bdaa86 - Posted - 08/20/2008:  13:31:59

For anyone that currently owns, or has owned, one of Dicks D size guitars, what are your opinions, pro or con?

I'm familiar with his Regal sized guitars, but I am interested in getting one of his larger body guitars and wanted to hear what folks thought about his D size.

Thanks in advance for any input!
Bill

Edited by - bdaa86 on 08/25/2008 09:40:37

bdaa86 - Posted - 08/21/2008:  11:44:15

Did I say something to offend? I thought someone would have some insights on Dicks large bodied guitars. Maybe there just aren't enough of them out there.

dpete210 - Posted - 08/22/2008:  06:43:10

bda86, I am sure it is more of a case that someone who has one or has owned one hasn't read your question, or perhaps hasn't joined the ranks here yet. If you don't get responses, post it again in the future when the site has gained more participants. Things take time and as we go along more and more experienced reso enthusiasts will hop onboard. I've experienced the same thing even on the banjo hangout which has been in existence for some time now. If at first you don't succeed.......

Any day is a good day to play music, and today is a good day.

bdaa86 - Posted - 08/22/2008:  13:25:56

Thanks Pete. You are absolutely correct. This sight is new and I should have realized that. I'm just being impatient, too use to instant info on the internet. I've actually found some old posts on resoguit mail list that address Dicks D size guitars and have since talked with Dick. We'll see what happens.

sitnslide - Posted - 08/22/2008:  22:07:23

I have a DeNeve D Mesquite. Big. Heavy. Loud. Did I say loud? Cannon!! A boomer. Nothing subtle about this one.

Mine is screenless. Mesquite is very hard wood. And the guitar's open body design gives it that "modern" open, throaty sound.

If you're looking for large bodies, the Guernsey jumbos are even bigger. I have one of those, too. It has a more refined, even sound. Mike Auldridge was a Guernsey fan before he went with Paul Beard for his signature series. There are some similarities in sound between the Beard-Auldridge and the Guernsey.

And if you are really looking for a large body, Phil Dean (a newer entrant in the reso-luthier world) makes a really BIG body. His contact info is:

Phil Dean
116 Gary Dr NE
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Phone::

478.737.8128
Website:

masteresoguitars.com



Chris in Pair-O-Dice

bdaa86 - Posted - 08/24/2008:  12:59:48

Christopher,

Thank you for your reply. This was exactly the type of information I was looking for. Your description sounds like what I am looking for in sound. I've also read/heard that Dick's D guitars are similar in sound to a Beard E.

Bill

bbjork - Posted - 08/28/2008:  06:57:19

I've had a DeNeve R body for about 15 years or so, mahogany body with a more traditional sound - bright. I had the opportunity to play Matt Nozzolio's (RIP) D body shortly after he purchased it and it was a boomer.

bbjork

jslides46 - Posted - 08/29/2008:  15:10:11

Not trying to steer you away from this site but help with your question.
You should be able to find some more people with Deneve experience over at the reso-nation site.

exdmd - Posted - 09/09/2008:  07:03:16

I have a walnut DeNeve D body coming in a few weeks, will post some comments as soon as I receive.

bdaa86 - Posted - 09/09/2008:  20:20:35

Hey Michael,

I talked with Dick a few weeks ago and decided to put my name on a Koa D-size he just sent to the finish shop. He had two walnut D-body's that were ready to go, so I'm guessing you got one of those? I'd love to hear what you think. Which one did you pick?

Bill

MitchC - Posted - 09/09/2008:  21:05:08

This one sure looks purty !

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...287753037

bdaa86 - Posted - 09/09/2008:  22:28:57

quote:

---

Originally posted by MitchC

This one sure looks purty !

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...287753037

---

exdmd - Posted - 09/10/2008:  05:11:24

Hi Bill,

When I talked to Dick a few days ago he only had one walnut D body, this one had his brass roller nut. Only other D body he had ready to go was a birch laminate with his signature sound holes. The walnut had particularly nice color and grain, just what I was looking for. I'll post a review once I have it.

If you are looking for a large body reso that won't break the bank from someone who has been building for years, Dick is the man you should call.

Mike

Edited by - exdmd on 09/10/2008 05:39:31

MitchC - Posted - 09/10/2008:  06:44:29

Not to divert or hijack the thread but there's another "new" luthier getting rave reviews also ... JD Meyers. Here's an example : Fishook resonators ...

cgi.ebay.com/Fishook-Custom-Re...86.c0.m14

exdmd - Posted - 09/10/2008:  08:27:19

Fishooks are quite a bit more money, for the price of a new Fishook one can find a used Beard E or MAS if you are willing to watch and wait.

bdaa86 - Posted - 09/10/2008:  15:04:44

Hey Mitch,

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm impressed, JD's Fishooks are beautiful ... I love the Koa guitar on his web page. Unfortunately, out of my price range currently. Maybe somewhere down the road.

Speaking of being out of price ranges, that beautiful Deneve you mentioned above has a buy-it-now about double what Dick gets for a new one. Out of curiosity, I asked the seller why so high, and was told in no uncertain terms to mind my own business.

