Ahem...as something of a connoisseur of delta blues I can tell you that is some very fine playing indeed by Ben. That excerpt from Vigilante Man on the Pro was downright fabulous. Hope he demonstrates the tri-cones when they arrive!
WOW. I am so lucky to have followed my gut. I didn't know what a swamp dog was until i picked one up from a store after playing it for an hour, and i haven't been able to put it down since that day. Here I am finding it on this list, not four days later. Damn. I love that guitar.
Holy heck, I haven't been watching this channel in some time, and now I tune in and Ben looks like a completely different person (in a good way of course)
That Swamp Dog is the same one I bought. I tried 6 different ones and different brands and the Swamp Dog sounded the best. I cant hardly put it down, and yeah, its as heavy as my Gibson. But I gotta say it is one of the best guitar purchases I've ever made. It makes you play differently and it makes you more creative. Highly recommend.
@@davidpearson6346 Yes, I play slide and conventional style. When I use the slide however, I tune it to open G tuning DGDGBD. that tuning is better suited to slide playing. And yes, the swamp dog can be played fingerstyle or pick and tuned to the regular EADGBE. It has a really big sound almost like there is a small amp built in. Really bold loud and brassy sounds. If you play with just your fingers, it is quite mellow and nice but louder. If you use a pick it is more abrupt and much brighter almost getting jangly. If you use a metal thumb and finger picks it gets real jangly. I use both metal and glass slides. The glass ones have a smoother sound. Metal ones are kind of scrapey sounding. I f you tune it to open G and use a glass slide while picking with your fingers it makes a nice smooth velvety but bright distnct and louder than regular acoustic. Its very intuitive to play this way. You will quickly recognize phrasings of songs youve heard before just by accident. It makes you more creative too, IMO.
I would pay for an album of Ben playing blues/slide on that Pro model. If such a thing already exists please let me know. What a beast of a guitar player - definitely my favorite on Andertons TV (and that’s saying A LOT)!!!
I purchased the smaller parlour resonator in the black nickel from you earlier this month. Super fast delivery, arrived in great condition, an amazing & beautiful sound, plus so much fun to play. Couldn't be a happier customer. Thank you for a great service.
I had no idea Simon Pegg could play slide guitar so well. Sorry, couldn't resist. Really nice sounding guitars and just beautiful playing. Cheers, Mate. I'll be checking out more of the acoustic videos for sure.
Loved the sound of all of these guitars... & man you can play! If I had to add one to my quiver it'd have to be the Black Nickel Parlour. Through my headphones it has the sound I'm looking for.
I’ve never learnt any of these delta blues / slide licks in open tunings, It sounds fun to play. Ben , would you be willing to put out any instructional lessons videos ?
Hello man, just wanted to say the joy you seem to experience is infectious. I actually find myself smiling as I watch you respond to the guitars and their sound. I am hoping I can afford one of these resonators soon, and you have convinced me to get the parlor black nickel version. Thanks again
Love Ben's playing, but it's not Bluegrass. Only squareneck resonators with wood bodies (e.g. Dobro) are used in Bluegrass. These guitars in this video are more delta blues type guitars.
I'd love to play slide well. I did ask my guitar tutor but, while he gave it a go, he didn't really seem all that versed in the style, so I'm still a noob. I'm tempted to go for the parlour shape, as they're adorable and roots-cool. Wonderful demo!
Loved this video Ben, Bluegrass or Delta Blues. I’ve always fancied a resonator guitar as these are well in my price range. It makes me laugh the comments where people are comparing these to an acoustic guitar and the sound! 🤣
Thanks for posting this! Been looking at resonators for a while (RK in particular) and this is really helping me pick the right one tonally, probably the parlour. How much do the metal body guitars weigh?
Love watching this channels reviews. Can you please tell me what kind of strings one should use on a resonator? Say maybe medium acoustic strings? Thank you.
Excellent presentation. Can you tell us what you’re doing with your right hand fingernails. Are you using a pick of sorts, or salon tips? Thanks, mate!
I had a swamp dog, They sound fine, My only complaint is the 12th octave fret sits almost on the body, So if you want to play in the next octave you cant.
Great review, I was looking for a review like this. I liked that last 2 ones, the RRs. Besides the bodies and the briskets, are there other guitar settings that make the resonators unique? For instance, I hear a lot resonator players doing slide, are the strings more separated from the fret board than a regular acoustic guitar? Thank you for the review.
Hi y'all! What kind of slide is he using there? It looks like a Dunlop Blues bottle of sorts, but I can't quite tell. Sorry for the hyper-nerdy question, but I'd rather ask instead of sitting with this obsession fueled mystery.
