caleballenv - Posted - 07/04/2022:  19:18:01

Hey I’m looking to start playing square neck resonator. Is there a beginner guitar anyone recommends? Preferably under $500 if possible

Oboe Cadobro - Posted - 07/04/2022:  21:06:12

Welcome to the Hangout! 

Using the brown navigation bar on the left, position your cursor over "Forums" then in the pop-up window click in the "Search Forums" space and type "purchase" to see a number of threads on the topic.

BTW, it would be helpful if you completed your profile to include your name and where you live.

Edited by - Oboe Cadobro on 07/04/2022 21:07:16

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 07/05/2022:  10:41:42

As Dane pointed out, there are a ton of posts on the subject in the archives. When it comes to these Designed in the U.S./manufactured in Asia guitars, $200-$300 can make a HUGE difference in quality. 

 

If it were me,  I would stretch the budget and go for a Recording King Phil Leadbetter  model. A much better guitar than an under $500 Gretsch or Regal. And the RK sometimes comes up used in very good to excellent condition for under $600. Be patient and keep your eyes peeled, ready to pull the try if you see one online. 

 

reverb.com/item/52754652-recor...=52754652

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 07/05/2022:  10:58:57

No idea if you're familiar with the late Phil Leadbetter who sadly passed away last October at 59. 

A fantastic player and as nice a guy as you'd ever want to meet. And an IBMA three time Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year. 

Link to Phil giving a demo of his signature model:

youtu.be/x95LTexJj58

 

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 07/05/2022:  13:09:20

As Dane posted, it would be a good idea to post the area where you live and it would be nice to know your name, or at least your first name. Perhaps it is Caleb? 

Here is a good deal, especially if you happen to live in Illinois. A very  clean RK Leadbetter with a high quality Gator gig bag. 

 

reverb.com/item/46356495-recor...=46356495

caleballenv - Posted - 07/05/2022:  15:42:28

Thanks guys. I should also mention I play left handed

wlgiii - Posted - 07/06/2022:  06:59:27

Here's what I did; it was the right path for me, and may/may not be the right path for you:



1. I saw the Seldom Scene, and went "wow! at His Legendship.

2. I put a nut lifter on a cheap guitar to see if I liked playing lap style.

3. Liking it, I purchased an inexpensive Regal import and enjoyed it for a few years.

4. At a local luthier's suggestion I upgraded the cone, and enjoyed the Regal a few more years.

5. My wife said I needed a better instrument (really!), so courtesy of comments on this forum, I ordered an Appalachian.



I could go further, but this was a good dobro stopping point.

Edited by - wlgiii on 07/06/2022 06:59:55

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 07/06/2022:  09:01:27

quote:

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Originally posted by caleballenv

Thanks guys. I should also mention I play left handed

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If you are going to play lefty, the nut needs to be flip flopped, but you will need a new set of bridge inserts - it won't work to flip flop them because they are angled on one side. 

I don't know if they will still do it, but Beard Guitars in Maryland would slot bridge inserts for a lefty guitar on request. 

As far as finding a lefty set up dobro for sale, it might be less a chance  than "once in a blue moon."

Im a natural lefty, but I have played stringed instruments my whole life as a righty. And I'm glad it worked out this way. I can't imagine at this point in my life being skillful on a dobro or steel guitar with my  "uncoordinated" right hand holding the bar. It would have been nice for my left hand doing the picking part, but I overcame that a long time ago and I'm fine with the right hand picking. 

The bar  bit seems like it might be as difficult for me with my right hand as using that same hand to try and play an F major barre chord on a lefty guitar. 

Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 07/06/2022 09:02:13

wlgiii - Posted - 07/07/2022:  07:29:19

Mark, you're a lefty playing righty? So is my wife, and Duane Allman; they even share a birthday. (I'm quite jealous about that....)

Anyway, my wife made the conscious decision to play righty from the start in large part because of instrument availability. If you'r just getting started, something to think about; if your' already playing lefty, never mind.

Oboe Cadobro - Posted - 07/07/2022:  08:39:09

quote:

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Originally posted by caleballenv

Thanks guys. I should also mention I play left handed

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Caleb, I recommend that you seriously consider playing a standard reso, especially since you are just starting out and the reso hand skills are very different from a flat top...plus, your available selection of instruments in the future will be large and you will be able to casually demo any instrument you run across in a store or a jam.

