Scheerhorn Brazilian Rosewood Dobro

Mike Witcher demonstrates an unusual custom resonator guitar built by luthier Tim Scheerhorn.

Luthier Tim Scheerhorn is well-known for pushing the boundaries of resonator guitar construction, and this Brazilian rosewood and spruce instrument is a great example of his custom work. Resonator guitars and standard acoustic guitars may share a similar body shape, but they produce sound in different ways. A standard flattop guitar relies on top and back vibrations to create tone, but a resonator guitar’s body functions more like a speaker cabinet, providing an environment for the cone to produce sound. Resonator guitars tend to be built with maple or mahogany so it’s unusual to see one built with one of the exotic tonewoods associated with flattop acoustics, such as the Brazilian rosewood used to build this instrument (serial number 574). Played by Peghead Nation Dobro instructor Mike Witcher in this video, the guitar has a rich, balanced tone. “It embodies all the wonderful tonal and physical characteristics we’ve come to admire about Tim’s extraordinary craftsmanship,” Mike says.

You can study dobro with Mike by enrolling in his Beginning Dobro and/or Dobro Workshop courses on Peghead Nation.

Scheerhorn Brazilian Rosewood Dobro specs

• Squareneck resonator guitar
• Spruce top
• Brazilian rosewood back and sides
• Mahogany neck
• Ebony fingerboard
• Quarterman cone
• Schoonover spider
• Maple bridge with ebony caps
• Scheerhorn coverplate with removable palm rest
• Waverly tuning machines

scheerhornguitars.com

Related Fine Lutherie Posts

Todd Clinesmith Resonator Dobro instructor Mike Witcher demonstrates his koa-bodied Todd Clinesmith squareneck resonator guitar Read More

Schoonover Resophonic Guitar Mike Witcher demonstrates a custom Schoonover dobro. Read More

Iseman Weissenborn Mike Witcher demonstrates a custom Weissenborn-style guitar. Read More

American Guitar Company Weissenborn Mike Witcher demonstrates his late-1990s custom Weissenborn-style guitar. Read More

Bourgeois Vintage Heirloom L-12/S Limited Edition A fabulous 12-fret 00 with Madagascar rosewood back and sides. Read More

Sexauer FT-L00-C A fabulous Brazilian rosewood small-body flattop. Read More

Thompson 00-14SMA A no-frills 00 that meets high expectations. Read More

Thompson Molly Tuttle Signature Model A slightly customized version of the contemporary flatpicking star’s dreadnought. Read More

Preston Thompson OM-GL A wonderful orchestra model built with granadillo back and sides and a Lutz spruce top. Read More

Preston Thompson PKT A limited edition re-creation of a special Thompson dreadnought. Read More