Which budget metal body resonator?

[pig140]

Looking for a metal body resonator to play with. I'd like it to sound decent, but I'm not forking out the money for a national or dobro or whatever just to play around. I am set on a metal body, biscuit style bridge. I'm looking at what has the best sound that I can get for $400 and under.

The 3 I'm looking at are the Fender FR48 (which can be had used for around xxx on ebay), the Regal RC-2 (found one used with upgraded National cone and pickup installed for xxx), and a used Dean Chrome S (xxx).

What do ya'll think?

[Freeman]

Unfortunately I've never played a budget reso out of the box that really rang my bell, but of those three I probably consider the Regal. I actually played both a metal Fender and a Dean "Chrome G" at my local shop a couple of years ago and I took some notes - looking back I see the following

"The Fender played like my Duolian (metal) Dobro, but without the real punchy sound (a different cone might have helped that), had some rattles. Narrow 14 fret neck, not friendly for slide"

"Dean "Chrome G" - metal bodied (steel), biscuit, w/ lipstick pickup and maybe something else -it has three pots (didn't plug in), narrow neck 14 frets clear. I wanted to like this one - metal bodied slot head, but the neck just didn't feel right (for some reason it felt too long - I was constantly about a half a fret up the neck if I didn't look at the position markers). Tuned to open G and played some raunchy bottleneck - really had trouble getting much of it. Action was good, strings felt "slow" (maybe I'm too used to the Elixers). The first string didn't ring out like it should but I think finger picks would have helped that. Sustain was medium, the harmonic died out after about 4 notes. The combination of chunky gold tuners, gold knobs on the pots, mother of pearl headstock overlay and fret markers, and the chrome body looked garish - YMMV. MSLP $xxx, hangtag price $xxx."

So, neither of those impressed me much, eh?

Most inexpensive reso's have pretty poor cones and a upgrade to a Quarterman or NRP (particularly the new one) is worthwhile. Many have necks that are really hard to play slide on (14 fretters in particular), but a lot can be down with the proper setup. Of the three you mention I would consider the Regal, only because it sounds like the PO has made some of the improvements. (btw - I run a Quarterman in my spider, a hot rod NRP and carbon fiber biscuit in my Duolian).

Last thing to consider would be a new Republic or a Goldtone - in both cases Asian bodies with cone and setup upgrades - a little more than you have budgeted, but a lot more guitar.

[macfawlty]

This guy makes some real nice resonators and is very helpful. http://www.libertyguitars.com/models.htm. You can get specific upgrades on cones and such.

[tagmike]

If you can get an RC-2 with National cone and pickup for $xxx, I'd jump on it!

I bought one new, intending to throw a National cone in it, but the out-of-the-box cone is good enough that I've never got around to the upgrade. Mine has been on stage many times in the year I've had it, and it is always a pleasure to play.

- mike

[martinedwards]

I tried a Johnston in a shop last week and wasn't impressed at all....

[bluemt.]

I'd go with a Republic. They're made in Asia but they already have a bone nut, maple/ebony bridge insert and only have two mushroom posts, so the only mod would be National cones if you didn't like the Continentals.

None of these imports are a made to the quality of a National but my Republic squareneck tricone sounds pretty good and will definitely suffice until I can afford a National.

[Taylorplayer]

Maybe this would work for you?

http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/50U-1887.htm

No connection to the shop... other than having spent a "boat-load" of money there over the years... and having received excellent guitars, gear, & service in return!

All the best!
Bill

[pig140]

Maybe this would work for you?

http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/50U-1887.htm

No connection to the shop... other than having spent a "boat-load" of money there over the years... and having received excellent guitars, gear, & service in return!

All the best!
Bill

Yeah, thats the exact Dean I was referring to, but I dont know anything about Dean resonators, or Dean guitars for that matter. And I have heard mostly bad things about the Fender.

The Regal is a 2001, its tuners have been upgraded to Grovers, comes with a hard case, and a highlander pickup (which I dont need), along with a National cone upgrade. While all this sounds great, its really more involved than something I just wanted to "play around" with. The problem with the Regal is that he wants $65 to ship. My goal was to find something under $400, shipping included.

Anybody played the wood bodied Michael Kelly's and have an opinion? I know they're wood bodied and have spider bridges, but I can get one at a great price. I want it for blues - NOT bluegrass (no offense to you bluegrass players! ;) ) I really want a metal body, but I thought I'd ask opinions to satisfy my curiosity.

[DaveG]

You might also what to check out the Rogues at Musician's Friend. I have the wood bodied Triolian, and I'm pretty happy with it. It's no National, but it gets the job done and sounds pretty good to me. They make a metal bodied version in your price range. And, if you don't like it you can send it back :).

[pig140]

I liked the the Liberty's but I think they're over my budget. Nobody has played a Michael Kelly or the Dean Chrome S?

[Freeman]

Anybody played the wood bodied Michael Kelly's and have an opinion? I know they're wood bodied and have spider bridges, but I can get one at a great price. I want it for blues - NOT bluegrass (no offense to you bluegrass players! ;) ) I really want a metal body, but I thought I'd ask opinions to satisfy my curiosity.


