Trying resonatore

[Peter Montague]

As a newcomer to these forums, and starting playing guitar again after over 40 years ( sad midddle -aged bugger or what?) I have bought a Regal resonator and am enjoying playing it, and frankly , at the moment, it is quite good enough for me. However, and sorry if this opens up unhealed wounds for those who lost out because of them, I always intended to get up to the London Resonator Centre because their web site looked as if they had everything you could possibly want in the way of resos, and from what I heard they were very amenable to letting customers take their time and try as many as they wanted.
Going by web sites I have seen, nothing seems to come close to the range they stocked, and even frets.co.uk which I have heard mentioned don't have a particularly useful site (I find).
So, my question is, where to go for a good range? I am a Londoner but now live in Cornwall, but would be happy to come up to the West-end for the right place. I think I might be persuaded to part with some cash for a quality guitar like a National.

[LouisianaGrey]

As Dave King is now a dealer for a number of reso brands, including National, his shop might be a good one to go to. Your best bet would have been to go up to the London Guitar Show but I'm afraid you've missed it for this year.

[mirrormist]

hello Peter ...na you don't get to be a sad old bugger until you get your next guitar ;D
I think you are going to have a great time with your regal...and hopefuly if you require it you'll get lots from the guys that frequent this forum as I have.

I didn't get a chance to get to the reso centre either...it is sad to think such a place couldn't make it but i guess the reality of resos in the uk is that the market is not able to sustain such a niche...at least not in a big city with probable high overheads.

I have four so by my own definition that makes me really sad ;D

apart from one they were the only ones in the shop when i purchased so there wasn't any other choices open to me as i wasn't familier with the internet back then.

You are able to do lots of research as i am sure you are aware...so my advice would be run up a short list of what you fancy...find them and then go try them if you are able.

Good Luck

[Deleted]

Peter

Welcome to the most informative place to talk resonators, nationally, internationally and coming through the wires to you all over Kernow, its nice to know of another old like minded bugger in the county.

[rickS]

Further afield, but Frailers in Runcorn carry some Amistars, National resophonics & cheapies..

[Peter Montague]

Thanks for your comments guys.
Although I have looked up other sites, none seem to be remotely comparable with the defunct London Reso Centre in terms of their range of stock. Guitars are like everything else, it is easy to see something that you think looks good and maybe even has had good revues, but when you try it you just don't like it. Which is why, especially if you are inexperienced like me you want to try as many makes and models as you can; preferably under one roof.
I just wish I had managed to get there before they went under.
Has anyone had any experience of bringing a guitar in from abroad?
Thinking possibly of a trip to US as the exchange rate is so good at the moment. Would there be import charges if I bought anything out there? Presumably the other problem would be it surviving the flight and baggage handling.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Peter,

Welcome to our forum. I have missed this thread up until now. There is nothing in the world like the LRC was. It is a great shame and a loss to the community that we no longer have that facility.

Frets carry a selection of National Reso-Phonics, Fine Resophonics, Amistars & Ozarks. Along with some vintage & second-hand guitars.

While the rate of exchange with the dollar is excellent, you do need to be aware of duty & shipping costs. You also must not fly with a good instrument unless you have a very good case like a Carlton. I recently sent a Carlton case to the US so I could safely fly a guitar to the UK. Either that, or you pack it in bubble-wrap and a big box. Either way it will not be as cheap as it first appears.

I am not sure that you will find a store with a big range of resophonic guitars there either. Your best bet would be to go to one of the big trade shows, but before going check who is exhibiting.

Keep in touch,

Shine On,
Michael

[Peter Montague]

Thanks for your time and your comments Michael.
I have seen a site on the net called Gruhns which is on Broadway in New York and seems to carry a good stock of both new and used guitars, with a dozen or so resonators. e.g.Paul Beard standard goldtone @ $750 and 1935 National Style O @ $2850 which both seem pretty cheap to me in comparison with what I have seen advertised here.
As you say, transport costs and duty will probably mean it may not be worth it.
Peter

[Blues Pertti]

Hi,

They might be worth of ordering. Even with taxes they in some cases are a little bit cheaper. I think that for example the Duolian in that music shop would cost around 2500 € when transported to Europe. But...you can't try it.

Yours Pertti

[growler]

HI Everyone
Dont forget Palm guitars in Amsterdam ...... they seem to be much cheaper than the UK perhaps no dreaded import tax, also will deliver to your door if you live in mainland Europe. I got a quote for an NRP from them..... £500 cheaper than LRC price, alternatively get it delivered to my house in France and I'll bring it over for you , I'm always taking my guitars back to the UK with me the Customs never question me about them ............ only interested in knives and explosives ...... not guitars .

regards Growler

[Bill Stig]

Hi Peter,
VAT and import duty adds just under 22% to the cost of the guitar when buying from the USA. That includes the postage and insurance. Other small costs are included when converting sterling to dollars through paypal or credit cards. Also, the postal services charge a small amount for collecting the duty if you have it sent over, not much, but it's annoying when you think you've worked out to the penny what it's going to cost and find another charge when you collect the guitar.
Still though, the way the dollar is, it's often cheaper to buy from the USA.

Bill

[lee holliday]

Peter,
I am sure its a typo but Gruhns are in Nashville, Mandolin brothers are New York, Elderly instruments are also worth checking out as would be larry @ Vintagenationals.com.
There are many of us on this forum who have shipped from the US and with the current exchange rate it is very attractive, but do your homework.
Let some of us know where you are and I am sure you can link up and start to try out some of the varied instruments we have all stashed under the bed etc.
If you find something post it up here and we will give comment.
Regards Lee.

[Peter Montague]

Thanks Lee, it wasn't a typo, I looked up the Gruhns site and saw they were on 4th Ave and Broadway and assumed they were in New York!!!!! How stupid. Point remains though that prices are much cheaper in the US.
Was thinking generally in terms of possibly combining holiday in the States with trying and buying.
As I said I am v. inexperienced so would like to try as many instruments as possible, preferably side by side, which was why I was so disappointed with the demise of LRC. Also, at the moment I am quite happy with my Regal, and,much as I would like one, until I improve (which I am doing slowly) a vintage National would be wasted on me.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Peter,

A trip to Nashville is no bad thing! I have bought many guitars over the years from Gruhn's in Nashville. There are so many guitar stores there. Plus....all the wonderful music. I do not mean the 'hat' country singers, but the real Nashville music scene.

My brother Alan, has lived in Nashville for 30 years. www.alanmesser.com

Y'all come back now, (as they say in Nashville)

Shine On,
Michael

[Anders]

Peter said:

Thanks for your time and your comments Michael.
I have seen a site on the net called Gruhns which is on Broadway in New York and seems to carry a good stock of both new and used guitars, with a dozen or so resonators. e.g.Paul Beard standard goldtone @ $750 and 1935 National Style O @ $2850 which both seem pretty cheap to me in comparison with what I have seen advertised here.
As you say, transport costs and duty will probably mean it may not be worth it.
Peter

Be aware that the Style O @ $2850 at Gruhn is a squareneck, which is generally priced quite lower then the roundneck versions.

- Anders

Anders