|
Post by micknand on Jul 31, 2013 14:17:57 GMT
Hi from Halifax in Yorkshire
I originally posted this on another thread but following advice have begun another thread. So second post but it's basically the same as the first.
I am new to resonators having played mainly rock and blues for the last "cough, cough" years (Oh OK 30 something). Now I want to try my hand at country blues picking and for the first time a serious attempt at slide. I have only played one resonator in a shop that was set up to be played instead of to collect dust. This was a Regal tricone in Hobgoblin in Leeds. I really liked the tone and looks but had already looked at Busker guitars and MM guitars on t'net.
So to my dilemma. Given that I cannot easily get access to a shop stocking all these guitars, what do folk think I would find the benefits or not of... MM Blues/MM Lightning/Busker Deco?
Mick
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2013 14:59:02 GMT
The MM blues is a basic great sounding reso. The lightining is a bit fancier, but similar. The tricone for a beginner could be frustrating if they go all buzzy. However, the tricone might sound sweeter for country picking. Get all three TT
|
|
|
Post by bod on Jul 31, 2013 15:02:35 GMT
Hi Mick
I've no experience of the Regal Tricone so cannot comment on that directly, and - out of the models mentioned - only have experience of my own MM Blues, so cannot shed any noticeable light on the differences between the MM & Busker models.
What I am sure of, tho, is that you will get pretty much unparalleled support for any instrument you buy from Busker, whether Busker or MM. Robin is brilliant to deal, both before and after buying (e.g., he'll take the time to find out what set-up you want and make sure you get it. When a couple of years on I wanted to change the set-up, he walked me through how-to on the phone.) If you go for an MM you also have Michael and his standing offer to field questions from / give advice to MM owners on the forum. Funnily enough, the best support I got for (minor) issues my own Regal reso (a squareneck spider-bridge type), was here on the forum, from Michael - after that, I just knew where my next reso was coming from... Quality control also seems to be quite stringent with MM & Busker. I'd say these were some fairly objective benefits (I think the sound is also a benefit, but taste varies...)
|
|
|
Post by ken1953clark on Jul 31, 2013 17:07:44 GMT
Well theres at least three of us on the board who live within 20 mins of you who have lightnings, self included if you want to try one out. Not his week though, we are all at blues week!
|
|
|
Post by micknand on Jul 31, 2013 20:28:53 GMT
Wow Ken that's great! I'm away too this weekend.......in the lakes though, not at a blues weekend.
Have you played the other guitars I mentioned? The Blues and the Deco?
Deuce "get all three" I suspect that my wife may well be worrying that that is my intention. ;-)
Bod thanks for your comment, I have been lurking on the forum for a while and the things you mention already appeal.
Mick
|
|
|
Post by Bob Stockton on Aug 5, 2013 16:27:56 GMT
Mick, Ken has also just got one of the prototype Blues 28's, which sounds amazing.
If you're out & about I will be taking my Lightning to an open mic in Pudsey most Thursday's or in Batley third Tuesday every month.
Bob.
|
|
|
Post by pete1951 on Aug 5, 2013 20:21:09 GMT
This autumn Michael will be doing a blues weekend at Pocklington. Theres a thread. PT
|
|
|
Post by obrienp on Aug 6, 2013 13:36:40 GMT
Hi Mick, I have owned a Blues 14 fret and currently own a Deco. I have heard a lot of Lightnings and played a few. I also got to play a Blues 28 prototype at Blues Week.
I fully endorse what has been said about Busker and the service you get from Robin: brilliant. I should also say that the MM guitars get all the knowledge and attention to detail that Michael brings to the party. You only need to look at the thread on Main Street to see just how much development and quality control has gone into the new Blues 28.
I am relatively new to owning resos, so the opinions of others on this forum should carry more weight but for what it's worth:
Blues - great guitar. Steel bodied, so quite brash. Great for blues but maybe not as versatile as the others. However, there is a 14 fret version. Makes it easier to get those open A and open E tunings by capo at the 2nd fret and still have easy access to the octave for all those classic licks. The 14 fret body is slightly smaller than the 12 fret and this seems to result in less bass (to my ears).
Lightning - also lovely. Looks pretty too. Heavier than a Blues but I would say a more versatile sound. Sounds sweeter but can still give you that blues growl when you want it. If I was only going to have one reso, this might be it (unless I could afford a Style 0 and/or see comments on Blue 28 below).
Deco - nice guitar. Prettier than a blues (no graphics though) but brass and quite a lump. Also slightly difficult to keep in place when you are playing (may just be my incompetence). I am now using a strap even when sitting down. Sound wise: sweeter than the single cone models. Good sustain but much less bass response. I really loved it at first but I now find that it is a bit too genteel for the delta stuff. The attack is more gradual than the single cone models. On the otherhand Tampa Red style and I suspect country would sound great on it. I don't know if the necks have changed (mine is one of the first sold) but it is even wider and chunkier than my Blues' was. I find it quite difficult to chord above the 5th fret (I have short fingers though).
Blues 28 - only spent a few minutes with this. I tried a couple of tunings. It was enough to convince me that it could be "the one".... if Mike Shipman wasn't selling his brass Dobro 33 :-). It's got the single cone attack but sounds sweeter than the steel bodied blues (IMO). I think it could be a very versatile instrument and has the benefit of being lighter than the metal bodied resos. Quite a bonus if you are going to play standing up in a band.
I hope this helps. Kind regards, Pat
|
|
|
Post by micknand on Aug 6, 2013 20:43:54 GMT
These comments are great and very much appreciated. Pat your comparisons are very interesting. I had not really considered a wood bodied resonator as I am used to wood body guitars and "want" something different and I particularly like the look of the metal bodied ( how scientific is that for choosing an instrument?)
Thanks again folks Mick
|
|
|
Post by simonf on Aug 7, 2013 8:46:43 GMT
I also played the new Blues 28 last week.
I was very impressed. Great sounding, easy to play and with a wonderful loud rich tone and sustain. Would happily straddle the line between a fingerpicker and a slide guitar too if needed.
|
|