NGD w/photos: Republic Duolian Metal Resonator with Schatten NR-2 Pickup
 

My first playing test of the Republic Duolian in Tarnished Nickel Finish is pleasurable in that the guitar sounds really good both acoustically and plugged into my UltraSound AG30, and in that the guitar is set up quite well with darn good craftsmanship.

The amplified tone from the Republic Guitars-installed Schatten NR-2 is noise-free and sounds surprisingly full and quite well-balanced string-to-string in its output and tone. I'm routing the Schatten's passive output through my new Sarno Steel Guitar Black Box Tube Preamp and that likely accounts for some of the warmth and roundness of amplified tone. The Vari-Z variable impedance knob of the SGBB acts to find the sweet spot impedance for the pickup and also acts as a kind of volume control as the more the knob is turned toward the higher impedance end of its travel the more there is a noticeable volume increase along with the increasing fullness of tone. I've found the most pleasing tone is at the 1 Megaohm end of the knob. I also have an LR Baggs Session DI that I'll try the Schatten through to hear what that can do for its amplified tone.

Photos of Republic Duolian including one of the Schatten NR-2 Biscuit Bridge Piezo Pickup

https://i.imgur.com/9gnU9nl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/momLWst.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9AkB4Gi.jpg https://i.imgur.com/jLZB5La.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/GtKHQMA.jpg https://i.imgur.com/20YIyXg.jpg

Cool man. I recently dug my old regal out playing old stones. These guitars rock/twang it if you want :)

Congrats on your new Republic, I imagine you will get a lot of enjoyment out of that setup.

I have a Highway 61 with a National Hot Plate installed. I find the tone from the reso amplified mesmerizing, very 'grainy and warm'.

Enjoy

Congrats on the Republic. I have been considering adding their wood body tricone to my collection but finding them in brick & mortar shops is almost impossible.

I ordered my Republic Duolian without ever seeing or playing a Republic guitar. I'm totally pleased with my new Republic. For its cost of $719, plus $125 for the installation of the Schatten NR-2, plus $45 shipping = $899, I think I got a well-made guitar that sounds good, and I have no regrets!

Thanks! I too find the amplified tone mesmerizing as you do. With all its cool overtones swirling around and the sustain going on--it's spiritual!

Photos
 

Photos of Republic Duolian including one of the Schatten NR-2 Biscuit Bridge Piezo Pickup

https://i.imgur.com/9gnU9nl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/momLWst.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9AkB4Gi.jpg https://i.imgur.com/jLZB5La.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/GtKHQMA.jpg https://i.imgur.com/20YIyXg.jpg

I would really love to hear some clips of this Schatten pickup in this guitar.

Something I really dig about metal-bodied resonator guitars is the Steampunk/Art Deco aesthetic. I can just see John Hartford playing his fiver, backed up by Robert Johnson on reso, singin' and playin' on the deck of a steam-powered aereoplane, high up over Kansas City. Trust me, after a couple a three brews, it works ... ;)

Although there isn't a metal-bodied resonator in this video, there's a pair of 'em doing their reso-thing in this haunting song performed by Tim O'Brien and Darrell Scott. Watch directly on YouTube for a bigger experience--Enjoy!

Please note the Republic Tricone leaning against the wall, on the right side of the video. I post this to bring attention to the quality and value of Republic resonators. View video in large format on YouTube