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Post by robspop on Oct 24, 2009 15:03:31 GMT
This question has probably been asked a thousand times before, so sorry to repeat it: I am looking to get hold of a cheap resonator, probably via ebay I suppose. I can't afford anything expensive and am only a beginner anyway. I've read Michael's reviews and general guide so have some idea of what to buy. My preference is for National rather than Dobro sound, so it looks like Regal RD3 would be a good place to start, or maybe a Vintage or Ozark. However, there are some other brands that I have not seen reviewed. Does anyone know anything about guitars by Rally? There seem to be quite a few of those. Also, there are models by Adam Black. I think I'd prefer wooden bodied for weight reasons but there are metal bodied guitars by Johnson and Republic that look "interesting". Many thanks for any advice you can offer.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2009 15:16:04 GMT
there was a used MM lightening on ebay a few weeks ago that went for about £330. you can get a good used guitar for the price of a cheaper new one if you're patient and the like
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Post by colinbrooks on Oct 24, 2009 17:16:00 GMT
The wooden Johnson as used in this video regularly sells for £100/140 and is terrific value. I have one as my public transport guitar.
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Post by subtoxin on Oct 24, 2009 19:54:41 GMT
Speaking strictly about metal bodies, Johnsons aren't a bad place to start. I've only tried the older AXL made ones. Had a Johnson brass single cone with an NRP cone, smaller neck, sounded good and played easily with the right setup, but even with the cone upgrade was lacking in the bass and lower mids. The Republics I've tried seemed like they were always a step above Johnsons in terms of tone, warmer, fuller range, decent bass range etc. A couple were so cheaply constructed they had a 'tourist gift-shop' feel and appearance to them and needed a lot of work. When they've been properly set up and don't have lumpy frets or a lumpy fingerboard Republics can be pretty good. I've only tried one MM Blues guitar but its a big step above any Republic I've played. Different specs and set-up seem to make all the difference. This guitar sounds so good it beat some NRP models I tried (tone-wise), I play it every day and it always wows me - no upgrades! Knowing what I know now I would take a chance on an MM guitar before any other budget model. IMHO.
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Post by oldmanblue on Oct 25, 2009 9:49:47 GMT
i think you will find that johnson 's are the same as vintage different logo,i own a vintage a.m.g.1 that i have just had upgraded ,i also own an ozark both are good guitars if you are short of the $$$$,as is the case in life you get what you pay for,oldmanblue
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Post by andys on Oct 25, 2009 14:11:20 GMT
Ive just had a look on ebay to see what is available in the "budget" resonator market, and yes there are some Vintage/Rally guitars for £350-380, but that is only £100 or so less than an MM Blues. These budget ones will have cheap cones, cheap strings, will not be set up well out of the box and will need work on them to play and sound decent.
Then I look at the prices of some of the others on there and some of them are selling for way more, like £580 or more.
With an MM or a Busker guitar you get a well made instrument with all the features of top end resos, they are all fitted with quality cones and strings, and can be set up to your own specification. They also come with their own hard case, and with a customer service which is second to none.
By the time youve paid for a (slightly) cheaper one off eBay, and had it set up, you may as well have bought a Busker/MM. And if it goes wrong or lets you down are you going to get the same kind of back-up that Robin and Michael give to their guitars?
I started playing on a Vintage wood bodied resonator. It served me well till I got my MM Blues. But I had to spend money and time getting it to play well. Now I wouldnt buy another resonator than a Busker/MM, they have raised the bar in so many ways.
If you can find a single cone reso for less than £200 it may be worth it, given that you may need to upgrade it. But seeing as the price of some of the so called cheap ones is not far south of an MM It might be better to save and wait and get one of these.
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Post by melp on Oct 25, 2009 23:46:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2009 9:30:23 GMT
If there was a left handed MM tricone I would have bought one in an instant., and not because this an MM forum  but because they seem the best you can get for the money, Speaking strictly about metal bodies, Johnsons aren't a bad place to start. I've only tried the older AXL made ones. Had a Johnson brass single cone with an NRP cone, smaller neck, sounded good and played easily with the right setup, but even with the cone upgrade was lacking in the bass and lower mids. The Republics I've tried seemed like they were always a step above Johnsons in terms of tone, warmer, fuller range, decent bass range etc. A couple were so cheaply constructed they had a 'tourist gift-shop' feel and appearance to them and needed a lot of work. When they've been properly set up and don't have lumpy frets or a lumpy fingerboard Republics can be pretty good. I've only tried one MM Blues guitar but its a big step above any Republic I've played. Different specs and set-up seem to make all the difference. This guitar sounds so good it beat some NRP models I tried (tone-wise), I play it every day and it always wows me - no upgrades! Knowing what I know now I would take a chance on an MM guitar before any other budget model. IMHO. |
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Post by Gerry C on Oct 26, 2009 15:32:58 GMT
I'd chuck in my 2p here in favour of MM. I have an Ozark 3515 single cone (steel body) and it's a reasonable instrument: it cost me about £400 new several years ago BUT I had to spend another £100+ to get it right. My MM Lightning cost roughly £500 (including case) and the only things I've changed are the tuners, the strings (!) and the biscuit: recently installed a National maple biscuit which has improved the tone and sustain slightly. For several months, however, I played it 'straight from the box' and it was terrific. When people have shown interest in it they have always eventually asked 'How much was it?' and when asked to guess NO-ONE has given a price less than a grand... You will not regret saving your £££s a little longer and getting one of these high-quality guitars instead of a cheap'n'nasty one from e-bay.
Cheerily,
Gerry C
(BTW, no connection at all with MM Guitars Inc, either in their manufacture, sale, blah blah blah...)
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Post by gouranga on Oct 26, 2009 19:13:48 GMT
I fully agree with all the gents here on this thread. I have a MM Blues and Busker Tricone and they get put through a lot every day in life in all sorts of weather on the streets here in Scotland (Busking) and they do a great job. I a;ways meet people who know a bit about guitars when on the street, and they think these guitars are great, the sound, the appearance, and they cut through a lot of the street noise very well.
I tried some of the other makes and was not so impressed for the price that is being asked. I have a guy chasing me for my MM blues at present, he thinks it's great.
Save your pennies and get a good axe. MM/Busker.
Tale care and best wishes
Regards
Gouranga
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but because they seem the best you can get for the money, 