Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Dobro mandolin

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Sioux Falls, SD
    Posts
    104

    Default

    Dumb question but do you play a dobro mandolin like a dobro with a slide or like a regular mandolin that just has a resonator
    Hobbit

  2. #2

    Default

    Both I think. It looked to me like Sam Bush was using a slide like a blues player but not like a square neck.

  3. #3
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default

    Basically, it's up to you how you play it. Dobro and National mandolins did not come with "square" necks and high nuts, like the "square neck" Hawaiian models of both Dobro and National, meant to be played with a steel bar.

    If one wanted to play a resonator mandolin "Hawaiian style," like a bluegrass Dobro, one would want to get the nut and bridge raised so that the strings were well above the frets. This would prevent the player from fretting the strings in the normal manner. Then presumably the mandolin would be tuned to an open chord, and played flat on the lap. Whether the smaller bodied, higher pitched mandolin would sound good played in this way, would be a matter of opinion.

    On the other hand, if one wanted to play a resonator mandolin the the manner of "bottleneck" or "slide" guitar, one could use a standard nut and bridge, albeit adjusted to raise the action higher than normal, and "fret" the strings with a tubular slide around one of the fingers of the fretting hand. I assume that's what the performers who play "slide" mandolin are doing. Many "slide" guitar players tune to an open chord, but others work out of standard tuning, and the "slide" mandolin player could choose one approach or the other.

    Resonator instruments are noted for having longer "sustain," which makes them good choices for "slide" playing. However, "slide" mandolin is a very unusual method; Sam Bush does it, but most of the blues mandolin players I've heard fret the strings in the normal manner, without using a slide.

    If you're interested in experimenting with resonator mandolin and not spending a ton of money, Johnson makes a Pac-rim chrome or nickel plated brass resonator mandolin for a reasonable price. Not a miracle of craftsmanship, but a decent introduction to the small world of the resonator mandolin.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  4. #4
    Café habitué Paul Hostetter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Santa Cruz, California
    Posts
    6,286

    Default

    Simple answer: you play it like a normal mandolin.
    .
    ph

    º º º º º º º º º º º º º º º
    Paul Hostetter, luthier
    Santa Cruz, California
    www.lutherie.net

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Sioux Falls, SD
    Posts
    104

    Default

    Thanks for the info
    Hobbit

  6. #6
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default

    Here's a link to the Johnson resonator mandolin at Elderly Instruments.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

Similar Threads

  1. Dobro mandolin
    By mdithk in forum Looking for Information About Mandolins
    Replies: 31
    Last: Jun-19-2023, 8:38am
  2. Dobro mandolin
    By MML in forum Builders and Repair
    Replies: 7
    Last: Aug-06-2007, 11:56pm
  3. Dobro mandolin tailpiece?
    By EdSherry in forum Builders and Repair
    Replies: 6
    Last: Feb-23-2007, 3:51pm
  4. Lace dobro pickup on mandolin?
    By mbmoose in forum General Mandolin Discussions
    Replies: 0
    Last: Nov-06-2006, 2:39pm
  5. Mandolin or Fiddle or Dobro
    By squeally dan in forum General Mandolin Discussions
    Replies: 11
    Last: Oct-05-2004, 8:42pm

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •