ULTIMATE Resonator Guitar Buying Guide (2022) ★ Acoustic Tuesday 242

[@LittleNala]

After playing as a hobby for about 55 years, I gradually found myself playing more and more slide as a change from the rock/blue I usually mess around with - I converted a cheap T-Style guitar, hand carved a bone nut with zero radius (just wanted to see if I could!), and put pretty heavy strings on it. That all got me interested in resonators. But I'm on basic state pension in the UK, so I couldn't afford even your cheapest suggestions. However, here on this side of the Atlantic, we are blessed with Harley Benton! About a month ago, I got a spider resonator with a cutaway body, and a mini-humbucker, for £159! ($209). (It was b-stock, but I can't find any flaws). I'm delighted with it. Lets me get the feel of them, and learn the general concept. I really want a rattling (not really 'rattling', but sort of tinny sounding), small body, biscuit cone resonator, because I like the Delta Blues sound. And now, when the time comes, I'll have a lot more confidence in buying one because I bought this budget Harley Benton one.

[@denbodg9311]

I like the Beard Tri-cone a lot, and in this list would be my No.1 too. However you ought to take a look at Michael Messer Resonator Guitars from the UK. The MM Blues and MM Lightning are superb. A limited edition MM Fiddle Edge dobro is out too at the moment.

[@toddborger6488]

Hi Tony. Thanks for this run down. In July, there is a resonator guitar meeting in wilkesboro, NC. Resogat will have nearly 100 dobro players together. It might be a nice feature for your show.

[@wesdickinsonmusic]

I have the Recording King dirty 30’s single-0 with the mini humbucker and love it!

[@RecordingKingOfficial]

Thanks for including us Tony!

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I have your MinnieBucker and I love it.

[@jed1166]

After watching Justin Johnson on many videos playing a Gretsch Honey Dipper, pretty sure I’ll go that way. Good enough for JJ, certainly good enough for a resonator tyro! If I can actually learn to make it sound good(?)…will add a K&K BB pickup, or Krivo resonator humbucker, and try it on stage. With either pickup, still well under $1,000!

[@GoldTone]

Excellent overview and buying guide! Thank you for including our very own GRE Paul Beard Metal Body!

[@billsmith5054]

My new Gretsch G9200 Box Car will be here in a couple days. I like the wood resonators and this one is the best one for me. By the way. I love your shows.

[@aaronstrat12]

Hi Tony! I bought a Republic parlor about six months (based off your recommendation in this video) back as an introduction to resos, and just a few days ago placed the deposit for a Mule. I’ve never had the opportunity to play one but your videos have given me confidence that I’ll love it.

[@johnreidroberts2838]

Mr. Polecastro, I became interested in resophonic guitars after watching your crash course video on resonators. In fact I ended up buying a National Raw Steel 12 Fret single cone and let me tell you it is a blues machine! The dirty tones that come out of that thing especially with a slide harken back to the Mississippi Delta in the 1930’s. It also lends itself well to early jazz tunes as well, rhythm and lead picking, similar to an archtop with its sheer volume and quick decays! What’s also nice on the Raw is it’s minimal finish which gives way to a beautiful patina on the steel. I’ve had mine over a year, however it looks much older. The price point of the Raw is fair. I had National do a custom C-shaped neck profile which was an upcharge, but I paid around $2500.00 total for the guitar. They are more affordable due only to their minimal finish. I have played National’s more expensive models but have found mine to sound every bit as good. I’m one happy customer with this guitar and am looking forward to putting more miles on it through the years. Respectfully, JR North Carolina

[@Hikaru109Ichijyo]

