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JC Dobro - Posted - 12/10/2021: 10:10:51
I took the plunge and bought a new Beard MA-6. Just came in...very happy with it!
Bought this (online) from Morgan Music in Lebanon, MO. Trent was great, answered all my questions, and sent me a UPS tracking # within an hour. Guitar arrived in 2 days, expertly packed and in excellent condition.
Guitar came loaded with a Fishman Nashville pickup (installed at Beard factory) and Schaller lock system.
Now the sound. Splendid. I've heard the grand piano analogy, and I wouldn't argue with that. To me, I'd liken the sound to cathedral bells. Great balance and separation. It is crystal clear all the way up the neck.
It is very lively and rich. It will send out overtones and a complexity of sound I haven't experienced in a resonator. One does need to be wary of muting techniques, as the guitar will project everything. This doesn't surprise me, as Mike A was (by all accounts, and based on my listening...), one of the cleanest players to ever play the instrument.
I have it in Open D. I haven't settled on my 6th string gauge yet. Will play it a while and then dial in.
In D tuning, in general, I like to drone the top string (D) and play melody on the 2nd or 3rd string sometimes. It is easy to overdo this if not careful on this particular instrument, due to the "bite" on the treble strings. Case in point, I may have overdone this on my sound clip. Like any instrument, I will probably adapt my technique a bit to bring out the best in this resonator.
Youtube Sound example with photos attached. To be frank, my playing doesn't do justice to this instrument. Thanks to Morgan Music for the photos.
Any questions, holler...
Edited by - JC Dobro on 12/10/2021 10:14:21
MarkinSonoma - Posted - 12/10/2021: 11:32:32
You move quickly brother! Seems we were just talking about this a couple weeks ago.
I wish I could officially take credit for "the grand piano on your lap" description but we'd need access to the old Jerry Douglas forum or Reso-Nation to see if I were actually the first to come up with the term since the model has been on the market for quite a few years now. Wish I knew how to recover these things from cyberspace.
Cathedral Bells? Now that might be "new guitar day" excitement talking. 
JC Dobro - Posted - 12/10/2021: 12:07:12
quote:
Originally posted by MarkinSonoma
You move quickly brother! Seems we were just talking about this a couple weeks ago.
I wish I could officially take credit for "the grand piano on your lap" description but we'd need access to the old Jerry Douglas forum or Reso-Nation to see if I were actually the first to come up with the term since the model has been on the market for quite a few years now. Wish I knew how to recover these things from cyberspace.
Cathedral Bells? Now that might be "new guitar day" excitement talking.
Ha, true...I only saw one for sale, and I struck like a cobra to secure it. :)
I was also considering a Beard Josh Swift Standard, but once I did the math on adding a Fishman Nashville pickup (including the 2 way shipping), I wasn't that far off from the fully stocked MA-6.
OK...so cathedral bells, minus a few decibels...lol.
Edited by - JC Dobro on 12/10/2021 12:07:46
lakeview - Posted - 12/10/2021: 17:09:51
My memory has it’s flaws but I do recall actually researching whether you were the first to describe it that way Mark and I do recall confirming that it was you.
MarkinSonoma - Posted - 12/10/2021: 18:01:39
Flaws is my middle name!
Yeah - Webb Kline. Haven't seen him post here or any other forum in years.
His Steinway grand piano analogy in 2012 was ballpark eight years after I first used the "grand piano across your lap" rap.
Maybe badger remembers. The first MAS I ever played was either the first of the two badger used to own, in his catch-and-release guitar era, or one at Gryphon in Palo Alto from 2004-05. Gryphon is a long time Beard dealer.
Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 12/10/2021 18:02:30
Mkoolhof - Posted - 02/13/2022: 06:24:45
Wow! Just Wow! That tone is wonderful, and played very well too!
Maybe one day I will buy a Beard. Lot of money, but easily worth it!
I still play open G tuning, being a novice. I was struggling with songs that have a lot of minor chords, so one day I flatted the tuning on the third on the low string, and played melody on third second and first string. My teacher said, yeah, I guess you can do that, but why? So I have to ask, is there a big difference tuning to open D?
JC Dobro - Posted - 02/13/2022: 09:38:28
quote:
Originally posted by Mkoolhof
Wow! Just Wow! That tone is wonderful, and played very well too!
Maybe one day I will buy a Beard. Lot of money, but easily worth it!
I still play open G tuning, being a novice. I was struggling with songs that have a lot of minor chords, so one day I flatted the tuning on the third on the low string, and played melody on third second and first string. My teacher said, yeah, I guess you can do that, but why? So I have to ask, is there a big difference tuning to open D?
Thanks for the compliments on the MA-6. With a couple months playing it now, I love it more each day.
For what I play, including lots of full-on instrumental arrangements, I prefer Open D. There have been several discussions on this, but my key "likes" are as follows:
- only one 3rd to manage, so easier (for me) to find and execute both real and fake minors.
- facilitates alternating bass picking patterns on strings #4-6 (or #5-6), while playing melody on top 3 strings.
- deeper bass range
- nice hollowed out power chords on strings #4-6.
- expressive slanted thirds and sixths. Example, using strings #1 and #3 for forward slants.
It all depends on what YOU want to play. If you're aiming for straight up bluegrass, G-tuning makes those licks much easier. If you're doing other stuff, D-tuning is worth a look IMO.
BTW, I have a lot of "go to" positions for minors, 7ths, sus chords, etc. in Open D. Here is a post I did a few years ago with some accessible minor chord positions. (Scroll down to "uncle Jack" post...I since changed my username...). It's important to think way beyond the simple barre chord positions to open up possibilities. For example, I use at least four different spots now to grab Am chords...
resohangout.com/archive/49928
If just tinkering, you can get by with your standard string gauges for Open D. Many do that.
So to answer your question, is there a big difference between the tunings? Yes and no. Fundamentals are the same, but it will take time to learn the fretboard and find your sweet spots. There is also less instruction for lap style Open D, although there is some available. That is always a consideration for beginners.
Holler with any questions...enjoy the journey.
Mkoolhof - Posted - 02/13/2022: 12:07:51
Thanks so much for explaining how that works! I may try it, even though I play bluegrass almost exclusively. Still learning, and will be for a looong time.
Stay well!
JC Dobro - Posted - 02/13/2022: 12:18:22
No problem. If your focus is on bluegrass and you are in the beginner stages, I would recommend sticking to GBDGBD.
I do play bluegrass and jam-grass from Open D, but I’m an odd bird.
