Hudsonator - D9 10 Strings 3x4
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2025 4:16 pmHi All,
As I've come to need some space and funds for a new build, I've decided to sell my Hudsonator.
Photos are here in this link. https://1drv.ms/f/c/380b70482142b90e/Eq ... Q?e=AOu1Q3
This was built in 2020 by Jimmie Hudson. It originally cost me upwards of £4.5k which included an upgraded aluminium pedal bar with nicer pedals, made afterwards, as I thought the wood original was a little flimsy. (Both will be included in the sale).
This is a rare all pull model. I believe only 2 or 3 were made with this changer rather than the usual pull release. The top is mahogany and the aprons are flame maple. Fitted are two means of amplifying away from the acoustic sound. It has a standard pedal steel pickup and also an acoustic piezo pickup. It's never been played out of the house and comes from a smoke free home.
I'm selling this as a playable project. Cosmetically, it is great. There are no dings in the wood. There is a touch of factory pitting on the rear side of the end plates which isn't too noticeable (as per the photos). I will mention though that in a hot summer from being under my bed for a while, I got it out and the fretboard was off the guitar. However, I refitted this on the adhesive layer and it hasn't come off since. It's just a niggly thing to note just in case.
Mainly, it could do with a little TLC in the undercarriage which is reflected in the price.
Firstly, it needs firmer pedal stops. I fitted a couple of dog tags so the stop screws don't eat into the wood, but it's still not as solid as I'd like it to be. It can pull a touch sharp with too much pedal pressure.
Secondly, there's a lot of throw on the lower levers. This could be set up related or inefficiency in the reverse lift design but again, I'm sure with a bit of work this could be much improved. I think the general setup is a touch "agricultural" so there's room for improvement.
Lastly, sometimes there's a bit of a bind happening on the C pedal. It's not all the time but sometimes it can stick (and click on release).
Unrelated to the guitar...the divider in the hard case has bent back so I've covered this with some vinyl. This isn't a huge issue.
With a little work this will be a great playing guitar to match the dobro sound. It is playable as is but it could be improved in the areas mentioned. I was speaking to a guy in America who has its sister guitar. After an experienced tech worked on his, his was much improved so it's definitely not a limitation of the changer/dobro design. I just think it relates to setup/pull train parts.
I wanted to be totally honest with this beast so I'm wanting offers of around £2.5k, considerably lower from what I originally paid. I'll throw in a leg bag and custom cover made by Eleanor King for offers on the higher side.
This is tuned to D9, 3 pedals, 4 knee levers. Emmons pedals with D levers on the left. RKL is the traditional 1,2,7 raise with also 9 going up a whole tone which I wanted at the time. RKR lowers 2 and 9 a half tone. The C pedal also raises string 8 for the 2 minor chord on the lower groups. It would probably benefit from being restrung on its factory D9 set of nickel strings as per the Steel Guitar Forum. I believe these were SIT or GHS. I restrung it with a selection of Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar strings for tonal purposes but it will need restringing.
Some tone clips are below from remote sessions and YouTube videos. Tonally, I would describe it to be like an old school bright resonator sound.
As I've come to need some space and funds for a new build, I've decided to sell my Hudsonator.
Photos are here in this link. https://1drv.ms/f/c/380b70482142b90e/Eq ... Q?e=AOu1Q3
This was built in 2020 by Jimmie Hudson. It originally cost me upwards of £4.5k which included an upgraded aluminium pedal bar with nicer pedals, made afterwards, as I thought the wood original was a little flimsy. (Both will be included in the sale).
This is a rare all pull model. I believe only 2 or 3 were made with this changer rather than the usual pull release. The top is mahogany and the aprons are flame maple. Fitted are two means of amplifying away from the acoustic sound. It has a standard pedal steel pickup and also an acoustic piezo pickup. It's never been played out of the house and comes from a smoke free home.
I'm selling this as a playable project. Cosmetically, it is great. There are no dings in the wood. There is a touch of factory pitting on the rear side of the end plates which isn't too noticeable (as per the photos). I will mention though that in a hot summer from being under my bed for a while, I got it out and the fretboard was off the guitar. However, I refitted this on the adhesive layer and it hasn't come off since. It's just a niggly thing to note just in case.
Mainly, it could do with a little TLC in the undercarriage which is reflected in the price.
Firstly, it needs firmer pedal stops. I fitted a couple of dog tags so the stop screws don't eat into the wood, but it's still not as solid as I'd like it to be. It can pull a touch sharp with too much pedal pressure.
Secondly, there's a lot of throw on the lower levers. This could be set up related or inefficiency in the reverse lift design but again, I'm sure with a bit of work this could be much improved. I think the general setup is a touch "agricultural" so there's room for improvement.
Lastly, sometimes there's a bit of a bind happening on the C pedal. It's not all the time but sometimes it can stick (and click on release).
Unrelated to the guitar...the divider in the hard case has bent back so I've covered this with some vinyl. This isn't a huge issue.
With a little work this will be a great playing guitar to match the dobro sound. It is playable as is but it could be improved in the areas mentioned. I was speaking to a guy in America who has its sister guitar. After an experienced tech worked on his, his was much improved so it's definitely not a limitation of the changer/dobro design. I just think it relates to setup/pull train parts.
I wanted to be totally honest with this beast so I'm wanting offers of around £2.5k, considerably lower from what I originally paid. I'll throw in a leg bag and custom cover made by Eleanor King for offers on the higher side.
This is tuned to D9, 3 pedals, 4 knee levers. Emmons pedals with D levers on the left. RKL is the traditional 1,2,7 raise with also 9 going up a whole tone which I wanted at the time. RKR lowers 2 and 9 a half tone. The C pedal also raises string 8 for the 2 minor chord on the lower groups. It would probably benefit from being restrung on its factory D9 set of nickel strings as per the Steel Guitar Forum. I believe these were SIT or GHS. I restrung it with a selection of Phosphor Bronze acoustic guitar strings for tonal purposes but it will need restringing.
Some tone clips are below from remote sessions and YouTube videos. Tonally, I would describe it to be like an old school bright resonator sound.
