I own several resonators an M-14 dobro , a National Reso-phonic , a Regal round neck wood with spider cone. An electric “Californian “ style Eastwood. Still would love to have a National Style-O exploding palm tree. I love all of them but that National is amazing. Epiphone owns Dobro a Dobro M-14 is a steel body 14 to the body model and is just beautiful.
I bought an electric 12 string Gear4music Tele copy for £90 a few years ago and, after a professional set up it was fantastic. It even had a proper 12 saddle, 12 string bridge which would have cost £90 on its own! I also bought a 3/4 size cello for my daughter which was also fantastic value.
I've got a Gear4music resonator and it's great. Straight out of the box and ready to play. Straight neck with no fret sprouts. Tuners may have to changed but they work. Highly recommend.
The Dobro branded guitar is manufactured by Epiphone, under license of Gibson, owner of the Dobro branding... a solid instrument, definitely a good value for the money... I am currently saving up for a Gretsch Honeydipper...
Johnson Resonators are very good. I bought one used for 200€ and know one guy who bought one for 100 on a flea market. They go new for around 700-1000. Get a johnson guys, no shit way better then harley benton resonators or recording king. But it has got to be used to be in the same price range. Johnson my friends. Johnson. Btw that johnson seems to be the same as the vintage. Probably same factory in china. But since people dont know thst brand very well, johnsons are cheap on the used market
I took a punt on the Gear4music resonator. It's pretty alright. The finish is mostly good, binding could be better but for £150? No issue. Sound hole grille wasn't well aligned but easy to fix. Tuners aren't great but they do the job. Sounds pretty good. Sustain isn't great, but again, £150. Laminate wood all around, although I think being a resonator mitigates most of the wood issue as the cone delivers the tone. Neck terminates at the joint with the body, and between the fingerboard and body there is a piece of mystery wood. Lacquered but not coloured Happy with what I got for the money.
I've bought a few bits n bobs from gear for music over the years, instrument wise I bought one, and no you can't say it feels like a guitar that cost a lot more. In this case it would have to be a hell of a lot more. It was a classical nylon strung guitar which I bought for the tone...thinking old style blues. I did not wanna spend overmuch just in case I didn't get on with nylon strings too well, or the flat fret board or higher action of a classical. So I hunted about on the webby thing and found one on gear for music, at a price I thought was ridiculous. But in the end I bought one any way because I thought no way can that be any bloody use at all. But given the price I just had to find out. Within a week or so a tuner peg cracked, so I popped out and bought replacements and new strings. I will say when I tried playing it with me fingers it didn't work too well, then again I didn't have the nails for it either. Still don't. And I ain't the best at finger style either. Using a pick though it sounded ok and sustain was ok. Plastic nut and saddle of course but with the new tuners kept it's tuning ok. Once the strings settled in. I checked intonation thinking...yeah right..and it was intone at the 12th fret. Frets needed no crowning or polishing and no fret buzz, bit rough at the ends but easy enough fix. No fret buzz at all either and the frets are actually pretty much level. Wood is god knows what and the top is laminated, as probably is the rest of the body. I still have it and I play it all the time, it plays Willie Nelson stuff quite well considering how much it cost. The princely sum of.... £25.00..yep 25 quid and a bit of postage. Ya can't get much more budget than that now can ya..? It now sports a bone nut and bridge and a little lower string height. And the tone is that bit better for it. Haven't managed to wear a hole in it though...yet. One day I might get meself a better more expensive one, but I've kinda got used to this one so not in any hurry.
LOVE that Ian - brilliant stuff - great music doesn't have to cost the earth. I always think about Jaco Pastorius and his old bass - he ripped the frets out and filled them with wood filler and went on to revolutionise the fretless electric bass. Give me innovation and improvisation every time in all art forms.
I quite agree Peter. If it's playable or can be made playable at reasonable cost and it sounds right, then it's a musical instrument. We should remember most, if not all, those old blues guys..when they could afford a 6 stringer..probably had something old and cheap which probably wasn't in tune properly. And anything they could find if they busted a string. Until they could afford a better quality guitar. Many started with a didley bo and then moved on to a cobbled together 3 string CBG..Which are brilliant blues tools by the way. To me if you want a more authentic old blues sound go with a cheaper guitar. With nylon strings. One of my other rescues, which I may have mentioned before, is an old battered kay LP copy, with a busted truss rod and a heavy plywood body. With 6 strings it's unplayable, but with 3 it's a brilliant seasick steve axe. And the buckers in it are evil (in a good way) with a little distortion.
I think the cheaper models have some sort of pressed metal resonators rather than the spun metal found in the higher quality guitars. At least that is what I guessed when I looked at the resonator of a cheap one. I suspect it makes a difference in tone. But, you can buy resonators and replace them.
I have a Supro metal bodied resonator. They seem to cost around 400 - 500 quid new, but I bought mine second hand from a friend's dad for £200 and it is absolutely fine.
Great Video John I love the National Resophonic, the G4M looks amazing value. I am looking forward to bringing my Gretsch resonator up next week. Cheers for now
John, had an idea for a future one of these - absolute leftfield guitars, alternative guitars unlike anything mainstrean, if you want something entirely different from the crowd.
