6 BEST Resonator Guitars under $799 ★ Acoustic Tuesday 155
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- Опубликовано: 4 июл 2024
- Do you want to get into resonator guitars, but are not sure where to start? In this video, I'll show you the 6 best resonator guitars to start with, why they're worth the money, and the 3-step system you should use to buy your next resonator.
Every resonator guitar on this list is under $799, very accessible to new resonator players, and well worth the money. But to help you narrow it down, we'll also talk about the three qualities to look for in any resonator guitar.
I want to make a special shoutout to Mike Dowling, who is an incredible resonator player that I'm featuring in this episode! Be sure to check out his work and support him if you enjoy his music! Special thanks are also due to @Normans Rare Guitars!
00:00 - Introduction to Resonators
2:06 - 6 Resonator Guitars Under $799 pt. 1
7:05 - 6 Resonator Guitars Under $799 pt. 2
13:53 - 3 Tips for Buying Your First Resonator Guitar
19:05 - Comments, Guitarsenals, and Mail Bag!
30:30 - EPIC Guitar Gratitude
34:07 - Mike Dowling Feature
40:24 - Next Week on Acoustic Tuesday
If there's a resonator guitar that you like under $799, be sure to leave a comment below so other guitar geeks can find it!
★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: tonypolecastro.com
★ All show notes and links: acousticlife.tv/at155/
★ Get the show: tonypolecastro.com/get-acoust... 
Хобби
Tony P reviewed: 1-Republic Highway 61 (small body with cutaway, metal or wood); 2-Gretch Honeydipper, (metal body, biscuit cone); 3-Gretch Bobtail Deluxe-(spider cone with wood body); 4-Recording King Dirty 30s-Single O-(Wood body, biscuit cone); 5-Gretch Boxcar Squareneck-lap; 6-Republic Tritone (wood or metal body) Outstanding Presentation! Thank you, Tony, for all of this helpful information!!!!
Thank you for listing them here. Very helpful. I'll be looking into 2 of these to compare. 😃
thanks ❕ i wish i could see a comparison with the Recording King RR-36-VS , RR-50-VS , the the RK Silver bell biscuit Tri-cone ; there are only a few videos on YT for these RK , but to me they sound awfully damn güdd ❕🐊 🐸🍀 😛
Thank you so much for the summary!
Tony. First off,great show. I always learn something new every week. This week's show caused an epiphany and I must say you are a true genius. After looking at several of your low budget comparisons on different instruments I see what you are getting at. Meaning you can have tone, playability and workmanship in your arsenal for less than the price of one high level guitar. Point is. You can still have a lot of fun and not break the bank. Kudos and hats off to you. True genius.
This was probably the most informative and pleasant video I have watched in a long time. You have a great speaking delivery and your information is very detailed. The playing demos are fantastic. Thanks for doing this video as I am embarking on my very first resonator guitar.
Thanks, Tony for doing the last 2 shows on the resonator guitar. You have just made the decision on what my next guitar purchase will be. Congrats on your upcoming 3 year anniversary and congratulations on the expectancy of a new member of the family. Cheers! 👏
I was so glad for Michael Lemmo when I first saw this on Norm’s RUclips channel. He deserves it! I love listening to him play!!
Love the clips of the great Charlie Parr at the beginning and later. He lives here in Duluth, Minnesota and is one of hardest working musicians and truly good souls you’ll ever meet, and hearing him play is always pure joy.
Wow, bullsh*t that I had to scroll down this far in the comments to find his name and it wasn't listed in the credits
I love those Republic Highway 61 models. But I fell in love with that second Gretsch, the Bobtail Deluxe. Wow, what a sound.
I am wondering what was the tipping issu with going with the Gretchen, please
Excellent, informative video. Exactly what I was looking for. Your explanation of the differences in the three types of guitars was particularly helpful. I've always wanted a resonator guitar, and this gets me closer to purchasing one. Thanks!
these days of Covid-19 it is harder to get a guitar in one's hands before purchase; I was wondering about metals used for resonators, esp. nickel plated brass vs steel body? the Gretsch Honey Dipper (nickel plated brass?) has a nice sound; I would expect the steel body would be "sharper" (as in more cutting?)? what about adding pickups for recording or stage?
I was just looking at the Gretsch! Love this show. Thanks Tony.
I learned a ton watching this video. Thanks much for giving me lots to think about in my search for a resonator guitar. Peace!
