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Post by looper on Mar 14, 2015 14:10:53 GMT
Hi, I realise this question has been asked a thousand times before but still I thought I'd give it a go. I'm looking for my first resonator, and I'm hoping for some opinions on the ones I'm considering. I've got a very tight budget so unfortunately a MM or Busker model isn't an option. What I'm looking for is a metal body single cone with a 14 fret join, I've narrowed it down to the Vintage AMG1, Recording King RM-998, and possibly the Epiphone Dobro M-14 (out next month). Living where I do (the wilds of Ireland) there is really no hope of trying any of them out but I did get a chance to try several others while I was in England last month. I tried a few Ozarks and didn't like any of them, they might have been badly set up but they all sounded quiet and dead. The closest I came to one I did like was a Recording King Tricone, but the 12th fret join got in my way too much. So if anyone has any opinions of the models I'm considering I'd be glad to hear them (obviously not the M-14 but maybe Epiphones in general). Many thanks.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2015 14:42:04 GMT
What is your budget? How's about a second, or second hand MM guitar? I know someone who bought one for about £120. Be patient.
The RK-998 usually sounds a lot better than the vintage. But I suspect the newest RK guitars are not as good as the 'older' ones. I think a key thing to look out for is the f-holes. If they have the indentical looking f-holes to nationals (or the 14f MM blues), they are a better guitar than the ones with the 'wrong looking' f-holes. But there's lots of other differences, especially with the (lack of) set-up...
TT
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Post by Dessery on Mar 14, 2015 16:09:06 GMT
Hi looper
If you are looking at a budget reso, I personally really like the gretsch roots series, a decent choice of models and reasonably priced. Definitely worth a look. Based on your criteria it might not be quite what your looking for but I'm selling a gretsch boxcar in the tin can alley section of this forum at the moment.
Good luck on your search
David
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Post by looper on Mar 14, 2015 17:58:19 GMT
Thanks for the input. I'm doing my best to be patient, but not much turns up secondhand over here, and not many people are willing to courier guitars (for good reason). Buying from Britain the exchange rate is a killer at the moment. My maximum budget would be €500 for a guitar I fell in love with, I'd take a punt on almost any 14 fret for €200, and consider anything in between (once it's a 14 fret). I've my old acoustic set up for slide and have been learning on that, sounds ok but it's missing that reso twang. Not being able to try before you buy makes buying any guitar difficult, but the tone of a resonator seems to be especially personal. I'm leaning towards Recording King since it was the best of the bunch that I tried. Thanks again.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2015 19:43:16 GMT
One to consider - the vintage dobro cutaway, with pickup.
There's someone in cork selling them quite regularly on ebay for about £320. Maybe contact him direct?
TT
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Post by looper on Mar 14, 2015 19:53:28 GMT
Thanks deuce. Are they any good? I've seen the same design with all sorts of brand names on them so kind of dismissed them.
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Post by spatsdavenport on Mar 14, 2015 20:03:40 GMT
Hi Looper,
I bought a Vintage brass 14 fret 18 years ago in Terenure. It was the first reso I'd seen in Ireland and bought it immediately - I paid £650 for it!!! You'd get a lovely guitar for that nowadays. I replaced the cone with one from National Resophonic (NRP) and it sounded fairly good. It's long since gone, and I'm fortunate to have had 3 NRPs in the intervening years. I still have one. What I'm trying to say his, I've experience of both ends of the spectrum.
Setup is hugely important on these guitars (and for all guitars, I suppose). John Moriarty of archtop.ie does excellent work at very reasonable rates, but I've never taken a reso to him. I would be suspicious of a new resonator for €200. But if you are patient, you might get a second hand one for that. A new NRP cone (I think €79 on Thomann) would make a big difference. A setup might cost you €100 - €150.
Where are you based? I'm in Dublin and will keep my eyes peeled for you.
Spats.
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Post by looper on Mar 14, 2015 20:09:48 GMT
Thanks Spats, I'm in West Clare. I've been trawling various sites for something secondhand, not found the right one yet. I'd have to say I'm not looking for something great, just one that's decent enough to get started on.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2015 20:19:45 GMT
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Post by pascal on Mar 14, 2015 20:52:36 GMT
Gretsch roots series are unbeatable in that range of price. Very much better than the "Dobro 33H something" I bought brand new in 1976 for an higher price then.
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Post by looper on Mar 14, 2015 21:02:34 GMT
I was looking at the Gretch and Dobro wood bodies, but they all seem to be 12 fret to the body. The new Fender Brown Derby is a 14 fret, but I've not heard good things about Fender resonators. The guitar I've been learning on is a 14 fret neck and I'd be too sorry to loose the extra range to buy a 12 fret.
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Post by pascal on Mar 14, 2015 21:05:48 GMT
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Post by looper on Mar 14, 2015 21:26:58 GMT
Thanks pascal. Will keep an eye out for the Regal as well. Glad to hear confirmation on the Fenders.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2015 9:27:43 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2015 10:38:07 GMT
I'd say you're limiting your options by wanting a 14 fretter.It's easy to get to the 15th.fret and above with a slide once you get the knack.Obviously involves taking your thumb off the back of the neck which feels a bit weird at first.
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