Recording king is an old US brand they have been brought back and specialize in 20s and 30s style guitars. Resonators and parlor guitars. The parlor guitars are inexpensive and a remarkable value. Similar to a Gretsch “Jim Dandy”
I heard of Recording King when I went searching for a budget open back 5 string Banjo. The reviews weren't brilliant , so I bought an American made , bare bones , Deering Goodtime for not a lot more money.
I have a Gretsch Honey Dipper and love it. But I’m a noob, one of those people who listen to those tone-comparison videos and can’t really tell the difference. Hey, it’s a cheaper way to live.
@@JRobsonGuitar What price should I expect to pay for a resinator guitar? Meaning do I need to pay £500+ pounds for it to be any good. Or are the £100 versions worth getting?
@@JRobsonGuitar I really like my National Reso-Phonic Polychrome Tricone. It's a discontinued model. NRP makes the best and offer brass, steel, and laminate mahogany bodies. These are pricey. It's hard to find a used one under $2500. Several brands of Chinese-made tricones are under $1000. From what I've read the MiC's can be set-up to play well. I've seen videos of Taj Mahal playing a Republic brand.
The National Resonator Guitar Co. do NOT make repro's of other guitar makers stuff, other guitar makers copy National. They and Dobro are the historical genre leaders in the market. The Tropical design is iconic to National. Dean did a copy of it, a cheap copy, functional, but defo not a National. Also, in the Reso market, National would not consider Mark Knopfler, God bless him, to endorse their instruments, they woud be looking at real resonator guitar players. Hope this clears that up John. For a really good reasonably priced resonator I would go for the Gretsch range. Really well made and Gretsch tone is always guaranteed in anything they make.
I own several resonators an M-14 dobro , a National Reso-phonic , a Regal round neck wood with spider cone. An electric “Californian “ style Eastwood. Still would love to have a National Style-O exploding palm tree. I love all of them but that National is amazing. Epiphone owns Dobro a Dobro M-14 is a steel body 14 to the body model and is just beautiful.
I bought an electric 12 string Gear4music Tele copy for £90 a few years ago and, after a professional set up it was fantastic. It even had a proper 12 saddle, 12 string bridge which would have cost £90 on its own! I also bought a 3/4 size cello for my daughter which was also fantastic value.
Why didn’t you mention Michael Messer guitars?
That style O is a National exploding palm tree . It’s an iconic guitar and Knoffler played one just like it. It’s no replica.
I've got a Gear4music resonator and it's great. Straight out of the box and ready to play. Straight neck with no fret sprouts. Tuners may have to changed but they work. Highly recommend.
The Dobro branded guitar is manufactured by Epiphone, under license of Gibson, owner of the Dobro branding... a solid instrument, definitely a good value for the money... I am currently saving up for a Gretsch Honeydipper...
Johnson Resonators are very good. I bought one used for 200€ and know one guy who bought one for 100 on a flea market. They go new for around 700-1000.
Get a johnson guys, no shit way better then harley benton resonators or recording king. But it has got to be used to be in the same price range.
Johnson my friends. Johnson.
Btw that johnson seems to be the same as the vintage. Probably same factory in china. But since people dont know thst brand very well, johnsons are cheap on the used market
I'm in love with my Fender Derby Brown. Try it if you can. Affordable and easy to play. With a Telecaster headstock. ♥️
I took a punt on the Gear4music resonator. It's pretty alright. The finish is mostly good, binding could be better but for £150? No issue.
Sound hole grille wasn't well aligned but easy to fix. Tuners aren't great but they do the job.
Sounds pretty good. Sustain isn't great, but again, £150. Laminate wood all around, although I think being a resonator mitigates most of the wood issue as the cone delivers the tone.
Neck terminates at the joint with the body, and between the fingerboard and body there is a piece of mystery wood. Lacquered but not coloured
Happy with what I got for the money.
I've bought a few bits n bobs from gear for music over the years, instrument wise I bought one, and no you can't say it feels like a guitar that cost a lot more. In this case it would have to be a hell of a lot more.
It was a classical nylon strung guitar which I bought for the tone...thinking old style blues.
I did not wanna spend overmuch just in case I didn't get on with nylon strings too well, or the flat fret board or higher action of a classical.
So I hunted about on the webby thing and found one on gear for music, at a price I thought was ridiculous. But in the end I bought one any way because I thought no way can that be any bloody use at all. But given the price I just had to find out.
Within a week or so a tuner peg cracked, so I popped out and bought replacements and new strings. I will say when I tried playing it with me fingers it didn't work too well, then again I didn't have the nails for it either. Still don't. And I ain't the best at finger style either.
Using a pick though it sounded ok and sustain was ok.
Plastic nut and saddle of course but with the new tuners kept it's tuning ok. Once the strings settled in.
I checked intonation thinking...yeah right..and it was intone at the 12th fret.
Frets needed no crowning or polishing and no fret buzz, bit rough at the ends but easy enough fix. No fret buzz at all either and the frets are actually pretty much level.
Wood is god knows what and the top is laminated, as probably is the rest of the body.
