How To Amplify A Resonator Guitar - Resonator Pickup Type And Comparison - The Washboard Resonators

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Help by clicking the description above; 🎯Put something in the tip jar. 🎯Subscribe to the mailing list. 🎯Find us on other social media. Thanks all! ❤️❤️❤️

[@andrewnell287]

As someone who has not got a resonator yet just gretch electric and a 3 string cigar box, I really enyour videos so informative and concise. I have learnt so much thank you.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Glad to help!!

[@JohnNathanCO]

Thanks a million for the tip on electric vs. acoustic strings. This I did not know... and my cheapo flat humbucker has driven me crazy with super loud strings 1 and 2! Trying some heavy gauge electrics today.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

That’ll sort it! 🎯

[@78tag]

You are correct - this is already and will continue to be a great resource for reso/pickup info. ALSO, I really wanted to point out that it is refreshing to see someone post this type of info, ask for comments and then actually follow up with responses to everyone who decides to contribute. That is pretty rare in this YT world these days. Thank you killer and I wish you all the success in the future - you deserve it for your efforts.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Very kind words. We try and show people respect and thanks for taking the time to share with us. Seems basic. Can take up lots of time. If things grow to the point that it takes an hour of more to reply to everyone we may need to rethink but we’re nowhere near that. Hopefully the video helps people. I got fed up of people asking on Facebook groups or forums and the pile-ons of ‘what’s best’ or ‘the only way’ to amplify a reso. All the main kinds are different and get a different result. The idea here is to share the info, save people the time and money of trying different kinds and just choose what’s best for their needs. 🎯

[@78tag]

@@TheWashboardResonators In that theme, I ordered both of the Krivo's pups. The "Micro" is a warmer version that is useful for wood body acoustics (mostly). The Micro is also very good at improving the sound of piezo pups (even on my solid body guitar). The "Reso" seems to be a perfect match for metal body resos. Sadly I am in the process of trading mine back because it is presenting "grounding" issues but I do like the sound I got. Hopefully I will get a replacement that works and I can go forward.

[@martinluthierking]

what is “correct” about this? it is just demos of different pickups and his opinion.

[@seanantley1965]

Excellent info, THANK YOU!!! After playing lead guitar in rock and metal bands for 30+ years, for some reason I became obsessed with wanting to play resonators and just their whole sound and vibe. The day I bought one, like a little kid, I was so excited I bought one that is totally acoustic... never thinking I’d want to amplify it lol!!! Now that I’m used to mine, and want to plug it in, , I’ve struggled with ways to amplify it since I don’t sit down or very still lol, I now know what to try and see what is going to work best for me. Thank you for your help!!!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Hey Sean. Perfect!! You’re exactly the person this was aimed at. They’re all different and all good ways but it depends on your end goal as to what will work for you. Glad it helped and showed the possibilities. 🎯🎸🎯

[@BadTemperJoe]

Great one. In all my resonators are two pickups installed. A magnetic soundhole pickup and three piezo pickups under the cone. You can blend them together or use them separately. Peter Wahl, who built my resonators, uses this system a lot. I usually use only the magnetic soundhole pickup but it's great to have the option for a more acoustic sound with the piezos.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

This is a really cool idea. At one point we had one with magnetic and piezo pickup with two outputs. Makes it a Swiss Army Resonator. Can do anything! Thanks for the information on your set up. Sure this will help people. 🎯

[@FrancRobert]

My experiences- if you're looking at a pickup, Krivo is the first choice IMO-reasonably natural sounding, easy to install and move around, and a fair amount of volume before feedback. I have one on my NRP Style 1 tricone, and it works great. Just be aware of the height of the pickup, it's pretty even with my fretboard, and string clearance is pretty tight. I have used the Schatten pickup as well on this guitar-it's OK, but because it's a contact pickup, you need to be REALLY careful on placement! We have a Schatten on my wife's Dobro Hound Dog (metal body biscuit, similar to Style O), that one actually is not bad at all. As for microphones, I've used 57s and numerous others-they can all work well, but as you mentioned, moving around will change your volume and tone! I have a '32 Duolian that I recently acquired, and I'm trying a Myers Feather pickup on it-it's actually a microphone on a gooseneck attached to a preamp, which you then feed into whatever you're using for amplification. It's a bit fiddly in getting the placement right, but the sound is extremely accurate, and best of all, doesn't mar the finish of your instrument-my Duolian still has it's original frosted Duco finish, and the putty that my Krivo pickup uses to attach pulled the finish up too easily (tested on a spot nobody would notice first!). Thanks for the video!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

I was trying to not be too opinionated about what’s best except for the real world advantages of the systems I’m using. Ultimately I think you’re 100% right on everything you’ve said. I think as the years roll on and even future resonator players see this video and read the comments you will have imparted massively useful information that will help. Many thanks!

