(?) old resophonic mandolin made by dobro

[Pam2]

Ive got this mandolin dobro crossbreed and its in wonderful shape but what genre is it gonna fit in?

[allenhopkins]

Wherever you want! My old Dobro mandolin has a neat ringy, chimey sound that works well on slower pieces, backing up vocals, etc. (I'm assuming you have a "Dobro" style instrument, with a spider bridge, rather than a "National" style, with the "biscuit" bridge.) The Dobro-style instruments aren't really loud, and don't cut through for styles like bluegrass, but they have a wonderful, distinctive voice.

National-style mandolins, on the other hand, are loud as you'd like, and are really good for blues, and for any style where you don't mind a raucous, metallic voice.

[sumibuilt]

I don't think it will fit in any genre! You should be ashamed to admit you own one....I'll save you the embarrasment by buying from you at a very reasonable price. You'll thank me later.

[mandroid]

Maybe a genre combining french romanticism, sousa's marches, and ragtime?

[Pam2]

Thanks for the replies fellas! This is in fact a "Dobro" brand instrument with the spider bridge,it
is a beautiful instrument with sunburst finish and 3pc F holes on the face at the shoulders.I have cross referenced all I know to (serial numbers) in attempts to age this thing but have come up empty, any suggestions? Id like to get some insurance on it whether I trade it off or tote it to jams so any help would be appreciated. Pam

[Pam2]

Would like opinion from you mandolin extroidinaires...
To keep it or not to keep it, that is the question.
Dont know 'bout yall but I dont get stuff like this in my hands too often and they just arent making no more of them so, should I or shouldnt I trade this for something I can feel better about toting around? I have the chance to trade for something else but 'am unsure . . .

[mandroid]

I've seen a few, the need for neck reset is not un common .
if its playable and comfortable to do so , I'd think it would be a good thing to bring to an acoustic Jam, odds are rather good that you would be heard clearly.

[Pam2]

I think you're right !

[Pam2]

Waiting for "sumibuilt" to come on line and make me an offer on this ole thing... Id like another (normal) run-o-the mill player I do believe instead of dealing with the unknown! Lifes full of enough of that already if you catch my drift

[allenhopkins]

Pam, not sure you're making the right decision -- to sell it because it's "unknown" and you're not sure how you'll use it. #As you said, they don't make Dobro mandolins any more, and they're almost certain to increase in value if only because they're relatively rare. #And they sound unique, not like standard wooden mandolins and not like the National-style instruments with the "biscuit" bridges.

Dobro (and National, for that matter) often didn't use the best of woods in their instruments. #I've needed a neck reset on my Dobro mandolin, and my repair guy said the neck block was made from the softest wood he'd seen -- "almost like balsa wood," he said, though I believe from reading other threads on the Cafe that it was probably poplar. #But whatever was wrong was definitely fixable, and not at an exorbitant price, either.

You can get a "normal, run-of-the-mill player" anytime, anywhere. #You aren't going to see many others like the one you have. #Further down the line I do believe you'll miss having access to that unique sound. #I don't play my Dobro mandolin all that much on an everyday basis, but I'm sure not gonna part with it.

[Pam2]

Many thanks to everyone who responded as I apprecaite your input Mr. Hopkins I will strongly consider your advise before doing anything with this!