6stringTom - Posted - 01/04/2010:  18:03:10

First, I'm new to the forum but have already learned much. Thanks to all for the great information.

I own a 1972 Dobro 33H roundneck, This is a chrome plated brass body, and I think a biscuit bridge. I originally intended to play bottleneck blues and did some, but never got serious. Recently I've found that I love lap style dobro. I play mostly old time, early country, a bit of modern country, and miscellaneous other music I just happen to like. Generally I lean to the older sounds.

I raised the strings on my 33H using one of the metal nut extenders, and I'm now practicing and really liking it. I love the sound, and several of my musician friends have complimented it as well. My first thought was to diismiss getting it set up--why mess with something that works? However, after listening to the before and after sample at Rob Anderlik's site, I'm thinking maybe I'm wrong. I bought the guitar new from a music store in LaVale Maryland, which probably knew next to nothing about set up, and in any case it's traveled with me for around 40 years. Aside from the nut extender, everything is just as it was when I bought it new. Now, I realize this is not the traditional Dobro for the kind of music I'm playing, but as I say, I really like the sound. I have no basis for evaluating playability compared to other guitars.

Now, my questions:

1. Am I risking loss of a sound I like in getting a professional setup? Has anyone gotten one and wished they hadn't?
2. If I invest in a setup, is there anything I should put in the "hands off" category to preserve what I already like?
3. If I decide to get a square neck and return this guitar to standard guitar (bottleneck blues) set up, will it be very difficult? (Right now I would just take the nut extender off and change the strings).
3. Can anyone recommend a set up person in Northern New England (I'm about an hour north of Boston)?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

meldooby - Posted - 01/05/2010:  06:54:27

If it aint broke, don't fix it.

benspinks - Posted - 01/05/2010:  10:52:25

I agree. If you love the sound then don't bother doing any work on it. If it was a cheap Asian guitar go for it, but it's not, and more importantly if it has its original parts its value will only go up. A lot of those guitars were really good, so you might upgrade it for very little (if any) improvement. (although there's no harm in checking under the hood)

Keep the nut raiser on it, enjoy it, and then when you’re ready get a squareneck

Edited by - benspinks on 01/05/2010 10:54:20

Slideman1939 - Posted - 01/05/2010:  16:03:38

Slideman suggests: set up work? New England ?? JUNIOR BARBER.

Dean Upson - Posted - 01/06/2010:  06:45:26

How about Dan Burke in Freeport, ME burkereso.com/index.html or Greg McKenna in South Windsor, CT mckennaguitars.blogspot.com I have not dealt with either of them in person, but they are fairly local.

Dean

Edited by - Dean Upson on 01/06/2010 06:46:14