resojim - Posted - 01/13/2024:  15:43:59

Hi Guys. Trust you are all doing well

Looking to upgrade my squareneck Dobro.

I play 60 gigs a year. I play thru a Jerry Douglas pedal and then into the mixer then on to the house and stage monitors. . No amp. That won't change. I'd like to have on board guitar volume control, Is anyone make a square neck with a pre-amp? I'm out of real estate on my pedal board too. All I have ever known is my 1937 Square Neck Dobro. In the picture attached is my homemade active volume control. It operates as intended but requires assembly and disassembly. I'm ready for plug and play. I'm not a perfectionist or an audiophile. Maybe 4K tops for budget. Used or new is ok

Thanks !

 

JC Dobro - Posted - 01/15/2024:  06:33:25

Not sure why no suggestions yet…maybe the on-board controls are a curve ball.



Are you looking for a more modern Dobro sound, or vintage?



Honestly, with all the preamp/DI offerings in foot pedal configuration, IMO you may want to consider making the change. Many have adjustable clean volume boost and mute/tuner switches, not to mention the multi-band EQs, notch filters, etc. I would think the pedalboard real estate challenge is solvable.  You can still go direct from DI into mixer (no amp), which is what I do.



Countless gigging professionals go with Beard resonators with Fishman Nashville pickups, thru the JD Aura rig (which you already have). These can be had (new or used) for sub $4k, depending on the model.



One such Beard option w/pickup for $3200.



organicsoundsguitars.com/produ...ickup-new



Incorporate a Baggs Venue pre/ DI for $329

lrbaggs.com/acoustic-preamps-p.../venue-di

And you have your sub $4k plug-and-play rig, with some venue specific EQ fine tuning.

FYI, to hear various Beard square necks being demo'd, YouTube for Josh Swift and/or Mike Witcher doing Beard model comparisons.  This may help guide you as far as the tone you seek.

If you're married to on-board controls, ignore everything I just posted.

Edited by - JC Dobro on 01/15/2024 06:39:28

FrederickPatterson - Posted - 01/15/2024:  07:02:13

Onboard I don’t know, but I attached a Nite-Ize Hip Clip to my preamp. The controls are now within easy reach.

resojim - Posted - 01/17/2024:  19:11:56

Hello and thanks for your comments

I forgot to say I "play seated" and I guitar has installed, on it, a Fishman Nashville pickup

JC you said " You can still go direct from DI into mixer (no amp), which is what I do."

When my signal chain only has the Radial J48 Active DI (phantom power on) the volume is robust. But volume level remains not controllable at the guitar. In the past, I had a clean boost, on my pedal board, in the chain. The volume is there now but volume level not controllable at the guitar .

When I go from the JD Aura only to mixer there is not enough volume. In the past, I had a clean boost, on my pedal board, in the chain. The volume is there now but volume level not controllable at the guitar .

We play so may different rooms , with so many different variables, I need to have volume control at the guitar. Mixer is on the band stand. That's why I rigged up that clunky, but effective, volume control in the picture. But it's assembly and disassembly is getting old

Your thoughts?

Thanks

SteelHippy - Posted - 01/17/2024:  21:44:17

I suggest a volume pedal, especially since you play seated.

hlpdobro - Posted - 01/18/2024:  07:30:58

Assuming that the Aura pedal is the first device your pickup sees, a volume pedal placed between the Aura and the rest of your signal chain is a simple and relatively inexpensive solution.

The volume pedal can sit on the floor, in front of your seated position for constant, easy access.

All you need to purchase is the pedal and 2 cables long enough to get back to your pedal board.

NOTE: The volume pedal MUST be patched AFTER the Aura NOT after the guitar, for best results.

h

JC Dobro - Posted - 01/18/2024:  09:38:36

Yes, a volume pedal would accomplish what you’re after, I agree w Eric and Howard.



Personally - once we dial in the overall mix at sound check - I just need a clean volume boost switch for solos, and a mute switch in case all hell breaks loose…lol. Both are “freebies” on my DI. Picking harder or softer, even with a piezo, can also help with dynamics.



But since you’re looking for more volume control, a volume pedal could be your ticket.

Edited by - JC Dobro on 01/18/2024 09:39:03

resojim - Posted - 01/18/2024:  18:58:43

Thanks everyone

I'm gonna have to bite the Bullitt and use a volume pedal.

When I use the Radial J48 active DI, no JD Aura in the chain, I've got plenty of volume. When I try the JD Aura, stand alone, in my chain I get nothing until it's volume is almost cranked. Not much room left on the board for this channel either.

Your thoughts?

Cheers !

hlpdobro - Posted - 01/18/2024:  19:01:34

There should be a ton of gain. Is the trim control (screwdriver adjust) on the side turned up all the way?



If it is you have something amiss. What is the complete signal chain, in order?



h

Edited by - hlpdobro on 01/18/2024 19:03:07

SteelHippy - Posted - 01/18/2024:  23:13:58

Like Howard said, there should be plenty of gain with the Aura. I have an Aura pedal, but it only works well when powered by a wall-wart. With the 9v battery it gives me all sorts of headaches. How are you powering it?

resojim - Posted - 01/19/2024:  17:13:28

Thanks again everyone

#1 JD Aura trim was at zero. DOH.
#2 .The mixer channel,. for the resonator, had phantom power on. DOH! All kinds of static and no volume out the Bose
tower.

I corrected both and everything is working great now ! :)

I power with 9v from pedal board brick. Using an extended power cable. No room for JD Aura on my board. I will also test with 9v dry cell battery


Hallelujah

hlpdobro - Posted - 01/19/2024:  18:36:16

The Aura works, terrific.

Phantom power should have zero bearing, on/off, should not make a bit of difference so, you have another issue.

But, without more info I have nothing further to add.

Gain is good. It'll probably sound better now as well as easier to control thru the chain now that you have sufficient input gain.

Good luck

h

resojim - Posted - 01/19/2024:  21:57:13

"I don't think Hank done it this way. Did ole Hank really do it this way"? Waylon Jennings

Charlie Bernstein - Posted - 02/07/2024:  14:05:47

Then there's the National Hot-Plate replacement resonator. A friend has one, and it sounds good. I don't think they require any modification. Just unscrew your resonator and screw in the Hot-Plate.

You might look into whether it'll fit your Dobro.

Charlie Bernstein - Posted - 02/07/2024:  14:38:20

quote:

---

Originally posted by Charlie Bernstein

Then there's the National Hot-Plate replacement bridge, with tone and volume knobs and a quarter-inch socket.

A friend has one, and it sounds good. Pretty simple. Just take off your bridge and put in the Hot-Plate.

You might ask whether it'll fit your Dobro. National will know.

---

Edited by - Charlie Bernstein on 02/07/2024 14:40:50