Reso Hangout Forum Feed

Supro Airliner 8 string lap steel

eric@resohangout.com — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 13:57:52 CST

I need to buy a 8 string nut for this lap steel. Can you direct me to a source that has one for sale.

Thanks

scale length question

eric@resohangout.com — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 09:20:17 CST

Guys, I appreciate your knowledge and insight here. I have a Recording King Phil Leadbetter dobro which is advertised to be a 25.5" scale length. If I understand correctly, scale length is nut to 12th fret x2. The measurement on this instrument (I did it a couple times :) is 12.25". That would make the scale length 24.5", not 25.5". What gives?

I ask because I am thinking about building what amounts to a lap steel with the same scale length and G tuning for practice purposes. (With the solid body and a pickup, I can plug in, use headphones and play without waking up the whole house.)

Thanks for any info you can share.

Beard Belle

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:11:27 CST

Has anyone tried the new Beard Belle? Please give me your opinion. Thanks

WTB: Original Ron Tipton RT-1 Tone Bar (Chrome/Brass)

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:04:55 CST

Hi everyone,

I am looking to source a secondhand, original Ron Tipton RT-1 chrome-plated brass tone bar to serve as a backup to my current primary bar.

I specifically prefer the 10-degree end bevel and 2.904" length profile of the RT-1 for my hand comfort and maneuverability, so I am not looking for the RT-2, RT-3, or Scheerhorn shapes at this time.

If you have an older, original Tipton RT-1 sitting unused in a gear drawer or case pocket that you would be willing to part with for a reasonable, fair price (retired), please send me a private message with a description of condition, a couple of photos (if convenient) and your asking price shipped to PA 19446. Thanks very much!

Good to be back again!

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 02:29:35 CST

Hi gang, just saying hello after re-registering with a new user name, since I couldn't get the old one to work. I'm just getting back into dobro, since a layoff of about 16 years since I had one last. Have mostly been playing acoustic guitar, with a few other critters thrown in along the way.

It's just that dobro just seems to be under my skin and one of my favorites, ever since Norman Blake and Tut put out that album, and I found it in a thrift shop in about 1980 in NYC where we were living after I got married. Well, Brooklyn, to be more precise! I'm grateful to that person who gave it up so I could discover that amazing sound of the dobro! I already new Norman, but thought Tut sounded fine using his flatpick too!

I've had 3 dobros to date, sold the other two when I needed to, and just now ended up with a more entry level Gretsch g9210 Boxcar squareneck, and it surprisingly sounds fantastic! Really! This one was done right, because it just doesn't seem possible that it could sound this good, but it does. I may be old, but my hearing is still too sensitive, which means I can hear the subtleties of the overtones that abound in this one, and the volume is surprising too. I play it quietly in my apartment, and I'm very happy, since even playing like that, it still has a lot of character to the tone. I'm not very good, and have much to catch up on in my learning, but since I've played acoustic guitar on and off all my life, it's helped me be able to sound good on the dobro again, to my ears anyway, once in a while! ; )

So, hello again, and happy to be here still (all around), with a new squareneck to play on! And thanks for having me!

Looking for tab for You Raise Me Up

eric@resohangout.com — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 19:13:58 CST

I'd like to play You Raise Me Up in church sometime soon, so if anyone has a good tab I'd appreciate it!

Thanks,
Don

ResoGat 2026

eric@resohangout.com — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 17:23:19 CST

I have never been to the Resogat and I was wondering what particular vendors might be there. Any setup persons or builders or just random dobros for sale.

What tyoe of dobro is this

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:11:10 CST

Hey everyone i have this dobro type guitar i cant find anything about the maker can you guys help

Pretty cool site!

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:37:05 CST

squareneckjournal.com/

Alternatives to Peterson tuners

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:33:07 CST

I’ve had a Sonic Research ST-200 for 12 years now. I always used it as a regular guitar tuner mainly because I never had a use for more. I recently tried out a Peterson StroboVue tuner and while I liked it, for me it had some shortcomings. One was it didn’t have battery power which was a deal breaker for me as I have just recently gone to rechargeable batteries for a much cleaner setup. Worse was it didn’t have a cutoff/mute feature. So, I started looking harder at my existing ST-200 and learned it also has programmable tunings! I couldn’t figure out how to do it so I emailed them and Roger answered promptly and asked me to call him with the tuner in hand! What service! I don’t think I would have ever figured it out myself, but with Roger’s help we got it. I opted to flatten the B&b strings 6 cents and it sounds great! These tuners aren’t cheap, but I highly recommend them.