The Republic tricone wood bodied resonator is the one that impressed me. Really nice. I have a cheap Chinese wood body resonator that cost me £180 new. It's not any way as nice as any of these, but it isn't bad either. I did have to replace and lower the bridge. The neck is quite shallow too, which is what I wanted. The internal cone is like a speaker (biscuit tin) cone but it does also have a cast aluminium 'spider' frame over the top of it. I think it's okay as an entry-level, and it does what I bought it for: gives me amplified sounding tone and volume without the need of an amp.x
Now I'm more confident shopping for a resonator. Thanks for your recommendations and the show!
@Aaron Gray I got a Gold Tone Paul Beard round neck. It's a new challenge.
I’m loving the Regal RC-51 tri-cone metal body. Beautiful instrument and really nice build quality.
Thank you very much, Tony!! I'm from Spain and it's difficult here to know about resonators. Your videos are great! Love.
A FINE show as always Tony and Kind Thanks! I'm buying a resonator guitar and this show has helped. Of course there's nothing like playing a number of them first. Your reviews are much appreciated as well as all those fellow Geeks who contribute to the show. Love, Light., Peace and Music to You, your Family, Little Tony of course who will surely have a guitar shaped rattle and All The Wonderful Guitar Geeks! Let us Unite Strongly! The world needs Guitar Music more. Than ever! DaveyJO in Pa.
Wow, LOVE that guitar-shaped patio. Maybe I'll cave and build that patio off the deck that my wife's been asking for.😃
A couple more and maybe u can add a fence 👍
Thank you for helping me figure out what I wanted, my order was just placed with Republic. It's like a dream, I am glad to have it to pass on to the musicians in my family (I got the bronze!)
I'm over the moon that you profiled Mike Dowling, he is such a sublime player...Blues, ragtime, gypsy, you name it Mike Dowling plays it with precision and feel...Mike is the reason I bought my National M-2, a guitar I will be buried with...(I just couldn't afford the El Trovador so I got the closest thing I could...)
Mike was indeed involved in getting National to reissue the El Trovador and did help with the design of the cutaway model...He was also the impetus behind the National Hotplate, the single easiest way to amplify a single cone resonator that I'm aware of...I have one on my M-2 and installed it myself, it's that easy to do...
Mike Dowling, nothing short of a national/National treasure!!
Wow Susan! What a blessing ☺️ loved this episode!
Thank you. Your advice is exactly what I needed. So helpful. Cheers.
I was in guitar center, there was a Recording King reso, and the wood Gretch, I played them both, but when I strummed the Gretch, every other guitar in the room "woke up." I found a used one for 350 and I'm happy as a clam. Thanks for opening up the option. DF
Such a really cool guitar gratitude video! Thanks for sharing.
I was given a Jackson resonator, wood body, after a good mate of mine, bought a new one, much more up market. I love this Jackson, the sound, the sustain, the neck, the weight, everything about it suits me. Like an old pair of sneakers, fits very comfortably.
I was/an incredibly lucky, I found Matt Eich of Mule Resophonic guitars when he was a brand new maker... I own #72 steelie goodness in a single cone
Matt has gotten expensive. Be nice if he offered wood and brass body. Love to play one.
I was considering buying resonator guitar and came across your videos on this topic. Waiting for my first resonator guitar to be shipped next week. You've earned yourself a new subscriber. Great content.
Which did you go for?
@@andthoseotherguys
This bad boy. The best sounding instrument I ever had. www.gear4music.pl/pl/Gitara-i-instrumenty-basowe/Round-Neck-Resonator-Guitar-Sunburst-Wood-Body-by-Gear4music/2JIJ?origin=product-ads&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsqmEBhDiARIsANV8H3bTQWOPTLjO6c1jmC9LaQI-nlGE9sEaX_8gnUiqaHc4hoUfl2YSx2kaAkDiEALw_wcB
just found your site--love it!--coincidentally considering buying my first resonator--so... timing is everything--thanks for the really great info--no further research necessary--going searching fully armed!!
Gretch bobtail is my fav. Love how it sounds! It is earthy!
No adverts and straight into what I want to hear about...... I've just walked into heaven 😇👍 cheers for the info
I'm looking to buy one, so this video was super helpful, thank you!
I never had a resonator but wanted one since my college days in the mid 70’s..
I finally bought myself one for my 63rd birthday. I found a Washburn R360 ( spalted maple) for under $500.
The action wasn’t what I’d hoped for (way too high) but the tone is just what I wanted.
I took it apart, carefully beveled the bottom edge of the biscuit to allow it to sit almost 1/8” deeper into the cone... problem solved!
