Technically Jerry's is a Blackbeard, but it's still the same guitar with a different finish.
SOUND AND PLAYABILITY
1. The first thing that struck me about the guitar is how lively it is. This is not an easy instrument to play. For the first few days I had to adjust my playing technique and style to prevent the guitar sounding too bright and brittle. But don't worry, if you have the chops you'll start to get that under control. This is also giving you detailed information about what you're playing.
2. Once this was under control, I noticed the incredible clarity of the guitar. Each note sounds like a bell. It sounds wonderful played softly or loudly.
3. Dynamics: this dobro works played softly, and loudly. It's possible to get a great tone played at the volume of a whispher, and it's also possible to play very hard without distortion or a big tonal detriment.
4. The note separation is incredible. It doesn't become muddy.
5. Huge sustain. Even up the next - this allows for some exciting possibilities. On the other hand, it can be a little overwhelming playing bluegrass style rolls etc - you really need to work on blocking or developing a gentle sound.
FIT AND FINISH
Photographs do not do this guitar justice. The finish is absolutely stunning. Mine is described as being "scarlet". It's exceptional.
HARDWARE:
High quality Beard hardware. Good tuners. Fishman Nashville Pickup.
Already equipped with a straplock button. This is very handy for a resonator guitar, where changing these can be a pain.
If I'm going to be really critical, I would prefer a slightly heavier duty case.
One final thing that doesn't fit elsewhere is the smell - sweet, woody, and spicy as one would expect from a mahogany guitar. Not as strong as a mahogany Martin, but it's still there and it's lovely.
This is an extraordinary instrument that will open up incredible possibilities for the advanced dobro player.
