Pickers, looking at two beards at gryphon, a deco 27 and 57, I would like an "E" legacy but my wallet says know. any opinions or advice. The videos on you tube seems like the 27 is more focused? but is a 57 really that much bigger sounding (E series)?
The short answer is (in my hands) absolutely "yes".
If it makes any difference to you Jerry Douglas opted for the 57 when playing with the Earls of L. A classic sound with a bit "more".
h
Thanks Howard, appreciate your opinion!
Mark, when you mentioned the Deco Phonic Model 27 I thought to myself, "that's weird - as far as I know the 27 is no longer available, it's the 37 only in the smaller body." So I went to the Gryphon website and found out the guitars are used. Good price - as I recall these were right around the price as new when Paul introduced the models not all that many years ago, now they go for $3200 new.
It's possible I've played these exact guitars if they were originally purchased at Gryphon. I've been an occasional customer there for decades, and many years ago I lived 20 minutes from the shop.
When I have played these models in the past, "focused" came to mind on the smaller body 27 and 37. I think I preferred them over the 57. But I might have been thinking that way as a potential buyer, to have a smaller body guitar as an alternative to my main large body reso for a change of pace.
As Howard wrote, Jerry plays the 57 with The Earls of Leicester. When he formed the band in 2013, in the first few years he played his mid 1930s Regal-built Dobros that had received fresh setups from Paul including Legend cones. I've never known why he made the switch, but I'm guessing it's because the Deco is a finely crafted modern instrument and the old Dobros can be a little "finicky." I think it was after the second time I saw the Earls live and he was still playing a prewar Dobro I asked Jerry why he was using that guitar instead of one of his Beard signature models, and he said to get the Uncle Josh sound the modern large body resos don't have "the crash and rattle" of the old Dobros. The crash and rattle thing is difficult to describe, and though the Decos definitely have some of the prewar vibe, I don't think of them as an exact modern replica of a prewar Dobro. Of course they don't have soundwells either.
What other resos do you own? If this is going to be your main guitar, I might opt for the Model 57 since it might be the best one for a variety of playing scenarios, like trying to overcome a loud obnoxious banjo at a jam. I went back and watched the Mike Witcher demos on the Beard site. When he played some Foggy Mountain Rock on each guitar it hit me that the 57 is a little more "in your face." And something I had forgotten about in reading the descriptions - the 57 though based on the Beard E-body shape. it has a slightly larger profile and deeper body.
Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 04/14/2025 11:27:07
Hey Mark,
Thanks for your opinion! Currently playing a gold tone pbs-d and it sounds good but want that big sound of an "E" body guitar but can't afford a legacy and saw this deco 57 and thinking it may suit what i'm looking for? Still considering???
If I'm correct I think Jerry plays both his Deco 27 & 57 with Earls and both are listed under gear on the Earl's website. Earlier on he was playing mostly his 27 per what he's saying in this video: youtube.com/watch?v=ZPInP97Eltc
It's possible I'm mistaken and times have changed. Either way, both are great guitars. I have a 27 that I love but it's a very classic sound and when you bounce around for opinions you'll find that some people like the 57 better and others the 27. I think the real answer is going to be your going into the store and testing them both. If that isn't possible there are always the Mike videos:
27: youtube.com/watch?v=mO7rcxZ-Ab4
57: youtube.com/watch?v=KYMmAE8LNwA
I will further that I got a used 27 for just over 1k immediately after the line was canceled in anticipation of the prices jumping up and wasn't able to test a 57. I would likely get a 57 if I had been given the option, but am more than happy with the 27 and am happy enough to not feel any pressure to upgrade. Them being equally available at the same price is almost a cruel way to install paralysis in a buyer. 
Edited by - cnlbb on 04/15/2025 07:46:29
I’ve had both and would choose the 57. It has a big open modern sound, consistent with what you’d expect from an E body guitar. They are both great.
cnlbb, how about adding at least your first name and the region where you live? No way will I remember your "handle."
Speaking of region, the guitars are at Gryphon in Palo Alto in the Bay Area, a couple hours south of me. Mark Okeefe, lives in Colora, Maryland. Very unlikely he's going to make the trip out here for a test drive. That last time I was there several months ago the guy who knows the most about Reso and steel guitars at Gryphon is Paul Jacobs who want in that day. I assume Paul still works at Gryphon, he's been there for many years. You should give him a call and get his take. Tell him I sent you.
You're a two hour plus drive to Beard Guitars in Hagerstown, Maryland.
Howard Parker worked at Beard for a number of years, and though he didn't add it to his earlier post, he usually recommends calling Beard for advice on their guitars. Denny, Paul, or his son Ben can answer your questions.
If it were me, I googled Colora and it's a two hour plus drive to Hagerstown - road trip! I would ask them if it's possible to visit to check out the two different models in person if they have them in the shop. With Gryphon being an actual Beard dealer maybe they'll be willing to have you come for a visit.
The Model 37 is as far as I know the same as the discontinued 27 except it has binding on both the top and bottom of the body a little different finish. About the same differences between the original Dobro Models 27 and 37 in the 1930s.
On the other hand, it's a race against time. Unless you work out a deal with Gryphon with a security deposit to hold the guitars, who knows how long one or both will still be there?
Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 04/15/2025 14:09:20
Might want to check with Appalachian Bluegrass in Catonsville, MD. They may have something in inventory that would interest you.
Also..
My door is always open but, I'm about 90 min. from Colora.
I do gig around Charm City from time to time. :-)
h
Edited by - hlpdobro on 04/15/2025 18:59:28
