Resonator Battle | Gretsch Boxcar vs. Epiphone Dobro Hound Dog
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- čas přidán 3. 08. 2024
- Today we're working with a couple great options in the Resonator family: the Dobro (by Epiphone) Hound Dog and the Gretsch Boxcar. Both of these are great, affordable options with great history and classic tone. Take a listen and let us know which one you prefer!
0:00 Intro/Specs
9:17 Gretsch Boxcar Demo
10:24 Epiphone Dobro Hound Dog
11:59 Final Thoughts
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9:18 They start playing the guitars.
thank god
Thumbs up for the playing skill!
I have a Boxcar. While the Epiphone sounds really good, it has a bit more of the high end in it. I like the mellower sound of the Gretsch. Stellar playing👍🏼
So the history of the slide guitar style comes from Hawaiian guitarist Joseph Kekuku (there are a ton of articles that cover this). Kekuku toured the US in the early 1900s playing Hawaiian style slide guitar. It became a major popular music form. The slide style was emulated by “Country” musicians (bluegrass as a distinct style didn’t exist yet), and blues players. The resonator guitar grew out of that intersection. Did you ever wonder why resonator guitars have palm trees engraved on them? What’s most interesting is how most “country” players picked up the technique of playing it in the lap like Kekuku did, but blues players like Son House played it like they held a Spanish guitar.
The Epiphone sounds a little tinny to me. I like the sound of the Gretsch.
I love the dynamic here. One dude with no hair and one dude with all the hair. Love this channel
I bought a Boxcar, my first resonator, last Fall to focus on slide. I love playing it both slide and fingerstyle sans slide. You really feel the sound in your body while playing and I’ve loved working up instrumentals.
Btw-Knofler plays a resonator on Romeo&Juliet, a song from my set list for decades now, and I can finally emulate the vibe of that tune with my Boxcar, whereas my Taylor 410ce dred never quite captured it.
Thank You so much. Your video reviews are the best. 😊👍
Gretsch all the way.
I have the Dobro and that sweeter tone really shines when using a slide. I do also play a Gretsch metal body Honeydipper which really growls nicely. Both are excellent instruments for the $
Very interesting video! Would love to see a comparison of the metal resonators!
Great playing & sweet guitars .!. 👍👍
Coopers playing was awesome. I just bought a used Gretsch in perfect condition. The v neck really doesn't bother me. Fun to play.
Well, he doesn’t seem to know much about resonators, but damn, that guy can play!
Been looking at these for a while thanks for helping…
what a great video. Well done. Helped me make a decision
I have a Dobro 1937 fiddle edge, with a Hawaian motive on the back. Bought it for 1500€
I own the box car and love it but I play rock with it. I never thought I'd enjoy the sound but it lends itself great to what I do.
Do your homework on the origins of resonator guitars! Invented in the late 1920's to emulate the Slack Key Hawaiian sound. John Dopyera invented the resonator for musician George Beauchamp, who also wanted a louder sounding instrument. The other company, National, was also making their start in resonator guitars. National and Dopyera merged to form the Dobro company (combining the five Dopyera Brothers name into one). And the story goes on from there....
In fairness, they had a guess that it was for the louder properties.
I own the Gretsch, but I thought the Dobro had a slightly richer tone. With the neck shape, I can tell you that the first time I played it, it certainly felt a little bit weird, so it's certainly noticeable. The one downside, I find personally, is that it's very easy to accidentally mute the high E string, and I can't help thinking that comes down to the shape of the neck (that your fingers form a shape that you would not make with a true round neck). It means I have to change the shape of my hand behind the neck a tiny bit, and do it quite consciously, to avoid muting the E string.
Cooper " Chris how much is that resonator?: Chis ' It is a lot of dough bro"!
😂
Ha!