[@pinballcabinet]

So did the Krivo Pickup damage your guitars finish???

[@mikefullerton832]

I’ve recently stumbled upon your videos and want to say thank you for your generosity in providing such useful instruction and information. I started playing a reso in finger style and slide just over a year ago and your videos have touched on a number of the rabbit hole I’ve gone down. It’s so easy to get distracted with gear and uncertainty about what reso to buy, what slide on what finger, string action, string types, how to amplify, and whether to record practice sessions (and what recording platform to use). Yikes, the hours I’ve spent on such topics is remarkable. Again thank you for your very clearly articulated videos. I look forward to following up on things like microphones (my reso doesn’t have a pickup), harmonics (they are still a mystery), and learning to sing and play at the same time (time can be a challenge especially when lyrics start on the “and” of a measure). Hopefully addressing these will be made easier due to your videos. Cheers from Ottawa, Canada.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

That’s kind. It is of course a difficult and complex situation learning. You’ve opened up some interesting information about beginning. Think I’ll do a video to help folks like yourself. 🎯

[@hammerstrumm]

I put a Lace humbucker near the neck of a single cone biscuit all metal resonator,(only place it fitted) but struggled to keep the reso sound when using gain, until i found this solution: that humbucker goes through a stereo pedal (flanger in my case), then one half of the signal goes to an acoustic amp for the reso sound, and the other half goes to a small tube amp. Awesome for bluesrock.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

That’s a new one. Excellent idea!

[@robbieguitar1]

Hey. This is Rob from Long Island NY. I’m still a novice at open G resonator.. I’d like to say thank you for the sharing of information to this style of guitar. I play a Beard RFD resonator.

[@robbieguitar1]

I play through an ACUS 1for strings acoustic amp. It’s made in Italy it’s a very clean sound.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

The ACUS are excellent. Had good experiences with those and AER’s. For me there’s nothing better for pure amplified acoustic guitar tone.

[@rogersnyder3776]

Thanks for your insights! You've inspired me to try my Fishman Jerry Douglas Signature Aura Imaging Effects Pedal for Resonator Guitar (usually used on square neck dobro) on other guitars... hmmm...

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Those systems should work really well on other guitars. Or be worth experimenting with. I like the Aura system on an OM28 in a shop I worked in years ago. It had great tones. 🎯

[@midi510]

Really like my Platinum Pro EQ preamp. A Cadillac of acoustic preamps.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Good analogy! They’re brilliant!!

[@chadvandam7179]

That’s a lot of really great information. I’m going to have to look through all your other videos again! So I can see what information you have for me or us! It seems like you’re really nice enough to to reply to all the people that comment on you, so I’ll give you a break here don’t comment on my comment unless you think you might be coming to Seattle at some point and then I’ve got to come and see ya good luck! Take the world by storm with a resonator guitar! 11:06

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Thanks. All the covid stuff happened so we made videos sharing what we know. There was next to nothing on resonator guitars on KZbin so thought it’d help! It’s making a nice community. Every show we play now somebody turns up that follows us from watching these videos. It’s great! 🎼🎯🎼

[@davidpuccio3125]

Very interresting video. Thanks for these precious informations.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Glad to be of service. My life would have been so much easier if I had this at the beginning of my resonator journey. 🎯

[@RichOReilly]

Great video..it would be great if you could share mic and recording techniques. Always a challenge for us that record at home.. awesome stuff...thanks

[@TheWashboardResonators]

There’s a good article by sound on sound magazine about this. I’ll add this video to the list of videos to make. Would definitely be of interest. For you now there are two main ways. One mic between the cone and fingerboard about 2 feet back. I like an SM57 or Ribbon. The other way is to do a more hi-fi or stereo set up. Usually two small diaphragm condenser microphones one facing the 14th fret and one facing the cone that get panned for the stereo effect. Some producers would then run a bus combining both signals and run heavy compression on this with no panning so essentially you get three tracks from the two microphones. Depends if you’re going for a modern sound or more vintage one. 🎯

[@profpinkerton]

Great stuff. Thanks for posting.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Hope it helps!

[@mouse_eater]

I put a Victory Low Rider on mine and it's absolutely killer, certainly sounds more like an electric though

[@TheWashboardResonators]

‘Tis an ‘electric’ pickup! A great sound when you want it! 🎯

[@mitchellstrauss5117]

Nice, nice overview... Tricones, I think present a bit of a problem using the piezo... Highlander manufactured a nice set up but it is unclear if they are still in business, plus as you say, to mount a Highlander involves some serious guitar surgery... I ordered a Krivo even though I don't like the idea of sticking the pickup on with putty balls and would rather have a more permanent set up... nevertheless, I like to run my resonator through a pedal board to alter the tonality so the Krivo makes sense... thanks for the lesson...

