Someone here plays Dobro but I can’t remember who

Hopefully they'll see this and give me some pointers. There's a lot more to those guitars than I realized.

It’s one of the really active guys. Maybe Eric or Scott. Like I said I’m decrepit at best so my memory isn’t what it once was. Lol

Ah, that would be me...

Yes, here’s a few beginning pointers. 

#1: listen/watch to some popular Dobro performances and decide the type you want to learn. Squareneck (by far the most traditional, played on the lap) or Roundneck (usually only played by longtime guitarists that want the Dobro kinduv sound w/o essentially learning a new instrument). 

#2: Watch some videos of good Dobro players like Jerry Douglas. Sure, he’s probably the best ever so consider you’re watching the Segovia of Dobro. Mike Aldridge, Rob Ickes, Cindy Cashdollar are other notables. 

#3: notice all of them are playing Squareneck, usually wood-bodied Dobros. And typically the wood used is Mahogany. 

#4: watch a couple of the excellent on-line instructors’ videos. Dobro Joe and Troy Brenningmeyer (sp?) are my faves but there are others. 
These vids will introduce the Open-G tuning (most common especially for bluegrass)  

#5: do some eBay and CL searches. I play a RecordingKing that cost $400ish retail. It’s been a great starter IMO.  You need a slide and finger picks too. Often, people selling used include these. Happy to make specific reccos beyond these basics. 
Beard and some custom makers are the cream of the crop but you pay upwards of $1K for the Asian-made Beard Goldtones. 
The US-built Beards get into the $3K+ zone. And, like with guitars, there are many vintage brands out there including the actual Dobro brand. Nationals are typically steel body and have their unique cult followers (and distinctive sound). I’m happy to weigh-in on anything you’re considering. 

@k2kwiatgmail-com Thanks for that info. I have watched a few videos but haven't seen any of those folks you recommended yet.  

There really is a huge difference in tone between the steel and wood. Some I liked the sound of and some I didn't, and I'd go for the round-neck as opposed to the square neck for sure. If I'm going to do slide I probably won't do it in my lap . . . although that might be an easier way to do it seeing as how you can see what your right hand is picking. Maybe not though. 

I've played around with slide and it is fun, but I don't know many songs yet. 

I'm going to watch some of those videos you've recommended! Then I'll check out Craigslist and eBay to see what's out there. 

Very true re: steel vs wood. The steel-bodied sound is definitely Blues territory where the wood ones dominate Bluegrass and Country. But, it is fun to listen to a good steel player. Cindy Cashdollar is fun because she plays everything with a slide very well. 
But, Jerry D., Rob I., Mike Aldridge (Seldom Scene) as well as the originators like Josh Graves are on traditional square necks. There’s also a great Clapton song that I’ll post when I remember it where he’s got a great roundneck sound. 

By the way, I like picking up the dobro to give my fretting left-hand a break. The frets are only a visual reference on a Dobro as it’s only the slide on the strings. Key difference that’s obvious once you see one up close but worth mentioning if you haven’t touched one. Right hand is similar picking to banjo except the horizontal plane you’re picking in. Similar techniques though like rolls. 

So I watched some videos from Jerry Douglas and Cindy Cashdollar. They make it look easy, but of course the great ones always do. 😉 I'll watch some more tonight. 

Checked out Craigslist and there's nothing out there worth considering. I see some good stuff on eBay but you have to really be cautious what you buy on that outlet. Easy to get burned and buy a piece of junk. 

Still considering it, but hubby has reminded me I really don't "need" another guitar. Who said anything about need? LOL 

@shysue

A friend let me try his dobro a couple of years ago, and I LOVED playing it.  My husband bought me one and I'm learning from online lessons. If you get one, check out dobrojoe.com   The sight is great for beginners...and free!  

@alicelarhotmail-com Thanks, Alicelar. Which one did you get? 

I have one by Recording King.  I've been really happy with it.  It has a pretty tone, but I did have the cone part replaced with a better one which really improved the sound. It's less tinny now.

I've been looking at those. They've got a lot of different models and their prices are reasonable.

Yes!  If you have a chance to visit a music store and try them, you'll notice a difference in sound, just like with guitars.  Have fun and let us know what you get!

I’ve been dying to get into a music store all day. 

One thing to consider - the two great learning sites by DobroJoe and Lessons with Troy are geared toward squarenecks (on the lap, super high action, finger picks, metal bar), etc. 

Troy also has lessons for Lap Steel Or Hawai’inSteel (similar but amplified!) and he might even have a few pedal steel. But, point being, it won’t help you if you go the roundneck route much. They really are a different animal. There may be comparable sites out there for the Clapton-style roundneck playing but I’ve never looked. 
To compare, Clapton’s “Running on Faith” that he plays for MTV Unplugged concert he’s playing his roundneck. In Country and Bluegrass circles, it’s pretty much always a squareneck. 

Should mention DobroJoe’s lessons are “free” but after you use him a bit I’ll bet you’ll consider contributing as his lessons are great. Troy’s site is a subscription but he’s also an excellent teacher that he puts much effort into like Devin does. 
So much fun...

Ken