for that Ben, I know I could do it but I've got no idea what the configuration of the post and baffles is like. anyone got any photos? Cheers, Dave

benspinks - Posted - 12/16/2009:  11:03:42

Hi Dave

I meant you could do a lot with it in its current state. I think doing the sound post thing would probably be more hassle than it's worth. Some of the builders here would know better.

I got hold of a cheapo Gibson Dobro recently and replaced the nut, spider, cone etc and went to work with the dremel on the sound well. I made the two holes at the front one long one and enlarged/cut the rest to look a little like this (benoitguitars.com/InsideView.htm). I pretty much opened it up as much as I could without weakening it too much. It's a completely different instrument now and sounds 10 times better than the 150 quid I paid for it.

Cheers
Ben

Alan Rausch - Posted - 12/16/2009:  11:05:16

I have a method I have used in several soundwell guitars, a cheap asian import, a Beard/Goldtone, and my Tut Taylor. I cut and sand the openings in the soundwell to copy "soundposts". Leaving 6 "posts" and removing everything else. Too bad you do not still have the soundwell out of the guitar, it would be easier. It opens up the whole guitar and gives more volume. I would make sure you have a spun quality cone also. The video from Paul Beard shows how to set up a reso, the little things make a difference.

dobrodave - Posted - 12/16/2009:  11:07:43

Alan and Ben , thats a great help. I do actually have the soundwell still intact inside the F60 so I could cut it as you suggest. So then how do I install baffles? What do they accomplish? Cheers, Dave

DaveInAL - Posted - 12/16/2009:  11:15:40

Dave - I've posted pictures of the internals of my Clinesmith and James guitars in my photo album. You can just see the baffle in the top of the Clinesmith photo. It is a flat piece of wood under the holes at a 45 degree angle.

Alan - You are correct. My example is an extreme one. What you suggest would probably be more useful.

Dave

benspinks - Posted - 12/16/2009:  11:39:07

Hi Dave

I don’t personally think you need a baffle in a guitar that size. You'll notice by looking around that baffles are common in most of the large body guitars (Scheerhorn, Meredith, Clinesmith etc). The reason for this is that the larger the body becomes the more indistinct and less focused the tone becomes. Very resonant, but a bit spacey (probably no one understands that, hey, I’m English :-)). The baffle is a way of controlling/redirecting the internal air movement etc to combat this. I think anyway (insert expert here =______________________-)

I would imagine most small body guitars don’t have enough internal cavity to present the same problems, and putting in a baffle *may* actually inhibit some of the things you want to be hearing. Someone else would have to confirm or deny that idea. I have a 93 hound dog, which is a posted guitar and its super sweet.

Cheers
Ben

therake - Posted - 12/16/2009:  15:54:54

Dobrodave, I have both the Gold tone and the Wechter/ Scheerhorn.The Gold Tone is a much better guitar.The model I have is the solid mahogany guitar.My W/S is the Rob Ickes model and that has good tone but no volume.Myself,I just ordered my dream guitar,A Brazilian rosewood Fishook.7 month wait.Good luck.Play as many as you can and pick the one that sounds best to you and then you will be happier.

dobrodave - Posted - 12/17/2009:  01:08:54

Thats fantastic guys, I really appreciate the advice. I see what the baffle is doing now and can make a decision based on that, many thanks to everyone. I'll update you once I have completed my project. I have just ordered a Quarterman cone and new bone nut plus maple/ebony bridge saddle so just got to wait for it to arrive now. Thanks again everyone. Happy holidays ...Cheers, Dave

dobrodave - Posted - 12/17/2009:  01:20:19

Hi again, just minutes after I ordered my new cone and bridge etc, I get an email telling me that its going to be $199 to post to the uk. Those Quarterman cones must be mighty heavy. ( My J200 & case only cost $89 to ship from Nashville) Anyone know of a UK supplier of Dobro parts? Dave

benspinks - Posted - 12/17/2009:  03:53:05

Where are you ordering this from? That's a *major* piss take! My first two dobros cost less than that to get here in 3 days via fedex!

There is no UK store, but your choices are Beard (reso outfitters)((I actually prefer their cones)), Stewmac (all beard stuff and very fast DHL delivery) or janet davis (quaterman, beard, everything). The most postage i have ever paid for parts is around $40.

Cheers
Ben

dobrodave - Posted - 12/17/2009:  03:58:53

Ben, yes I thought they were having a laugh. I ordered it from Janet Davis as it happens and once I had completed the order for 1 Quarterman cone, I bridge insert and a bone nut, they emailed me and said the postage was $199.00. So I have cancelled the order and am looking at Stewmac at the mo. Thanks again.....Cheers, Dave

benspinks - Posted - 12/17/2009:  05:00:42

Well Janet Davis will be short of some customers this Christmas if they are doing that. They must think the UK's on the moon for that charge.

Steevarino - Posted - 12/17/2009:  07:51:17

Dave, if nothing else works out on your parts search, give me a shout. I have all of those items in stock, and would be glad to sell you what you need. There is contact info on the websites below.

Steve Smith
RedLineResophonics.com
CumberlandAcoustic.com

El Dobro - Posted - 12/17/2009:  19:31:02

Here's an earlier thread on soundposts.
resohangout.com/forum/topic.as..._ID=10844

dobrodave - Posted - 12/18/2009:  00:42:12

Thanks steve, that very kind of you, unfortunately I had trasnferred the order to StewMac. I will however 'Favourite' your webpage for the future as I have 3 dobros that I maintain. Cheers, Dave