Tabs for Sand Mountain

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:53:32 CST

Hello, I’m new here and I have a question.

Does anyone happen to have the dobro tabs for the song “Sand Mountain”? I mean the song “Sand Mountain” from the 2012 movie The Broken Circle Breakdown in the end scene.

Many thanks in advance for any reply.

D’Addario Locking Tuners. A++

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:05:44 CST

Reading all these posts about strings made me realize that it was time to change strings on one of my dobros.

And I have to give the highest recommendation to y’all in regards to D’Addario Auto-Trim Locking Tuning Machines. I purchased them from Beard (along with other parts for doing a total rebuild).

For changing strings they are just incredibly quick, tight, almost instantly stable when changing out strings…..which is something I usually put off. The locking tuners make it so quick and they kill my procrastination.
Kudos to D’Addario.

Strings...

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:44:25 CST

Here is a shout-out to Curt Mangan ... the best kept secret in the reso world for strings..
Based in Cortez Colorado, Curt manufactures several types of strings for resophonic guitar players.
From the traditional 'monel' string used for many years by pre-war sound well dobro players to the modern sound post guitars, currently in fashion (!) (?) , using nickel/bronze or phosphor/bronze, I would suggest you try a set or two. You can call him at 970-564-5935 and actually have a conversation with him ! curtmangan.com will work as well. Also, you can do a video tour of his operation on U-Tube which s very interesting. Your comments regarding this post would be very much appreciated. This is not a commercial just another thread I thought you would be interested in.

Deleting my post

eric@resohangout.com — Mon, 8 Jun 2026 08:22:24 CST

HOW DO I DELETE MY EXTRA POSTS???????

New strings giving dobro a more tinny and raspy sound?

eric@resohangout.com — Sun, 31 May 2026 08:12:10 CST

After changing my old strings to phosphor bronze 12s, I noticed my dobro had a much more tinny and raspy sound, especially on the bottom strings.

I know some might dig the sound, but for me I would prefer if it was a little bit less tinny and raspy. My old strings from the previous owner had a more full and warmer sound. Is there anyway I can get that back? I thought phosphor bronze was the best but it had the opposite effect for me.

Country Bands/Albums

eric@resohangout.com — Tue, 26 May 2026 16:14:08 CST

Are there any country bands that have a resophonic guitar player in the band?

D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings, NB-16-56 Discontinued

eric@resohangout.com — Sun, 24 May 2026 16:05:21 CST

Just wanted to voice my frustration with D'Addario for discontinuing the Nickel Bronze strings, NB-16-56
Like other's on this forum, I've received confirmation from D'Addario confirming that this string set is discontinued.
They are now pushing their XT version.
The Nickel Bronze strings FAR,FAR outlasted EJ42's on my instruments and sounded great.
I'll probably be switching to the GHS Americana series strings.
I'd be interested in hearing what other fans of the D'Addario Nickel Bronze strings, NB-16-56 are planning to do.
This is a bummer.

Does a cone really have to be replaced every 2 years?

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 18:21:31 CST

I just bought a 1970s OMI Dobro, and it has a really sweet sound and has a pickup underneath the cone.

However, do I really have to replace the cone every 2 years? I fear that using a different cone will change the tone of my dobro (I don't want it to change) and I have to reinstall the pickup which is even more of a hassel...

EDIT: If not 2 years, how long can I go before I need a cone change? Especially since this dobro is nearly 50 years old now and I'm not sure when was the last time the cone was changed.

Do you play EJ 42’s?

eric@resohangout.com — Mon, 18 May 2026 14:36:42 CST

Looks like they’re almost doubling in price at some places. SW & MF still have them at $7.

Robert E Lee resophonic?

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 15 May 2026 17:37:12 CST

Has anyone here played one? What’d ya’ think?

