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#1
11-21-2011, 05:38 PM
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Repblic Resonator
Last summer I was hot for some sort of Resonator. My budget was not up to getting a National, so I was eyeballing some of the Republic offerings. I really wasn’t sure if I wanted a sing cone, tricone, steel, brass, wood...no clue.
Over the summer I tried various resonators from National and Dobro at different shops. I found that I like a national steel body single cone, with a brass tricone being something of a distant second. As summer wore on I chose to get a Taylor GS Mini instead of a resonator as I had no travel guitar. Then last week... I popped into the Republic site and saw that they were having something of a blowout on steel-body Triolians. Really good price... I can resist...  I can resist...  I can resist...  My new Republic Triolian is on its way.   After some discussion with Frank I went with a 14-fret model with a sunburst. It has a short (25”) scale which is not my fave (on a flattop anyway), but the standard scales all had a 1 7/8” nut (and are 12 fretters...which isn’t a bad thing in my book). Frank felt the shorter scale didn’t significantly alter the projection or volume.So...we’ll see. Any comments on the particular models I mentioned? Curious to hear if anyone has the less-traditional 14-fret version.
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Martin 00-18G; Waterloo WL-S; Furch: V1 OOM-SR, Green G-SR, Blue OM-CM; Tahoe Guitar Co.: OM (Adi/Hog), 000-12 (Carp/FG Mahog), 00-12 (Carp/Sinker Mahog), 00-14 (Adi/Ovangkol); In the night you hide from the madman You're longing to be But it all comes out on the inside Eventually 
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#2
11-21-2011, 05:55 PM
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I used to have a bell brass Republic triolian which I sold last year and now regret. Great guitar for the money. Good choice.
Alan
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Gibson SJ-200 Studio Epiphone Masterbilt AJ 500M Gretsch 5420t Electromatic Mike Terris Maple E body squareneck dobro Squier Telecaster standard Squier Jazz bass vintage modified 70s Yamaha Pacifica Gretsch Electromatic lap steel Gold Tone GT 750 6 string banjo Guild GD 125 12 string http://www.reverbnation.com/alanwalker/songs http://www.reverbnation.com/ravensreturn/songs
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#4
12-06-2011, 10:58 AM
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My modified just-intonation resophonic tricone is a Republic. It sounds really quite good, so good I haven't bothered to upgrade the cones in the two years I've had it.
Some craftsmanship elements left to be desired (tuner installation, some finishing issues, the insides look positively gnarly); can't comment on the fretwork as I had a completely new fingerboard installed for the new tuning. An excellent guitar for the money, IMNSHO.
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--- gf www.giacomofiore.com gfguitar.bandcamp.com www.cdbaby.com/all/giacomofiore
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#5
02-06-2012, 08:53 AM
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Hi,
I'm gassing for a Republic Resonator too. I am going for a biscuit cone, but I cannot decide between a brass and a steel body. Which is the best suited for blues (mostly fingerpicked and sometimes slided) ? Are the weight very different ?
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https://www.facebook.com/BericBillyGoats I love the smell of spruce in the morning Gibson Advanced Jumbo Martin OM-21 Special Gibson Keb'Mo'
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#6
12-17-2012, 02:15 PM
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Chinese junk by 'Republic'
I made the MISTAKE of buying one of these boat-anchors awhile back...Brass-plated body, single cone/biscuit bridge 14fret slot-head ( I'm a fool for a slot head)Anyhoo...after playing it for awhile, I noticed that the neck, would 'move' slightly,s2s, if pulled on abit.Being the kind that willnot leave well enough alone, I pulled the flying saucer off and thats where the atrocities began to be revealed. #1: f/glass tape under the edge/seat of the cone #2: neck-stik attached to neck blok/heel with less than el-cheapo **** metal brackets. #3: plywood(?) scrap shims under the sound posts #4:end of neck-stik cut off at 45% angle just short of the sound well lip and a piece scabbed on to make the contact with the lip #5: no contact/'connection with so-called end blok ( more garb/ply-wood?) by the neck stick #6: big chips ripped outa the inside string post holes ( I shoulda seen that). THEN, I had to get up close and personal with the shop that shall remain anonymess that sold me this P.O.S. to get something back outa the deal! Caveat Emptor in EDMNTN AB. This error will not be repeated by me, at least!
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#8
12-17-2012, 03:52 PM
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Quote:
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#9
12-17-2012, 03:59 PM
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Hot Rod Steel?
Anyone familiar with Hot Rod Steel from the Pickin' Parlor?
They might have better QC as they claim to do in-house setups on all their guitars. http://www.nationalguitar.com/catalog/hot-rod-steel
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Go for the Tone, George
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#10
12-18-2012, 04:06 AM
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Listen to as many reso tunes as you can. Then when you figure which type of reso you want, save your money and buy a National. One time purchase, and then peace of mind knowing you won't have to trade up! I had to learn this lesson the hard way, spare yourself
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#11
12-18-2012, 08:14 AM
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I was lookiong Republic too and then I read about radio active recycled metal used on some Chinese made metal products and the thought of big old piece of radioactive metal sitting on my lap didn't seem very attractive. Call me crazy..that's fine... but I read how it's hit or miss with the Republics and the Beard and Hot Rod guitars at Vintage Nationals are almost a grand so I just looked for a used National.
I have a Dean ChromeS (Korean built) I bought over 10yrs ago. It's built right and I've since put in a National Hot Rod cone and installed a Tele pickup in the cover plate and it's pretty good now. This is basically my gateway drug. I did pick up a National Bendaway this year and it is great in all aspects. You can find used Nationals for not too much more than a new import. That's my route from now on.. these things are addictive... By the way Lenny at Vintage Nationals is real nice guy to talk to. He sells new and used Nationals too.. If I was to go import it'd be Beard or him in my book. I have to say one guy around here who tried a Republic liked it. It was one of his student's guitars and this guy knows his stuff... You could do well with one. Hope you like yours...
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#12
12-18-2012, 12:20 PM
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Quote:
Expensive? Not when you consider the "made in the USA" manhours.
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I only play technologically cutting edge instruments. Parker Flys and National Resonators
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#13
12-18-2012, 05:24 PM
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Quote:
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#14
12-18-2012, 05:51 PM
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I'm lucky enough have a National, but I understand the money thing - it took me a VERY long time to get that kind of money together. While I was gassing/saving I did try out some of the cheaper brands. Some Republics were pretty darn good - a resolian I tried was excellent. Some of the duolian-styles weren't bad, either. The Highway 61 could be a lot of fun, if you're after something smaller. One triolian-style I tried was appalling! So, a mixed bag. Search for Bottleneck John on youtube, he does a fine job with his Republics.
If I was going for a cheaper one I'd seriously consider a HotRod from Lenny at Vintage Nationals - I got a tricone squareneck hotrod from him, and I also purchased my National from him (when I finally got the funds together)
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#15
12-19-2012, 06:12 PM
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Quote:
I wouldn't put too much (any) stock in the radio-active aspect, though ymmv. I have 3 Nationals, but wouldn't mind any one of the Republics I've played. Set up is the key. If you fingerpick and play bottleneck, Lenny has a pretty cool 12 string Tricone Hot Rod now. Hmm... let's see, sell my Nat 12... get a HRS 12 and come out a grand ahead... but it's all metal body, I like wood.
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