I need a low cost resonator

[mikeh]

I did a search, but did not find what I was looking for.

I'm looking for a very low cost ($200 - $300) resonator. For now. I just want to work on some accoustic blues/slide. If I get my chops together I can always upgrade - and if I don't use it that often - I don't want more than a couple hundred tied up.

I bought a banjo and later a violin on whims but I don't really use them that often - (for some reason I seem to think that I can teach myself how to play every instrument - how well is subject to debate) I suspect the resonator will also see limited use. There just ain't enough time to get good on every instrument (try as we may).

I will play finger style (no finger picks - some fingernail action) - in a style that is somewhat like Warren Hayes (although not nearly as fluid - at least not yet). I will likely use a glass, or plastic slide (maybe a steel - but they just seem tooo brash)

Any suggestions (Dean, Johnson, Epiphone, ???) - I'm not nearly ready for anything as expensive as a National. I want a round neck (to play like a guitar) vs. a square neck. Would you recommend all steel, or wood with a steel plate??? Specific model recommendations, would be much appreciated.

 

[dtb]

If you are talking about guitar style resonator, Thatupstateguy, Steve Gibbs has a Regal that sounds great. I think he picked it up for around 300.00 new. He has entertained the jamfesters for 2 years with that box. Quite well I should say.

 

[grimy paco]

I have the Fender FR50CE electric but it was over $500.00 but for under $350.00 you can get the FR50.
If you are willing to spend $50.00 more do yourself a favor and buy the Fender FR50 you won't be disapointed.

 

[mikeh]

Thanks for the input!

The Fender my be more than I want to spend but, I'll try to find one to play (I've been known to spend more than I planned to on various gear).

I'll have to check out Regal - not sure who in my area carries them (I think I've seen them in Musicain's Friend - or one of those catalogs)

 

[Rapido]

Hello one thing I'd recomend is finding a cheap second hand accoustic raise the nut and that would make a good practice slide guitar...you could try getting a cheapo beginners classical and put some steel strings on they sell em over here for £39 and the uk is way expensive I know steel strings will warp the neck in time on a classical but not so much you cant play good slide on it please read on.

One style I really wanted to get into was accoustic hawaiin lap steel...now I was faced with exactly the same problem a tricone lap steel wich I set my heart on is about £500 upwards here in the uk, no way could I afford that.

Anyhow this is true i was walking along north beach studland in Dorset a month back and I could see this thing in a rock pool on closer examination i thought hang on thats a guitar ...needless to say it was full of water had probably been in the sea for some time as it was in bad shape the veneer was coming of the back the varnish had gone machine heads rusty etc a great split in the wood on the side, its worth mentioning at this point it is a spanish nylon strung...allthough my girlfriend said "your not taking that thing home are you" well i did dont ask why.

Anyhow it suddenly struck me what if i cleaned it up? jack up the nut put some steel strings on it and use it as a hawaiin guitar after all it came from the sea !! Steel strings will screw up the neck but it was screwed anyway plus it wont matter as it would be a steel the frets would be just guidelines...well it works and it sounds way cool as these guitars are made to be as resonant as possoble for projection of the nylon strings, putting steel strings on really rings out I'd highly recomend trying this to start with allthough its doubtfull you'll find the guitar your after in the ocean hope this is helpfull Rapido.

 

[dtb]

the new MF cat. came today. the Regal, 279.00.

 

[Middleman]

I got this for $399

 

[crawdad]

I second the Regal. Even the cheap sounds about as good as the 45, which I bought. Good to learn on and has the vibe. Of course, there are better resonators as you move up in price, but that MF one should get you going quite well.

 

[mikeh]

It seems the Regal gets a thumbs up from a few people. Unfortunately I can't find any stores in my area that carry Regal. In fact, the only resonator anyone has in stock is a Fender FR50 ($339).

I really don't want to buy an axe unless I can put my hands on it. Candidly, I a big beleiver in supporting the local music stores whenever possible (I fear soon we will have no choice but to order online - since most music stores are closing).

Middleman, the Fender you posted - is that an FR50 or an FR48????

 

[Middleman]

That would be the FR48 according the Fender site.

 

[mikeh]

Thanks for the reply - after doing some reading I see the FR50 is wood. I guess I could have figured it out sooner without bothering you for a reply - but I do appreciate the reply.

 

[TNO]

I got a Regal off ebay for $225 WITH a hardshell case brand new. I had to do some minor setup work but it's really nice for the money.

 

[mikeh]

Well I picked up a Samick Reconator for $250. Mahogany back & side with Spuce top (same materials as the Fender FR50, but about $90 less). It plays well and has some bite when I lay into it.

I havn't had a chance to try in in G tuning, but it feels like it should respond well. I tend to stay in standard tuning and play "select slide riffs" - so open tuning won't be a major issue.

A local store has stared to carry Samick - some of Samick stuff isn't bad (as I'm sure you know Smaick makes guitars for just about every company).

It should work for me as a basic educationl tool. I won't get a chance to record it for a couple of weeks (other recording projects that need to be completed first) but I think it will record well.

Thanks to all for your input.

 

[gvarko]

If you want hands on..

Build your own:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Kits/Resonator_Guitar_Kits/Bluegrass_Resomaster.html

 

[Middleman]

Well I picked up a Samick Reconator for $250. Mahogany back & side with Spuce top (same materials as the Fender FR50, but about $90 less). It plays well and has some bite when I lay into it.

I havn't had a chance to try in in G tuning, but it feels like it should respond well. I tend to stay in standard tuning and play "select slide riffs" - so open tuning won't be a major issue.

A local store has stared to carry Samick - some of Samick stuff isn't bad (as I'm sure you know Smaick makes guitars for just about every company).

It should work for me as a basic educationl tool. I won't get a chance to record it for a couple of weeks (other recording projects that need to be completed first) but I think it will record well.

Thanks to all for your input.

Now you have to share some pictures of the new baby.....

 

[philboyd studge]

I got a 1930 Dobro for 50 bucks at a yard sale.

 

[mikeh]

Philboyd,

I almost felt good about my purchase (until I read your post)

Middleman,

No can do - I havn't entered the digital camera age yet, I don't own any kind of camera (I'm not a Kodak moment kind of guy).

The axe is fairly bland -looking - natural blond wood with the chorme resonator and two chrome "sound holes". Not what would normally be my first choice, but as long as I like the way it sounds (I can always close my eyes and play).

 

[mikeh]

I tried to do a search on Samick before I bought mine. I did find the Samick site through Google which I beleive was samickguitars.com (although I think that site has been down for the last week or so) There was some basic construction info but no reviews.

I can tell you that since I bought my Samick I've tried about 6 or 7 low cost resonators (ranging from $300 up to about $500) including the Fender FR50 & FR48 (I couldn't find any local stores that had resonators in stock before I bought the Samick - but over the last few weeks I have found 6 or 7 different models).

The Samick holds it's own against everything I tried - for the $250 I paid it certainly meets my needs. It is not as loud as I would have expected but it does resonate well and sounds good with a slide. It also can mimic some basic banjo pick'n. It's a bland looking guitar, but it sounds OK.