I’m just learning of Justin Moses

eric@resohangout.com — Mon, 11 May 2026 18:31:47 CST

I heard Jaelee Roberts’ “Im Putting You Out Of My Misery” and had to look up the reso player. What a talent! https://youtu.be/XZF9gaLWnys?si=iu4lukEutP9nPOSm

What is true “Open G” tuning?

eric@resohangout.com — Sat, 9 May 2026 12:00:27 CST

I see both DGDGBD & GBDGBD referred to as such. I realize they’re both 1-3-5 chord tones so maybe both are correct?

Appication for the Mike Auldridge Memorial Scholarship due by June 1

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 7 May 2026 09:54:13 CST

If you are of a particular demographic with a college interest in resonator guitar. The IBMA Foundation offers a number of scholarships including the reso/steel/guitar related Mike Auldridge Memorial Scholarship.

Apply HERE!

Need help with fills, rhythm, etc.

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 6 May 2026 10:57:48 CST

I’m new to reso as I just started in January. I’m currently learning some solos, playing the melody with single notes and chords. I’d like to start going to some bluegrass jams but don’t have a clue what to play while others are soloing, singing, and so forth. Is there a reso equivalent of the boom-chuck? Is there a good instructional out there for this sort of thing?

First Ever Instrument

eric@resohangout.com — Tue, 5 May 2026 21:47:54 CST

Greetings all.

First off: apologies if this is the kind of topic that's done to death, but I've googled around and failed to find the detailed information I'm looking for.

I am brand-spanking new to guitar. No chords, a hazy grasp on theory, tender fingers--nothing but a burning desire finally learn to play I find myself unable to ignore.

I have been listening to hours and hours of instruments on youtube and elsewhere, standard acoustics and resonators both, and I've learned as much as I could. I keep coming back to the reso sound. My goal is to play finger style, and dark, slide-heavy delta-infused southern gothic. (Brother Dege, Justin Johnson, Lincoln Durham for sonic references)

I've got my eye on a National NRP or a Mule with tricones, or the National S-1 spider cone. Not too worried about the dollar signs, and I'd also like to do my small part to keep artisans in the states employed, so I'd prefer not to buy something made overseas (though I cast no judgement on anyone else who has). I very much want to start at the end with instruments that can do what I want to do, so to speak. Worst case, I'll sell on to someone more deserving and eat the loss with no regrets.

I've read that resonators are, to one degree or another, harder to learn on than a standard acoustic guitar. I'm happy to let my skills grow up on one instrument, and learn its ins and outs, and I know I'll be more eager to put the practice time in on instrument I love the sound of, instead of a stepping stone instrument that isn't quite there.

I figure there aren't many communities that are better to ask than this one. What am I in for, starting on one of these resonators? Am I making a mistake that'll hamstring my progress as a student? Is one of them a better choice than the others?

Grateful for any advice you're willing to impart, especially what I can do in terms of set up, strings, etc. to best enable my progress.

ToneSlab vs BlueChip Thumbpick (quick take)

eric@resohangout.com — Mon, 4 May 2026 11:45:00 CST

As an incurable tinkerer, I picked up the new ToneSlab thumb pick (pre-order a couple months ago—I don’t think they’re widely available yet).

I’ve been a BlueChip player for years, so that’s my baseline.

Both picks here are the JD Crowe model in Medium. I’ve attached a few photos for anyone curious about the physical differences.

Price:
ToneSlab ~$35
BlueChip ~$40
Close enough to call it a wash.

Fit:
The ToneSlab fits slightly tighter, though that may just be because my BlueChip is well broken-in. Both work fine for me size-wise.

Form:
The ToneSlab has a noticeably larger blade (longer and wider), along with a bigger metal band overall.

Tone:
No discernible difference to my ear.

Playability:
This is where I noticed the biggest difference. The longer blade on the ToneSlab takes some getting used to—not just in feel, but in technique. I found myself occasionally contacting the metal backplate, which I don't do with the BlueChip. That says more about my attack (I probably dig in a bit deeper than most players).

That said, I could probably adapt pretty quickly if I wanted to. And for some players, that longer blade might be a plus.

Conclusion:
The ToneSlab seems like a legitimate alternative. But for me, I’ll stick with the BlueChip—I don’t hear a tonal advantage, and it’s not enough of a change to justify adjusting technique.

One unknown is long-term durability. I typically get about a year out of a BlueChip. Obviously the ToneSlab is an unknown to me.

