sweetwater.com/gold-tone-weiss...676864037

On the slim chance that you didn't know, there's nothing to prevent you from playing D tunes (or any other key for that matter) on G tuned dobros.

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Originally posted by hlpdobro

On the slim chance that you didn't know, there's nothing to prevent you from playing D tunes (or any other key for that matter) on G tuned dobros.

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Yes, I know that, but I am liking the open G tuning on the dobro and want that open tuning feel for D.  I use to play a lot of fingerstyle guitar and used to use DADF#AD and know my way around the scales pretty well.  It would be faster for me to get up to speed rather than feeling out the D scales in the G tuning. 

Gotcha, well, good luck and have fun.

h

I doubt you want the associated expense, but this sounds like a perfect situation for a hipshot double shot.

Both Goldtones are fine the SM is solid mahogany, the other will be laminated wood, if this don't matter, or you can't tell the difference then get the cheaper one, both will get you playing and that's the most important part. Get the one you can afford.

I'll say this too, both those instruments are overbuilt imo, which could be a good thing for you if ruggedness matters, that SM is in a price range of some others that may appeal more to you, check the classified section here, for a comparable price there's a hand made Stepick Teardrop that sounds great, so, shop around.

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Originally posted by Wildeman

Both Goldtones are fine the SM is solid mahogany, the other will be laminated wood, if this don't matter, or you can't tell the difference then get the cheaper one, both will get you playing and that's the most important part. Get the one you can afford.

I'll say this too, both those instruments are overbuilt imo, which could be a good thing for you if ruggedness matters, that SM is in a price range of some others that may appeal more to you, check the classified section here, for a comparable price there's a hand made Stepick Teardrop that sounds great, so, shop around.

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Wildeman, thanks for the response. That's the kind of info I was seeking. Reading the catalogue descriptions online (or even calling people) isn't that helpful.

carlosoly

Carlos, did you find a Weissenborn? The Gold Tone SM's changed from being all mahogany; now they are just solid top mahogany, laminated back and sides. I have one of the newer ones, and it does sound pretty good, though I don't know how much better it sounds from the all laminated version, sorry. I do like the tone a lot, and I've had some nice guitars along the way. It might not be pro quality, but you can get a better deal on the used market for one now that the prices have jumped. Now that you have a dobro, maybe you can hold out on the Weisse until you find a deal?

For people that have played both a GT Weissenborn and a GT PBS, how different is the sound?

Your point?

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Originally posted by Bluespider

Your point?

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What kind of a question is that? I'm obviously interested but have never even seen one "in the wild". If you're going to come at me like that kindly put me on your ignore list, or block me. 

I'm guessing that his curiosity was raised because it's tough to compare a resonator with a Weissenborn. Vastly different in sound, application, etc.

So..

h

quote:

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Originally posted by hlpdobro

I'm guessing that his curiosity was raised because it's tough to compare a resonator with a Weissenborn. Vastly different in sound, application, etc.

So..

h

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Yeah, that must've been it.…

Yes, that's what I was thinking, sorry, skydog, should have expanded my answer, I wasn't coming at you by any means! Yes, very difficult to compare. You can get an idea of the difference by listening to the recordings of each, but they do not sound similar. I haven't played both, but the Weisse sounds less metallic than the other; less clang or twang, if you prefer. Sometimes it's difficult to communicate on the web too!

Sorry, skydog; Thanks, Howard!

All good.

OK, good! So then, are you trying to decide between buying one or the other? Is that what kind of tonal reference you are seeking? I think all I can add is that the Weissenborn is a bit quieter than the dobro, since all it has for amplification is the hollow neck, over the the dobro's metal cone and biscuit bridge. The different tunings also add a bit of difference to the voice as well, with the Weissenborn going a bit lower on the scale, which I like. You might know all of this already, but I don't know if that is so?

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Originally posted by Bluespider

Carlos, did you find a Weissenborn? The Gold Tone SM's changed from being all mahogany; now they are just solid top mahogany, laminated back and sides. I have one of the newer ones, and it does sound pretty good, though I don't know how much better it sounds from the all laminated version, sorry. I do like the tone a lot, and I've had some nice guitars along the way. It might not be pro quality, but you can get a better deal on the used market for one now that the prices have jumped. Now that you have a dobro, maybe you can hold out on the Weisse until you find a deal?

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Hey Bluespider:  Thanks for the follow up. Great advice.  No Weissenborn yet. I am having fun with my Chinese Dobro and learning the basics yet. I am keeping my eye open for some great deal that may pop up, though. The reasoning for thinking of buying one is the sound difference (for variety) and the D tuning.  I used to play fingerstyle guitar in Open D tuning, and often used simple Drop D for fingerpicking, and think I could jump right on several note layouts.  I can do tunes in other keys than G on the standard Dobro tuning, so have started to get some D tunes down, but still like the open strings sound. 

I've never played the newer version of the Goldtone weissie with the laminate back and sides, but a friend of mine had the all solid wood version and I thought it was a fairly nice instrument for the money. I've also been able to play some high end weissie guitars from modern boutique builders, and like a budget squareneck reso vs. an inexpensive Chinese import reso, there's a serious difference in quality and perception of sound. 

There was mention earlier  of the Hipshot DoubleShot for instant switching from G to D on a squareneck reso, but it costs  too much money to mount on a cheap import reso guitar. 

But unless I missed in reading through the thread, there's no law against retuning your reso from GBDGBD down to DADF#AD. It gives a dobro a very different "voice." 