Hi Ben, I thought that they would have been fitted with an output jack and have volume and tone. Maybe they have other models which do?. My dobro has them. They sound good.
I bought the RK rr 50 professional after watching this, and I love the sound, but I think I’m going to return it because of two major things. 1: the intonation is really far off at the 12th fret. To me it feels embarrassing for a pro model to be this far out. 2: the frets are a bit sharp and they’ve actually actually taken a small nick out of the skin on my finger. Is this a lemon or are they really just this bad? It’s hard cause I really like everything else about it. The sound is exactly what I want. Is this common for Recording King??
whitch is the best RK resonator model if just doing the occasional slides and not necessarily blues either , but finger-style play and want the warmer resonator tone (not nasal) ?‽❔❓🐊 🐸🍀
Can you tell me the rough decibel volume of the dirty thirties recording king. That's important info for me thanks. Or how does the volume compare to a non amped or auditorium guitar ? I play at metro stations in Taiwan on a banjo with noneoectrics allowed , i need it at least hitting 80 DB from about 1 meter ok F you then
Someone else just took the words out of my mouth haha was just at a festival this past weekend with bluegrass music and every group had a Martin...I don't know that I even heard a resonator there to be honest.
If I wanted to learn slide guitar does anyone have any good tutorial books that I should check out. I am an intermediate guitar player but have never tackled slide/Bluegrass
The best way is to get it and play. If you tune it to open G all you need is 1 finger or slide across all or some strings and move it while strumming. And instead of making notes in between frets you make them on top of the frets. Incredibly intuitive. I promise just strumming you will quickly find you can make decent music without even trying.
Loving the look and sound of the parlour. By the way, are you the same Ben Smith I saw as a disgustingly talented teenager occasionally playing at Bracknell Arts Centre?
@@bensmithguitar We may well have done, though it would have been more than about 6 years ago. If you guys want somebody who specialises in playing a Reso ....
We heard y'all loud and clear and we changed the title to 'Delta Blues' instead of Bluegrass 🤠 Thanks for teaching us the difference.
Ouch.
Well if you didn't know the difference' I wonder how many pickled hog knuckles you sold thinking they were drum sticks.
Captain.... You need to give Ben a raise. He is fantastic.
Ahem...as something of a connoisseur of delta blues I can tell you that is some very fine playing indeed by Ben. That excerpt from Vigilante Man on the Pro was downright fabulous. Hope he demonstrates the tri-cones when they arrive!
WOW. I am so lucky to have followed my gut. I didn't know what a swamp dog was until i picked one up from a store after playing it for an hour, and i haven't been able to put it down since that day. Here I am finding it on this list, not four days later. Damn. I love that guitar.
You're not lying, Because of this video i bought a swamp dog to start learning guitar.
Thank you for creating a new journey in my life!
Holy heck, I haven't been watching this channel in some time, and now I tune in and Ben looks like a completely different person (in a good way of course)
That Swamp Dog is the same one I bought. I tried 6 different ones and different brands and the Swamp Dog sounded the best. I cant hardly put it down, and yeah, its as heavy as my Gibson. But I gotta say it is one of the best guitar purchases I've ever made. It makes you play differently and it makes you more creative. Highly recommend.
@@davidpearson6346 Yes, I play slide and conventional style. When I use the slide however, I tune it to open G tuning DGDGBD. that tuning is better suited to slide playing. And yes, the swamp dog can be played fingerstyle or pick and tuned to the regular EADGBE. It has a really big sound almost like there is a small amp built in. Really bold loud and brassy sounds.
If you play with just your fingers, it is quite mellow and nice but louder. If you use a pick it is more abrupt and much brighter almost getting jangly. If you use a metal thumb and finger picks it gets real jangly. I use both metal and glass slides. The glass ones have a smoother sound. Metal ones are kind of scrapey sounding.
I f you tune it to open G and use a glass slide while picking with your fingers it makes a nice smooth velvety but bright distnct and louder than regular acoustic. Its very intuitive to play this way. You will quickly recognize phrasings of songs youve heard before just by accident. It makes you more creative too, IMO.
I would pay for an album of Ben playing blues/slide on that Pro model. If such a thing already exists please let me know. What a beast of a guitar player - definitely my favorite on Andertons TV (and that’s saying A LOT)!!!
Check out justin Johnson. Amazing.
Ry Cooder from Guildford is awesome. I really like the sound of swamp dog. I would appreciate more videos like this.