Hope this helps someone. Happy picking!

Nice starter guitar Wechter

eric@resohangout.com — Sat, 2 May 2026 15:06:43 CST

I see quite a few requests & questions about starter dobros (squarenecks) on this site.

Today I stopped in Acoustic Music in Salt Lake City (nice small acoustic guitar store with top shelf instruments) and in the back room he had a Wechter squareneck reso in great shape for $700. It’s the f-hole model. Good starter. They are on 400 south in SLC. Look them up if interested.

Tall tailpiece and Dobro ID

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 1 May 2026 17:46:35 CST

Hey folks, I'm more of a squareneck guy but and old boy asked me to clean up this Dobro round neck for him and I've got a couple questions maybe you can help me with:

1: SN D2010820. I spent an hour scouring forums for a date and checked the reference guides readily available, the D seems to denote a wood body which is not the case, and my best guess based on google image search is that its late 90's made at the Nashville factory before the flood. Am I close? Any opinions are welcome, it's frustrating. If the year is actually 2010 I'll eat my own shorts.

2) Tailpiece seems high? Should I redrill the pilot hole and lower it to the body height? The chrome colour is way off from the body, I'm hesitant to mod it if original.

3) It's not for sale, but guesses on value are welcome. We're in Ontario Canada, I can look up the exchange value if you tell me your thoughts in USD or Euro etc.

Thanks in advance, I'm just out here doing a favour for another picker for free. Just finished sanding the #14 spider tines flat, dropping in a used cone and used saddles I had in my parts pile trying to do this guy a solid. Looking for free advice :) thanks!!

HELP finding website to buy these dobro slides

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 1 May 2026 11:14:57 CST

I ran into a website weeks ago a small store that sells I believe a custom made slide and there’s versions that have notches in the top flute. These are said to be hard to find and so I was excited but lost the tab on the browser can’t find it again. These would be chrome plated slides with a kind of “wood carved” look on the top where these notches are along the top edges of the top flute (to help grip) does anyone know what store website these are sold from? I just spent 30 minutes searching and couldn’t find it.

Thanks !

Great mic for cheap!

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 1 May 2026 06:38:39 CST

This mic does a great job with dobros! musiciansfriend.com/stupid

National Scheerhorn

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:41:42 CST

I am not see much talk about National Scheerhorns. How does the community view them in comparison to Beards? Sound wise and quality.

What are some external pickups for resonator mandolins?

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:39:51 CST

I recently got a Recording King nickel/brass reso mandolin. It doesn't really need a pickup, but I'm still wondering whether there are any external pickups that would work on it, attaching at the neck Krivo-style or at the bridge or on the body.

Thanks!

D'Addario EJ15-E phosphor bronze strings

eric@resohangout.com — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 14:59:35 CST

Anyone had the occasion to use or try these particular light strings? Noticed WMT had them decently priced, along with an extra 1st string.

Modified EG Smith “bluegrass” model tone bar

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:12:58 CST

Here’s my EG Smith “bluegrass” model tone bar after having a machinist grind a sharper edge for snappier pull-offs. Note before and after photos. (Not exact on camera angles, but you get the idea).

Works great. I was aiming for an edge similar to my Beard 20/20—and he got there in spades.

I’ve heard the Ferrari analogy for Scheerhorn bars (which I’ve used and like…)

If the Scheerhorn is a Ferrari, this modified EG Smith is a Formula 1 car—small, sleek, low-profile, and sharp…lol.

Caution…not for those with huge hands! It’s the smallest bar I’ve seen or used.

Identify a Song

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:17:16 CST

Can anyone identify the song Josh Graves plays beginning at 8:43 on the vudeo "Josh Graves Dobro Workshop - Waldo Florida 1990?"

Here is the url:

m.youtube.com/watch?v=_xB5b870...DE5OTA%3D

I've tried to find it on the web, but to no avail.

Thanks for any help!

Top string gauge..

eric@resohangout.com — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:21:10 CST

I have a SlideKing reso which is tuned GBDGBD with a .016 gauge on the high D . The cone doesn't like it . It sounds too 'tinny' . and when Harry Jackson built this guitar he used a .018 gauge for the first string. All the other strings sound very well except for this one. I also might try to use a .017 as a trial to see if the cone reacts better than the .016. An .018 seems to wind too tight . The cone is not a Legend cone. Any of you have a better suggestion on what I need to do to get a better sound out of this reso on the top end. Let's hear from you out there. Many thanks in advance !!

