r/Dobro

TLDR; can I make a lap steel feel like a dobro?

Hi y'all. I've got a strange question. For the past couple years I've dabbled in playing dobro, and I got pretty serious about it in the past six months. However, I just moved into an apartment where it wouldn't be ok to play it (I wish you could mute a dobro like a banjo but I haven't found a way) so I sold it.

I'd really like to continue to learn the instrument, so I'm trying to think creatively. I have a Gretsch lap steel that I enjoy, but the scale and string spacing are very different from a dobro. I also play it in D with benders.

I'm considering picking up a Gold Tone LS-6 because the 25" scale and 2" nut closely match a dobro. Based on my guitar experience, though, I assume it'll still probably feel quite different.

Does anyone have experience playing a longer-scale lap steel tuned GBDGBD? This would just be a practice instrument so I'm not that concerned with sound, but I'd love to hear opinions on whether it'll feel close enough to be worth it.

Hey yall.

Always wanted to play dobro. Main instrument is guitar but I play a little pedal steel as well.

Finally found a deal on an old model 37 and I’m digging it… coming from guitar it’s a lot more intuitive tuning than pedal steel and I dig the legato mechanics.

The thing I’m finding slightly concerning is how strenuous it is to constantly lift the bar to play single strings… Is it normal to really feel that and have a sore wrist?

Do I just need to build muscles up, or is this a technique thing? Want to play all day but I’m finding this to be a serious limitation… The flatter I play, the easier it is on the wrist, but it feels like you need quite a bit of vertical angle to really be accurate and articulate for legato stuff?

Hey folks, general resonator question here. I’m getting a significant amount of buzz on my lower 3 strings. I’ve brought it to two repair people who haven’t been able to diagnose the problem. Those three strings do seem to be sitting closer to the cover plate, but I don’t think that’s it. Any ideas on what this could be? I picked this guitar up as my gigging guitar (had a pickup installed) but I can’t ignore that slight distortion I’m getting. I’d be very grateful for any ideas! 🙏