Gretsch G9210 Boxcar Square-neck, Mahogany Body Resonator - Natural, Padauk Fingerboard | Padauk Fingerboard

I've been playing the lap steel guitar since 1959. I own a Gretsch electromatic, and a WEISSENBORN guitar. I got the Gretsch boxcar resonator to play bluegrass, and it is PERFECT..but I was very surprised to find that the quality of the sound is so awesome that I find myself playing Hawaiian music and loving it. I had played another dobro and I found it too shrill for sweet Hawaiian sounds, so I was expecting the same thing, but this guitar is way beyond it's price. It's made as a copy of their 1930s dobro, and it is fine. The resonator is the heart of the guitar, and your can spend a lot more, and be lucky if you get one as clear as this one.

I expected a nice instrument but a generic one with just Ok tone because I was getting a lower priced dobro imitation to see if I liked it.Well…. Big surprise, it is a first class instrument.It is well made. It holds tune even at the extreme tension required on the strings. And it’s attractive.If I get good at this thing I will go looking for a nicer one but if this was the only one I ever owned I would not be disappointed.

I love the sound of this instrument.

For my first dobro, I chose the Gretsch G9210 Boxcar Square-neck. It came very well packaged on the date expected. I chose this over a cheaper dobro because I have some experience with guitar, slide guitar and some open tunings. Also, my experience with least expensive “starter” instruments has not been all good, so I wanted to pay for decent quality and reputation. It is a nice looking instrument, as you can see from the photos on Amazon. I am very happy with the instrument. The tone is bright and clear - everything I would expect from a dobro. Though I play mostly blues, it was easy to get a nice blue grass/country sound without too much thought (not to say actually playing bluegrass or country doesn’t require thought - just that the chords you can easily slide into bring those genres to mind.) I wish I needed a resonator round neck. I would have an excuse to buy the Boxcar round neck model.

I was looking for an affordable dobro. I liked the price, read the reviews, and made the purchase. I figure something at $1K or more might be better, but this purchase has satisfied me. It’s a good axe for the dollars spent. It is a small dobro (which I think is pretty cool) but it is a bit heavy (9 lbs). It’s plenty of bang for the buck. If you’re new to square neck dobro, it’s a worthwhile investment. By the way, the price has dropped since I bought mine…so much the better for you.

Beautiful looking and sounding instrument

Super nice. Great sound.

I didn't realize Gretsch had been making reso's for so long, but this instrument really demonstrates that skill. It's got great "bite" along with awesome tone. I'm completely satisfied with this guitar and look forward to taking it to a bluegrass jam this weekend.