A lot of the time when Jerry Douglas has his solo portion during the middle of an Alison Krauss & Union Station concert he plays a D tuned dobro during the medley. It's almost like a "palate cleanser" since he plays the vast majority of the songs during the evening tuned to Open G. And for solo work tuning down to D gives his guitar a phat bass response, good for a one man show. 

I'd have a weissie except I already have too many instruments that don't get out of their cases often enough. So when I want that D flavor I just tune down the reso from G to D. 

g

Yes, you should be able to hit D, low bass G (slack key) and high bass G (Dobro) tuning all with the same set of strings. Retuning alot will eventually stress the strings and kill them but it takes a while, you may want to spring for some upgrade tuning machines.

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Originally posted by Wildeman

Yes, you should be able to hit D, low bass G (slack key) and high bass G (Dobro) tuning all with the same set of strings. Retuning alot will eventually stress the strings and kill them but it takes a while, you may want to spring for some upgrade tuning machines.

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I had a Siegmund 6 string electric with Gotoh 510 tuners. They were the finest tuners I've ever experienced bar none.

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Originally posted by MarkinSonoma

I've never played the newer version of the Goldtone weissie with the laminate back and sides, but a friend of mine had the all solid wood version and I thought it was a fairly nice instrument for the money. I've also been able to play some high end weissie guitars from modern boutique builders, and like a budget squareneck reso vs. an inexpensive Chinese import reso, there's a serious difference in quality and perception of sound. 

There was mention earlier  of the Hipshot DoubleShot for instant switching from G to D on a squareneck reso, but it costs  too much money to mount on a cheap import reso guitar. 

But unless I missed in reading through the thread, there's no law against retuning your reso from GBDGBD down to DADF#AD. It gives a dobro a very different "voice." 

A lot of the time when Jerry Douglas has his solo portion during the middle of an Alison Krauss & Union Station concert he plays a D tuned dobro during the medley. It's almost like a "palate cleanser" since he plays the vast majority of the songs during the evening tuned to Open G. And for solo work tuning down to D gives his guitar a phat bass response, good for a one man show. 

I'd have a weissie except I already have too many instruments that don't get out of their cases often enough. So when I want that D flavor I just tune down the reso from G to D. 

g

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Now, there's an idea!  Good one, Mark!  I had not heard of detuning the dobro to open D!  But sure, why not?  I've detuned some guitars down to Bb even!  Sure does give them a different voice!

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Originally posted by MarkinSonoma

But unless I missed in reading through the thread, there's no law against retuning your reso from GBDGBD down to DADF#AD. It gives a dobro a very different "voice." 

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Good idea.  I thought about that with the one I just bought, but saw that the majority of tunes and instructional materials are in the GBDGBD tuning. But in lieu of getting a Weissenborn I considered this plan -  If I get really jazzed on dobro and loving it like I am after a few more months I'll invest in a better instrument and keep my current one in a D tuning. 

Carlos

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Originally posted by carlosoly

quote:

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Originally posted by MarkinSonoma

But unless I missed in reading through the thread, there's no law against retuning your reso from GBDGBD down to DADF#AD. It gives a dobro a very different "voice." 

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Good idea.  I thought about that with the one I just bought, but saw that the majority of tunes and instructional materials are in the GBDGBD tuning. But in lieu of getting a Weissenborn I considered this plan -  If I get really jazzed on dobro and loving it like I am after a few more months I'll invest in a better instrument and keep my current one in a D tuning. 

Carlos

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Exactly what I did Carlos. I started with a Regal RC55 roundneck that I traded my Gretsch 5420 for. I tuned it to GBDgbd even though I shouldn't have, although I only had 13's on it. I then bought a Gold Tone PBS-M square neck and now have the Regal in Dtuning. If I feel (big if?!) I've progressed to the point of "needing" a better reso, I'm going to be looking for a dream Byrl! 

Tuning in late to this thread. Hipshot DoubleShot aside - there is another option for an Open D tuned second instrument: the Oahu Square Neck acoustic guitar.

These guitars (from Oahu Publishing in Cleveland lol) fueled the Hawaiian lap slide music craze in the 1930s, and you can always find one online for a few hundred bucks.

I have what my former instructor called a “teacher’s model” although I’m sure there’s a more specific model name. The basic “student’s model” is smaller, and less expensive.

They are great in Open D, although lighter strings are recommended. As with any vintage instrument, scrutinize the quality.

I liked mine so much I sold my Weisse :). The attached photo is a 66k model - not mine, but a good example.

quote:Originally posted by skydogquote:Originally posted by carlosolyquote:Originally posted by MarkinSonoma

But unless I missed in reading through the thread, there's no law against retuning your reso from GBDGBD down to DADF#AD. It gives a dobro a very different "voice." Good idea. I thought about that with the one I just bought, but saw that the majority of tunes and instructional materials are in the GBDGBD tuning. But in lieu of getting a Weissenborn I considered this plan - If I get really jazzed on dobro and loving it like I am after a few more months I'll invest in a better instrument and keep my current one in a D tuning.

CarlosExactly what I did Carlos. I started with a Regal RC55 roundneck that I traded my Gretsch 5420 for. I tuned it to GBDgbd even though I shouldn't have, although I only had 13's on it. I then bought a Gold Tone PBS-M square neck and now have the Regal in Dtuning. If I feel (big if?!) I've progressed to the point of "needing" a better reso, I'm going to be looking for a dream Byrl!