Resonator Guitar?

[seenoevil II]

My curiosity is piqued. Anyone here explore that particular avenue?

[øøøøøøø]

I have one.

Mine is a pretty nice one, a '33 National Duolian.

The old resonator cones seem to have been thinner than even the nicest repros, and sound different (better, to me) as a result. The very inexpensive ones tend to have thicker cones still, and can sound a bit like tin cans as a result.

All IMO/IME etc.

I could never afford to explore old tricones or even brass-bodied single cones in depth, all of which sound different. TBH I wouldn't even be able to explore vintage steel-bodied guitars at this point; they've all gone up so high

The reissue Nationals are the best currently-available/accessible ones.

Resonator guitars are good for far, far more than just legacy/traditional styles. There are so many cool sounds in those things. A good old one is so nuanced and touch-sensitive. It doesn't all have to be traditional or pastiche. There is a wealth of untapped potential in the resonator guitar

[fuzzjunkie]

I remember Charlie Sexton playing National Duolian and Resolectric guitars during his “Under the Wishing Tree” era after the Arc Angels folded and before he joined Bob Dylan’s band. He was going for an Americana sound with folk instruments like mandolin and early electric and acoustic guitar tones. Old tweed amps with swampy tremolo and spring reverb.

The P-90 pickup on the Resolectric helped the metallic clang cut through live, but I think it’s mostly the Duolian and a Telecaster on the record.

[JSett]

I really want to try one, but I have zero idea where to start. I want to buy American because that seems the correct way to do it.

[seenoevil II]

I remember the local music shop having Dobro's when I was a teenager, and think that's the last time I've seen one in person.

Just checked https://www.musiciansfriend.com/resonat ... irect=true and apparently there's quite the selection of affordable imports. So, I'm assuming it's the same with Thomman over there. But I might try getting lost in the woods until I hear swamp music emanating from a mysterious cabin.

I feel like if I got one, I'd also have to get a little rattan fedora and suspenders. And honestly, there are worse fates.

Using them for not their intended purpose is what's fascinating to me. I can't remember who, but I remember reading about a woman singer songwriter getting a dobro, and it being so inspiring and engrossing that she wrote and recorded a whole album with it.

They have such unique timbre and such a different attack and decay envelope. One of my favorite guitar tones is Leslie Feist playing here Martin with a sound hole pick up into a low wattage amp. That kind of springy midrange sound. I feel like resonators would sound like that naturally. I'm very curious about their dynamics and touch sensitivity.

[Elvis63]

I had a 1933 Regal Dobro that was really fun to play, but I played it so seldom that I eventually parted with it. The cone was new, but the rest was original, and I got it off Reverb for around $300 (it had well-repaired side cracks.

[seenoevil II]

This is already more fascinating than I thought it would be. The differences between single cone, spider cone, and tri-cone is so destinct that they're almost different instruments.

That feeling when you've found a new rabbit hole to tumble down.

Before I go too far, I think I need to track one down to play in person.

[øøøøøøø]

See if you can get yourself to a dealer that has several different types (Retrofret in nyc, Carter in Nashville, etc)

It will be very educational to get to play a bunch of the different varieties back-to-back… also instructive to try new and reissue of the same type back to back

[fuzzjunkie]

This is being overly generalized, but I find the O and Duolian styles to be deeper and louder sounding than the tri-cones, which are brighter with a push to the upper mids.

[JSett]

See if you can get yourself to a dealer that has several different types (Retrofret in nyc, Carter in Nashville, etc)

It will be very educational to get to play a bunch of the different varieties back-to-back… also instructive to try new and reissue of the same type back to back

I know my local one has a few, maybe I'll pop down this week and take a look. Most are pretty high-end but they have a few MIC ones that might just do to scratch the itch for a while. They have a used Regal RC-51 Tricone for <800 (1100 new). It's Chinese but seems to get reasonable reviews online from people not deep into the rabbit hole.

[B.T.]

I had a 1933 Regal Dobro that was really fun to play, but I played it so seldom that I eventually parted with it.

I loved mine but same with me but I played it seldomly because it was a metal body one and man would it get so cold to the touch.

If it was a hot day I was good to go but at night and cold seasons I would hardly touch it. I sold it. I’ve thought about getting a wood body but never got around to it.

[windmill]

Have a Regal RD48 or 50, korean made wooden body, single cone. It has a thin "electric guitar" type neck.
It does the metallic squawking thing alright.

I use it as the around the house acoustic, mainly finger picking things.

Suggest buying a low to mid priced one and see if it does what you are after.

Just check the construction as the cheapest ones may not mount the cone in the proper way.

☺

[JSett]

Have a Regal RD48 or 50, korean made wooden body, single cone. It has a thin "electric guitar" type neck.
It does the metallic squawking thing alright.

I use it as the around the house acoustic, mainly finger picking things.

Suggest buying a low to mid priced one and see if it does what you are after.

Just check the construction as the cheapest ones may not mount the cone in the proper way.

☺

I'm seriously toying with one of the mid-price ones. The Gretsch Bobtail seems good. Spider cone (probably better for my non-blues kind of playing) and comes with Fishman electronics (just in case). Regular acoustic 1 3/4" nut, soft v profile...



Nowhere even remotely nearby to try first though.

[B.T.]

Aiersi Is the OEM for a number of the sub grand reso’s. Most are just relabeled and get a price increase.