Official Luthiers Forum!

I could never understand the asterisk crowd who have chosen to denigrate Dreds over the years. Try telling Tony Rice, Doc Watson or some of the other virtuosos that their chosen guitar is considered to be a less-than-worthy instrument as determined by builders supposedly catering to players. Sure, it's perfectly acceptable to have a favorite style and shape...but please have tolerance for others who have their favorites as well.

As far as building Dreds, it seems that since I built my slope-shouldered 12 string, several interested local players have expressed interest in Dreds. Could be something in the air! I don't plan on treating them like asterisks!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I can see the argument that the loudness of a dreadnaught is not necessarily needed with the PA systems available today. Of course this assumes you will be using a PA system which isn't always the case.

The big difference I like about the dread is the bass "cut" or "attack" some of the dreads have. I've never heard a smaller guitar that has that same sound. Now I'm not saying it can't be done, just that I haven't ever played one. At some point I would like to try creating that sound in OM sized guitar (any hints? <smile>). I've heard that Mario makes a baby dreadnaught with a good bluegrass cut. If true I would love to play one!

Just so I'm understanding the point some of you are trying to make, when you describe the "boom" of a dreadnaught, are you referring to the bass "cut" you get when the initial string attack? Or are you referring to a loud, muddy, not very defined sound? Possibly something else? I like the bluegrass bass "cut" sound but I don't like a muddy sound.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Like I said earlier I build mainly Dreads and slope Dreads. I like 'em all. Flatpickers and Chicken pickers( <like me) aren't the only ones that play. There's got to be some guitars for the guys with long fingernails too

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

One reason you play acoustics is so you don't have to carry and amp around with you. There's not a pickup that's going to give you a true sound. Some may be closer then others but... So the you don't need them to be loud argument I ain't buying. And most guitar players aren't in bands playing through a PA.
Yeah a Dred has a bassier sound to me and I like that especially for the stuff I listen to and play. But I find a Dred is more flexable to more styles in my opinion. I can play some heavy strumming rhythm on my Dread or soft fingerstyle and it still sounds ok. But if I try heavy rhythm on my OOO28 it just doesn't get it, sorry. So if I could only have one guitar it would be a Dred for flexability.
I have to also say that the sloped shoulder doesn't seem qiute as boxie and you can add more curve to a dred if you build your own.
Geez, this is a touchy subject, three pages already !

I didnt for a long time, but now Ive built a couple of 12fret Ds, and I really like them. Most dreads Ive played are too 'stiff' sounding, but the 12fretter has a really nice open low voice. Not only a straight flatpickers guitar, it works really well for fingers, too But I have to admit I dont really like the shape of the Martin 14fret D... more a fan of slope shoulders.

If it sounds as good as it looks, Sweet! I'm also thinking of going back to a slotted head. I just like the looks of them over solid heads. Put a nice inlay up there and it really dresses it up.

I like dreads. I think they sound great. This is one I built recently.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Is that a full scale picture?

Sorry, I didn't realize that was so obnoxiously huge.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Well I guess you didn't make any mistakes that I can see.

Looks like a nice clean player. I like the herringbone (although a bit harder to see it now) and the bridge, what's the wood?

Thanks.

The herringbone is mahogany and maple. The bridge, fingerboard and head stock are brazilian, the top is adi, and the back and sides are a really dark (almost black) EIR.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Very nice Brock.....that ADI top is a knockout!

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

In my part of the woods, dreads are about 95% of the make-up. Of course, we love banjos, too!! I've completed 9 guitars: 5 dreads, three OMs (two with cutaways and K&K minis), and one semi-hollow bodied electric. I've started three new ones: two are dreads, one an OM. I'm building a bending form now for a parlor, and will build at least two of those. I like them all, they all sound great, they all have their strong points and weak points. I use my 1/2" chisel most of the time, but sometimes the 1/4" or 1" are better suited to the task at hand.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

I am 'building a dred' a slope shoulder, but I don't even have the mold ready yet, and ams still fine tuning the design, (because I am working on a 'fingerstyle' baroque right now).

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Here is what a Parlor Guitar is for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEa8PkjO6_I

Ooops double post!

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Here is what a Parlor Guitar is for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEa8PkjO6_I

If I could build 'em like you do, Brock, I'd probably like 'em a lot.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Is this the voice of experience talking?

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Yes, It is a great all round guitar. 6 of my 23 are dreds. Have 1 read and 1 parlour on the go now.

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Greg
http://garibaldiinstruments.com/

Brock, I'm glad to see someone besides me using a Pyramid Bridge on a dread. The buyer of this guitar played it at a gig 2 hours after I strung it up. It's the first I've finished with Epifanes Varnish.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Here's one I recently finished. Zebrawood backs and sides, Bearclaw Sitka Spruce top, Ebony fingerboard and bridge and Mahogany neck.

That looks great woody!

Now you've got to tell me how you liked working with the Epiphanes......what you liked and what you didn't. Maybe start a new thread.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

I will soon. I've been busy as a 1 armed paper hanger. When I get the other 3 strung up I'll post pics, and maybe start a "Epifanes" thread.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Ok, ok, ok...let me get this straight. There are other guitar "shapes" out there? Sheez Louise.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Now Lars that is a dread I can love!!!
That is perfect, I think I need to build one! Yes, slope shoulder, 12 fret, slot-head is for me.
Nice curves on that one, the boxiness of the typical 14 fret dread just doesn't work for me personally. Where did you get the shape/plans for this one?

Thanks,
Joe

"Hi, My name is Chris Paulick and I build Dreadnoughts"