Just got my new Fender PR-180E Resonator and what a surprise the neck was. Was described in the ad as a "round neck" but like the Gretsch here in this video, just like Cooper mentioned about the Gretsch neck, the neck on this Fender is the MOST pronounced V neck I have ever felt in my life. So much so, I was sure the neck shaping was unfinished when the stain was applied, and the guitar sent out. As Cooper said about the Gretsch V neck... "It's a big deal." He then went onto say... "But it's okay." So far, it's NOT okay with me. So much so, that I'm thinking about sending the guitar back or... taking a rasp to the neck to take the V out. then sanding it smooth and try to match the stain. Other than the V neck, I love the guitar. It looks great, has a great action and sounds great. I just hope I can get used to the neck. I'll give it a day or two before I go to either extreme of return or... woodworking!
Great video very helpful. I liked the attitude/energy of the Gretsch tone sounded punchier. So I have just bought a used Boxcar - looking forward to some Delta Blues
Great demo Cooper! To me the Dobro sounded more like a folk instrument than the Gretch.
I'd really like a follow up video where you demo a couple metal bodied resonators. Hope you guys do it! Thanks for this video, a resonator is definitely on my radar to add to my collection. Would love to learn slide on it. Been listening to Justin Johnson lately, very inspirational.
Yes, Justin also explained the importance of the flater fretboard radius being important (better) for slide.
Although,he was trying to decide on other factors on several high-end Matons.
He pronounced it "May- ton".
I have a Fender round neck,which for $350 sounds just as good as my Regal.
One warning on all s steel, round neck, resonators;I have a Hound dog Dobro stainless, and a Fender, both are heavy!
Especially the Fender.
Justin Johnson 🔥🔥🔥
I play a 1968 brass body, chrome plated Dobro, bought in 2001 following hand surgery which left me unable to play traditional style guitar. I bought a glass slide and my life changed forever. Jaws drop when i pull it out and play the blues. It’s easy to conger up deep, swampy sounds. And when amplified (the second owner retro-fitted a ‘59 PAF pup) with tube tremolo & reverb cranked, I don’t even need a band.
I can play regular acoustic & electric guitars now, but I keep my Dobro as my secret weapon and my late night, go to ax. I often thought of about adding a round back, wood body resonator. Are there any upscale models being made today? Any USA construction?
Finally, hats off to Copper! Killer chops! Curious about your tuning… I’m guessing GBDGBD. I think the Gretsch had better tone. And that V neck might be perfect for slide players. Thanks for all your videos.
I play a dobro myself, with the strings set high and with a slide bar. Only reason why is because that's how my great grandfather played it that way for his whole career. Loved this video!
Josh Graves, great great grandson! Do you play in his style or more modern style??
@@MrGourdman1 I more so take inspiration from his style and make it my own. No one could play like Uncle Josh, so I don't try to be him. 😊
The Gretsch sounded more clear to me, more balanced.
I agree.
the dobro is great, but the gretsch is just better in terms of the feels you get from playing it
The Gretsch was DEFINITELY warmer and more pronounced for me too....more of balanced sound all around ...looking at a few right now ..
you all should never be producers. the gretsch was boxy as as hell and cold dobro far superior build
I have the Boxcar and love it. The V neck is not even noticed when playing it. Great for blues finger picking and slide.
Really nice playing... when its finally gotten too. Sheesh! Gretsch sounds fatter, deeper, my fav so far over the "others."
Cooper is such a star. These guitars really sing! I'm sold!!
Their fun and an inexpensive way to try something new. I have both square neck and round new Gretsch Boxcars. I bought them both used and neither looked like they had ever been played. I have just under 500 buck in the two combined. And yes, they will stay in tune. They are fun to play with. I use the square necked “dobro” to keep me humble. Anytime I think I am becoming a decent guitar player I break out the square neck resonator and a tone bar and realize that I am totally incompetent! 😬
I used to own a wooden-bodied RN Dobro and it was fine. After a gap several years long I bought a Gretsch G3170. The Gretsch sounds sweeter, more like a flat top. It's not unusually loud but it sounds good to me and I prefer it. The neck is first-rate, fast and low without buzzing. For lap steel playing you just add a nut raiser, but for that stuff there are more Bluesy boxes out there for not too much money.
Of these two, I'd go for the Gretsch, and I'm sure its tone would be demonstrated just as well with some slow playing.
