JMT Resonators

[ken1953clark]

I was nosing through Reverb (looking for a cheap steel bodied reso) when I came across a JMT Résonateur. I’ve never heard of them before. Too rich for my blood, but lovely Art Deco styling, a change from the slavish copies of 1930’s nationals. Take a look at the Tricones.

jmtresonateur.com/

Admin: If this is in the wrong place or breaks the ‘no advertising’ please move or remove.

Cheers

[Michael Messer]

Ken, I have been aware of JMT Resonatuer guitars for a while as we are friends on Facebook. His work is not to my taste, but it looks well done. I have spoken about the maker, Jean-Marc, with Mike Lewis and he sounds like he is a good person.

Shine On
Michael

[jono1uk]

I much prefer the look of the MM

[jvmalan]

Looks are stunning!! If it sounds as good it is an awesome instrument!
I also love the traditional styles!!

[vastopol]

How could I missed that post?
I think the work of JMT really deserves more attention, and I am sure it's gonna happen someday.
Because his instruments are very well built and have something very special.

It's a bit disappointing to see how other brands with a strong presence on the web can sell what seems to be worthless for a musician; I don't want to bash anyone, it's all a matter of taste.
But I am always more confident with someone who doesn't use the marketing system and web to build a kind of buzz...it sounds more natural.

Well how can my comment have any value?

Maybe because I have a little idea of what makes a good resonator guitar?
(How presomptuous could those words read too many times on guitar forums sound...).

I'm just like many of us, very involved in resonator instruments and related music and history...I am lucky enough to earn my life by playing music on resonators, I don't try to look impressive by claming "I'm a "pro", but it could make sense to explain how my ears may be a little more educated than a new comer on resos.
So my job gives me a lot of oportunities to share infos and discover instruments from many different brands by meeting many resonators lovers.
Well what I could humbly say could be heard for what it is: impressions and matter of taste.

I have met JMT on local luthier show, and since we have had several chats about his approach and design, and few points could make sense for us musicians:
His instruments are the same weight as the vintage Nationals.
(everyone knows that the majority of the metal body instruments are now built with thicker and heavier materials, except for the few high tag priced ones).
And his hand-made cones are the same weight and thickness too...it means that they are thinner than those made by a brand well known by the working musicians...
For me it means a lot, and my ears tells me he really have something.

Yes his design is original, very unique, and like every resonator enthusiasts I wonder why he doesn't make something closer to the aesthetics of the iconics old Nationals; JMT argues the simple fact that many others brands are already offering replicas, or what could be in the same visual aspects, so with respect for others luthiers and makers, and with the strong confidence of creating something new based on old design, he prefers going his own way.
(Even if his first guitars are more traditional looking).

Is'nt it a very noble attitude in this wild marketing strugle?

We all know that the resonator world can be very conservative, or with an intricative search for authenticity...so it could be a risky choice for somebody who wants to earn his life by building musical instruments not to exploit the heavy persuading weight of tradition.

I have tried some models, and heard some good musicans playing on his guitars, his single cone models have a very rich and full sound.
His tricones are interesting too, but somewhat different of what we could expect from a tricone; he humbly recognises that his work on these models is still in progress experimenting different designs.
Different but they are true musical instruments; to me they have something of the fiddle-edge dobro sound signature.
Honestly his brass uke sounds delicious.
(Happy owner of a chinese one, i've tried many brands including new "National resophonics" and luckily even an old National).
His finishes and choice of materials are top notch, just few of his first built may have minimal imperfections, but he makes consistent efforts to improve details, with around twenty models already made, if I remember well.

I just want to recommend to open minded people to cast an eye and a ear to those videos, where Hernan Serra (Aka "Chino") seems to have some fun:





I have to say, that I am really in love with the old ones, and my show is built on that "historic" side, with period correct dressing and background and stuff, so I have not any interest on sales...
What a great job he does!

[pascal]

Hi Vestapol, good to hear you mate.
Yes Jean-Marc Tizon is a very nice guy, very humble. Met him at the "Montrouge guitar show" a couple of years ago and he asked me to play some of his creations. Very nice work indeed, and it's cool to have a new generation of reso-luthier emerging...