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#1
11-21-2009, 05:54 PM
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Resonator Guitars. Tricone cheapy question
A question for the forum.
I've played and owned a number of Dobro and National wood bodied instruments, heck, I've had a number of resonator instruments, and always end up selling them away. I just... well, I just don't find the sound pleasant on a permanent basis. But, having said that, I do find them appealing on a temporary basis, and I like to play slide so a statement and then a question to those that have played the Nationals-- I've played a lot of nice National instruments, I want an all brass body, or steel, or whatever, I love the tricone, and like how the Nat plays. It's quality. I DO NOT WANT TO PAY THAT MUCH FOR A NATIONAL. Just want to get that out of the way. Do the Regal, Recording King, Republic, or others stack up? Or am I just wishful thinking? You can buy these at under 7 bills all day, and the Nat... well...... I just sold the only all brass reso I ever had, a John Morton concert ukulele. Now I want it's big brother. 
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#2
11-21-2009, 06:32 PM
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Regal
After doing my research and talking to people who own one, I went for the Regal RC 2 resonator, and I can confirm everything I heard and read about it:
Best resonator bang for your bucks. For the price I paid, I could not believe how great that guitar felt and sounded. Awesome neck, straight as an arrow and set perfectly for a mix of slide and finger playing right out of the box. I was jamming with a harp player yesterday and made a couple recordings on a digital Fostex, and as I was listening to the tracks, I thought to myself: "why would you want to spend$1500 or $2000 more on a national?" That said I hear Republics are pretty good too. I would not recommend Johnson or Fender however, I played them both and they don't even compare to the Regal. Don't know about Recording Kings other than they are priced right also...
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#3
11-21-2009, 07:05 PM
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Neal
I would try Republic Guitars (states) or Busker Guitars (in England). Both of these import National "style" guitars - the quality ranges from adequate to very good. I have been impressed. Both companies have proprietary models - or models unique to them and both companies have guitars that are very similiar (as in both of them use the same shop in asia to make their instruments).
I have been able to play a repubic parlor - very very good for the price charged. Other than that, I do not know what to share with you. I have not been impressed by Regal (opinions will vary of course), Johnson or Recording King (but I do feel that RK is worth a second look). Good luck
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Idaho John Martin OM-15m custom Opinions subject to change due to experience... 
Last edited by Idaho John; 11-21-2009 at 10:58 PM.
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#4
11-21-2009, 07:08 PM
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I play Republic resos (tricone and biscuit).
Well, at least they were Republic originally. The main reason is the 1 7/8" nut. Then I'm customizing them, National cones, tuners, work on frets, improving the whole stick assembly, move mushrooms, etc... They become quite nice instruments. This is what I like with resos : you can really improve them a lot. YMMV. Of course, on a National all the work is already done. But I like to tweak my guitars anyway.
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#5
11-21-2009, 07:15 PM
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I was very impressed with the quality of my Regal RC51-TT
I only sold it because I was more comfortable with the 14 fret neck on my Duolian.  Dan
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Dan Carey (not Crary) A couple of guitars A Merida DG16 Classical Guitar A couple of banjos A Yueqin A Mountain Dulcimer that I built A Hammered Dulcimer that I'm currently building And a fiddle that I built! Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
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#6
11-21-2009, 08:25 PM
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I have owned a Regal RC-1 for about six years and gig with it regularly. I did modify it quite a bit, but it has always sounded great to me and the neck is still real straight even with the ridiculous string gauges I have put on it. Stays in tune well too.
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#7
11-22-2009, 08:04 PM
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Quote:
Ray
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Trying to Learn Something New Every Day ...
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#9
11-29-2009, 12:29 PM
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I played an Estralita Deluxe, cutaway National baritone tricone, 14 fret Dobro, one of the earlier/later Gibson I believe, and an Epiphone Dobro Hound Dog.
Hound Dog is out of the question, sort of felt like one of those 100 dollar guitars and sounded like a 40 dollar one. The other Dobro was better, but not much. Glossy neck, not a very complete sound, but it did have 14 frets. The baritone tricone was interesting, heavy as a tank, but it felt nice. Baritone made the sound a little quieter, but it was certainly interesting. I liked it, but wouldn't consider it. Estralita Deluxe. How sweet are these... sounded very, very fine. Played effortlessly. Still have to play a Regal, etc... maybe. National most certainly does something out of the box to get these to play and sound like that. Really something special.
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#12
11-29-2009, 04:47 PM
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