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Krivo is best for this. I use blue tack on my rusty guitar and it doesn’t budge but will come off easily when needed.

[@Heathharris508]

Thank y’all

[@TheWashboardResonators]

A pleasure!! 🎯

[@Gray_Wolves]

Great info

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Hope it helps!

[@rogerogrant]

Unrelated to this wonderful demo - is your Triolian a bakelite neck? 😊

[@TheWashboardResonators]

It’s a 31 so not. We usually associate them as 1930 made. I know of one Bakelite that is playable and a few that are re-necked. Interesting time in the history of these. A company trying to modernise its product.

[@paulrouse1813]

How about reviewing the Fishman Jerry Douglas Aura pedal?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Never used one. Heard they’re good though!!

[@bathizargupta249]

I've always thought of a magnetic pickup as a "manufactured" sound. How does a magnetic pickup reproduce what the cone produces that gives it that resonator tone?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

The cones give a guitar a certain attack or transient. This does come through the magnetic pickup to a degree. If it’s acoustic realism then obviously it’s better and more authentic with a mic or the highlander if you’re moving about or playing loud stages where mics might not work as well. For me the magnetic pickup is perfect for the more electric guitar / distorted tone but with a resonator sound. Obviously many people have favourites and they’re all different. I know people that play magnetic Krivo brand pickups into acoustic AER amps and swear it’s the best resonator tone in the world. I was in a blues club recently and a guy was playing a cheap resonator into a terrible PA with a £20 stick on pickup through a £20 graphic EQ pedal and TBH after two beers and mixed in with his bass player and drummer it made good music. Playing and singing quality will always outshine equipment.

[@albertlevy3721]

I purchased a resonator guitar last year. It is a Fender FR50 yeah it was cheap. Having never played one I was not certain about the subject. Can they be played like a regular guitar in standard tuning. Or is it slide only. It us a spider bridge. Any advice would be helpful. And no I can't afford a 2000 dollar guitar at my age.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

They can be played anyway and any style. I love mine in standard just like Blind Boy Fuller did with his from 1932 to 1940.

[@stevieraveon]

Thanks for the videos, they are helpful. Assuming the room mic is still on for the magnetic clip, how much "resonator" sound does it convey from direct pickup signal alone?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

You can hear the room sound and then I say I’m switching the guitar on. There is a difference which is audible. It’s a simple set up here which hopefully gets a novice into the rough area of which system might work for them. 🎯

[@Andymin7]

It's funny how we struggle to amplify instruments which were invented to be "auto" amplified indeed ! Have you ever tried pickup like the AKG C411 ? Actually, I ask not for guitars but for reso ukes. More complicated because of the size ... I have a piezzo under the biscuit of a Beltona reso ukulele and the sound is just awfull, just like I only hear the nylon strings...

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Not the AKG. Sure it’d work. Steve at Beltona fitted a K&K Pure Mini pickup on my National Uke and it’s a perfectly fine sound for gigging!

[@Andymin7]

​@@TheWashboardResonators Steve himself equiped my uke but I don't know if it's the same pickup model. The sound have nothing to do with the acoustic one .... Drives me nut ! ;-)

[@davidmurray9193]

I have a wooden ozark resinator and was wondering would a 5 band acoustic guitar Preamp EQequalizer Piezo Pickup kit with tuner amplifier and built in di work on a resonator, I know it'll need some cutting and fixing but will it sound good and has any one done it?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Whack it in. It’ll do a job.

[@davidmurray9193]

Sorted, I'll order it tomorrow and get my router ready 😁😁😁😁😁

[@jujughostjujughost4758]

Thanks so much for this overview...I have a Republic tricone and was trying to decide how and with what to provide amplification ...so for a tricone is a microphone the best bet as long as I stay relatively still?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Absolutely! It’s the most ‘natural’ way of going it!

[@shaunm2208]

Just a quick question from one Brit to another, i am a total beginner but love the sound of the resonator, could i learn to play on a resonator or not ? thanks very much.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Absolutely. Many cheaper ones play like garbage which could hamper you as a beginner so you need to dodge that bullet so you keep playing. Many beginners on any instrument give up when they go between the hump of a few easy chords to more interesting playing. The guitars playability can often be an issue. The Michael Messer range of guitars have a good setup so the strings are as easy to play as possible. He’s out of stock but waiting on a shipment right now. As a good rule you can spend £500+ and get a guitar repair person to check it over and dial it in if needed. The real deal is a real made in the USA National Resophonic guitar. These come up on eBay second hand fairly regularly. Sometimes the cheaper models sell around £1000. Not sure of budget but you basically can’t get better without splitting hairs and going for the boutique custom £4K+ built guitar. It’s actually an interesting subject with lots of variables. Can a beginner start on resonator? I think I’ll do a video about this subject in the coming weeks.

