Who Invented the Dobro? Uncovering the Story of the Pioneering Resonator Guitar

I am sure many of you have heard of the dobro guitar and its unique resonance, but ever wondered who invented it? In this article, I will tell you the story of the dobro and its inventor, John Dopyera.

John Dopyera was a Slovak-American musician and inventor who is most famous for inventing the dobro guitar. In the 1920s, he and his brother, Rudy, developed a resonator guitar to compete in the booming guitar market. The dobro was an instant hit and quickly became one of the most popular instruments of the time.

The dobro’s popularity led to a surge in demand, and the Dopyera brothers formed the National String Instrument Corporation to mass-produce the guitars. By the 1940s, the dobro had become a staple of bluegrass and country music.

John Dopyera’s invention of the dobro revolutionized the guitar industry, and he is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of the instrument.

History of Dobro

The Dobro is a resonator guitar that was invented by John Dopyera in 1928. He and his brother, Rudy, formed the National String Instrument Corporation and in 1936 the Dobro name was licensed to the Gibson Guitar Company. Gibson introduced the Dobro Model 37 in 1937, however production was discontinued in 1942. The Dobro was revived in 1965 by Valco, but Valco went out of business in 1970 and production stopped. Finally, in 1994 Gibson reintroduced the Dobro and it has been in production ever since. Today, Gibson continues to produce the Dobro and many other manufactures build their own version of the resonator guitar.

Who Invented the Dobro?

The Dobro is an American-invented stringed instrument that has been around since the 1920s. It is also known as a resonator guitar, owing to its distinctive metal resonator cone that is built into its body. The Dobro was invented by two brothers, John and Emil Dopyera, who were of Slovakian descent and had emigrated to the United States in the late 19th century.

The brothers had started the National String Instrument Corporation in 1927, to build and sell their new invention. The Dobro was popularly used in folk, bluegrass, and country music and gained a lot of popularity throughout the 20th century. The instrument has a distinctive sound that is created by the metal resonator, which amplifies the sound of the strings.

The brothers also created a line of amplifiers and a line of Dobro-style instruments. These instruments were made with a wooden body and a metal resonator. The construction of the Dobro became known as the “Dobro style.” The company continued to produce instruments until the late 1940s, when it was sold to Valco, a Chicago-based company.

John and Emil Dopyera are credited with inventing the Dobro and popularizing it in the music industry. The instrument is still widely used in various genres of music today, and the Dopyera brothers are remembered for their contribution to the music world.

Influence of Dobro in Country Music

The Dobro, a guitar-like instrument, has had a major influence on the sound of country music. The dobro was originally created in the 1920s by John and Emil Dopyera, two Slovakian immigrants living in the United States. The instrument was designed to be louder than other string instruments and to be able to project sound in a large room. It quickly became popular with musicians, particularly in the country music genre.

The dobro’s signature sound is characterized by its twangy, resonant tones and metallic “chime” that is created by its metal strings and resonator body. This sound has become a staple of country music, as it is often used to provide a unique texture and layer of sound to a song. The dobro is also often used to provide a driving rhythm to a song, as its metal strings can be strummed and picked quickly.

Many famous country music artists have made use of the dobro in their songs. Iconic artists such as Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson have all used the instrument in their recordings. The dobro is also a staple of many bluegrass bands, as its metallic sound helps to stand out amongst the other instruments in the mix.

The dobro continues to be an important part of country music, as it adds a unique sound to the genre that has become iconic. The instrument also continues to be used by many influential country artists, as well as in many bluegrass bands. The Dobro’s influence in country music is sure to remain a major part of the genre for years to come.

Different Types of Dobro

The Dobro is a type of guitar that was developed in the 1920s. It is a fretted, six-stringed instrument that is typically used in bluegrass and country music. It is most recognizable for its resonator, which produces a fuller, richer sound than a traditional guitar. Over the years, the Dobro has come in several different variations and styles.

The National Dobro is the original model that was created in the 1920s. It has a round, metal resonator, which gives it its signature sound. This model was popularized by musicians such as Josh Graves and Jerry Douglas.

The Dobro square neck is similar to the National Dobro, but it has a square-shaped neck. This allows the musician to play slide guitar, which is a type of music that requires a slide bar. It is popular in blues, bluegrass and country music.

The Dobro resonator guitar is a variation of the National Dobro, but it has a full-length resonator. It is usually made of maple or mahogany and has a more powerful sound than the National Dobro. It is often used to play lead guitar in blues, rock and country music.

The Dobro lap steel is a variation of the National Dobro. It has a flat neck and is designed to be played while sitting on one’s lap. It is usually tuned to an open tuning, which produces a unique sound. It is often used to play Hawaiian and slide music.

The Dobro electric guitar is a variation of the National Dobro. It has an electric pickup and is usually used to play rock and blues. It has a more powerful sound than the other Dobro models.