Thanks, beard is good, mule is good too, Nationals are great (I like the brass or german silver ones more than their steel) . REos breakdown: tricones have the sustain and bell / chime, the good ones have this smooth cream sparkle thing going on. Single cones have faster respones, they have a chime (but not the bell or cream) and sustain is the shortest. SPider cone is unique and has a long sustain, they have the metal chime as well, but they don't have the bell / cream that Brass, has warmer tones (so far real german silver and brass or bell broze tricones have gotten the sparkle cream sustain tricones). Steel has more treble / highs / but they also are lighter. The mids of brass / german silver is great but steel has that edge of higher side of mids and treble. Haven't tried royall but my friend has one and its tone is almost as good as my best tone reso, and he has multinationals and several mules If you want a reso, get a good one, made by a good luthier. The import ones aren't the best bang for the buck like wood acoustics or electrics (like epiphone inspired by gibson or yamaha acoustics) if its not your thing, just sell it . . . If you want I have tried most the import ones . . . they either have tone or playability. The recording king tricone has the best tone but it playability, no go, it has a baseball neck that makes Les Paul baseball necks seem like stickball sticks. The first 5 frets are good but then by the body joint I'm looking at double pinky thickness height. And yes I shaved the saddle down, its a classic case for neck reset (but the expert said the cost is worth more than I got it, which was new for 700 back in the day). The tone is that cream bell (its brass) that my multi-National friend says its close to his national. New RK's are smaller necks and better overall but not the tone. The gretsch honey dipper and bobtail are heavy V necks, but action is fender acoustic(getsch is pwned by Fender btw). Not the Fender electric that V's are luscious soft V glove that is found on Eric Johnson signature strats . . . but hard V (the final battle) that digs into my thumb and aches in the web of my hand . . . THe bobtail (spider cone) tone is like a taylor, so I'm going to sell it, its heavy, and since its sounds like a sterile acoustic, might as well get a taylor as those are lighter. The honey dipper has that delta and banjo tone, but its kinda tinny and teeth grating on the highs. The republics are great, tricones. They are very playable. The brass one has the cream and bell ring, but its like a muffled version of my record king. They have standard 1.75 necks and good action. The guy that sells republic does a set up, so they are good .The brass was tuned out of the case. I have a steel tricone, and it has more of a sharper, tinny, treble tone than the brass one. But they are not close to the King of Tone (Recording King).

[@58landman]

My first resonator was a Republic Hwy 61 and it's a cutie but Republic has a terrible reputation for set up and I had to return it to the shop I got it from. It's neck was set at a weird angle and still liking the brand I checked the other Republics and all were set up terribly. The guitar shop peeps said they couldn't fix it and they tried to check with Republic to see about returning it for a neck reset but no one would answer their phone. Then I did a bit of online research and I found that other people had the same problem and opinion with the Repubs, so I bought a Mule single cone. Loved the Mule, particularly its neck. Over a period of 3 years or so I owned 3 Mules and one was a tricone. I loved them but for me they are very heavy, particularly if I intend to stand up and play for a while. If I remember correctly all are in the 9 lb range. And then after playing a number of them and comparing them against my National Deuco, I came to the conclusion that the National had a brighter and sweeter tone when that kind of tone was desired and of course it can be as swampy you might want to make it. And, my National weighs a couple of pounds less than the Mule. So, my nod goes to National but I do understand where you are coming from. Now don't get me wrong, the Mule is a fantastic instrument and I would happily own another IF the weight could be dropped to the 7-7.5 lb range.

[@bobkaufman9263]

Tony, this was a great episode. I put myself in the queue to buy a mule. I was originally looking at resonators, but they are hard to find in NYC (hard to believe). I then thought I would buy a banjo, being a finger picker, but after hearing this episode, I decided to do the resonator and learn some slide. Please add a section in TAC. Thank you for you shows and the TAC music program!

[@robertbarnettguitar]

Very much planning on bringing more slide work into my playing - I did not need this video to convince me to spend yet more money on guitars!

[@jamiescott1080]

I’ve owned a couple and I’ve struggled with the necks. My hands and a bit small and the big fat necks are a gyp. I played a national tricone last week that had the sweetest neck I ever played. I also saw Charlie playing that Mavis over here last year and he broke my heart.

[@cruelycruel1032]

really good episode, national estralita deluxe is the only resonator iv ever owned sold it a decade ago, wish ii still had it.

[@jerryhorton5708]

Planning on the Republic Highway 61. Just trying to determine whether I want the Woody or one of the beautiful steel body models.

[@spraudoggy]

Thank you. Great coverage of these unique sounding guitars. I jus ordered a Honey Dipper.

[@ZacCostilla]

I’ve always loved the simple sound of a biscuit bridge, small body resonator.

[@wheninroamful]

I just clicked on your page, hoping id see vids of you playing said resonator!! You gonna get one and post some vids?

[@ZacCostilla]

@@wheninroamful guess I need to buy one. I let one go, foolishly, several years ago. Been wanting a nicer one ever since.

[@robertjohnson9832]

As always, a very interesting episode. I have a less expensive Roadshow Kings. It does not sound as good as any of the ones you mentioned, but I love the bluesy sound it makes. It takes me back to the great Robert Johnson (not me, yet) and his sound. Keep up the great work. You are vey motivational and the Acoustic Tuesday Show keeps me wanting to play. Thanks!!

