Hi everyone, I'm thinking of purchasing a pisgah but can't decide on a model. I already have a gold tone white Ladye and wanted something different with a deeper bass sound but still can project. I like Old Time and blues but do venture into modern stuff also. Would the Dobson be different enough from the gold tone that I already have ,or should I go for the Possum or Appalachian to get a different kind of tone?
17 Comments |
Page47 says:
3/31/2015 5:22:25 AM
I had a Gold Tone MM-150 (maple with white ladye) and purchased a cherry dobson from Pisgah. The difference in tone was significant. The overall quality and character of the Pisgah was much higher as well. The Possum would give even more plunk and take away the pretty dobson ring (which isn't a bad thing). Setup makes a huge difference. If you want to have something different than your GT, get any of the Pisgah models with a skin head and a heavier bridge and heaver strings and you'll be at the other end of the spectrum.
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 | Oldpiper says:
3/31/2015 5:59:19 AM
I have a Possum with the persimmon tone ring and put a John Balch skin head on it. I love he deep, resonant sound.
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 | skiffle says:
3/31/2015 6:00:32 AM
I absolutely love my walnut dobson. To me it sounds like no other and I cannot think of another that I would ever trade it for.
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 | ancient tones says:
3/31/2015 6:34:28 AM
My 11" Walnut Dobson is plush sounding, as skiffle says, very unique. A 12" head of course will have more bass. I have played a 12" Possum and Dobson and they both have plenty of bass growl. And both would be different from your Gold Tone.
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 | BillSchmelzer says:
3/31/2015 6:40:21 AM
I bought my 12" Possum on BHO and it is stock, has a deep, mellow sound. Good luck.
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 | bananas says:
3/31/2015 12:20:01 PM
How does the possum hold up in a jam? I really like the sound but can I use it with others or at a gig? Or more of a banjo for vocal accompaniment?
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 | Patagorda says:
3/31/2015 1:11:55 PM
I played the MM150 a few times and seriously considered buying it. Though my sound memory is far from reliable, I remember that it had plenty of treble and some sustain, but perhaps less bass and warmth. Ultimately (and much later) I ended up with the Pisgah Rambler, which I still totally love. Its 12" pot gives it a full bass and warm sound, the spunover rim gives the right amount of sustain and if I want more sustain and a few more highs I could add the Dobson tone ring that I bought alongside. But for me it sounds just like a banjo should. Spot on.
I hope you have an opportunity to try out a few of Patrick's models. They're all good, each in its own way. You can't go wrong, really.
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| bananas says:
4/2/2015 6:35:58 AM
Hmm even though I really like the plucky mellow sound of the possum, I think that the Dobson would be more versatile. Any one have tips on set up for the Dobson?
I'm think I'm going with walnut rim and walnut or cherry neck.
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| bananas says:
4/2/2015 6:38:40 AM
Oh and 12" pot to add extra bass....:-)
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Page47 says:
4/2/2015 6:45:43 AM
I have a Cherry Dobson and a Rambler Dobson from Pisgah. On both, I have a John Balch goat skin head and pretty heavy strings (11,13,15,24,11) with the action set to somewhere between 3/32 and 1/8th at the 12th fret (depending on the day and head tension). I use a Romero compensated bridge on the Rambler and a Spice bridge (not compensated) on the Short scale Cherry Dobson. I love this setup.
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Page47 says:
4/2/2015 6:46:23 AM
One other setup piece to add: Fielding tailpieces on both.
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| bananas says:
4/2/2015 7:33:46 AM
Oh another question is, how much do these banjos weigh? Are they pretty light?
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| bananas says:
4/2/2015 7:53:40 AM
Page47 how do the tones differ between your banjos?
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Page47 says:
4/2/2015 8:27:39 AM
banjohangout.org/topic/298111
My setup now is just a little different from where it was when I wrote the above post, but the general thoughts on tone still apply.
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| bananas says:
4/2/2015 9:01:36 AM
It's hard to decide from the video. Sometimes I think I like the Appalachian best. Decisions,decisions.
;-/
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| bananas says:
4/8/2015 11:33:04 PM
So I ordered the 12" Dobson with walnut neck and cherry pot, paddle headstock, Dobson heel, and added brass hardware. I will post pics when it arrives. I'm very excited to hear/see it!
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| bananas says:
4/9/2015 2:44:47 AM
Oh and thanks everyone for your advice!
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