The Quality of a resonator

[Andymccann]

Ok. I’m not new to acoustic guitars but I’m just starting to dip my toe into this world. I have some questions if I may.

Take 2 steel bodied single cones. One high end, one budget. Where is the improved sound to be gained. Obviously the cone itself is a huge part of this. But what else? Is it material thickness? Cone depth into body giving different saddle heights?
Given a good set up, nut and saddle materials, what else is going on?

All input greatfully received

[leeophonic]

Put two high end ones that look the same together and they sound different, everything adds to the menu, setup and strings is your starting point, bone nut, correct saddle material & height to ensure break angle.

There are a lot of attempts at trying to change the tone sound where as in reality you should save your money and get the guitar you think you want.

Weight & Gauge of metal has influence,sound posts, neck wood,neck stick, but as you mentioned cones are important, National did OK when then they fitted them in plywood and called it the Triolian in 1928.

Once you start tinkering you will not stop be warned.


Lee

[Michael Messer]

Hi Andy

Your question really needs to be more specific, because the differences between some high end and budget guitars can be enormous, and in others not so much difference.

Many of the brands are designed and assembled by people that have absolutely no idea whatsoever about real 1930s Nationals and Dobros. So while they can look pretty cool, they are actually not very cool at all.

As Lee has rightly said, the quality and choice of the components, the way the components are assembled into guitars, the skill and understanding of resonator guitars of the manufacture.... the list goes on.

No amount of 'tinkering' or replacing components will convert a bad one into a good one. That it just a myth.

Shine On
Michael

[bonzo]

Michael won't say so but I and many other forum members will. If you are looking for a well made resonator you will do no better than an MM guitar. All the research and specifications you are enquiring about have already been done for you by Michael. Great follow up service and advice, each guitar properly setup and they look great as well!
Check them out, you won't find a better guitar for the money.

Best wishes to you all, John

[Andymccann]

This isn’t me asking how to make a cheap guitar into a good one. It was just out of interest, the differences. Apart from the cone I cannot understand where the difference is.

[Michael Messer]

Andy,

As the owner of a resonator guitar company I am not the person to answer these questions, because however I word my answer it will be perceived as being biased.

My advice is to study this forum and you will find all the information you need.

Shine On
Michael

[Deleted]

Jan 19, 2019 12:21:14 GMT Andymccann said:

This isn’t me asking how to make a cheap guitar into a good one. It was just out of interest, the differences. Apart from the cone I cannot understand where the difference is.

Strings,nut,bridge,quality of materials,skill of luthier,build quality,fretboard,tuners,age,mojo (Cont.p.94)

[creolian]

Jan 18, 2019 22:09:23 GMT Andymccann said:

Ok. I’m not new to acoustic guitars but I’m just starting to dip my toe into this world. I have some questions if I may.

Take 2 steel bodied single cones. One high end, one budget. Where is the improved sound to be gained. Obviously the cone itself is a huge part of this. But what else? Is it material thickness? Cone depth into body giving different saddle heights?
Given a good set up, nut and saddle materials, what else is going on?

All input greatfully received

Things like cachet are subjective... high end is just a euphemism for expensive imo.  Of course craftsmanship has a value.. but not necessarily a sound.   All of what you mention will make their differences but every guitar is unique and regardless of price, a guitar that you like is what's important....  as I was limited budget wise when I got started, I played a poorly set up Yamaha 12 string as it was all I could get my hands on... regardless of budget, that guitar taught me to appreciate every one that has followed.  I have four reso guitars now... a cheap johnson to hi end beard.  They all sound good to me... Although I do have to scratch harder on the cheap ones to make em sing...

Any guitar is better than none, What separates the wheat from the chaff for me... is a good set up.  

.o2

all best, jeff

edit:  what graham mentions : MoJo... actually this is the key ingredient.

[bonzo]

Hi Andy, unless you ask you won't find out! It's like anything else, one person will say they're slightly thicker steel is best, but only with rolled f holes!
But then only with slotted headstock. You can see where I'm going here! As Michael has said, check out the forum, virtually every aspect, pros and cons of resonators has been discussed. It's almost of as much interest as the music you might play on one!
Best wishes to you all, John

[maui_chimes]

The difference is not just in sound. Materials, build quality, fit and finish, durability, playability, and resale value all factor in.

[lexluthier]

Hi! Someone knowledgable about resonators was once asked what was the most important factor in the make up of a resonator guitar. The answer came back as 'Everything'.

Just to add to the lists of important elements given above I would like to add, and high on my list, geometry. How all the major part geometrically relate to each other. I didn't/don't expect any resonator manufacturer to share this magic formular and had to figure it out for myself. However, a deep dive into this forums archive returned more information on the subject than probably anywhere else on the planet. It's not a simple, five minute conversation.

Chris

[leeophonic]

Cheap guitars should not be discounted over expensive ones, my 37 Duolian only cost $62.50 when new and it still sounds great.

Get it right 1st time, not as Gerry Rafferty once said get it right next time....

Regards

Lee

[twtx]

I own a National M2 and I recently bought an import brass single-cone biscuit reso. The materials and construction of the import were downright appalling. I'm not exaggerating -- it looked like it had been assembled by children, without the benefit of tools. The sound was okay, the playability was fine, but after making the mistake of looking under the hood, I got rid of it as fast as I could. By comparison, my National is a work of art-- it's absolutely flawless inside and out. I'm sure there are budget guitars that are better than the one I tried, but I don't ever plan to find out!

[Deleted]

And then you stick a piezo in your high end reso trying to make it sound 'natural'.
TT

[petej]

the other thing and the most important thing that makes any guitar sound great is the player himself,a great player can make any guitar sound good.
petej