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Author
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Topic: Regal Dobro?
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Tony Harris
Member From: England
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posted 15 June 2005 09:16 AM
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Are these any good for a cheap resonator? Thanks. |
Gene Jones
Member From: Oklahoma City, OK USA
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posted 15 June 2005 09:40 AM
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*[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 03 April 2006 at 06:26 AM.] |
Brad Bechtel
Moderator From: San Francisco, CA
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posted 15 June 2005 09:44 AM
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Which particular model, Tony? In general, they're okay for cheap resonator guitars. Depending on how much you have to spend, there may be better options.------------------
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Tony Harris
Member From: England
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posted 15 June 2005 09:48 AM
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It's a cheap Korean-made model, I think the RD-45. I want to spend as little as possible to get started, in case it doesn't 'earn its keep'. |
Ian
Member From: San Francisco, CA
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posted 15 June 2005 09:50 AM
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Hey Tony,I've got a Regal RD-45 and it's just OK. Since purchasing it some three years ago I've put in a Quarterman cone, new spider bridge and bridge inserts. I probably should get a bone nut too. The holes in which the cover plate screw into aren't exactly centered (most are on the top, several are in the beveled sound well). People unfamilure with resophonic guitars think it sounds great - to my ears, it's merely sufficient. That said I rarely worry about it traveling, dropping the bar on it (it happens), or general wear-and-tear. I'm not sure what your needs are but if you can find one cheap it ceratinly serve as an introductory or back up reso. Best of luck,
Ian Reynolds |
Tom Jordan
Member From: Santa Maria, CA, USA
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posted 15 June 2005 10:58 AM
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Tony,I have a Regal (RD45?) and I installed the active Fishman pickup. I don't think that you could go wrong for the price. People like to 'dis them but if you're exploring the possibility of learning or just having a second instrument for your regular gig they can work out fine. If it was my main axe, I would like a higher quality one, but it's not. It's my once or twice a gig diversion. The guitar plays well and sounds fine in that application. Yet another .02 worth, Tom Jordan |
Erv Niehaus
Member From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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posted 15 June 2005 12:47 PM
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If you want a nice, really good looking inexpensive resonator, take a good look at Regal's "Black Lightning". It comes with an upgraded cone, bridge, nut and etc. It has exquisite inlay on the head stock and costs less than $500.
Erv |
Keith Cordell
Member From: Atlanta
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posted 15 June 2005 12:49 PM
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I had one, it was pretty weak when I got it; I took the cone out, scraped and sanded all the excess glue out, cleaned up the area that contacted the cone, put a Quarterman cone in and changed the spider to a cast aluminum one. I also changed the nut to one with an ebony cap on it. It was absolutely amazing, the change was profound and the instrument was louder than guitars 3 times the price. All those upgrades totalled under $100. ------------------
MSA Classic 12, Peavey Delta Blues, Proco Rat, Robert Randolph - Shubb bars
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Erv Niehaus
Member From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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posted 15 June 2005 03:02 PM
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Keith,
I'm with you. I have an upgrade kit on order with Folk of the Woods. For about $100 my RD-45 should sound really good.
Erv |
James Quackenbush
Member From: Pomona, New York, USA
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posted 15 June 2005 04:52 PM
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I will also agree with what Keith said ...
The time, and cost of the upgrade is WELL worth the effort ....I have a very sweet sounding , and great looking Tut Taylor Virginian that is probably 5-6 times the money I have in my RD-45....It's a great sounding Reso, but surely not 5-6 times better sounding ....Besides, you can take your Regal out anywhere , and not worry about spiling your beer on it...
I spend more time on my Regal than I do on my Tut Taylor !!.......JimPS....If you're not good with your hands and need one good to go, the "Black Lightning " that Erv speak's of is a great alternative ....... |
Earnest Bovine
Member From: Los Angeles CA USA
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posted 16 June 2005 03:30 AM
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So would you say that a Regal Black Lighting is about the same as buying the cheaper Regal RD-45 and upgrading the cone, nut, and bridge? |
Gary Schuldt
Member From: Seymour, TN.
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posted 16 June 2005 04:57 AM
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Hi Tony,
I have nothing bad to say about the Regals, But if you want a real nice guitar that will last you a life time, i would go with a Goldtone Paul Beard Signature Series. Great tone and sustain. Last time i checked ,price was about 525.00 . That is with Paul's upgraded parts. If you upgrade a Regal it will cost you about the same. I'm not really pushing Paul's guitars ,but i have played both brands.Bang for the buck and quality, give me the Goldtone everytime. You can go to the website, Beard Guitars, Or Resophonic Outfitters. Also i know that Musicians Friend is selling the Beard Goldtone.But i'm not sure if they have gone through Paul's shop for the upgrades.
Just something for you to think about before you make your purchase.
Gary Schuldt
Cougar SD-10
Nashville 400
Goldtone Beard Dobro
1953 Kay M-1 upright Bass |
Tony Harris
Member From: England
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posted 16 June 2005 05:20 AM
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Thanks Gary. I'd already clicked the button on the Regal - bought from eBay. Here in England, there's not a great choice of resonators to try or buy, and this one seemed at a fair price. I'll let you know how I get on with it. Maybe one day, I'll be looking to upgrade to a better one. Thanks everyone for your advice. Tony. |
Erv Niehaus
Member From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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posted 16 June 2005 07:48 AM
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On my Regal RD-45, when I do my upgrade, I'm also going to put on a Hipshot Trilogy changer with the roller nut and a Fishman resonator pickup. I just LOVE to tinker!!! 