I have a maple, 12 fret reso, single cone, spider style,from Gretsch’s Historic series - made in Korea around 2000 - an excellent reso. It sold for just under $800, new over twenty yrs ago. I’d like that Boxcar! I love v necks on my 50’s Tele’s, so that plus it’s mahogany body is appealing for me. I have a 1970, maple MIJ reso (same style) that would also bear the “Sho-bud” name - mine has a Spanish sounding name that I can’t recall. Also an excellent instrument. I also have a very inexpensive Oscar Schmidt laminate of some sort, that has a Firebird style humbucker in it, and sounds monstrous when amped up. It’s another single cone spider, split saddle guitar. These last two are 14 fret necks.
I LOVE reso guitars!
Now I have GAS.
PEACE
I've been wanting a resonator for some time, just waiting until my finances are a little better to get a good one. I am more inclined towards the biscuit or tricone models, which have more of that signature bark of the resonators. I want to stay with wood bodies for the warmth they deliver. I want to use it for fingerstyle blues and slide, which is the next direction I want to go with my playing. Most likely I will go with the affordable Recording King Dirty 30s, but I have a few other models I am looking at.
Justin Johnson has some good stuff with resonators, really making the most of them for slow swamp blues.
For me French man those guitars are associate to delta blues ! The Gretsh is very good sounding ! Thanks guys for the demo !
I have never heard a Hounddog before (except this morning mine was howling in solidarity with the ambulance on I48,and she weighs 85 pounds).it was sweet, but I would take the boxcar and call it "Willie. "
Make that I49
The square neck is made because playing it flat, usually with a strap while standing, puts too much stress on the neck. I took a resonator round neck and started playing dobro on it and the neck broke at the base. With some glue and a screw down through the fret-board I was able to continue using it for learning the dobro style.
9:17 until we get our first note played on either of these instruments.
I preferred the Hound Dog. To my relief, as I have one. It would have been annoying to have liked the other better.
Square necks typically have a higher action than their round neck counter parts. This is to make it easier for sliding since you typically aren't going to be pressing down on the strings.
Another demo of Cooper's great skills! I don't have a reso, but I'd buy the Gretsch over the Dobro. The Dobro sounded like a guitar to me with not much metal sound. Another I like from a distance that I've seen reviews on is the Recording King Dirty 30s reso with the mini bucker.
More than my 2 cents.
The first part of Lola by the Kinks was played on a resonator I believe.
I play that in Open E. Felt this song just fell into it so easily.
I've always wanted one of these and love the sound. The V shaped neck on the gretsch sounds good, also love the mother of pearl/toilet seat headstock overlay.
All in all these guitars are the ultimate cure for neck dive, is there such a think as bum dive!?
The biggest difference between a traditional round neck and a square neck is that a square neck has a raised nut and isn’t necessarily intended to finger notes . It’s slide only.. whereas a round neck has a radius fret board and a traditional nut for fingering notes . One can use a finger slide being careful not to press the slide too hard as not to buzz the frets
I am on the fence! both sound so good! I gravitate for the muddier sounds, but as you play the Dobro guitar, man! that feels so good too. I wish I could afford both!
After playing standard guitar for 38 yrs, I started 10 years ago with Gretch Boxcar, also have the Dobro, also have Oscar Schmitt. My fav. Is Gretch 12 fret, but I like the Dobro- sounds more solid, and really like the black Oscar-Shmitt, for the 14 fret, and has a more “primitive” sound. They all sound differently, but love those differences.
I think the resonator guitar came to prominence in England with the Hawaiian music fad in the 20's and 30's usually the lap style version. Great video, I've been thinking about a resonator guitar for some time now.
Grover tuners are on BOTH the Epiphone and Gretsch. I was actually thinking of buying the G9200 Gretsch and so I was quite interested to see which one I preferred.
I thought the Gretsch sounded better to me, so I think I will be buying the Gretsch. Btw, I tend to play classic rock and metal, so I guess I will see how some Iron Maiden sounds on a resonator guitar :)
9200 for 10 years, still my favorite, also have this Dobro, and an Oscar Schmitt 14 fretted black electric. Always buy one that has a pickup. Have at least one with 14 frets. All sound differently, I appreciate the differences. Have had this “itch” since hearing Clapton’s Crossroad DVD, recorded in near Chicago, while credits were running with a freight train slowly lumbering along a crooked track, with a morning run. The background lonesome music tendered was a awe inspiring moment that commanded me to start trying to emulate this art form.
