Beard Road-O-Phonic through Baggs Voiceprint or Fishman JD Aura?

[Keith Weiss]

Also posted on FB Dobroholics group site

I’ll be receiving a new Beard Road-O-Phonic lap steel in a few weeks. It has the Fishman Nashville installed (+ Lollar P-90 and Gold Foil). Looking to get the most authentic dobro tone out of it so I’m planning to get either the Fishman JD Aura or Baggs Voiceprint. If I go with the latter, I will create the Voiceprint from my 1936 Dobro Model 37 or my friend’s Beard Model R, not the Road-O-Phonic. I’d probably run that through a Henriksen Bud 6 amp (+ my pedalboard with delay/verb and possibly a Sarno SGBB at the beginning of the chain).

I’ve seen demos by Troy Brenningmeyer and Megan Lovell of the Road-O through the JD Aura (Troy into his Kemper). They sound great. But for my situation as I am also a guitar player, it would be ideal to use a single IR pedal with different presets for dobro and acoustic flat top. I’ve read on forums that the JD Aura makes everything sound like a dobro – so possibly not the best choice for my flat top. Also, I know the JD Aura was introduced 15+ years ago and while still used by most, the Voiceprint is more recent, and technology does tend to evolve over time…I saw Rob Ickes earlier this year and he now plays through the Voiceprint (formerly the JD Aura).

For Voiceprint users, have you tried making a Voiceprint with one reso and run other resos through it? If yes, how were the results?

In my case, I’d be simulating a full body resonator with a solid body lap steel with the spider/Fishman Nashville PU…wondering if the Voiceprint will or will not capture the full dobro sound – in which case I’d just go with the Aura and figure out another approach for the flattop later. Getting a good reso tone is the higher priority than the flattop.

Appreciate your thoughts and wisdom. Thanks!

[Doug Anderson]

I did not know about the Baggs Voiceprint. I just checked it out and it looks VERY cool! Curious to hear responses to your question because this seems like a VERY versatile pedal that could be used with my other instruments (guitar, uke, etc.).

[Howard Parker]

The Roadie is a unique critter. You'll be able to get fairly close with an Aura. I have no personal experience with the Voiceprint. It's a quality box. I've worked with plenty of guitar players using the Baggs.

Best results when played through an amp designed for acoustic instruments, ie Fishman Loudbox family.

h

[Brooks Montgomery]

Watching…. Keith, I’ve got a Road-a-phonic allegedly shipping any day now also.

I’ve got a rambling post up on the electronics section about wanting a simple DI out rig. Wondering if somehow the Voiceprint fits into all this. Good luck with your search.

[David Alexander]

I run my Roadie thru a Tonex pedal to a DI and directly to the band’s in ear rig. You can get all of the JD Aura presets directly from forum member Joe Rogers who is the steeler for Tracy Byrd. There are numerous acoustic guitar and electric guitar samples you can get from IK Media who builds the Tonex or numerous other outlets you can find on the web. I run stereo to an AB switching pedal with the P90 and Goldfoil pickups on A and the Fishman pickup on B so the only thing I have to change on the pedal is the patch. I run out of the DI to a Fishman amp as Howard recommended if I need one.

[Keith Weiss]

Thanks for the replies, all. Still waiting for the Roadie to arrive so I haven’t started assembling the rig yet. Haven’t heard of the Tonex so thanks for that suggestion. I’ll check it out. Does look a bit more complicated than the Aura but prob tons more versatile. Will report back when I get further along. Stay tuned…