I still have it and I play it all the time, it plays Willie Nelson stuff quite well considering how much it cost. The princely sum of....
£25.00..yep 25 quid and a bit of postage.
Ya can't get much more budget than that now can ya..?
It now sports a bone nut and bridge and a little lower string height. And the tone is that bit better for it.
Haven't managed to wear a hole in it though...yet.
One day I might get meself a better more expensive one, but I've kinda got used to this one so not in any hurry.
LOVE that Ian - brilliant stuff - great music doesn't have to cost the earth. I always think about Jaco Pastorius and his old bass - he ripped the frets out and filled them with wood filler and went on to revolutionise the fretless electric bass. Give me innovation and improvisation every time in all art forms.
I quite agree Peter. If it's playable or can be made playable at reasonable cost and it sounds right, then it's a musical instrument.
We should remember most, if not all, those old blues guys..when they could afford a 6 stringer..probably had something old and cheap which probably wasn't in tune properly. And anything they could find if they busted a string.
Until they could afford a better quality guitar.
Many started with a didley bo and then moved on to a cobbled together 3 string CBG..Which are brilliant blues tools by the way.
To me if you want a more authentic old blues sound go with a cheaper guitar. With nylon strings.
One of my other rescues, which I may have mentioned before, is an old battered kay LP copy, with a busted truss rod and a heavy plywood body.
With 6 strings it's unplayable, but with 3 it's a brilliant seasick steve axe.
And the buckers in it are evil (in a good way) with a little distortion.
I think the cheaper models have some sort of pressed metal resonators rather than the spun metal found in the higher quality guitars. At least that is what I guessed when I looked at the resonator of a cheap one. I suspect it makes a difference in tone. But, you can buy resonators and replace them.
I have a Supro metal bodied resonator. They seem to cost around 400 - 500 quid new, but I bought mine second hand from a friend's dad for £200 and it is absolutely fine.
Have I seriously just watched someone browse a website while quoting directly from it? This is the most obvious paid advertising I've ever seen.
Great Video John
I love the National Resophonic, the G4M looks amazing value. I am looking forward to bringing my Gretsch resonator up next week. Cheers for now
Cheers mate. Looking forward to it 👍
John, had an idea for a future one of these - absolute leftfield guitars, alternative guitars unlike anything mainstrean, if you want something entirely different from the crowd.
Recording king is an old US brand they have been brought back and specialize in 20s and 30s style guitars. Resonators and parlor guitars. The parlor guitars are inexpensive and a remarkable value. Similar to a Gretsch “Jim Dandy”
I heard of Recording King when I went searching for a budget open back 5 string Banjo. The reviews weren't brilliant , so I bought an American made , bare bones , Deering Goodtime for not a lot more money.
I have a Gretsch Jim Dandy, and it's a great fun guitar to play - I love it.
I have a Gretsch Honey Dipper and love it. But I’m a noob, one of those people who listen to those tone-comparison videos and can’t really tell the difference. Hey, it’s a cheaper way to live.
Ooh John! I like the look of that Vintage. Hmm...
John it would be useful Ii you played the guitars. You never heard of Recording King !
Exactly what I was thinking! What is the point of doing a review video when the only information offered is the same info we can get from google!
Absolutely. This whole channel is a sack of shit. Utterly pointless. One numpty’s opinion ( which is worthless)
there are also tricone bridges
Hi, is a Countryman Resignator Guitar any good? Whats a good price? Help appreciated 🙏
I have no experience of that guitar I'm afraid.
@@JRobsonGuitar What price should I expect to pay for a resinator guitar? Meaning do I need to pay £500+ pounds for it to be any good. Or are the £100 versions worth getting?
never fancied a go on a resonator. but I fancy a go on some cider. see you tomorrow John.
Hi John ,Dobro is now owned by Gibson.
Which also owns epiphone which like the new dobro is made in China.
Tricones?
Any recommendations?
@@JRobsonGuitar I really like my National Reso-Phonic Polychrome Tricone. It's a discontinued model. NRP makes the best and offer brass, steel, and laminate mahogany bodies. These are pricey. It's hard to find a used one under $2500. Several brands of Chinese-made tricones are under $1000. From what I've read the MiC's can be set-up to play well. I've seen videos of Taj Mahal playing a Republic brand.
Good info, cheers 👍
I own a steel body resonator , Harley Benton something. Absolutely crap. The National is worth every penny, not that I can afford one lol 🤭
Sorry John, but none of those guitars really RESONATED with me, I'll stick to my Harley Benton Strat copy...
What ! ! ! No Harley Benton, shame on you. Scrap this lot and buy a Benton.
The National Resonator Guitar Co. do NOT make repro's of other guitar makers stuff, other guitar makers copy National. They and Dobro are the historical genre leaders in the market. The Tropical design is iconic to National. Dean did a copy of it, a cheap copy, functional, but defo not a National. Also, in the Reso market, National would not consider Mark Knopfler, God bless him, to endorse their instruments, they woud be looking at real resonator guitar players. Hope this clears that up John. For a really good reasonably priced resonator I would go for the Gretsch range. Really well made and Gretsch tone is always guaranteed in anything they make.