I purchased the smaller parlour resonator in the black nickel from you earlier this month. Super fast delivery, arrived in great condition, an amazing & beautiful sound, plus so much fun to play. Couldn't be a happier customer. Thank you for a great service.
I had no idea Simon Pegg could play slide guitar so well. Sorry, couldn't resist. Really nice sounding guitars and just beautiful playing. Cheers, Mate. I'll be checking out more of the acoustic videos for sure.
Loved the sound of all of these guitars... & man you can play! If I had to add one to my quiver it'd have to be the Black Nickel Parlour. Through my headphones it has the sound I'm looking for.
I have the parlor size in the Swamp Dog green and love it. The larger size was just too heavy for me. Wish I could play like you!!
Recording King makes outstanding guitars. I have the RD-328 and love it. Great video, keep them coming.
Such a versatile and full of feeling player Ben! They sound excellent and look the part too.
Ohhhhhhh, that coppery guitar is one heck of a looker and player!
Ben, you've got the acoustic magic in those hands.
I’ve never learnt any of these delta blues / slide licks in open tunings, It sounds fun to play. Ben , would you be willing to put out any instructional lessons videos ?
You guys are mind readers, been racking my brain on getting a resonator. Another killer video boys!
Do it man for sure, I love mine...
Closest to pulling to the blues except the B&G. Top pickin Ben thanks. Respect and stay healthy all.
I would love to hear a shootout between these and the Gretsch resonators. I have a Gretsch Alligator that I absolutely love.
They are probably all made in the same shop as my Republic and my Royall
Hello man, just wanted to say the joy you seem to experience is infectious. I actually find myself smiling as I watch you respond to the guitars and their sound. I am hoping I can afford one of these resonators soon, and you have convinced me to get the parlor black nickel version. Thanks again
Love Ben's playing, but it's not Bluegrass. Only squareneck resonators with wood bodies (e.g. Dobro) are used in Bluegrass. These guitars in this video are more delta blues type guitars.
Love Those Colors and Styles And Your playing always Inspires 👍👍🎶🎶🎸
I purchased my resonator guitar on a whim years and years ago... Best impulse buy I ever did 🤟
I would like to hear y'all cover some more traditional bluegrass instruments... How about trying out a few mandolins? F5 and A style.
Title says bluegrass but no bluegrass was played. However excellent blues & ragtime was played. Good job.
Said it for me 😜
I love the sound of resonators. That "subtle" one was my favorite.
I'd love to play slide well. I did ask my guitar tutor but, while he gave it a go, he didn't really seem all that versed in the style, so I'm still a noob. I'm tempted to go for the parlour shape, as they're adorable and roots-cool. Wonderful demo!
I could listen to ben play all day
Loved this video Ben, Bluegrass or Delta Blues. I’ve always fancied a resonator guitar as these are well in my price range. It makes me laugh the comments where people are comparing these to an acoustic guitar and the sound! 🤣
I found the parlor size at a guitar center and fell in instant Love.
I've just purchased the RR 36 Maxwell resonator it sounds so nice,it's a great guitar for the money.
The professional series one sounded incredible. Similar to a bluegrass dobro.
Beautiful resonator guitars AND fantastic playing! Thanks for posting these gems!!
Love my Recording King Swamp Dog distressed green!
Hot Tamale, some tidy playing there Ben☺️
I have a Recording King RM998D.It is heavy but boy is it loud!!.Well made and finished.Great resonator.
Great demonstration Ben!
Haven’t watched this channel for a while but, alright what did you do with the real Ben? Amazing new look there.
Well damn, the playing was great and the guitars and cool but Ben you look fantastic!
The guy doing the demo is awesome!
Could watch Ben play all day.
God damn, is there anything Ben can't play? Dude always blows my mind.
Thanks for posting this! Been looking at resonators for a while (RK in particular) and this is really helping me pick the right one tonally, probably the parlour. How much do the metal body guitars weigh?
Great job on the demo. Now, if they just had the Nashville Fishman pickup system..........
I have a Recording King Dirty 30's 12 string guitar and it is a very good guitar for the money
I see - and appreciate - you didn't make the same error as last time, and invited a real slide player ! :D
Great video, it really helps me decide which resonator to buy. Keep it up. Cool playing too.
What a player...and fine instruments..🎸🪕🎻
Ben is that you?! WoW
Until now I never knew that my next guitar needs to be a resonator.😊
Careful now, randy. It's a steep and slippery slope into reso-addiction. I started with one and I now have 6 of them.😄
Great video and nice playing indeed, could we get a listen to the Gretsch Honey dipper please.
The green is like a patina, I like it.
