Marrs/Fluger RGS with Mesa DC-3

Adam Ollendorff · Post by **Adam Ollendorff** » 27 Feb 2006 10:14 pm

I just got a gorgeous new Marrs/Fluger RGS, and it's terrific. But I think I need some guidance in setting the tone and reso volume on the guitar, and the EQ on my amp. One person at the gig I played tonight complained that I sounded "nasally" on it. I'd like to get as close as possible to Dobro tones.

I have a Mesa/Boogie DC-3, which has a five-band graphic EQ. I suspect that settings that work best for pedal steel may not be best when I switch to the RGS. I'd love to be able to have the treble, mid and bass set for steel, and then engage the graphic EQ with the footswitch when I play Cat Can. But if I need to adjust everything each time I switch, I'm willing to do that to get the best sounds on steel and RGS.

I tend to play with a lot of folkies, so I set my amp for darker steel tones (treble around 4, mid and bass around

and leave the graphic EQ off unless I'm playing the RGS.

Thanks in advance for any help.

-Adam

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Sho Bud Pro-I, Fluger/Marrs RGS, Dobro Dobro, National Dynamic Lap Steel

Rich Gibson · Post by **Rich Gibson** » 2 Mar 2006 5:50 am

Hi Adam did you get the sunbrust one.I saw that one when Marv got done-looked cool.
Anyway I don't have my 100% tone dailed in as yet.But so far I would say:
Cut your mids to 3 or 4
Don't use any(or Very Little) reverb with just a touch of delay.Reverb seems to muddy the sound.It sounds(to me) more organic/acoustic with out the verb.
I play though a Vibrosonic or Showman and I think it sounds best on Channel one with just the bass and treble controls and of course no verb.
I like the tone and Reso knobs at around 7 or 8 but there's allot of sounds to be had.
On a more subjective note I wouldn't lose any sleep over one audience members perception.Plus couldn't you say that a Dobro tone has a bit of a nasal quality...?
Hope that helps.If you have any further revelations please let me know.I'm still experimenting.

[This message was edited by Rich Gibson on 02 March 2006 at 07:08 PM.]

Adam Ollendorff · Post by **Adam Ollendorff** » 2 Mar 2006 11:37 am

Thank you Rich! I'll try those settings. I appreciate it.

You make a good point; I'm not 100% sure my critic was familiar with true Dobro sound.

I have a "vintage blone" finish on my RGS, sort of after Gary Morse's guitar, although I have the "lap" version. Gary has the model that looks like a real Dobro. What about you?

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 2 Mar 2006 12:57 pm

Adam I would love to see a pic of your RGS, I'm thinking of getting one myself and have only seen the Green and Red finishes on Marv's website !

Adam Ollendorff · Post by **Adam Ollendorff** » 2 Mar 2006 4:15 pm

Hi Paddy. Unfortunately, I don't have a camera. But I'll ask a friend to bring his to the next gig he comes to. In the meantime, Marv can probably show you pics of this color. I might even have a picture of Gary Morse's RGS, which looks similar. I'll email it to you.
http://flugerguitars.com/

Rich Gibson · Post by **Rich Gibson** » 2 Mar 2006 7:25 pm

Adam I have the one that looks like a Dobro.
The playing position takes some getting used to but I wanted the visual.People see Dobro they hear Dobro.Even though mine has an 8 string swing tuning and I can't play bluegrass.At all.

I attended Mike Aludridges' seminar last year in Dallas and he played a bunch of cool swing stuff. I was hooked.
I looked into real 8 string Dobros but the prices and amplification problems put me off.What I like about the RGS is I can use a Guitar or Steel amp no problem.No seperate amp.no feedback.
Anyway hopefully some other owners will chime in.I'd like to hear some other experiences.[This message was edited by Rich Gibson on 02 March 2006 at 07:28 PM.]

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 2 Mar 2006 7:50 pm

That green one on Marvin's website is original LDG green tint formula. The red ones
are real cool also.