Murray,You can get a great buy right now on the Epiphone Biscuit. It can be had for $350.00 to $400.00 (list $569.00).
This babe is a '30s looking National-Dobro with a National style resonator, bridge and cover plate. I looks like a National wood body, having a laminated mohogany/spruce top and a mohogany body with nice binding, curved fret board.
I think I might get one for to keep in open E tuning cause it's cheap!
If it were a Dobro or a National Resophonic it would cost $1500.00 to $2000.00.
Try www.interstatemusic.com