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Author
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Topic: amplifying the dobro
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Don Barnhardt
Member From: North Carolina, USA
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posted 12 July 2006 06:13 PM
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After reviewing numerous comments on the pros and cons of pickups vs mikes as the least objectional method of amplifying the dobro I came to the following conclusions:
1. I didn't like any o f the pickups available for dobro.
2. A mike is the best choice of the two. I lost count of all the mikes reccomended. Seems like everyone has a favorite. Bottom line is that the mike is no better than the sound system and whoever is operating it.
Then I heard of the flugerguitar which is a strictly electric guitar with a body that looks something like a dobro. It is called a Resonator Guitar Simulator. I really liked what I heard about the instrument and evetually contacted Marv Pfleuger, the builder, to get some more info. To make a short story long I sent him my Gibson made dobro to modified instead of buying a new instrument. I've had it back for a couple weeks now and I'm totally satisfied. There are three controls (tone, intensity and volume) You can adjust it to get a good acoustic reso sound or play it loud enough to curl your hair without a bit of feedback.I'm still partial to my Wolfe made reso, but if you need to amplify you can't go wrong with a Fluger Guitar. |
Kevin Hatton
Member From: Amherst, N.Y.
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posted 12 July 2006 08:51 PM
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If you need to get even with the Telecaster in your band a Fluger electric resonator is it. Tim Seargent uses one with Direks Bentley, Jeff Surratt uses one with Josh Turner, Gary Morse with Brooks and Dunn. He also does conversions on existing resonators. A combination of Marrs Cat-Can with a simulator circuit built right into the guitar.The circuit is preamped so that when you turn it on you've got mucho headroom. Extremely realistic sounding with NO feed back, and power to spare. You can go nose to nose with a Telecaster with no feedback at all. www.flugerguitars.com |
Tim Tweedale
Member From: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
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posted 13 July 2006 12:08 AM
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Got sound clips? -Tim |
Drew Howard
Member From: Mason, MI, U.S.A.
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posted 13 July 2006 06:47 AM
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I've had great results with Sennheiser 421's and 441's. Of course that depends on whether you bring it to the gig or the sound company has them. And knows how to use them.cheers,
Drew ------------------
Drew Howard - website - Fessenden, Derby and Fender guitars, 70's Fender Twin, etc. |
Rob Anderlik
Member From: Illinois, USA
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posted 16 July 2006 01:56 PM
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Don:Thanks for posting this. I have never heard of the Fluger guitar and would like to know more. Would it be possible to you to record and post a sound clip somehow? FWIW, I can relate to your frustration in amplifying a dobro. It's definitely tricky to make them "cut" through a P.A. system. In addition, there are definitely certain situations where you need something that will "cut" through the mix/where a dobro does not fit the bill. Curious, tone-wise, would you use the Fluger to play with a bluegrass band, or is it a whole different animal, better for a loud country band, for example? Also, you mention that the the sound of a microphone is only as good as the sound system or the person operating it: I agree with you and would even take this principle one step further - not only a microphone but also a pickup is highly sensitive to the entire signal chain - including the preamp, any digital effects and of course, the sound of the room. So...what do you plug your Fluger guitar into? Do you plug it into an electric guitar amplifier, directly into the P.A. system??? Inquiring minds want to know! Best regards,
RobA[This message was edited by Rob Anderlik on 16 July 2006 at 01:57 PM.] |
Don Barnhardt
Member From: North Carolina, USA
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posted 16 July 2006 05:18 PM
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Rob....These are good question. I'm not computer savvy enough to post sound clips but Kevin Hatton posted a couple pros using the instrument above. It really sounds that good but not when I play it. You can pull up the Fluger website on google with flugerguitar.
This instrument would be at home in a country/bar situation you can really crank it up. I'm still experimenting with it but I think it has a nice acoustic sound/tone you need to cut the volume down of course. I haven't had the nerve to spring it on my bluegrass buddies. I have a Bobby Wolfe reso that I use for acoustic gigs but if I could blindfold eveyone I'd play it and I don't think they'd know the difference.
I don't like playing directly into the house PA but I guess you could. I usually mike my amp if they want it on the house system. I have been playing through a 1966 Fender Vibro Champ which sounds pretty good. Sounds pretty good on my bass amp too. I think it would work with about any guitar amp without effects. I tried it on my Steel King but wasn't too satisfied with it. Hope these answers are satisfactory to inquiring minds.....Don |
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