Would You Buy a Reso W/O a Pickup

eric@resohangout.com — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 09:28:27 CST

If you were in the market for a high end reso and it did not have a pick up, would you be more likely or less likely to buy? Or would it not make a difference?

There has to be an easier way to post pictures

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:41:00 CST

In this day and age!

Travel Case/Square Neck

eric@resohangout.com — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:46:48 CST

I’m a square neck dobro player and I’ve been loosing my mind trying to find a good travel case for my guitar/guitars. I have a Paul Beard Special-Gold Tone and a Regal that I use the most and travel with a lot. But their original cases are too cumbersome and heavy to be practical. I find it hard to even google the question “square neck guitar case” and the value of these guitars are hardly worth buying a Carlton case. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Especially something with shoulder straps would be fantastic!!!

Tuning for an Epiphone Dobro Hound Dog Deluxe

eric@resohangout.com — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:28:28 CST

Hello there,
I recently bought a used Epiphone Dobro Hound Dog Deluxe with a round neck, and I’m a bit confused about the recommended tuning for this specific model.
Most recommendations I’ve seen for a dobro tuning is GBDGBD but I don’t know if the neck is built for such high tension (especially being a round neck and not too thick).
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thank you

My first scratch build.

eric@resohangout.com — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 05:51:04 CST

Hi everyone, Just wanted to share some photos of my first build from some scraps I had left over from my cabinet and furniture making days. Turned out not to bad for only using 3A material. I have some really nice 5A quilted maple, planned for some future builds. Turns out I enjoyed making this so much that I'm going to make a few to see if I can sell them. Got a curly maple in the works now that I will be selling, about half done. Turns out I'm better a building them then playing them I think. Let me know what you think!

Has anyone tried D'Addario Chrome strings on a resonator?

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:14:45 CST

I currently use D'Addario Chrome flat-wound strings on my Gretsch hollow body, and I really like them. In addition to sounding great, they last seemingly forever. I also use flats (Magma flatground PBs) on my acoustics, including my resonator. I'm just curious to see if anyone here has tried Chromes on their resonator/

Beard Blackbeard vs Legacy E

eric@resohangout.com — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:23:45 CST

I am looking for how Reso players would describe the tonal differences between these 2 guitars. I know what I hear, but do not know how to describe it.

Thanks

resophonic amplifier choice

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 14:44:46 CST

Other than Fishman loudbox (too expensive). NE1 recommend good reso amplifier. at present using Fender acoustasonic 15. all suggestions welcome. wondering if there are any decent bluetooth options in the marketplace.

Dark Screen option?

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 07:44:27 CST

Is there any way to view this site in a dark Screen mode? I can feel my eyes degrading every time I view this page since it is so bright to me.

Feedback for my slide blues playing?

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 2 Apr 2026 17:36:25 CST

Hello! I've been playing the resonator for around 6 months now. Since I'm half a year in, I just wanted to get feedback on technique, tone, phrasing etc for my slide playing.

I've attached two of my short recordings, one is delta, and the other is on a shuffle. I greatly appreciate any feedback! Thank you so much.

Rayco

eric@resohangout.com — Thu, 2 Apr 2026 16:29:11 CST

Is Rayco still making Resos? I cant find their website.

TTC Dobro

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 18:13:58 CST

Can anyone give me any information on a tut taylor carolina dobro.#134903. yr made value..ect..??

Terminology: Dobro v. Resonator guitar v. Slide guitar?

eric@resohangout.com — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 15:13:08 CST

Whats the best way to let people know that I play a resonator? I play bottleneck slide on a round neck.

To my understanding, "dobro" more refers to lap styled square necks? How would most people refer to round neck slide then? "Resonator guitar" feels like a mouthful...

Slight rattle from the B string

eric@resohangout.com — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 20:05:24 CST

I have a Recording King Maxwell round neck resonator, and after setup (new strings, adjust intonation at the bridge, etc.) and new Gotoh tuners, I still have one minor issue--a slight rattle from the B string. Any ideas or help would be appreciated.

Thanks.