The Dobro banjo is a hybrid instrument that combines the Dobro resonator with a banjo body. It has a unique sound that is often used in bluegrass and country music.

The Dobro mandolin is a combination of the Dobro resonator and a mandolin body. It is often used to play Celtic and folk music.

The Dobro bass is a variation of the National Dobro. It has four strings and is usually used to provide the bass line in a group.

The Dobro ukulele is a hybrid instrument that combines the Dobro resonator with a ukulele body. It is often used to play Hawaiian and folk music.

Advantages of Dobro

The Dobro is a resonator guitar that was invented in the early 1930s by John Dopyera and his brother Rudy. The Dobro’s unique design allows it to produce a variety of sounds, making it a versatile instrument for many types of music. The Dobro is also highly durable and relatively affordable, making it an attractive choice for touring musicians and budget-conscious players.

Disadvantages of Dobro

The Dobro is renowned for its beautiful, resonant sound, which is made possible by its steel body construction. It also has a wide variety of tones and is versatile enough to be used in both genres of Americana and blues music. However, there are a few drawbacks. The Dobro is highly responsive to weather changes, making it difficult to keep in tune in certain climates. It is also expensive to maintain due to its unique construction, and slide playing can be difficult for beginners.

Techniques to Play Dobro

• Position your left hand on the strings around the neck of the instrument.
• Fret the strings with the left hand to produce a note.
• Use your right hand to produce the sound by lightly touching the strings with a metal bar.
• Slide the bar up and down the strings to create a vibrato sound.
• Vary the pressure of the bar on the strings to produce different tones.
• Pick the strings with your right hand to create a clean, bright sound.
• Use a combination of the bar and picking techniques to create an intricate melody.

Notable Dobro Players

The dobro, which is a type of resonator guitar, was invented in the early 1930s by musician John Dopyera. Since then, many dobro players have risen to prominence in the music industry. Some of the most famous dobro players include Josh Graves, Jerry Douglas, Rob Ickes, Mike Auldridge, Seth Weaver, Gene Wooten, Cindy Cashdollar, Andy Hall, Tommy Emmanuel, and John Hartford. These musicians have achieved success in genres such as bluegrass, folk, jazz, and country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Dobro?

A Dobro is a type of resonator guitar that was invented in the early 1920s. It has a metal resonator cone in the center of the body that amplifies the sound of the strings. It is commonly used in bluegrass, country, and blues music. It has a distinctive tone that is often heard in traditional American music.

When was the Dobro invented?

The Dobro was invented in the early 1920s by John Dopyera and his brother Rudy. The Dobro was developed as a more affordable alternative to the National Tricone resonator guitar. It was the first production resonator guitar, and the design was quickly adopted by other instrument makers. The Dobro was the first guitar to use a single resonator cone, which allowed the instrument to produce a louder and more focused sound.

Who invented the dobro?

The Dobro, also known as a resonator guitar, was invented by John Dopyera and his brothers in the late 1920s. The Dobro was based on the earlier National Tricone guitar, and was designed to be louder and more powerful. John Dopyera had been working as a machinist for the National Guitar Corporation, and was able to develop the metal-bodied Dobro with the help of his brothers. The Dobro went on to become very popular, and is now an iconic instrument in American bluegrass, country, and blues music.

What is a Resonator Guitar?

A resonator guitar is a type of acoustic guitar that uses a metal cone, or resonator, to amplify the sound of the strings. The resonator is usually made of spun metal and is mounted on the guitar’s body. The resonator gives the guitar a unique sound that is distinct from other types of acoustic guitars. The resonator was invented in the 1920s by John Dopyera and his brothers, who went on to found the National String Instrument Corporation, makers of the Dobro guitar.

How did the dobro become a popular instrument?

The dobro was first made popular in the 1920s and 1930s by blues and country musicians, who used the instrument to add a unique sound to their music. The instrument’s popularity grew in the 1940s and 1950s, as bluegrass music began to take off. The dobro was embraced by bluegrass musicians for its ability to add a unique tone and texture to the sound. The instrument was further popularized by the likes of Flatt & Scruggs, Bill Monroe, and many other notable bluegrass musicians. The dobro has continued to be a popular instrument in bluegrass, country, and folk music, and it remains a staple in many genres of music to this day.

Conclusion

The Dobro resonator guitar has a long and rich history. Its invention is credited to John Dopyera and his brother, Rudy, who founded the National String Instrument Corporation in 1928. The Dobro resonator guitar is the instrument that gave birth to the modern steel guitar and continues to be a popular instrument for many musicians. Despite its humble beginnings, the Dobro resonator guitar has become a beloved instrument for musicians around the world.

References

• History of the Dobro
• This Day in History: Dobro Guitar Invented