Why the Dobro on R&J ?

[Jules]

I can't stop laughing with Guy's answer to this:

Q:Doc, there’s a debate on one of the Knopfler forums as to why Mark is now playing a dobro on Romeo and Juliet rather than the regular steel guitar which he plays on for example Telegraph Road or Heart Full of Holes. Can you elaborate?

A:No, I’d hate to ruin their discussion.


So f*cking brilliant!!!!

 

[hunter]

I can't stop laughing with Guy's answer to this:

Q:Doc, there’s a debate on one of the Knopfler forums as to why Mark is now playing a dobro on Romeo and Juliet rather than the regular steel guitar which he plays on for example Telegraph Road or Heart Full of Holes. Can you elaborate?

A:No, I’d hate to ruin their discussion.


So f*cking brilliant!!!!

 

Guy, Guy, you evil man! Ha-ha! A touch of schadenfreude!

[PensaGhost]

I think the reason is simply that he likes to change and change and change and change

[Guitarman1972]

Well, it's clear MK's National form the 30's is worn out. But it's not clear why he choose a dobro over a new National Style O (replica).

They are still made:
https://www.nationalguitars.com/style-o

[hunter]

There's the playability/comfort theory and the sound-preference theory. And of course there is the Mark-being-Mark factor, which is not to be underestimated

[2manyguitars]

Perhaps he did it just to generate debate and pseudo conspiracy theories 

Or maybe he's fearing litigation for blinding audience members....lol

[dustyvalentino]

Best guess now that he's just decided he likes the sound.

He plays a National on Bonaparte so could use it if he wanted.

[PensaGhost]

Best guess now that he's just decided he likes the sound.

He plays a National on Bonaparte so could use it if he wanted.

exactly

[Jules]

Best guess now that he's just decided he likes the sound.

He plays a National on Bonaparte so could use it if he wanted.

Strange as the selected guitar is the one that sound less similar to the original from all the guitars he could had chosen...

[hunter]

Best guess now that he's just decided he likes the sound.

He plays a National on Bonaparte so could use it if he wanted.

Strange as the selected guitar is the one that sound less similar to the original from all the guitars he could had chosen...

That's the point. He wanted a change, not a replica. He also playes a Les Paul on Going Home, which I think is just wrong, especially with such a distorted sound. But he wanted a change.

[Mossguitar]

Best guess now that he's just decided he likes the sound.

He plays a National on Bonaparte so could use it if he wanted.

Strange as the selected guitar is the one that sound less similar to the original from all the guitars he could had chosen...

That's the point. He wanted a change, not a replica. He also playes a Les Paul on Going Home, which I think is just wrong, especially with such a distorted sound. But he wanted a change.

But the original recording of Going Home had a distorted sound, so it’s a change back to the original sound then. I like that distorted sound on that song. He did that i 96 too.

[2manyguitars]

This thread should be mandatory reading for all wannabe get a lifers. I just love but at the same time have to laugh at the over analysis! Me included!

[hunter]

Best guess now that he's just decided he likes the sound.

He plays a National on Bonaparte so could use it if he wanted.

Strange as the selected guitar is the one that sound less similar to the original from all the guitars he could had chosen...

That's the point. He wanted a change, not a replica. He also playes a Les Paul on Going Home, which I think is just wrong, especially with such a distorted sound. But he wanted a change.

But the original recording of Going Home had a distorted sound, so it’s a change back to the original sound then. I like that distorted sound on that song. He did that i 96 too.

True. But for so many years it was played with a clean Stratocaster sound that that is the 'established' Going Home sound. To me anyway. And the original studio recording is as dull as all get out.

[Mossguitar]

Best guess now that he's just decided he likes the sound.

He plays a National on Bonaparte so could use it if he wanted.

Strange as the selected guitar is the one that sound less similar to the original from all the guitars he could had chosen...

That's the point. He wanted a change, not a replica. He also playes a Les Paul on Going Home, which I think is just wrong, especially with such a distorted sound. But he wanted a change.

But the original recording of Going Home had a distorted sound, so it’s a change back to the original sound then. I like that distorted sound on that song. He did that i 96 too.

True. But for so many years it was played with a clean Stratocaster sound that that is the 'established' Going Home sound. To me anyway. And the original studio recording is as dull as all get out.

I always thought the Strat sound was too thin for Going Home. Even on Alchemy. Not for the intro, though. That’s absolutely perfect on Alchemy.

[hunter]

Best guess now that he's just decided he likes the sound.

He plays a National on Bonaparte so could use it if he wanted.

Strange as the selected guitar is the one that sound less similar to the original from all the guitars he could had chosen...

That's the point. He wanted a change, not a replica. He also playes a Les Paul on Going Home, which I think is just wrong, especially with such a distorted sound. But he wanted a change.

But the original recording of Going Home had a distorted sound, so it’s a change back to the original sound then. I like that distorted sound on that song. He did that i 96 too.

True. But for so many years it was played with a clean Stratocaster sound that that is the 'established' Going Home sound. To me anyway. And the original studio recording is as dull as all get out.

I always thought the Strat sound was too thin for Going Home. Even on Alchemy. Not for the intro, though. That’s absolutely perfect on Alchemy.

I agree. Actually I think Mark's Strat sound in 80s in general was a bit thin, but a thin guitar sound was very common at the time. I also think the wireless system he used contributed to the thinness.