Both are very cool. I'd lean more towards a National full metal body one though. I've tried a couple at McCabe's in Santa Monica and thought they were really great. Also looked cool as hell. Heavy though... Think it would break my foot and the floor and the earth below.
From Toronto, Canada: For me it's the Gretsch.. I like the extra little bit of bark. Great playing Cooper- what was the song?
Coopers playing is so cool! Love it.😊
Did we notice that when he was playing the dobro, he was playing closer to the bridge which was allowing more projection and the typical sound from it.
Hmmm…. I rewatched both, and maayyybee he played the Dobro a small fraction closer to the bridge; but I also saw him play the Gretsch closer to the bridge at times. Everybody’s wired differently so we’ll all hear this differently.
I preferred the sound of the Dobro and the nicer neck shape is to me a bonus.
Great video! Now Honey Dipper vs Dobro M-14 please. 😀
Anyone who's interested should look into GOLDTONE. GREAT guitars!!!!!!
ahhhhh , you see dozens of the cheaper Goldtone's used up for sale , everywhere . there must be a reason people are dumping them
My wife bought me a Gibson hounddog it was around 800.00 bucks the quality was sub par I did send it back and found a used dobro that I like a lot.national is on san
Louis obispo ca.
changed my mind after hearing about the neck
Hi from France, verry interesting battle beetween those two models. I would like to buy a resonator guitar, in France you can easyly find Gretch ot Dobro Epiphone models. Another brand could interresting me, it's Recording King. What do you think about this brand ? Is it possible to have a battle beetween Dobro, Gretch and Recording King ?
Thanks to Cooper for his amazing playing.
I prefer the Gretsch myself. I have a Gretsch Historic Series that I be had over 20 years. It’s a keeper
I love the sound of both but I think the Dobro is more distinctively a resonator guitar.
I kept wanting to press "play" the button while watching the video 😅
I have the Gretsch Boxcar,,,,love it!!! ....Both are very nice sounding resos, and both are well made. Cooper, too bad you didn't play bottleneck slide on the demos...you really missed hearing something there! And Chris, you probably already know this, but if you're going for a metal body reso, make sure you try out all the various styles (single cone, tricone) and body metals (brass, steel, German silver) out there...different sounds, different weights. I've got wood body, brass, and steel resos...good luck!
Cooper, what is the name of that Diddy you are playing? Is it an original. Love it! tom in maine
Let's face it, this dude's gonna make anything sound great..
Ain't that the truth!
Cant you over tighten the strings a little to stretch them out, and put a bit more tension on the wood, then tune in back again to seat the new strings and the guitar in? Would it then stay in tune?
I thought the Hound Dog had more Bark! Both needed to be pushed harder ala picks.I’m going for Recording King 993 as that’s more appealing to me
I returned my Boxcar and got an Alligator instead. Made a huge difference.
I really like the Gretsch. Do you think I could convert it to a lefty by just exchanging the nut? Or, does something else need to happen under the bridge?
yak yak yak yak! gotta go!
At about 11:20 in that this video my man does a little solo and as a new guitarist i wanted to know is that a scale or what is that
These videos are fun to watch if you slow it down to 0.5 It’d be like Watching Chris and Coop doing these videos after one too many Bourbons 😂
The Dobro sounded less like a resonator but not as toy guitar like as the Gretsch. Pretty sure the local GC has one I can play. Are they both the same kind of bridge?
a square neck has a higher action specifically for slide use
I prefer the Gretchen more than the Dobro
I preferred the hound dogs warm tone but the boxcar sounded more punchy on the riffs.
But the neck shape and the tuners make me swing in the hound dog’s favour.
