#16
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I've been tempted by Republic's parlor types since they first hit the market, but have been able to resist since a full size National or National clone is already a OO size. Not enough difference for me to justify another guitar. But, yeah. Great looking guitar. Love the star at the third fret. For a brand new guitar with pickup, that's a heck of a deal.
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I only play technologically cutting edge instruments. Parker Flys and National Resonators |
#17
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If you can find one, the Estralita has a 1 & 13/16" nut width.
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#18
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Thank you All for the great intel.
My main impetus in looking for a resonator is to have a dedicated guitar for slide, and the resophonic sound is just a big plus. So, I could use an acoustic just as well. Currently, I have an archtop Eastman that I raised the action on and pop on a .16 B string for the high E. That has helped immensely. I didn't want to use my J45 for slide as nut extenders or a high setup won't work as that's my daily driver. I really appreciate the intel on the different materials as well as setup. I totally agree that the setup + your technique make the biggest difference. |
#19
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Second: nut extenders are really meant for raising the strings for playing lap slide. The strings are to high to fret, period. Why is this important? See... Third: don't kid yourself that you won't want to be able to fret. The entire point of bottleneck over lap slide is that you can fret AS WELL as play slide. You might want your action a little higher, but not too much. A good way to start out is to shim the nut, as Robin noted, to give yourself clearance while you learn to control the slide. A couple or three strips cut from a business card work nicely. The nice things about the strip idea is that, as you gain control, you can take them out one by one, until you find the level that you need. Or like People have given you good pointers fora beginner instrument. It may be all you ever need. Or you may want to upgrade. Many players used higher end instruments. Nationals were fairly expensive, even back in the day. Ry Cooder played a Martin HD-28 on a lot of his most famous recordings. Body materials and type of cone (or no cone) all effect the tone. I've a small builder spider cone with a maple body. And a small builder all wood guitar. I like the different ways that they play and feel. I would still like a metal body, single or tricone. One day... OMMV |
#20
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Thanks everyone. While I knew the setup was key, I didn't realize the nuances. You've helped me see what I can do to get to the next level of playing--and that's really my goal.
I like the idea of using shims and removing them one by one as my skills get better. Control on the high E is the issue. I'm probably being a touch humble too, yet I have to admit that lower action on that high E makes clean vibrato difficult for me. It's doable but difficult. Thanks again! I got just the intel I needed. And, that's so valuable. If I went to a store, finding folks who have all this experience is unlikely, possible but unlikely. Cheers to this group! |
#21
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I particularly liked your reminder that you don't need a resonator for slide work! All the best Peter |
#22
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Estralita ...
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http://https://themusicemporium.com/...7#&gid=1&pid=1 |
#23
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Robin's post is excellent!
I have been playing bottleneck for about 15 years and wish I had known all this then... I went through numerous acoustic guitars, a few Nationals along the way. Finally found the ONE, a 1931 Polychrome National Triolian, with original cone, a phenomenal guitar (loud, punchy, yet sweet tone). My other great bottleneck guitar was a 1965 LG1 that had medium action and sounded great for slide, but not great for anything else. FYI, There is currently a National Deplhi for sale at Guitar Center in Fair Lakes, Va for $1200. I played it the other day and it sounds and plays well. As much as I hate Guitar Center, you could purchase this and have a pretty long extended return window currently due to COVID. |
#24
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Gretsch Boxcar. Wood body, spider reso. For the money 9sub $500) Gretsch is the brand to look at. I've had my Boxcar for 7-8 years. Sounds good, plays easy, excellent intonation.
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Roy Ibanez, Recording King, Gretsch, Martin G&L, Squier, Orange (x 2), Bugera, JBL, Soundcraft Our duo website - UPDATED 7/26/19 |
#25
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I can't remove the nut from my Brett Signature as it is glued in. I used to have a tool that was like the image, with a tapered end and did the job well. Does anyone have an idea where to get one now?
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Furch Blue D-MM Furch Blue D-CM Furch Stanford D1P MM Blues resonator Seagull S6 Original |
#26
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National Estralita (discon) or Trovador
(1.8" nut)
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#27
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I bought one about five years ago from Stew-Mac. I don't know about shipping to Wales, or about European sources.
https://www.stewmac.com/SiteSearch/?...-lifter%20tool BTW I have played Mike Dowling's personal El Trovador at a guitar camp. He does a lot of slide and fingerpicking, and it was fine for standard finger style -- not a really high set up. Some technique and control of the slide is needed to avoid knocking against the neck or the frets, but that is part of the process. |
#28
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i experimented with putting a masonry nail under the strings at the first fret, which raises the strings and works like a capo. The sound on one guitar was
amazing. Slightly discordant honky-tonk. The other guitar sounded much the same as before.
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Furch Blue D-MM Furch Blue D-CM Furch Stanford D1P MM Blues resonator Seagull S6 Original |
#29
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I've owned a Goldtone Beard squareneck for a decade now, and it has been a fine reso. As good as the high priced spread? No, but for an instrument I don't play a lot it's perfect. I think is was bought for $750 used.
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2007 Martin D 35 Custom 1970 Guild D 35 1965 Epiphone Texan 2011 Santa Cruz D P/W Pono OP 30 D parlor Pono OP12-30 Pono MT uke Goldtone Paul Beard squareneck resophonic Fluke tenor ukulele Boatload of home rolled telecasters "Shut up and play ur guitar" Frank Zappa |
#30
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Hi All, I'm following back up.
I ultimately purchased a Gold Tone PBR resonator. It was $1k shipped. I tried out a Gretsch, but couldn't get a chance to play a Regal, Recording King or others. The Gretsch was great. However, I took the advice of folks on forums, youtube, and my own and went for the Gold Tone. I am thoroughly impressed. The Gold Tone is well built and solid. Its scale is perfect. The tone is very, very good. I ditched the .12s, strings, that it came with and put on a set of Dunlop resonators in .16s--perfect. It plays perfectly in Open G--no need to tune up to Open A to increase tension. I'm a happy camper with this guitar and it is only feeding my appetite to get better at slide. There are times when the sounds I'm making fingerpicking base lines and dropping slide licks over them is addictive. This is a great slide machine! PS. I really can't say whether this thing is better than the other mid-tier offerings by great companies. I just couldn't find brick and mortar dealers with any meaningful selection of resonators in stock. |