[@HungryManDJ]

Great video!!! I was wondering about exactly this topic. One thing I'm still wondering... A reason to play a resonator guitar is how the cones affect the sound. Will any of the piezo pickups 'pick this up' or is it microphone options only?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

For the ‘acoustic’ sound a mic is best. A good piezo is a close second best. You’ll hear on my highlander pickup that the sound is pretty authentic in terms of the resonator itself. The magnetic is third best. If you’re planning on using effects or a tube amp for a driven signal the magnetic is by far the best. As this video states, the microphone has limits due to feedback or moving around. You have to pick the best option that meets more of your needs. 🎯

[@HungryManDJ]

@@TheWashboardResonators Thanks!!!

[@itsallaroundyou7085]

So I'm a bit of purist when it comes to my acoustic sound both with my acoustic guitars and reso. I'm getting serious about gigging. I don't have alot of money but I need a solid affordable Mic to Mic up my guitars while playing. I take 3 guitars on stage. One parlor, one reso, and one dread. Do you have a recommendation on one that can all that?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

I would honestly recommend a decent dynamic microphone like the shure SM 57 as it’s solid and affordable as you request. A step up would be a small diaphragm condenser microphone as these are more detailed in the sound. However, these are harder to use and more sensitive so you’ll need to know about live sound and equipment to a high level. A Shure SM137 is a good affordable small diaphragm condenser. The dream top of the line would be a Neumann but these are very expensive.

[@itsallaroundyou7085]

@@TheWashboardResonators thank you so much. The sm57 is what keeps coming up and I was expecting to have to spend around 300. So that's a blessing!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

I’ve seen these mics on stage with Paul McCartney, so am sure you’ll be fine. Get it, use it and in time I’m sure you’ll upgrade by which point the mic will ‘owe you nothing’ and will make a great spare for whichever mic you choose to upgrade to!

[@MrPinkStrat]

No Pickup can capture the Cone sound Like a Mike can

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Depends on the mic, PA and sound engineer. The highlander is pretty damn spectacular at getting a realistic acoustic sound by plugging in, especially when in a band mix. But if you can just sing and play in front of one nice mic and balance the instrument and voice by moving and with your own dynamics then that’s good!

[@johnbruce316]

Hi Martin, thanks for your videos. I''m building an electric/acoustic Dobro style resonator kit. The back of the cone touches the inside of the guitar body, is this a fabrication error or should it be this way?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Shouldn’t be touching at all. Definite issue there. Get it sent back or build up the sound well and shim the neck up to compensate.

[@johnbruce316]

Much appreciated. I suspected that was the case. There's enough meat on the body to sand down to give it clearance. By my reckoning, that should leave the neck position in pretty good order, after I've shaved back the neck pocket enough to get the pickup in that is. Glad it's only my first resonator kit and not my first guitar kit.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

They’re odd beasts. Geometry is key or else they won’t put out close to what they should. On the dobro the bridge screw can kill or open up the tone and may need some tweaking.

[@martinluthierking]

@@johnbruce316 thank god it’s only a resonator and not a real guitar.

[@elsizzle2000]

Love this guy. Reminds me of Jesus and Kurt Cobain. My two favorite rock stars 😉. Tanks for you passion and knowledge. That pickup on guitar is it a p90? What kind is it?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Well I was born in a stable and I do spend unhealthy amounts of time in bathrooms with guns. You’re probably right. Can’t remember the brand name. It’s custom made from France. Came free on a guitar. It’s quite low output. Perhaps 6k. Quite dark sounding. I like it because it’s a nice mix of warm and clear. I also like low output pickups for getting grit out of a guitar amp. Means you have more headroom at the preamp and dynamics are more touch sensitive as you play.

[@Olivier.Delage]

@@TheWashboardResonators hi, thanks a lot for this video. As far as I know, you use a Benedetti floating pickup. Benedetti is a famous french brand of pickup. Greatings from France Olivier

[@Twinhit]

I wonder how a washboard through an amp would sound. 🤔

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Like sweet angels singing celestial songs of wonderment.

[@javiersilva5409]

Terrible video. Too much rambling. Not thought out well enough.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Wahhhh!!! 😭

[@brownbagg]

you talk too much

[@TheWashboardResonators]

I have lots to share.