Enjoying it a lot now
Thanks for your show
Thanks for gettin´ through the jungle of fine resonator guitars that didn´t bust my bank. The Republic Tri-cones seem to be what I´m looking for ...but momentary hard to find here in Germany. Anyway: Thanks for this great episode, I´ve enjoyed it very much!
Tx very much! I’m going up to Elderly in Lansing this summer. Plan to sit in a room with as many of these as I can. I’ll walk out with one!
Bought the Gretsch Bobtail Deluxe, the matte finished resonator vice the chrome-like finish, and it is WONDERFUL! Thank-you for your recommendations!
Dear Tony, I can't believe it has been 3 years. I thought about how much I enjoy watching Acoustic Tuesday and upon reflection I realized a greater appreciation of the acoustic guitar and its' inate power to evoke expression and fulfillment in our lives as fellow guitar geeks and Acoustic Tuesday show been "instrumental" in the maturation of " geekiness"(sp?) by expanding my guitar knowledge historically, musically and influencially etc..Thank you Tony for sharing your passion and knowledge of the acoustic guitar and for the encouragement to live our best acoustic lives in unity as guitar geeks unite! Now my question is what is Noah up to? I really enjoyed the banter between you durung the show and not that the show has in anyway diminished but I miss the schtick(sp?) that you both shared and was curious about his wellbeing and new endevour. HappyAnniversary-sincerely BrianLeary
I love my gretsch honey dipper. It sounds great, even in Portugal. Good luck.
Tony when I think of Resonator I always think of square neck metal spider cone or tricone. Thanks great show as usual!!!!!
Got a metal body Tricone Resonator from Icarus Guitars, UK. Same fabrication location in China like the Republic ones. Great and clear tone! Really love it!
I love my regal spider cone resonator . I bought it used for $96 back around 2000. It came hotrodded with a Barcus Barry humbucker. This machine came with an adjustable tension spring that let's me sound more like a guitar when it's a 1/8 turn tighter , and more like a squonky metal body when it was 1/8 turn looser. Regal used to be carried by Musicians Friend , but I bought mine at the east coast music mall in Danbury ct.
Very informative mate, well done 👏!
Everyone should try out a resonator guitar. It brings a lot to your playing. I picked up a Gretsch Historic Series a few years ago and I love it. It’s definitely a keeper. Plus it’s just a beautiful guitar.
WOW ... Such a beautiful. video , learned a lot in a very short time . My heart sank hearing and seeing The Gretsch Metal body...and I know my wallet won't mind . Im out the door runnin to get mine .Thanks Tony !!! you are The Man .
A great squareneck is Recording King RR60-vs at $699 new. I got mine used for $250. I put a fishman Nashville pickup in it and I play it out all the time.
thanks for the info. gonna give in, im finally financially in place can afford my hobby again and always wanted to get a resonator.
THIS GUY HAS A GREAT ATTITUDE -- MANY THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!
Love your show!!!
Ok, I pulled the trigger on a Royall mahogany tricone. They set it up just the way I like it. It included a really nice case and a leather strap for $599. They also went over the entire guitar, made sure the frets were all smooth and the intonation was spot on. I can’t say the same about the Republics I have. Best deal out there for the money.
Glad you like the Honey Dipper, because that’s the one I chose despite knowing nothing about resonators. I played it in my TAC beginner video. Badly of course! But wow, I’d love one of those Republics. Or maybe two of them. Or three.
1) Republic Tricone Wood ! Great sound to my ears! 2) Recording King 3) Gretsch Bobtail Deluxe.
Thank you for the review!
Thanks very much! I will travel to Lansing in about a month and hope to try as many of these as possible. I want to walk away with one😊
Yes, the boxcar is my favorite and I will being saving to by on.
I can vouch for the Republic Tricone. I have it in a squareneck. It's everything as you described. Love it.
There's one on eBay now for about 800 something
I recently tried two of the Gretsch guitars and they are great. Now I'm really interested in checking out the Republic metal tri-cone.
Thanks again Tone!
That's the one that got me 🙂
Great Post ! I've had several Republic guitars ... My favorites were the Tigerskin Maple Minolian ( Great Travel Guitar ) and the Republic 9101 2013 Natural ( They don't make this model anymore / a Telecaster body with a pickup ). The highway 61 was great I opted for the Lace Humbucker pickup ( Factory Installed ). My favorite of all of my resonators was a 1934 National Trojan with a B and G Bender and a Dowling Hot plate ).
