Baton rouge resonator?

[kwlblues]

More or less decided on MM blues reso but my head has been turned by the Baton Rouge R71TC copper /rust reso!Can only find a few reviews and not sure how it compares overall except it's more expensive! Any reviews anyone?

[bonzo]

Yes, endless reviews of how good the MM blues is and how happy people are dealing with Michael and what a lot of guitar you get for your money...... need I go on?

Best wishes to you all, John

[Pickers Ditch]

Wot bonzo sez above /\

You're comparing chalk and cheese.

MM guitars are single biscuit cone resonator guitars built as close to the original National specs and sound as you can get in the 21st century.

The Baton Rouge R71TC is a tricone cutaway guitar designed and built as per modern inerpretation of the original Nationals - it's also got a cutaway, for crying out loud.

The Baton Rouge is more expensive.

The fact that my go to is a MM Blues '28 should tell you my opinion.

However, it's your money and your choice - looks or sound? - it's up to you.

[calvoi]

I think it's hard to get a good tricone sound from a guitar made cheaply. This is exactly why the dopyera brothers designed single cones and spider cones in the depression era. Of course then, all reso guitars mass produced or not were made in the USA. But the principles still hold for modern resonators. Cheap tricones, in my humble opinion, don't really sound like tricones but also don't sound like single cones either.

Any chance you can play them both? I am sure many members would offer their MM up fo a demo and a similar budget tricone could perhaps be found.

[Bo Grohl]

The baton rouge tricone is fugly AF.
TT

[wezzywest]

If you think you need a cutaway for higher fret access, then also consider a 14 fret guitar.

[blueshome1]

IF you really want a tricone then you need to pay a lot more. The choices are: a good original (like hen's teeth and mucho expensive); an NRP, fine but don't sound like a good old one; Fine Resophonic,
On what would appear to be your budget, best instrument is an MM. (I don't own one, have no commercial connections, but have heard many.)

[snakehips]

MM reso best choice !

[Deleted]

I was torn between getting a Baton Rouge, Icarus and MM Blues resonator. I preferred the look of the Baton Rouge and Icarus guitars, especially the Icarus, which was played by Roger Hubbard.

The Baton Rouge was more expensive, but I loved the sound of the Icarus, so I got it.

It looked different at home and didn't sound like it did when Roger Hubbard played it!

I sold it within 6 months and got an MM Blues.

I love the look of the Blues at home and it sounds fantastic.

A few things to bear in mind, the Baton Rouge and MM Blues (and Icarus) are made in China. The MM Blues is however designed by Michael Messer and set up by Dave King. It seems to me, it should cost more than the Baton Rouge !

[pete1951]

We have been here before! Most Far East made resos have been made to look like a photo that the factory owner has been given. Most spend a lot of time getting the guitar to look great ( or at least like the photo) BUT they usually neglect the setup/ internal construction. What the eye doesn’t see........ Michael Messer was asked to review several early attempts at resos built in the Far East and realised that with a some design adjustment they could become so much better ( there are videos of MM talking about this ). He went to China and got them to make a reso more like the originals, not just looking like the originals.
I suspect the Icarus that R Hubbard played was not straight off the production line, and had been through the hands of a guitar technician who may have upgraded some parts, it was then professionally recorded, with all the ‘tricks’ you can do with modern recording. Buying a guitar without hearing it ‘live’ can be a disappointment, especially if the quality control at the factory is not good . Again MM scores highly here , EVERY guitar goes through Michaels hands before it goes out.
Pete
Of coarse I am not completely impartial, Michael has helped me with parts and advice over the last 20years, but most people who have bought an MM will be happy to endorse the guitars and the service he provides.

[Pickers Ditch]

... just an additiomn to my post above...

I had a wood bodied Republic for a short while until I heard and played a Blues'28.

No choice - sold the Republic, bought the Blues'28 and have never looked back.

Yes, I've known Michael for a few years but the guitar and his backup is the same for me as everyone else in the reso world.

[Denbo]

In my introduction to the resonator world, I bought an Icarus “rat rod” Duolian after weeks of research. My hands like shovels and fat fingers led me there with their nut widths being wider than other makes. I bought the exact guitar that Roger Hubbard played in one of the demos, and not altered or upgraded at all. The build was excellent and it was playable straight from the box after retuning. No complaints.
However, I did become tired of the look as no matter how well these things are aged artificially nothing beats natural playwear.
Further research, and having given the Icarus to my son, I’m now lucky to have three MM models and I can assure you that the quality in this price bracket is second to none.

[pete1951]

Jun 8, 2022 13:02:49 GMT Denbo said:

In my introduction to the resonator world, I bought an Icarus “rat rod” Duolian after weeks of research. My hands like shovels and fat fingers led me there with their nut widths being wider than other makes. I bought the exact guitar that Roger Hubbard played in one of the demos, and not altered or upgraded at all. The build was excellent and it was playable straight from the box after retuning. No complaints.
However, I did become tired of the look as no matter how well these things are aged artificially nothing beats natural playwear.
Further research, and having given the Icarus to my son, I’m now lucky to have three MM models and I can assure you that the quality in this price bracket is second to none.

Quality control could be relevant here, I have had a few odd resos go through my hands and the playability and sound can go from rubbish to good. Since MM guitars came on the market there has been a marked improvement in some Far Eastern instruments. They still suffer from the final setup, it can be hit and miss. Looks like ‘denbog’ got one well setup,
Pete

[kwlblues]

Thanks everyone for the informative responses. I have decided to go with the MM 14 fret blues. It feels like a no brainer now.

[Pickers Ditch]

Good decision!
You'll like it.