Man! COOPER! I hate you! Dude, this is dangerous! You are likely to convince me to buy a resonator guitar! LOL YOU ARE INSANE!! GREAT JOB BRO! I love how you play. I learn on my own and can't wait to get better at it and play at least close to how you play. AMAZING SOUNDS!
Thank you dude :) I appreciate it!
@@AlamoMusic Oh you are welcome! Bro, I appreciate you! Thank you for doing the demos! My pleasure!
Chris should check out the local Boys at Republic.
That long haired fella can sure play a mean gitfiddle.
I re-listened with my eyes closed and the Gretsch sounds more like an oddly mic'd standard acoustic - some of the twang is missing. The Dobro sounds like a Dobro ...
It’s the Gretsch for me y’all
Having owned the Epi in the past and now recently being gifted the Gretsch (Alligator) here's what I can say. The Epiphone is much heavier than the Gretsch. The Gretsch feels much less solid and feels a bit junky.
My Gretsch alligator is buzzing very bad due to string height.
(how do you adjust string height on a resontor guitar?)
It is unplayable through the first 4 frets on the high strings.
The Epi Houndog I sold a few years back is the better built instrument.
Im looking for short scale tin box bass.
To my old worn ot ears, I think the Dobro has the sound that I like best. The Gretsch is nicer looking to me. But lets be honest guys, Cooper could make a first act guitar from walmart sound good. Cooper is da man.
For those curious, please check out Justin Johnsons channel. You'll be glad you did!
Gretch for sure.
What song/s were played in the demo?
I preferred the sound of the Dobro.
If l could just add something.Round neck refers to the fingerboard not the neck.Square neck resonator guitars have a flat fingerboard and and can only be played lapstyle.l have some resonators and l like to play lap style.Apart from the fact a rounded fingerboard gives the option of playing conventional guitar style,with the addition of an extension nut they can be played on the lap ,l personally prefer the round neck as it feels better to me.I’m not sure if it has to do with the neck being wider on a square neck.
No , a Round neck is Not more versatile .
Square necks are tuned differently , with very heavy strings . 16 or 18 - 56 , and the typical tuning is GBDGBD low to high . The tension will warp , and even snap a Round neck's neck .
They are two different instruments .
I liked the Gretsch better, I’m sure I could get used to the neck
I have a ganjo on my wish list
Gretsch is superior by a good measure. The Epiphone is thin and bodyless. Nice playing!
Guys don’t these two guitars have different cones? The Dobro might be inverted somehow?
GreenBurn lol he's great !
To me, the Dobro sounds almost 'muddy" compared to the Gretsch.
He made the hound dog howl.
Oh round neck, but in both body joint at 12 not 14th fret, interesting.
Gretsch for me
One thing is do you know that you have the play triangle symbol in the middle of the screen, did you know that? The guy playing the guitar should either have long nails or fingerpicks in order to get more volume out of it. Resonator guitars are usually played with fingernails or finger picks. Nice playing though.
He could be playing it with his toes and it still wouldn’t be your place to tell him how to play it
I have been playing resos for over 40 years, and, yes, some people do play with thumb- and/or finger picks, but I have never ever heard or seen anybody play a reso with long flamenco-style nails. Never.
@@mitchdolphinsfan2 Damn right
@@rodjones117 and if that were your guitar you’d have the right to say that. Let people add their own voicing to instruments rather than knock it cause, “that’s how the old guys do it”. Unique approaches should be rewarded, not critiqued.
@@mitchdolphinsfan2 Sorry - I don't understand your comment - I was actually agreeing with you...?
I don't really get what you're trying to say to me here.
I'm not knocking anything or anybody - if you want to play your steel strung reso with long nails, flamenco style, go right ahead. I never said anything about "how the old guys do it".
My only real point here is that I have never seen or heard anyone play a reso with their nails. Which is true. Maybe someone out there can do it. So fine - put up a video and show us.
is a solid tone wood resonator guitar made? If so do you think the tone would be different? Kevin in Gilbert
The resonator cone would always predominate. I bought my first reso over 40 years ago, and I've had lots of different models over the years. My current one is a Gretsch Boxcar, and I love it, especially for slide. Great tone and sustain.
Just my opinion, of course, YMMV.