Kwall
Quarternote
Posts: 17
|
Post by Kwall on Jan 3, 2020 21:28:44 GMT -5
Ever since I played her Blackie & the Rodeo Kings' "Water or Gasoline" my wife has been insistent on me buying a resonator guitar (did I mention we've been married 40 years now ?). I've always wanted one but had just left it on the list of all the other gazillion guitars I'd like to own.
So now I've been looking but I know very little about models vs tone, etc. All I know is I want a round neck, better than average access to the upper register, major resonator tonal character but with some "richness". I have self-imposed a $1K-ish budget. I know it ain't a ton of dough but there appears to be a fair number of guitars on Reverb, etc. that I think could fill the bill in that range.
So if any y'all who might have some 1st hand experience & advice to offer, if we could possibly stop walking the Giraffes for a minute ( ) I'd appreciate the benefit of your knowledge. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by snakeboy on Jan 3, 2020 23:13:14 GMT -5
Check out Republic, Gold Tone (Beard's import line), or Gretsch.....they've got some pretty decent entries in the sub 1K range.
Republic has several models with cutaways for upper fret access.
I just got my dream reso about a month ago - A National 14 fret Style O. Not bad for my first.
|
|
|
Post by archiestone on Jan 4, 2020 1:18:13 GMT -5
Republic sound great and are not nearly as pricey as some. Made offshore but vg quality. If you email them describing your needs they'll help steer you in the right direction, ans maybe even offer you a direct deal better than what you see online. (That's how I got mine.)
|
|
|
Post by jefe46 on Jan 4, 2020 13:08:03 GMT -5
If you are thinking about one of the sub $1000 units, it is imperative to have the highest quality cone. All else will be the standard quality instruments.
I built my own resos and got cones from Beard or other reputable sources.
I have a friend who has a Beard that was roughly $1000. Good quality, great sound.
|
|
Kwall
Quarternote
Posts: 17
|
Post by Kwall on Jan 4, 2020 22:18:09 GMT -5
Thanks Gent's, that gives me something to research and consider. Let me know if anything else comes to mind.
|
|
|
Post by thefarmcaster on Jan 4, 2020 22:42:19 GMT -5
I have a National tricone that is my favorite for playing delta blues with a slide, but it's more syrupy sounding than the Rodeoking type sound. I have a old Liberty and a few Dobro brand units that are kind of low grade and sound ok, but they are kind of clunky IMO. I bought a Dean resonator on a whim a few years ago, brass body and is a about 2 inches thick with a cutaway. The neck on it is really great, and it has a piezo pickup and a magnetic pickup and you can blend the two. I've used it live and really like it. I had never owned a Dean guitar before, but it's really a great instrument. As mentioned above the Republic resonators are a good choice as well.
|
|
|
Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 4, 2020 22:52:20 GMT -5
I have a Regal metal body tricone with a round neck that I got used many years ago. It's heavy, but it sounds great. If you use plastic or metal fingerpicks, bend the little ears on them so they comfortably grip your fingertips without causing pain. The metal ones are easily bent. The plastic ones can be bent by dipping in hot water first, but I recommend strong, hot black coffee because that's what Bukka White would do
|
|
|
Post by rickyguitar on Jan 5, 2020 13:09:35 GMT -5
I almost bought a square neck once. Saw it, thought about it, left, went back and it was gone. Guy that plays it for union station....damn!
|
|
swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
|
Post by swampyankee on Jan 5, 2020 20:23:22 GMT -5
I have a Rebublic tricone sold metal that I bought more than 10 years ago. Its held up well. When i ordered it, Frank asked a bunch of questions concerning how I'd be using it and how high the action. He set it up so that I can play mostly without a slide since i havent quite mastered that yet.
|
|
sirWheat
Wholenote
For a better future, play Stevie Wonder for your children.
Posts: 314
|
Post by sirWheat on Jan 6, 2020 8:45:37 GMT -5
If you're considering a wood-bodied reso then you can usually find a Dobro brand from the late 70s to early 80s in your price range. I have an 82 60D that I like very much.
|
|
Kwall
Quarternote
Posts: 17
|
Post by Kwall on Jan 6, 2020 23:39:19 GMT -5
Thank you again for all of your comments.
I'm leaning towards a wood body but not set in stone. I have seen some new Dean woodys for about $450. I like the single cut and the price is great. But the Republic Clarksdale Tricone looks interesting in Nickle and well within my price range too. But I keep finding myself filtering searches for the 50's-70's on Reverb....I guess I'm smitten with a type of romanticism for some reason. Just wish they were all down at the local "local" music store so I could try them all out....
|
|
|
Post by jefe46 on Jan 7, 2020 19:22:24 GMT -5
Try batzic on you tube for playing an inexpensive reso.
|
|
|
Post by FlyonNylon on Jan 8, 2020 21:31:21 GMT -5
Dude I kind of want one of these but can't decide between square or round neck since I grew up playing blues but now am into old-time music.
|
|
twangmeister
Wholenote
Posts: 349
Formerly Known As: Twangmeister
Age: 72 and fading fast.....
|
Post by twangmeister on Jan 19, 2020 15:22:36 GMT -5
Gold Tone. I like them for resonator guitars and banjos
Build quality is a lot more important for roundnecks than squarenecks and a good spun cone helps with projection and tonal balance.
|
|
|
Post by thumbpicker on Feb 4, 2020 10:15:14 GMT -5
I think the most important thing about a roundneck is that it plays well. I’ve upgraded cones on both and find that this will get you 90 percent of the tone most of the time but if it’s a bear to play you won’t enjoy it much.
|
|
|
Post by jefe46 on Feb 4, 2020 10:41:47 GMT -5
As has been said, its all about the CONE and the set up. The box is a box. Round neck or square neck. Completely different styles. Round neck, an industrial interpretation of a guitar with a specific purpose of being loud. Square neck, for THAT sound..without the clumsiness and necessity of electric amplification of a lap steel or Pedal Steel. hearthemusicplay.com/great-resonator-guitars/BTW the current way to reference a resonator guitar is TIFKAD The Instrument Formerly Known As DOBRO............... John Dopyera (sp).. Had a music store north of me 20 miles in Grants Pass Oregon. I have met with some of his children and grand children who are all into what may be called old time music. I went to a couple of their home sessions, quite a crowd.
|
|