kevind - Posted - 08/01/2023:  11:21:23

I have around $1,200 to spend on a square neck, primarily for playing bluegrass. I'm considering either Goldtone PBS-M, although would be curious people's opinion on if the solid wood is worth the extra cost, or getting a OMI Dobro from the 80's and putting about $2-$300 into new cone, nut, setup, etc.

I can find a PBS-M on sale for around $1,200, and looks like I could pickup a used OMI Dobro for around $8-$900. Also, curious any other recommendations for this price point.

I reached out to the Beard factory, and they no longer do setups and direct sales of the Goldtone Paul Beard Models, which everyone seems to recommend, and I'm not sure I can find a used Goldtone Beard model that has had the Beard factory setup.

Would appreciate any advice.

Thanks

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 08/01/2023:  12:54:48

If it were me, I would go with the PBS-M. It's been a number of years since I played one, but the last time was at the top acoustic guitar shop in the Bay Area, Gryphon in Palo Alto. Good volume and projection and I think the solid wood in this case as a comparison to a laminate OMI Dobro makes a difference. Gryphon is a Beard dealer, so this one as I recall was new with a genuine Beard setup.

OMI Dobro quaility was all over the map - I have played  some that were very nice while others were dogs.  A professional setup no doubt would do wonders for the dogs.

OMI Dobros are going to be more in the old school sound whereas the Gold Tone solid mahogany has the more "contemporary" sound they you will find among the vast majority of modern pro players. So you have to decide what sound you're most interested in for your own playing. 

Iceman6937 - Posted - 08/01/2023:  15:27:25

I agree with Mark. I own both and the Gold Tone would be the better choice. Also a Beard Legend cone is a fairly easy/affordable upgrade. It made a big difference on my PBS-M.

My old OMI does not get played much anymore.

JC Dobro - Posted - 08/01/2023:  15:27:35

I own an early 90s OMI Dobro, and have also owned a Goldtone PBS-M.

My OMI was set up (way before I bought it used…) by Bobby Wright, and then again by Byrl Murdock earlier this year.

The OMI has a Scheerhorn cone upgrade and new tuners, so a few hundred extra invested if you count the hardware and setup labor.

The PBS-M was set up at the Beard shop.

In a head-to-head, I’d choose the PBS-M. It was sturdier, projected better, and had (to my ears) a superior tone. Definitely more modern, as Mark stated.

Even if Beard is no longer doing setups, there are a handful of setup specialists who can bring out the best in either instrument you’d buy.

But my recommendation of those two would be PBS-M.

gadobro - Posted - 08/01/2023:  16:58:09

I sent you a pm.

I wouldn't get an OMI unless you like the way it already sounds (there are a few of us who do), or unless you just want a US-made instrument. An OMI would probably be harder to put a new cone into because the OMI cones were smaller (and the opening is smaller) than a modern 10 9/16" cone, and the opening might have egged some.

The Gold Tone, you could just drop a Beard Legend cone into, and make sure the spider is leveled.

I don't think you need the Beard setup, and even when they were setting them up, they were using the (in my opinion) not quite as good BC-1 cones.

Solid wood I wouldn't worry about at all.

kevind - Posted - 08/02/2023:  15:13:45

Well, that sounds pretty unanimous. Thanks so much everyone for the great feedback (as always). GT PBS it is

PancakeBillW - Posted - 12/07/2023:  00:52:05

Guessing you bought the GT, i just bought one myself, and have a 90's OMI F60. The GT came with th e BC-1 cone. I had upgraded my OMI a year ago with the Legend, new spider and a Fishman Nashville. When the GT arrrive I pulled the Legend etc and ropped it int the GT

Charlie Bernstein - Posted - 02/10/2024:  13:30:03

You can't go wrong with either.

My humble: The OMI Dobro has the mojo, and since it was made in the US, it has the good karma, too.

I have an OMI roundneck with a Quarterman cone and love it.