bell brass vs steel body

[theguyishere]

Hi everyone. I have decided to buy a resonator guitar for playing blues, with and without a slide. I have decided on a single cone rather than a tricone, and a metal body rather than a wood body (sounds grittier and bluesier to me). But I have not been able to decide whether to get a nickel-plated bell brass body or a body that is all steel. If anyone could tell me some sound and tonal differences between brass and steel bodies, and offer any other advice, i would find it a great help in making my purchase. (p.s. i am looking at moderately priced resonators for now.) thanks!

[blueshome]

Ancient or modern? - old I'd go for steel, modern brass. Purely a personal opinion, but you really need to audition any guitar before you buy.

By the way, the pedant in me insists that "bell brass" is a marketing term- bells are made of bronze. Now I've spat that out, good luck with your search.

[Michael Messer]

Hi TheGuyIsHere,

There are many tonal differences between steel and brass old Nationals; I guess the easiest way to understand those differences would be to play a National Style O and a National Duolian and you'll hear and feel the difference. I have to say that I think the differences are less noticable in the price range of instruments you atre looking at. There is nothing wrong with the budget guitars, they are fantastic value for money, but there are less subtleties to the tone. I would recommend you buy what you like and what feels & sounds right to you.

You can make dramatic changes to the tone of a guitar by using different types and gauges of strings; for example 15 to 56 Messer Nationals.....the nickel sets are very different to the phosphor bronze ones. Most of these guitars leave the factory with low quality light gauge strings. Another important point is the set-up of a budget guitar; if done by a top class repairer who knows about resophonic guitars, the guitar will be much better than when it left the factory.

Keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

Blueshome; I am no engineer or metal expert....but as far as I know...brass, bell brass, bronze and German Silver are names for alloys made of various mixtures of brass, copper, zinc, nickel, phosphorus, lead and tin.

I know about Nationals & slide guitar, but metal and alloys.....I'll stop while I'm winning!

Shine On,
Michael.

[theguyishere]

Thanks for the advice guys. My problem is i can't play some of the guitars im interested in buying. I have found some good sound samples online for all steel bodies, and these sound good, but the bell brass (or bronze) or whatever i have not found sound samples for--and these are more inexpensive. so id really like to know the sound to compare before i buy. cheers.

[Deleted]

Don't know where you are located but take a trip to the London Resonator Center in Denmark St. They have a vast selection of low/mid priced (as well as top range of various ages to sell your soul for - plenty of crossroads within easy walking distance). If you feel you can't play them there will be someone there who will so you can compare them from across the room as well as with your head in the cone.
While you're waiting for it to be set up for you there is plenty to look at up & down the street, & a good cafe.

As for comparing steel & brass, any thoughts on spruce/ceder/mahogany for tops and mahogany/rosewood for backs & sides?

Cheers, Clive.

P.S. - Plug for gig (is this allowed?) - Delta Echoes at The Raven at Hook, Hampshire, 6th Jan '06.

[LouisianaGrey]

I've only been able to directly compare tricones, but of the two models I tried the steel one (AXL) had a harsher tone than the brass one (Regal) - it immediately made me think "blues". The brass one was sweeter and to me had a more pleasing tone straight out of the box. Even with National cones in the steel bodied one kept the same hard edge to the tone, so I'm guessing that it is down to the metal of the body.

Don't get me started on back and top woods ...

[Michael Messer]

Hi theguyishere, If you are a beginner you just need a guitar to learn on and because as we learn and develop our playing we change, I would advise getting one and getting started. A musical ear is something that also develops and grows; a bit like an aquired taste, olives & beer are horrible until you learn to appreciate them. I would go and buy as good quality instrument as you can afford and start playing.

Have fun

Shine On
Michael.

[Deleted]

Go to www.nationalguitars.com or www.vintagenationals.com there you can listen
to different resophonic guitars in steel or brass.
I`ll take the opportunity to whish you all a Merry X-Mass
and a Happy New Year ;D