Do any fingerstylists play resonator guitars?

[Alexander Coe]

I'm sure they would have to have it built with custom settings, but I was thinking the twang of the resonator would work well with some of the gritty fingerstylists out there.

Does anyone do this? I feel like I see almost exclusively slide guitarists using them, but I'm not too 'out there' to see what's going on!

[Bikewer]

I have heard "straight" blues players use various resonators sans slide...

You really have to decide which way to go, however. Hitting a compromise that allows efficient slide playing with a bit of fingering isn't too hard, but if you go all the way in either direction, it becomes next to impossible to do the other.

At present, I have only my modified steel-string DIY resonator. Thing sounds surprisingly good, but it's no National.
I am saving my pennies for a metal-bodied resonator but I've got to sell a few more bicycles.

[bluesbassdad]

If you close your eyes and just listen, this song by Harvey Reid sounds like a resonator.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pZbZgkhoP8

I don't know what that contraption is called.

P.S. Here he plays an actual resonator.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=mDSsxHjcR74

[HHP]

Lots do. That's why they make roundnecks. Try Tampa Red, Bob Brozman, Bukka White, Son House, etc.

[rbock]

Mike Dowling plays excellent finger style on a resonator. He's also a very fine teacher. Check out his instructional dvd on Homespun.

[Icemagic]

Charlie Parr does, although he does some slide as well. He has that gritty sound for sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNcOyMLJ1xI

[Larry Pattis]

Dorian Michael plays a ton of reso-guitar...quite well, I might add!

[bohemian]

" gritty fingerstylists".. wouldn't that be a fingerpicker ?

"Stylist" and resonator seem diametrically opposed.


Here's some excellent finger picking on resos... Jean-Paul Bataille,
a forumite here.

http://www.youtube.com/user/batzic#p/u/26/BB_m59_4zow

http://www.youtube.com/user/batzic#p/u/14/qPkoS3iKLVY

[Idaho John]

Steve James does an excellent combination of fingerpicking and slide work usually with a National product - not unlike Mike Dowling.

john

[Fred]

I think blues and ragtime are appropriate on a resonator. I've done a little busking in the park and people seemed to like it. Or maybe they were attracted by the shiny guitar.

[darylcrisp]

Originally Posted by bluesbassdad

If you close your eyes and just listen, this song by Harvey Reid sounds like a resonator.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pZbZgkhoP8

I don't know what that contraption is called.

P.S. Here he plays an actual resonator.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=mDSsxHjcR74

that guitar HR is playing in the first youtube is a chrysalis graphite guitar, a Fishman Aura patch gives it the resonator sound.

d

[Guth]

On the "non-blues" front, Mark Knopfler has laid down all kinds of wonderful tracks involving his fingerpicking on resonator guitar over the years both with Dire Straits and on his solo albums.

If you're looking for something more rootsy/blues-oriented, Chris Whitley's "Dirt Floor" album is one of my all time favorite recordings.

[jpbat]

I use a tricone and a biscuit cone, I play barefingers, I don't slide, I don't play blues.
The resonators fast attack is a delight for fingerstyle.
Or so I think.

I do, NRP Estralita Deluxe... I do use a bottleneck a lot, but I also play fingerstyle as well. These resonators are capable of some sweet sounds

[lennylux]

Originally Posted by bohemian

Here's some excellent finger picking on resos... Jean-Paul Bataille,
a forumite here.

http://www.youtube.com/user/batzic#p/u/26/BB_m59_4zow

http://www.youtube.com/user/batzic#p/u/14/qPkoS3iKLVY

Those were fab, loved it.