Regal RC-2

[Niek]

I really need some advise in making a good choice. I own a Regal RC-2 but I am thinking of trading this guitar in for a Crafter or a Tanglewood. So instead of a metal guitar, a wooden guitar.

The Regal is nicely build (except for some rust inside the guitar) but the sound is a bit sharp and it doesn't have that "honky" sound. I am learning fingerpicking blues in the old style of the old Delta blues players, like Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Blake, Blind Boy Fuller, Big Bill Broonzy, etc. Is the Regal RC-2 the right guitar for this style? Is it a guitar suitable for fingerpicking or only for slide?

I also own a Regal Tricone RC-51 (build by Amistar) and this guitars is perfekt for slide but not so good for fingerpicking. Thick strings and high action.

I don't have the money for an expensive guitar so I am looking for inexpensive one but worth the money. What do you advise me? Keep the guitar or go for a Crafter or Tanglewood?

Nico

[Michael Messer]

Hi Nico,

Good to hear from you.

If you are looking for a guitar to play Broonzy and Blake styles, you definitely don't want a resophonic guitar. Fuller did use one and is an exception to the rule....if there is a rule - I would advise you hunt down an old 'character' guitar, something like a Stella or a Kay .....or similar. I hate to recommend it, but eBay is your best bet. I may be wrong and this is only my opinion, but Crafter & Tanglewood are a million miles from what you are looking for. Also....try Ron at LRC, he often has interesting instruments.

Good luck
Shine On
Michael.

[Niek]

Hi Michael,

Why is a resophonic not suitable for the blues styles I mentioned? It's a guitar or not??

Buying a Stella or something else isn't an option for me. Way to expensive. I am not a professional guitar player and my demands on a guitar are not that high.

I want to pay round 700 euros for a new guitar, and I thought that the Crafters or Tanglewood are worth the buy.
I can trade in my Regal for a Crafter or a Tanglewood. I only have to spend a 200 or 300 euros more for a Crafter or a Tanglewood.

Nico

[Alan]

I think that if you look long enough you'll be able to pick up an original instrument from that era; especially with that amount of euros.

I think that most people wil agree that not massive amounts are known about the who's whys and wheres of guitar making for those kind of 'parlour' instruments.

Try and do a bit of reseach and you'll get an interesting 'bargain'. try and do searches for things like Lakeside. dandyline, Orpheus etc. Lightly made instrumets that have that kind of sound. I suppose ots a bit like Ditson, Martin, Wurlitzer.

Most modern instruments are made much better than Stellas, but as a consequence they are much heavier and less resonant

I have a list somewhere that I started to compile, you'll often see the same guitar with at least 4 different logos on it if you lok carefully. There are people here that know about a million times more than I, but I think that writing this stuff down is difficult as it takes time to collect and collate.

It might be good to start a thread on pre war names and production of more interesting instruments - so look at anything interesting - Kay Kraft, Arch Kraft, Oahu, Bruno etc

[Michael Messer]

Hi Nico,

Resophonic guitars in my opinion are suited to certain styles, and Broonzy & Blake sound better to my ears when played on acoustic guitars. However, my friend Markk Makin plays some of the best Broonzy, Blake & Jefferson that I have heard, and he uses Nationals. It depends on the player I guess. I am sure your Regal (if set up for regular playing) would do the job well. I like those guitars, I think they have a great tone and are excellent value for money.

Tanglewoods & Crafters....well I am not the best person to ask because I just don't like them. To me they have no 'feel' or 'soul' at all. I would always go for an older funky character guitar, rather than a modern mass produced instrument, especially for playing acoustic blues. You should not be put off by the Stella, Kay or other classic names, they do often turn up at very good prices. There may be some forum members who can point you in the right direction here.

Keep in touch,

Shine On,
Michael.

[Niek]

Hi,

Thanks for all the reactions. I have a question for you Michael. What's your honest opinion about the Regal RC-2? Do you think that this Regal is a better guitar than the Crafters or the Tanglewoods? Will I be better of upgrading this guitar by replacing the cone and the nut?
When I play some songs of John Hurt and I want to dampen the bass strings, it's a lot more difficult to dampen the strings then with a wooden acoustic because of the metal cover over the bridge.

My idea about resophonic guitars like my own Regal RC-2 is that they are only made for playing slide. Is this true or where there old blues players who only played fingerpicking blues on resophonic guitars?

It's a difficult descision to make. Keep the Regal (payed 675 euros for it) or trade it for something else? Somebody wants to give 400 euros for my Regal RC-2. Is this a good price for a guitar I bought in 2004?

Bye......

Nico

[Michael Messer]

Hi Nico,

Just a quickie reply.....I gotta get out in that sunshine!

I don't like Crafter or Tanglewood guitars, so yes I definitely prefer the Regal.

Playing a National is very different to a regular acoustic and you have to find your own method of damping. I don't find it a problem, but I have been doing it for 30 years. Some players take the handrest off as they are used to acoustic guitars. It works for them.

Resophonic guitars were used by musicians of all styles, so no they are not just for slide. They are mechanically amplified acoustic guitars, whereas electric guitars are electrically amplified acoustic guitars. On a single cone National set up properly, you should be able to play any style. I guess Blind Boy Fuller is a perfect example of a non slidey blues player on a National. Bo Carter is is another. I think this is a big mistake - when I got into playing Nationals I didn't just play slide and delta blues. I played everything on it, from busking Beatle songs at a party to learning the repetoire of various blues giants. In other words....my National was (and still is) my main acoustic guitar. Okay these days I play a Fine Resophonic, but what I am saying is to use and enjoy these instruments, don't just play one style on them.

I have never really discussed this area before on this forum, but I actually believe it is a very important issue. I am slightly contradicting myself from what I said earlier in this thread, but on reflection.....it is a good point ;D ;D ;D

Shine On,
Michael.

[Niek]

Hi Michael,

Thanks for your good advise. You've been a great help in making a descision in keeping the Regal or to buy a wooden acoustic. I think I am going to keep this Regal and really learn to play decent blues on it. This guitar isn't well adjusted for playing slide. Low action, but it is nicely adjusted for fingerpicking. For playing slide I use my Regal RC-51 and my Lebeda Basic.

I just put Newtone strings on it. Bought it from Soren at Palm Guitars. Master Class .013-.056.

Do you know if the nut of my Regal is made of bone or just plastic. It has a yellow color and it looks like bone, but I am not sure.

See the pictures below of the Regal I own:

[Deleted]

Hi SpoedNick
Nice to hear from you again!
If you want a acoustic blues guitar look at a Swedish
brand called LEVIN they made some Small body 12 fret
models from early 1900 and forward that sounds amazing.
And they are not to expensive!
Good luck
Hannu

[Deleted]

Hi SpoedNick
I just found a LEVIN from 1934 in good condition for 900skr = 95euros www.vendolin.se
Hannu

[Niek]

Hello Hannu,

Thanks for the tip. The Levin guitars look nice.

But I think I am going to keep my Regal and just going to enjoy this instrument and learn to play on it.

I also own a Art & Lutherie guitar.

[Niek]

95 euros for a guitar?

I looked on the site but I can't read it.

[Niek]

Hello Hannu,

I found the guitar! That guitars looks very nice! I can't believe that it only costs 95 euros for an old guitar!

[Deleted]

Hi SpoedNick
The add says that its a guitar in very good playable condition.
Looks cool don't it! ;D

[Niek]

Yes, the Levin looks cool.

I still can't believe that a guitar from 1934 costs 95 euros. It must be a model that wasn't very populair.