I play bottleneck blues on my spider bridge type 27 - it has the sweet sound that you would expect of a spider (completely different than the Duolian). If you are curious there is a crappy clip under my folder at the Acoustic Music section of the HCAG Annex. Most wood spiders will be wider flatter 12 fret necks - to me that is desirable for slide, not for fretted (my 27 intonates terribly so I don't do a lot of fretted play on it, the Duolian is somewhat better). I also go back and forth with the 27 and a nut extender when I want to noodle around with lap style.

Also remember that different metal bodies sound different - bell brass ("German silver") vs steel, and like 12 fret acoustics, the longer upper bout seems to make a difference with these critters also.

[dthumb]

Anybody played the wood bodied Michael Kelly's and have an opinion? I know they're wood bodied and have spider bridges, but I can get one at a great price. I want it for blues - NOT bluegrass (no offense to you bluegrass players! ;) ) I really want a metal body, but I thought I'd ask opinions to satisfy my curiosity.

i have a michael kelly bijuo"e"....it has a neck humbucker and an internal transducer type pick up that are balance with a nob on the face along with volume control...i love mine..very sweet and very loud with or without electronics. i play "spanish style" and mostly blues, fretted and both fingerstyle and picked. it keeps up nicely with no amplification. they are extremely well built , sturdy and beautifully finished.
i recently read on a resonator site that black resonators just sound better in general....hhhmmmm,....interesting, if curious observation but, mine is black and does sound better than many others i played in the selection process so,..????:hmm:

[Antonio Salieri]

I've read positive comments about the Galveston-brand resos, but it's possible they're relabelled versions of some brands already mentioned.

[Roman]

I "tweeked" my Fender f48 . . . wider nut, removed a mushroom, new ebony/maple saddle and added a resonator p/u. Set up for slide or standard, I personally feel it's a great little resonator for the price.

I doubt you'd find much difference between any of the imported resonators . . .

[pig140]

If you are curious there is a crappy clip under my folder at the Acoustic Music section of the HCAG Annex.

Thanks! I'll definitely check that out.

i have a michael kelly bijuo"e"....it has a neck humbucker and an internal transducer type pick up that are balance with a nob on the face along with volume control...i love mine..very sweet and very loud with or without electronics. i play "spanish style" and mostly blues, fretted and both fingerstyle and picked. it keeps up nicely with no amplification. they are extremely well built , sturdy and beautifully finished.
i recently read on a resonator site that black resonators just sound better in general....hhhmmmm,....interesting, if curious observation but, mine is black and does sound better than many others i played in the selection process so,..????:hmm:

I'm really considering those. I'm not sure that, with my inexperience in resonators and that I only want to "play around" with one, bridge type will matter much. I like the looks of the Michael Kelly. I wish the regular Bayou had F holes instead of screens.

I doubt you'd find much difference between any of the imported resonators . . .

I noticed you have both a Fender and a Regal resonator. Did you find the quality to be similar? (BTW, that's a seriously impressive list of guitars you have there - from the Gibson SJ, to the Guild D55 to the Silvertone Archtop to the sunburst 814ce - all on my "hopefully one day" list!)

[K20C]

You might also what to check out the Rogues at Musician's Friend. I have the wood bodied Triolian, and I'm pretty happy with it. It's no National, but it gets the job done and sounds pretty good to me. They make a metal bodied version in your price range. And, if you don't like it you can send it back :).


I second Dave's endorsement of the Rogue. Dave's brought it over several times and it sounds great. I think he did replace the bridge. It sounds nearly as good as an all-metal body Dobro I had a few years ago and the Rogue is a fraction of the cost. Hope this helps.

[Roman]

I noticed you have both a Fender and a Regal resonator. Did you find the quality to be similar?

The Fender is a biscuit single cone and the Regal is a tricone. Very different sounds from each. The tricone is louder and "brashier" if that's a word.

As far as quality, the Fender was finished better. I had to do some serious adjustments to the Regal . . . The neck and fretboard didn't align properly, there was a loose mushroom rattling around inside. Of course I did a setup and some minor fret leveling on both. But, in the end, the Regal is great.

[Joel]

No one mentioned the Epiphone MD100. Is that worth looking at?

The specs on the website are confusing (probably on purpose) - it says the body is "chromed brass", but then the graphic says the body is steel.

[macfawlty]

I liked the the Liberty's but I think they're over my budget. Nobody has played a Michael Kelly or the Dean Chrome S?

I got Liberty's all mahogany version (one of the most expensive) on eBay for under 4 bills mint, like it was never played. The case that came with it was worth $120 on its own.

[runner2002]

I believe that the Liberty metal guitars are not actually metal bodies but metal foil applied over wood.

[jsystevo]

hi i have a fender fr-50 resonator, which isnt metal frame, but i absolutly love it, sounds bright and i can can thrash it without losing too much quality! great guitar for under 500 dollars,

[mzanger]

I have a Regal tricone RC-51 I paid just at your budget limit for, and I have been very happy with its tone and general playability (fingerstyle, no slide). The Chinese fit and finish are a little rough, but for the money...