Erv[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 16 June 2005 at 11:46 AM.] |
Paul Arntson
Member From: Bothell ,WA (just outside Seattle)
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posted 16 June 2005 10:32 PM
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I have a 94 Regal squareneck. I think it's the same as an RD45. I cleaned up the inside rim where the cone rests and it made a big difference. My teacher Stan Remick has a really nice Goldtone, and the Regal holds its own. You can easily hear how much better his is, but mine is listenable.
For a couple hundred I think it's a good value. |
James Quackenbush
Member From: Pomona, New York, USA
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posted 17 June 2005 08:02 AM
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The Goldtone/Beard does in fact sound very good...A bit better than a modded Regal, but if you are considering price, the Goldtone will cost you a couple hunded more .... I guess it boils down to , You get what you pay for !!.... So that being said, you will have a very playable Reso for very little money with the Regal RD45...It's not the best, but far from the worst !!.... Jim |
William Steward
Member From: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, B.W.I.
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posted 18 June 2005 01:47 PM
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I ordered a very inexpensive (under $200 base price)Regal RD-35 as a learning instrument and had a Quarterman cone added at 'the factory'. The RD-35 is the cheapest model that Regal builds I believe but I got a black one which I think looks pretty sharp. I added a Lace dobro pickup (under $100) which sticks on with double-sided tape - it captures a fairly rich sound and seems not to feedback excessively. The whole package including case and a bar was under $450. The seller (Fantastic Musical instruments)shipped it via regular US mail to the Cayman Islands in a case in bubble wrap and it survived! I was nervous about shipping since I knew structurally they might be prone to breaking at the neck as mentioned by someone else but no problems. Also it is fair to say it has survived extremes of temperature and high humidity without noticeable effect. I love this instrument and until I can afford a Beard 'Mike Auldridge' model (top of my list), Scheerhorn or Benoit it will certainly be more than adequate for my needs. |
basilh
Member From: United Kingdom
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posted 18 June 2005 05:42 PM
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Tony...I got an RD-45 last year..this one has paid for itself.. http://www.waikiki-islanders.com/assets/multimedia/mp3/Bob%20Brolly/06%20Track%2006.mp3
Bas------------------
quote:
Steel players do it without fretting
 
http://www.waikiki-islanders.com |
Tony Davis
Member From: Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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posted 19 June 2005 04:17 AM
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Tony,
Last year in St Louis I played a Beard Goldtone...I think it was $55o US.....it was great ..Body made in China and I think Chet told me the hardware was Beard.
For an invitaion only jam at the same time I had the loan of a next step up Beard..I think it was about $750....great guitar!
But...although I was tempted by these....I thought I would have another look at my own Dobro style guitar....made here in Australia in the early 30's..a mate found some kids dragging it around a cowyard like a sled.....I had it resprayed and the rat eaten edges purfled....put a nut extender on and replaced the wooden bridge with one I made out of aluminium.........but I never was happy with the sound...so last year after St Louis I made a point of going to the Dobro factory in Church St Nashville...we were in Nashville anyway........and purchased a bone nut and a saddle with ebony on the top for $20 U.S. fitting these and a new set of strings made all the difference in tone and volume....it is fantastic!!!!!!
I know its not about Regal but I hope it helps
Tony |
Larry Robbins
Member From: Fort Edward, New York, USA
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posted 19 June 2005 12:21 PM
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I have a Regal RD-75 that I "hot rodded" plus put a Fishman passive type pickup in..along with the lr baggs pre-amp, this rigg works pretty well for me all in all..
there are a lot of times (and places) that I would rather not pull out my more expensive Tut Taylor "Virginian"...The Regal serves me well over-all and if its damaged or stolen, I am not out the big bucks to replace a top of the line inst.
The Regal or as others have suggested the Beard/Goldtone resos should serve you well
Good luck...Let us know how you make out!------------------
SHO~BUDS, Steelkings,
Fender guitars,
Hilton pedals, Preston
covers, and Taylor(Tut, that is)Resos. Still Country after all these years....
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Tony Harris
Member From: England
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posted 20 June 2005 10:33 AM
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Thanks everyone for your advice. This forum is great!
And thanks Basil - if my Regal sounds anything like yours on that recording I'll be very pleased. Just got to learn to play it... |
basilh
Member From: United Kingdom
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posted 21 June 2005 04:36 PM
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Tony, that guy you record with occasionally, "Harry Snoit" could probably give you some pointers..!! |
Ron
Member From: Hermiston, Oregon
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posted 29 June 2005 11:26 PM
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The Regal is the cheepest that is made. We have a music store and will not have another for stock . The shelf that the cone sets on some times is not there to suport the cone! We like the Flinthill better. I think they are all made in china and in the same fatcory and are imported by Saga in California I just disacemblet one that had the cone tightened so tight it crushed the cone and had to be replaced. I add more ledge on most and level it and make it just a little larger than the cone . I fit the spider to the cone and adjust the screw from the spider to the cone. I reuse the same cone and spider. Robro Ron |
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