[@gregburke0073]

After watching Oliver Anthony, I decided I needed to add a resonator and bought a Gretsch boxcar. Love it!

[@staleyexplores]

Thx tony, keeping us inspired every Tues

[@nedludd3641]

Do top musicians such as Tommy Emmanuel have tie-in contracts that mean they can only be seen playing one particular guitar make?

[@KelleySmithMusic]

Hi Tony. Love your videos. How do you feel about just some thumpy picking with a speed pick on The Dirty 30’s? Not much intention to learn slide atm.

[@mikefullerton832]

Nice program! I’m thinking of buying a National Reso Rocket WB. Not on your list, but I am in love with the tone and looks. And, the cutaway is important for me. Was looking at Republic, and maybe a Mule in the distant future.

[@jennifer6833]

First of all, I love your channel A TON; but can you please start to do artist interviews again, since the world is beginning to open up.

[@OldManWithAGuitar]

#smallwins My guitar journey began on March 22, 2016. Today I logged my 2000th hour of practice. Never thought I'd hit this mark, thought I'd have walked away or given up. Still a long way towards my goal, but one foot in front of the other and consistency will get me there.

[@jeffwyatt7199]

I was looking for awhile and picked up a Luna steel magnolia acoustic electric steel body. Great sound and quality. Priced around 1200 dollars (canadian). I love the tones it has.

[@davidbingley6734]

You mentioned the recording King single O. In your opinion, when it comes to volume, 'unplugged' is the minnie bucker louder or the single 0?

[@michaellohr7683]

The Mule that you have put on the top here sounds just great in your hands. But I do miss the National ResoRocket on your list quite badly. I own a number of resonators, and my ResoRocket (metal body version) blows me away every time I play it. You get a sound that just seems to make the entire house tremble.

[@tonyadams6375]

Have you ever played a Royall resonator? I curious. I play tenor guitar and I am looking at a Royall long scale tenor in maple. Thanks in advance.

[@andremazzella6643]

Any preferences between the Republic Highway 61 Traveler vs. the Highway 61 Standard?

[@djangowoods3866]

Great run down! Thank you for the informative content. I am a big reso fan and have owned a few. Currently playing 2 Nationals. The Mule is on the bucket list. My only hesitation is that I like the chunky National neck. I feel that you missed one and were a little Beard heavy 😂. National put out the Raw series a couple years ago. Fantastic value for a high end player. I own the raw steel single cone 12 fret version. A blues machine with nice creamy tone and loud bark! Thank you for what you do and keep it up!

[@lambo6892]

Morning Tony, First time buying reso, (prob last) Looking Gretsch G9241-Electric Reso, With hard case ,750 shipped. or 650 no electric... Your thoughts/options. Respectfully, 1k limit

[@charlesrichards2632]

Just got on the wait list for the Mule Reso! Only 12 months to go! 🤦‍♂️

[@brandonwoodson2861]

I gotta Epiphone hounddog deluxe for $699, used. I found it in perfect condition at Guitar center.

[@SELKCOMM]

I always wanted a great guitar. I had a Gibson ES 345 Stereo. I had a Martin. I had a Taylor. They were bricks. A friend of my built me three guitars. Adirondack spruce soundboards. Bill Farmer. Hands down. The best I’ve seen in 50 years. When I pick up one of these guitars I know I’m home

[@nedludd3641]

During Johnny Depp/Amber Heard Trial it emerged that Depp had a very unhappy childhood. His guitar was a solace and refuge when he was about twelve. The night after the verdict, he flew directly across the Atlantic from Virginia USA to Glasgow Scotland to play with Jeff Beck live on stage. The following nights they played small pubs in Newcastle and Birmingham together. His guitars figured big in the trial. It still brings him peace.

[@nedludd3641]

According to the trial, the tip of Depp's left-hand ring(?) finger was somehow lopped off, then went septic, stopping him from playing for a long time. A $50,000 guitar was badly damaged somehow. He has a number of rock immortals who play in his band - he spends big money to play big city centre concert venues. One of his security people were brutally funny when describing the music produced by the band. Guitars are a huge part of Depp's life. Amazing when you think about it. He's worth well over $600 million, has private jet planes, his own Caribbean island, the most beautiful women on Earth flock to him, - and what is his passion? - a battered old acoustic with a huge hole bashed in it. Remarkable. Big up, John-ners :)

[@tadpoleinnit2643]

@@nedludd3641 - they live a life beyond imagining. There's footage of Depp at an Indian Restaurant in Birmingham UK on Sunday evening, 7.30pm to midnight. Eight people sat down to eat, the bill? - $66,000 - check it out.