I own the Republic 61 and Republic Tricone, both metal. Great Guitars!
I gig with these every week. (pre pandemic)
I have both a round neck and a square neck Gretsch Boxcar guitar. I picked both of them up used and have less than 600 bucks in them combined. They were in new condition. I am a hobby guitar player and just wanted to mess with resonators. These guitars are great fun and sound really good to my amateur ear. The round neck Gretsch Boxcar should be on this list.
I've been thinking of leaning toward this type of guitar, I have a slightly handicapped left hand, figured it would be easier to learn this, than another guitar, budget, yet I'll look for more budget. . Thanks for the ideas and insight.
You tune one to an open tuning like open G or open D and play that way where chords aren't as complex or don't need to be, and/or play with a slide. You would be able to do some amazing things man. Give it a try if you haven't yet.
VERY helpful! Many thanks.
I love Charlie Parr. I just went and watched him a few weeks ago and it’s making me want a resonator big time.
I bought a new Gold Tone PBS, Paul Beard Signature ( square neck, Bluegrass style ) about 9 years ago and have not felt I needed anything else yet. Cost was $829. I’ve been giging out with it for the last 5 years and it serves me well. I could use an internal pickup though. Cheers
Susan! You’re wonderful !
THANK YOU for this video!!!
Awesome Video. Love your playing on the second instrument. Could you please share your thought on optimum string action for 70% fretting and 30% slide work with a light plexiglass slide?
Also, what pick-up do you find best for those instruments? Kind regards. peter
Loved seeing MN legend Charlie Parr in the beginning!!
Loved your video,very informative,thank you!by the way I see your a hockey fan,my sisters stepson is Jeremy Swayman
Great show, my first time ever watching and really enjoyed the information, i recently purchased a Resonator/dobro from Rogue, and got it for under $300, I'm a newbie at the slide and didn't want to spend a ton of $$ for something that may find a dusty corner or a pawn shop. hopefully I get good enough to spend that extra $$ on one of these that you posted, Thanks
thanks for your time love your show
Thank you. Been looking at getting a resonator
That's really funny. Getting in to Charlie Parr this last week is the reason I'm shopping for a resonator
I have the HWY61. I saw Johnny Winter play one and had to have it. I love it!
Great show Tony thank you
I have two Recording King Resonators: The Professional and the Rattlesnake. Love them both
How are the strings oriented through the tailpiece of yours? Are the string ball ends outside or inside the chrome tailpiece?
I almost picked those!
Hi, I was wondering about the Gretsch Alligator round-neck. Is it good quality-price for first time resonator player? I will be playing live gigs, should I get it with the built in pick up?
I've a Republic biscuit steel body with antique nickel finish, booming sound and a beast to play. Charlie would love it, next time I see him I'll have him give it a go. 12 Mile Studio.
This was really helpful. One thing that I’m always curious about on resonator guitars is the upper fret access. I use open tunings and play round neck because I like to fret behind the slide and I like to play with the slide and fret notes, but many resonators have the neck joint at the 12th fret. With most resonators you can slide up to the 12th without issue, but the 15th fret can be really difficult to hit and play in tune.
Biscuit Cone Resonators come in two variations basically: A Duolian, which has 14 frets to the body; and a Triolian, which has 12 frets to the body. Republic makes both of this, as well as 12 and 14 fret cutaways. The 12 fret has a different tone because the bridge is in a sweet spot. Republic also has vintage specs, including a 1 13/16 inch nut width. Nut width is also an important factor to think about in selecting one of these. I think the wider neck is better for slide and open tunings myself. You will find some of these have more modern necks.
I've got a Honey Dipper. It is effing awesome. You can't go wrong.
Hey Tony, Rob here . . . . again. I almost fell out of my chair when you brought up Mike Dowling. I met Mike in Madison Wisconsin back in 2001 when he was doing a gig at the Madison City Arts Center (I think that was the name of the venue). Such a gentle soul and a real sweet person. He was playing with a fantastic jazz guitarist who's last name ALSO slips my mind at this minute but his first name was Cliff and he lived in Madison. With all that to say, Mike was a friend of Cliff's (fellow guitar geek) and they put on an excellent show.
The one song of Mike's that still remains my favorite slide song of all time is Swamp Dog Blues. If you haven't heard it yet, give it a shot. I feel it really goes to the heart of slide guitar geekdom ! ! Thanks TP.
It’s worth pointing out that if you want a square neck wooden bodied resonator there are two different style chambers.The closed style giving the early dobro sound and the open style the modern sound.
