craigdobbins wrote:Kev-
Phil is correct- DV's do have a thinner cone. Also, Chet's main DV (the short scale with the V cutouts) had a slightly deeper body than some. Chet told the story that he had someone pick that DV up in Brazil for him. When Nato Lima saw it, he said "You've got my guitar!" (Apparently, it was a custom guitar made for Nato.)
All DV's are different, because they were handmade. Some are
very different.
Chet also had that one (and the later long scale that Doyle D. gave him) reworked, with truss rod, new fretboard/frets, and intonated saddle.
Chet's first DV (the one he bought from Nato earlier) had a different sound, as well. You can hear it on early cuts like "Josephine" and "Moon of Manakoora", and side 2 of "More of That Guitar Country." It had a massive sound, and he usually kept it tuned up a half step. (Ever notice that all the tune on side 2 are in flat keys?) He started using the second DV in the late 60's-early 70's. It had a more delicate, singing sound.
The adjustment of a DV is critical to the sound. Just slightly turning or rotating the cone can give a massive difference in tone and volume- it has just be seated just so. Mine is also sensitive to temperature and humidity. It usually sounds best in cooler, slightly humid weather for some reason.
Oh well, L-O-N-G answer, but hope this helps. The main thing to remember is that no DV is going to sound exactly like Chet's, both because of the guitars, and Chet's hands.
Craig
Craig, you know my history with both Chet and Nato. The story you heard is not accurate.
Chet bought a DV from Nato directly for $300. He heard the sound, contacted Edgar Diaz, who was Nato's RCA handler, and Diaz set up the transaction. I've heard both Chet and Nato tell the same story more than once. Nato was going to give the guitar to Chet, Diaz told him he had to charge him for it. Diaz thought $300 was a fair price. Chet said he was a bit shocked by the $300, that was not small change back then and more than you'd pay for a new Martin, But he went on to say, " Hell, I would have paid $3000".
Years ago Chet had his DVs straightened out by Jerry Jones. Scales had to be reworked, The fret slots where filled and scales calculated to fit between the Nut and saddle points. I worked on several of those guitars and you could see the filled slot.
The thickness of the aluminum before spinning a DV cone is .008 of an inch. National or Dobro cones are .009 to .010.
I took the DV Chet got from Nato apart once, the scale is 57 cm and the cone diameter is smaller than the standard DVs. I do not recall it being extra deep. its a smaller pattern. The cone we have all heard in that guitar is not a DV cone, Chet's Brother Jimmy found a guy in Pa who made cones for it.
I asked to see the small DV guitar and Chet gave in and brought it to my shop, that guitar never left his studio, he prized it that much. The guitars he used on stage where larger guitars. The DV posted here that has Aluminum hole covers are not desirable guitars. They sound very different and are not made like the DVs Chet used.
The strings felt so loose on that little guitar, it was setup so low, I'll never understand how he could play guitars setup like that.
here is a recording of Nato on my resonator guitar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKKlZ7A ... r_embeddedPaul