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 07/07/2022:  10:47:01

quote:

---

Originally posted by wlgiii

Mark, you're a lefty playing righty? So is my wife, and Duane Allman; they even share a birthday. (I'm quite jealous about that....)



Anyway, my wife made the conscious decision to play righty from the start in large part because of instrument availability. If you'r just getting started, something to think about; if your' already playing lefty, never mind.

---

When I started as a 10 year old kid taking lap steel lessons in the '60s, it's too long ago for me to remember if I were given a choice at the music studio, but I'm thinking there was no choice.

Three or four years earlier in 1st grade in Catholic school, the nun tried to get me to switch to writing with my right hand, believing the lefty business was a sign of the devil. This was in 1960. Both old my older brothers were altar boys in the parish, and I was soon to enter training.   On top of that, my dad  was usher captain and a big wheel in our church, and he went over there and told the Monsignor if my teacher didn't knock it  off with that  crap, he was going to pull me and my two older brothers out of that school. She never mentioned it again. 

But Dad didn't know jack about steel guitar or standard guitar, so I have played as a righty my whole life. And I'm glad I have, to be able to use my "coordinated" hand for the bar and fretting. 

In addition to Mike Auldridge and Duane Allman, my Fantastic Four of natural lefties playing right handed includes Mark Knopfler, and "Mr. Nashville," pedal steel legend LIoyd Green. 

Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 07/07/2022 10:51:27

caleballenv - Posted - 07/07/2022:  12:17:56

quote:

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Originally posted by Oboe Cadobro

quote:

---

Originally posted by caleballenv

Thanks guys. I should also mention I play left handed

---

Caleb, I recommend that you seriously consider playing a standard reso, especially since you are just starting out and the reso hand skills are very different from a flat top...plus, your available selection of instruments in the future will be large and you will be able to casually demo any instrument you run across in a store or a jam.

---

I would do that but I have 2 years experience on the five string banjo and have already gotten used to picking with my left hand.  So I feel like I would progress father with a left handed dobro if that makes sense.  Looking back I should have started playing banjo right handed but at the time I figured I'm left handed so I need to get a left handed instrument. 

Oboe Cadobro - Posted - 07/07/2022:  12:32:30

quote:

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Originally posted by caleballenv

quote:

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Originally posted by Oboe Cadobro

 

Caleb, I recommend that you seriously consider playing a standard reso

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I would do that but I have 2 years experience on the five string banjo and have already gotten used to picking with my left hand. 

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Well, I guess that makes sense now...you'll probably regret it to some level in the future.

Iceman6937 - Posted - 07/07/2022:  14:04:15

quote:

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Originally posted by Oboe Cadobro

quote:

---

Originally posted by caleballenv

quote:

---

Originally posted by Oboe Cadobro

 

Caleb, I recommend that you seriously consider playing a standard reso

---

I would do that but I have 2 years experience on the five string banjo and have already gotten used to picking with my left hand. 

---

Well, I guess that makes sense now...you'll probably regret it to some level in the future.

---

Since the last post was pretty light on encouragement for the OP, I would say:   Hunt down a left-handed square neck reso (they are out there) with switched nut and bridge inserts) go for it and enjoy it on your terms.   And you just might be glad instead of regretful;  glad is always good I believe at any level.

Edited by - Iceman6937 on 07/07/2022 14:12:09

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 07/07/2022:  14:38:27

Yeah - left handed set up dobros are "out there" and surely a little  easier to locate in the modern interweb era, but if site of depends how long one is willing to wait. 

 

As I wrote in an earlier post, it's not a big deal to get reso now and flip the direction of the nut and purchase the correct bride inserts. 

I remember when Lennon and McCartney acquired Martin D-28s that they first used on The Beatles White Album. Paul, being a lefty, had the pickguard on the wrong side and it looked weird - but with a dobro you don't have that weird look with no pickguard. And on standard guitars there is better availability these days if lefty instruments. 

if Caleb has been playing banjo as a lefty for two years and this was his first instrument then he's not too far gone. But each to his own. 

I will tell you one instrument in particular  where you don't want to buy it as a righty setup and then convert to lefty  - pedal steel. WAY above my pay grade!

Anonyrat - Posted - 07/07/2022:  16:25:35

..... purchase the correct bride inserts.......

Ooh you are awful Muriel

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 07/07/2022:  16:48:44

Yeah - I haven't had a functioning computer for several weeks, and typing on an iPhone is not one of my strengths.

By the time I noticed this (and a few others) the window had closed on going back and making corrections.