Dobro pickup advise needed

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 1 Jun 2003 9:10 am

I would like to install a pickup on my Dobro that will project a natural Dobro sound without feedback and boxy boomy sound. I put a Fishman reso pickup in it with a Fishman preamp and it is not at all satisfactory. I have been using a SM57 with good success in a small building but I am the only instrument in the sound system and I would like to use an amp. Is there a small mic that would plug into an amp that would work?
Thanks,
Jerry

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 1 Jun 2003 9:55 am

I would like to install a pickup on my Dobro that will project a natural Dobro sound without feedback and boxy boomy sound. I put a Fishman reso pickup in it with a Fishman preamp and it is not at all satisfactory.

Jerry,

Which part was unsatisfactory? The dobro is pretty prone to feedback when using a pickup. I solved the problem with the Sabine Solo feedback eliminator between the pre's output and the amp. I'm using the older McIntyre PU with Fishman Blender and it sounds quite natural. I can drive the rig to silly volume levels..

HowardP

------------------
Howard Parker
poobah@resoguit.com
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT-L

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 1 Jun 2003 10:14 am

If you are not using an acoustic amplifier you're just not going to get the real sound. I use the Fishman reso pick-up (active)with a Peavey Ecoustic 112. It sounds exactly like
the Dobro does acoustically without feedback. The feedback eliminator is on the amp. I just went through this with another steeler. He couldn't believe the tone difference using a Peavey Ecoustic 112. A fourty year player. Great acoustic amplifier.[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 01 June 2003 at 11:15 AM.]

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 1 Jun 2003 6:13 pm

I use the old McIntyre pickup, and a Crate CA-60 amp. Sounds almost as good as live! And I only get feedback when I get too close to the amp.
But isn't life that way? I mean, we only get feedback, when we get too close.
(Sorry, I had a philosophical moment.)

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 2 Jun 2003 4:25 pm

Hello Jerry,

No doubt a mic has the BEST sound.

My experience with the Fishman reso has been good using LR Baggs Paracoustic DI preamp. I think it is very similar(?) to the Fishman. The best parts are the phase switch and the notch filters, for controlling feedback. But I use it as sound reinforcement, where you can hear the Dobro "dry", and hear about the same level from an amp.

At the Dallas SGC I played my Dobro thru Peavey's Feedback Ferret into a N1000 in the Peavey showroom. Man we just kept crankin the volume to crazy levels with no feedback. Also plugged into one of the new acoustic amps that has the Ferret built in. Again cranked her way up, with me standing 8 feet in front.

My guess is that your mic and the Feedback Ferret(1 rack space) would do a very good job. IMHO mic's are much more sensitive to feedback than the pickup. Maybe use both and mix them.

Good luck

Ron

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 3 Jun 2003 6:47 am

I borrowed a Peavey KB/A 100 last evening and tried it with no success. I don't know if it has the Feedback Ferret in it or not but feedback was a problem. Does anyone know?
Jerry

Ulf Edlund · Post by **Ulf Edlund** » 3 Jun 2003 8:24 am

I have a top mounted Barcus-Berry that sounds pretty well on my Hound Dog.
It was quite inexpensive but i don't know if they are still available.
I've tried both the humbucker and single-coil models an in my opinion the single-coil has a much more natural, open sound.
The link below shows the humbucker model. http://www.roadworthyguitars.com/77.dobro.html

Uffe

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 3 Jun 2003 10:40 am

Jerry,
I really enjoyed your dobro playing at the Indy gospel show. May I make a suggestion? I would recommend the Audio-Technica PRO-35X clip on microphone. It comes with a UniMount clip to fasten to the top of your dobro. You will also need some phantom power and maybe something to control feedback. Behringer makes a neat little unit called the "Shark DSP110". This unit provides phantom power, a compressor/limiter, noise gate and feedback destroyer all in one compact unit. These two units will set you back about $200 for both.
If you order from Musicians Friend, you can try them for 30 days and if you don't like them, you can send them back.
What a deal!
Erv

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 3 Jun 2003 6:41 pm

Thank you Erv. I don't remember getting to meet you but wish I had known you were at Indy. Be sure and let me know next year.
Thanks for everyone's input. I have some thinks to work with in sorting this out. I was not even aware of a "Feedback Ferret".
I remember seeing Rabbit Easter use a very small mic inside a rubber hose stuck in the soundhole of his Dobro. I don't know what type mic or how he hooked it up but it was an outside concert and very loud and the Dobro sounded very good.
Jerry