MitchC - Posted - 09/10/2008:  18:30:45

Yep, the Deneve L-Body auction will be interesting to watch.

exdmd - Posted - 09/23/2008:  05:46:28

Received the walnut D body from Dick yesterday. I'm very pleased. Looks and sounds great. The walnut gives the guitar a bit of a darker tone than maple guitars I've played lately. Still plenty of volume and punch. Finally got the big sound I've been missing in the R body guitars I've owned. Beautiful figure on the bookmatched walnut. Dick put one of his brass roller nuts on this guitar, very nice touch, brass doesn't seem to hurt the tone any. Even came with a Schaller strap lock. Dick sold me the guitar for $1700 and picked up the shipping since I sent a cashier's check, and the guitar came in quite a nice archtop and archback HSC. You can't beat that deal with a stick!

Edited by - exdmd on 09/23/2008 05:57:52

bdaa86 - Posted - 09/23/2008:  13:36:35

Hey Michael,

Thanks for the report. Now I'm really anxious to get my Koa guitar that Dick is working on.

So when do we get to see some pictures of this walnut beauty? A sound clip would be great too!! What do you say ... :-)

Bill

exdmd - Posted - 09/23/2008:  15:56:26

I uploaded a few photos to my album. Sound clip will take some time.

bdaa86 - Posted - 09/24/2008:  07:59:40

Thanks for the photos Michael. Man you are right, I love the figure in the wood. You've got yourself one beautiful guitar. Interesting information on the roller nut. Dick sent me a photo and some information about it, but I wasn't sure. In my mind, it seemed like having a brass nut would cause the tone to be to metallic, but it sounds like that's not the case. He indicated that he and Junior Barber couldn't tell the difference, so that says a lot. I may change my mind.

I'm suppose to get my guitar around the end of Oct. My avatar is a picture Dick sent during construction. I can't wait.

exdmd - Posted - 09/24/2008:  08:36:56

Bill,

I agree with Dick, I don't think the brass roller nut detracts from the tone. If you plan on changing tunings often, or adding a Hipshot Trilogy to the guitar down the road that may be the way to go.

The only problem I have with the roller nut is the string spacing is a little closer than I like. Also, Dick sets up the guitars with the strings 3/8 inch off the fretboard. I would prefer a slightly wider string spacing and I like strings to be a full 7/16 inch high from the fretboard. After the new wears off a few months down the road I may take the brass roller nut off and replace with bone. I can handle cutting a new nut myself, not a problem. The neck is wide enough to let me increase spacing by 1/8 inch.

So, a heads up. If you like wide string spacing and want the strings a full 7/16 or 1/2 inch above the fretboard, talk to Dick so he can cut the nut to your specs when he sets the guitar up.

Mike

bdaa86 - Posted - 09/24/2008:  10:02:39

Mike,

Thanks for information, that is good food for thought. I won't know if I like the spacing until I get the guitar, so I may give it a try and see how it goes. I am comfortable cutting a new nut too, if need be.

Bill

exdmd - Posted - 09/24/2008:  10:22:07

Bill,

Something else to consider, koa looks fantastic with an oil finish. Don't know if Dick's finisher does oil, but something to think about!

Mike

bdaa86 - Posted - 09/24/2008:  13:13:25

Mike,

That's a great idea. And frankly I'd forgotten you could do that. However, Dick took the guitar to his finisher a couple weeks ago, so, its already got lacquer on it. I'll have to ask Dick the next time I talk to him if that's an option for a future guitar ... :-)

Thanks!

exdmd - Posted - 09/25/2008:  15:46:22

The more I play this guitar the more I am impressed with Dick's work. Changed out the screened rings for screenless trim rings and was rewarded with a pretty significant imcrease in volume. The guitar sounds more like a maple guitar with the trim rings in. It's a real cannon with the trim rings, maybe a little brash, but it's the mark of a great instrument that it is very responsive to changes. Haven't recorded it yet but might sound smoother with the screens in. Nice to have the option. Dick's guitars are the best kept secret in the reso world. I'm lovin' this guitar as much as a Beard E I once owned.

bdaa86 - Posted - 09/29/2008:  06:38:46

Thanks for the review of your Deneve. If you're comparing it to a Beard E, it must indeed be a fine guitar. I'm excited to get mine.

exdmd - Posted - 10/02/2008:  10:51:52

Bill,

You're going to be pleased. These DeNeve D bodies can hang with resos costing more than twice as much.

Mike

ChrisBro62 - Posted - 10/21/2008:  13:14:58

I have owned a DeNeve R body for quite a while now and I must say it is a very good guitar. Nothing really fancy but a good solid sound. It compares to guitars with a much higher price tags for sure in build, and sound quality. I'm quite sure that the D size will be awesome sounding! I also own a few other small builder resos( Wolfe, T Taylor) and while they all are different they all sound really amazing. I'm sure You will be happy with the DeNeve. Chris

bdaa86 - Posted - 10/22/2008:  08:52:57

Got an email from Dick over the weekend that my guitar is ready. He'll be shipping it this week. I'll post some photos and a review once I've gotten it and had some time to really evaluate it. Thanks to everyone for their input. I'm feeling like a kid at Christmas ... :-)

bdaa86 - Posted - 10/30/2008:  08:16:23

I have posted some photos of my new DeNeve D size to my home page, if you are interested. The pictures were taken in a hurry and are not the best, but you'll get the idea. Dick did a terrific job, IMHO, and I couldn't be more pleased. Looks wonderful, sounds wonderful.

exdmd - Posted - 11/08/2008:  10:01:24

Bill,

Now that you've been enjoying your new DeNeve for awhile, how about a full review?