This resophonic guitar is a very good starter. It has good sound, worksmanship, and sounds great through an acoustic amp. I bought this resophonic guitar at a local music store in my home town, and I love it. The only thing bad is that it has no case. It is worth it!!! Buy a case separatly if you have too. If you are looking for a bluesy or rock sound in a resophonic guitar don,t buy this one. This resophonic guitar is for bluegrass players such as myself, due to its dreamy deep bass tones and nice mellow high notes.Over All great resophonic guitar!!!!!! Eventually you may want to convert to a nice Scheerhorn, but that is my opinion.

I bought this guitar new about 4 years ago. I used to play it in standard tuning. I now use an open E tuning and sometimes an open D. I like the mellow tones not usually attainable in a reso. I ranked it low on features because there is no local volume. A problem I have been battling when playing with my band. I would also like to see a strap button for the top. It is awkward for me when standing to use a tie on strap. As far as quality the "Original Hound dog" stamp is completely illegible, due to way too much varnish. This has very little importance to me, but others might care. As for value, you get what you pay for in my opinion. Overall a great instrument if you are looking for tone, construction, and appearance. For different sounds try slides made of different materials. I have glass, brass, and ceramics that I use for different songs, it really makes a difference.

I play rock to bluegrass, play a Martin D-18V and US Strat and Tele among many others. I played this guitar for an hour - new at a large retail music store. I was shocked at the poor workmanship. The F-holes were obviously cut with a tool that was too short and the remainder of the wood was apparently just punched out - edges were horrible. The finish had runs in it. The neck-body joint had glue/stain runs. And the nut was broken off on the low E. What an overpriced piece of plywood junk just because it has a Dobro label (which was even stamped crooked!). No volume or tone, and a crappy gig bag. Unbelievable for the price they are asking - I guess some people will pay just for the name.

I think price it what's make people leary of this reso. I bought mine used and it was considerably less than a new one. Honestly I can't find anything about this reso I don't like, the tone is great, the playability is great. I gave it 4.5 across the board because I don't think anything it's perfect but compared to similar reso's it stacks up. One thing to consider about a spider bridge reso is you're not ever gonna get that biscuit, brass body sound so if your complaint is it's not dirty enough you looked at the wrong tool for the job to begin with. This reso is geared for smooth sustaining bluegrass and old timey stuff.

I got this because it was a Gibson/Dobro. I wanted the sound and the fishman pickup. And I did not want the big price. I am happy. It has the sound and with a fishman preamp, I can get a national steel sound and a variety. BUT...this is a Dobro not a TELLIE, this instrument has high action for a reason....Slide...and the back roads Sound