Hi and advice needed

[cuddlydudley]

Hi all,

       I'm currently looking at easing a NGD craving with the notion I need a new guitar for a little live stuff in about 12 months(if it ever returns to normal!)

I've always played slide but have never owned a resonator. I like the idea of an "old time" sound but the proportion of slide to regular plectrum strumming would be only 20/80 max. I don't want to lug around more than one guitar as I already have a uke and various blues harps etc.

So my question would be, "Is a MM 28 or 36 a viable substitute for my current regular flat top?"

Oh, and it would need a pickup

[Pickers Ditch]

The answer is yes and a MM (Sixtus) pickup is available too.

[lonelyjelly]

When you say strumming are you talking Tom Petty / Neil Young esque big open first position “cowboy” chords generally striking at least 5 strings at once, or some more refined type chopping with smaller and shorter chords? If it’s the former then I fear you might lose clarity across the strings on a reso...it’ll ring out lovely but possibly to the point of being muddy ~ of course you might like this as an effect. I think Bon Iver made good use of this on his debut album.

Saying all this, if you’re gonna plug it in it won’t really sound as much like a resonator guitar anyway...however it will create a different sound / effect which might be more suitable to your needs and tastes 🕺🏻

Perhaps you could try someone’s out to see if it works for you :-) Perhaps ask on here if anyone lives nearby...

Best,
Lew

[stevie2sticks]

Hi Cuddlydudley

I've got a MM 28 and used it with and without a pickup with no issues.

Sting gauges needs some thought.
I am a 15-56 person which is awesome for slide. I also fingerpick with it fine.
15-56 for fingerpicking can be down to D,G,C,F,A,D.

A nice choice of tunings is CrossNote, Open D, DADGAD with one string retuned.

If you want Concert E tuning you need lighter strings 13-56 and specify that on purchase and speak to Michael.

Newtone MM Strings are really good. You need a good slide, I've found Diamond Bottlenecks AND DaddySlide fantastic, (all the rest I've bought have been a waste).

I am not a strummer at all, so can't comment on that, f you can find an owner local go try.

Speak to Michael as well.

Regards
Steve

[cuddlydudley]

Cheers for the replies.

Concert E tuning mainly, have done some things in Open G, certainly no heavier than 013s, preferably 012. I've got a couple of Diamond bottlenecks and literally work around the corner from Ian. I've also made several slides myself.

Strumming full chords, all over the neck. Barres and capoed.

Is there any tonal difference between 12 and 14 fret? I was going with 14 fret to match what I've got but it's not a deal breaker.

[pete1951]

One difference most (traditionally built ) resos have is neck width. Most are 46-49mm wide, 4 or 5mm wider than ‘standard’ necks. Personally I prefer this but some with small hands or a lifetime playing an electric find it hard to get used to.
Pete

[davey]

I've spent part of this lockdown trying to get a guitar perfect for slide and fingers and have pretty much failed.

I wanted to play barre chords in open tunings for Robert Johnson type things with a bit of slide. I've now got the Guitar, which is a Gretsch, so I can play full barres but the slide is rattling the frets no matter how gently I apply it.

I have medium strings with a 15 in place of the 12. I'm about to raise the action again on the two high strings.

I'd say that unless you've got very strong fingers, it's not easy to get it just right.

[bonzo]

Hi Davey, a bit of 'fluffing' on RJ is acceptable IMHO. Only he could sound like him! Raising the first and second works for me. It's where you do most sliding and are the easiest to barre. (Like I can play RJ at all)! Lol!

Best wishes to you all, John