[@benjammin4840]

You really ate up the Depp PR hook line and sinker

[@nedludd3641]

@@benjammin4840 - much of the stuff mentioned above is undisputed, in the public domain. He says his guitar brings him peace. My guitar brings me peace too (U2 I'm guessing). Where am I wrong?

[@bretjackson8093]

Great stuff ✔️.. Anyone know the tune that Tommy Emmanuel was playing? It's fantastic. I really want to learn it.

[@jimross9429]

Hi Tony, it's me Jim again here in Mineral Bluff GA. Thanks once again for an informative and entertaining episode of as we call it in my house Tony Tuesday. I really liked the resonator segment I just traded my Republic resonator for a Gretsch hollow body electric. I liked the Resonator but I made the mistake of not having it set up for either slide (dobro) or standard it was kind of in the middle and really didn't work well for either. If I had it to do over again (and I probably will just don't tell my wife yet) I would get a square neck metal body for slide / dobro and a round neck wood body for everything else. Now on to the importance of the guitar in my life. I have been learning to play since about 1964 or so, yeah I know I'm old but only in years not spirit. The guitar has helped me through the loss of parents, pets, friends, bandmates, the isolation and fear of getting drafted as well as the joy of meeting my wife to be. When I got out of the army three of my army buddies moved to Sarasota and I lived in Weeki Wachee about 2 hours away back then. I would spend just about every weekend with them and one of them (John) was also a guitar player. One weekend John said hey bring your guitar there is this party I'm going to and they said if you play bring your axe so I did. When we arrived we walked in with our guitar cases and I immediate saw this tall young lady in a blue dress. I turned to John and said wow she would make someone a great wife. Little did I know it would be ME!!! this year we celebrate 45 year of marriage (in a row) and nearly 50 year together. Yeah we lived in sin for a bit LOL. To date my wonderful wife has bought me 5 guitars the most recent my new J-45. I could not imagine my life without the guitar which has consoled me in times of sorrow and lead me to the love of my life. Be nice and play guitar, it's all worth it.

[@pmeberhardt]

Awesome story- I’m your neighbor living off 325/Pat Colwell in Blairsville. Guitar playing has been my oldest and best friend for 50 yrs ❤

[@jimross9429]

⁠@@pmeberhardtif you’re ever in the mood to get together with an old hippie and play some music just let me know.

[@pmeberhardt]

thanks! i just might take you up on the offer!

[@garyvelez9741]

I own a 1938 National steel- it has a pick guard I'm told that was the only year it had one. It sounds ok but not like the ones you reviewed. Thinking now I may sell it and get one these reasonably priced ones

[@Theshark-l4k]

How about the Michael Messer from England?

[@hollywoodjoe3259]

Hey Tony I really dig your channel,do you think as a first reso. The boxcars are a perfect choice?

[@erikwera8501]

Hey Tony, i have a question about resonator guitars combined with the tonewood amp. I figured I'd ask you if you know anything about whether the tonewood would work with a steel bodies guitar instead of a wooden bodied guitar

[@Nightfalcon690]

Just bought my first Resonator. Johnson JM999 Tri-cone. Plays great and sounds like it should. Wasn't expecting the weight to be so much... I have to play it with a strap even sitting to get it in the right spot. I replaced the stings as it was 2nd hand but wasn't sure what size to fit - I had a set of 12's from my Martin so put them on it. Sounds a little mellower- I guess the strings on it were 16's as they were enormous. Would that be right? what size strings do you guys use on them for fingerstyle pickin with the occasional slide chucked in Tony?

[@craigdickerson9706]

I played a Dean the other day, awesome!!!

[@basementriffs]

Absolutely love my Mule Resonator!!!!

[@spearhunter9130]

Acoustic Life, Can you do a buying guide on 12 string Resonator Guitars.

[@alberteinsteinlookalike]

Dobro brand resonator is quite nice I think. Have you ever seen one?

[@StevenDoyleLuke]

Love to see you review the Recording King Rattlesnake . . .

