And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Dobros are resonator guitars made by the Dopyra Brothers company. It has become the general name for all resonator guitars - like Kleenex is used to describe any facial tissue.
The book American Guitars by Tom Wheeler describes the history of resonator guitars and the people and companies involved, and many other brands common and uncommon. It is a great read for guitar buffs.
The 5/8" deep well socket says he's using it as a slide guitar. Typically a dobro has a much taller nut. You can kind of see how deep the action is on Emmett Frantz's dobro here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hFts9PYRX4
I hope you watched the video. I've actually had the pleasure of a converstation with Emmett about this whole subject. He's a quiet guy but get him talking about dobros and you'll get an education.
Emmett is an inspiration. Correct on the above diagnosis; this is a beautiful example of what is called a "roundneck" resonator. Check out any of Chris Whitley's (RIP) masterful work with a similar National Reso, fretting & sliding like a guitar. By contrast, a "squareneck" reso is made to be played on the picker's lap, and with a bar. Which is how I play them and lap steel. Allison Krauss says that Jerry Douglas is the greatest dobro player alive, and she says it like she's happy to fight you if you dare to disagree. Of course, he's got 14 Grammy's to back up her claim.
I would call it a resonator, but it’s also called a dobro guitar.
ReplyDeleteDobros are resonator guitars made by the Dopyra Brothers company. It has become the general name for all resonator guitars - like Kleenex is used to describe any facial tissue.
ReplyDeletehttps://guitar.com/features/the-money-shot-booker-whites-1933-national-duolian/
ReplyDeleteThe book American Guitars by Tom Wheeler describes the history of resonator guitars and the people and companies involved, and many other brands common and uncommon. It is a great read for guitar buffs.
ReplyDeleteThe 5/8" deep well socket says he's using it as a slide guitar. Typically a dobro has a much taller nut. You can kind of see how deep the action is on Emmett Frantz's dobro here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hFts9PYRX4
ReplyDeleteplus with the wear on the fretboard, I'd say it's being fingered where a dobro is always played with a slide due to said action
DeleteI hope you watched the video. I've actually had the pleasure of a converstation with Emmett about this whole subject. He's a quiet guy but get him talking about dobros and you'll get an education.
DeleteEmmett is an inspiration. Correct on the above diagnosis; this is a beautiful example of what is called a "roundneck" resonator. Check out any of Chris Whitley's (RIP) masterful work with a similar National Reso, fretting & sliding like a guitar. By contrast, a "squareneck" reso is made to be played on the picker's lap, and with a bar. Which is how I play them and lap steel. Allison Krauss says that Jerry Douglas is the greatest dobro player alive, and she says it like she's happy to fight you if you dare to disagree. Of course, he's got 14 Grammy's to back up her claim.
DeleteCurtis Lowe is the finest picker to ever play the blues.
ReplyDeleteIt's a National guitar. Same mechanics as a Dobro.
ReplyDeletemy dad had one with a hawaian scene "frosted" on the back IIRC.
ReplyDelete