Great review, I'm a Long time guitar -layer picking up on the lap steel (peavey powerslide just acquired). Im getting it but as I play mostly acoustically I have been considering getting a resonator and found this video.. so thanks for that. since I just spent some money, I'm going budget and considering a Gretsch G9210 Boxcar Square-Neck Resonator - Mahogany
I appreciate your efforts to keep new players motivated. I bought an acoustic guitar about ten years ago and only now have the proper discipline to make new go of it. Your motivations to new players is very important. Love the resonator guitars, but way too soon for that. These are beautiful sounding guitars.
Thanks Toni good stuff..
If price is not a problem, would you recommend the Gold Tone Paul Beard round neck?
Thanks for the info
The first one on your list (Recording King Dirty 30s model) has the strings oriented with the ball ends on the outside rather than having the strings protruding outward through the tailpiece out of the factory. Is this due to a design flaw that otherwise does not permit adequate downward pressure on the saddle?
I just grabbed a Rogue square neck, spider bridge, new, for under $200. You get what you pay for. But for a first guitar, something to learn the basics and see if I like it, it's just fine.
Loving this one Tony!
Oh and Dallas Stars for the Stanley Cup ;)
Lol
Hi Tony, great show. Any preferences between the Republic Highway 61 Traveler vs. the Highway 61 Standard?
My faves were; the Republic Tritone (steel body), and the Gretch Bobtail Deluxe.
Some awesome tones.
Think the Republic Tricone Wood is for me. Thanks for the demos.
I bought an inexpensive Rouge spider cone Resonator round neck and had a luthier at Cripple Creek Music in Ashland Oregon set it up for me. He changed out the tailpiece for a steel with crome instead of the brass one it came with, set up a bone nut instead of plastic and tweaked the bridge and it sounds really great. It cost me $249.00 and I spent another $200.00 on set up, then another $100.00 on a great hardshell case. So I am into it for under $600.00 with a proffesional set up and it plays great in alternate tunings and with a bottle neck slide. The bone nut and the bridge work plus setting up the cone and spider made a huge difference in the sound.
I f you are referring to Rogue, I bought the biscuit version, (Troubadour copy) switched the nut for bone and the biscuit/saddle for the national version from stewmac - I'm extremely happy indeed. Good deal from the "Needs Repair" bargain bin.
Not really into resonators although this was interesting. But I just had to post this -
You know you're a guitar geek when you decide you MUST have a mahogany guitar and spend hours...then days...reviewing choices, prices, features, options, and personal preferences. You create a detailed matrix and list everything. Plus a point value system to score everything. You fill in the details. You tally it all up. Numbers don't lie. One rises to the top. You have your top choice! You're ready to buy! .................And then you go ahead and get a cedar-topped guitar instead because you just plain love how it sounds. #youknowyoureaguitargeekwhen
Preach on, brotha! HA !!!
Tony I've got a bass resonator an it's ok but I heard this one in a store in Kentucky that was very solid with the sound came through very well were mine is kind and just ok not very much rich tone let the first. I was wondering if you could do a review on the bass resonator guitars.
Great video 🔥🔥🔥
I have a republic resonator it happens to be the bronze color. I’ve had it for about 10 years. I’ve change the Cone the bridge the tuning pegs the nut and so on. I can never get it to stay in tune. I have quite a few guitars so I think what the problem is is two light of strings. As far as quality of sound goes it is pretty amazing. Just a note, the body was great. The neck and the bracing look like somebody did it while they were on crack. Took a long time to straighten it out.
You can take any roundneck and play it lapstyle if you get the nut converter to raise and level the strings. They retail for about $15 and easily installed in minutes
Love to hear a whole album of jon rauhouse playing like he did on this it was a hauntingly beautiful melody
I have a brass Republic Hwy61 parlor reso (small female
hands here,) and I love that chimey metal sound. I guess
that makes me a metal head, ha ha. Thanks for a great
show, Tony. Also, hot sauce? Sounds like it should be a song. ;)
Mmmmm ... the wood body Republic tri-cone jumped the line and is now my fave.
Thank you!
I have been a fan of Mike Dowling for many, many years. My favorite song he plays is "Rosalie".
I actually bought the sheet music after watching him on the documentary called "resonate".
🐰🇺🇸🎸🎵🤝✌️
I was thinking about the Epiphone Dobro Hound Dog metal body. Have you ever heard or played that? Also, Recording King makes a metal one that you did not review. Any comments? Thanks, I love your videos!