[@ricarmater]

Hi Tony, this episode was great. I would like to ask you about the Paramount Style O Brushed Nickel. Do you know this brand? What do you think about this resonator guitar? Thanks man

[@saoirsepaddy]

I would love to get a mule tricone resonator guitar they sound great and they look great

[@quantum_thermodynamics_UMBC]

Thank you for another very informative video. I have only ever played classical guitars, but I am becoming more and more interested in resonators. Of what I have heard, I really like the wood-bodied spider cones. So, I was wondering whether you have any thoughts on the Recording King Maxwell, in particular when comparing it to the Gretsch Boxcar (or even the Recording Kind Dirty 30s, which is a biscuit, though).

[@mandomike2]

Tony check out Royall Trifecta tri-cone all metal great guitar for under 1000.00 love mine

[@valnorous3341]

Hey Tony, Awsome content :D first time commenter here. I have been wanting a resonator for a while and i have been looking at the Fender PR-180E Resonator ACB as i like its black guitar head better compared to the gretch's pearl white. What do you think of this model ?

[@robgerety]

Thanks for this. Very helpful.

[@raymondstebbins5904]

Kind of surprised at the numbering system if it's better it better should reflect the place in top 10

[@MarshallAmpMan]

wish you demoedawoodbody tricone royall or republic

[@LesPaulVOS]

Ill take a nickel plated brass body O style National over Mule every day of the week. But that is me.. Mule looks good.

[@leewaite789]

I have a Royall Parlorator in flame maple and it is just awesome. I don’t play slide yet but finger picking on this sounds so sweet. It has a built in lipstick pickup and is a sub $1k guitar ! Plus it has a satin finish which I just love ❤️ Check it out Tony, great show as usual 👍🏻👍🏻

[@longtalljay]

In place of the Beard that's at #2 (one TE plays here), one can get the cheaper Gold Tone mahogany with Beard cone. I use it for all kinds of music, as it is about twice as loud and four times more warmly singing than all those Gretsch and cheaper Dobro models. Here's an example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i37ZkJdso7aooc0

[@joepre-l8g]

I don't like your Chicago Black Hawks shirt, I prefer ours Montreal Canadien lollllllllll very good vidio

[@gfirob]

Hey, if you are going to go up into the + $5,000 universe, why not mention vintage Nationals, the originals. These can be had for less than your 5G top drawer and have their own sound, mojo and playability characteristics. Also, they are the most authentic and original IMHO. Most of these you will find will have replacement cones and a neck reset because a guitar from the 1930’s has had a long life and not always an easy one (my ’32 Style O was barn find, a complete wreck when first found). My experience is that the originals compete with the National Resophonics and are lighter, sweeter and generally cooler. Really, would you rather be on stage with a Chinese copy or the original?

[@Zoevandyne]

Sorry but i'd rather go on stage with a Chinese one. Weirdly enough, the real blues is about getting a cheap guitar and try to make the most out of it, and it's not about buying super expensive old guitars and brag about it. At least that's my opinion. Blues is not in the instrument but in the heart.

[@dougjames20]

I have a mavis on order

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I NEED a Mule Mavis. 😢❤

[@heymrguitarman7637]

No National style O in there!! Personally whilst the mule is a lovely guitar, when you hear them next to the National equivalent the National always wins hands down to my ears.

[@chicagomusicexchange]

🤘🤘

[@mycroft0078]

Rayco roundneck with a spider. Fingerpick. Flatpick. Slide. Mmmm...

[@billropple8437]

recording king RM991

[@jen3800]

I ordered the Mule Reso. I can't wait!! I wish I could fill the inlays with whiskey!

[@jimtastic7076]

this guy looks like the kind of guy that likes LARP'ing

[@victorjones8699]

republic 4 lyfe

[@raymondstebbins5904]

Again you keep referring to national but you put it on bottom of the list mules are great beards too only one national come on

[@ryangunwitch-black]

❤

[@blessedkingemboss]

🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪💥💥💥💥

[@stephengoddard3887]

I have a Gretsch Alligator single cone and love it. Looking at it there is not a single flaw. And at 450.00 dollars it's hard to beat!

[@jason8string]

Sorry, constant speaking does not hold my interest at all. Too many words, too little said. Lost me at about 3 mins and I was really trying.

[@mattnelson8325]

You are correct. He loves the sound of his own voice. It gets annoying quickly!

[@johnd942]

Far too verbose to enjoy....had to stop listening.

[@OldGrowthRedwood]

I’ll take my guitar advice from someone who doesn’t resemble a cult leader.

[@strem17694]

Was that necessary?

[@tomrwills]

You resemble Mark Zuckerberg, so same thing

[@MrViken-pc9sb]

thanks from sweden 🇸🇪👍