That Swamp Dog looks killer!
Love watching this channels reviews. Can you please tell me what kind of strings one should use on a resonator? Say maybe medium acoustic strings? Thank you.
the wood body always sound warmer . great vid
Excellent presentation. Can you tell us what you’re doing with your right hand fingernails. Are you using a pick of sorts, or salon tips? Thanks, mate!
Dude. Your playing.. good lord. So good.
Great presenter, love the playing.
I had a swamp dog, They sound fine, My only complaint is the 12th octave fret sits almost on the body, So if you want to play in the next octave you cant.
Please make another video with the tri-cones and do some comparison stuff to the spider and biscuit bridge, love the sound of resonators
Wow....what a great sound!!!
Please do a shootout between these and the Gretsch resonators!!! I need one so bad!
What is the name of the song you played on the RC Maxwell? Great playing!
Great review, I was looking for a review like this. I liked that last 2 ones, the RRs. Besides the bodies and the briskets, are there other guitar settings that make the resonators unique? For instance, I hear a lot resonator players doing slide, are the strings more separated from the fret board than a regular acoustic guitar? Thank you for the review.
Fantastic playing!
Very good playing. Please make a lesson to learn how to play like you.
Hard to compare, played different music styles with and without slide? Do you know what delta blues sound like?
Hi y'all! What kind of slide is he using there? It looks like a Dunlop Blues bottle of sorts, but I can't quite tell. Sorry for the hyper-nerdy question, but I'd rather ask instead of sitting with this obsession fueled mystery.
Hi Ben, I thought that they would have been fitted with an output jack and have volume and tone. Maybe they have other models which do?. My dobro has them. They sound good.
I bought the RK rr 50 professional after watching this, and I love the sound, but I think I’m going to return it because of two major things. 1: the intonation is really far off at the 12th fret. To me it feels embarrassing for a pro model to be this far out. 2: the frets are a bit sharp and they’ve actually actually taken a small nick out of the skin on my finger. Is this a lemon or are they really just this bad? It’s hard cause I really like everything else about it. The sound is exactly what I want. Is this common for Recording King??
Is another difference that the rr36vs has got a wider neck width than the rr50vs?
What's lovely is the playing!
Thanks for a excellent review but you do not state if they come with a) A Hardcase b) Softcase or c) a professtional set up for slide??
Not sure about a case,but these were straight out of the box and were setup great for slide or standard playing. :-)
Could you fit a pickup in the 993 parlor model? If so any recommendations? Thanks
whitch is the best RK resonator model if just doing the occasional slides and not necessarily blues either , but finger-style play and want the warmer resonator tone (not nasal) ?‽❔❓🐊 🐸🍀
Can you tell me the rough decibel volume of the dirty thirties recording king. That's important info for me thanks. Or how does the volume compare to a non amped or auditorium guitar ? I play at metro stations in Taiwan on a banjo with noneoectrics allowed , i need it at least hitting 80 DB from about 1 meter ok F you then
Why did I watch this? Now I want one
Beaut playing!
More!
Nice guitars but maybe more of like a delta blues pre war pop instead a Martin D-28 is bluegrass
Someone else just took the words out of my mouth haha was just at a festival this past weekend with bluegrass music and every group had a Martin...I don't know that I even heard a resonator there to be honest.
Am I the only one a little bit disappointed we didn't get a snippet of romeo and Julie from dire straits? Doesn't have to be just the blues lol
i prefer the wooden body ones, they seem to have more warmth and depth to there sound, more human (thats the only word that feels right)
The last two seemed to sound a lot like the Curtis Loew
What kind slide being used
Delta Blues,... yes, bluegrass, but ... Delta Blues !!
I heard that they had issues with sharp frets.
8:32
You said "doodoo". 🤣
5:55 Holly molly man, I “ducking” forgot that song name...
He can play
What happened to the Rattlesnake?
Bbbbbaaaaad, bbbbbaaaaad to the bone!
How funny would it be iff after the playing it was actually Lee, they move up and you see the captains face 😂
What tuning is he playing the Maxwell Pro? Open G? Dobro tuning? Tks
I found on this and the last Acoustic video, the guitar level was way too low compared with the speech.
1:30 tell me you have a daughter without telling me you have a daughter
What tuning is it in ?
2:53 Open E
@@ImNotOld_ImVintage Thank you
Who knew?
If I wanted to learn slide guitar does anyone have any good tutorial books that I should check out. I am an intermediate guitar player but have never tackled slide/Bluegrass
The best way is to get it and play. If you tune it to open G all you need is 1 finger or slide across all or some strings and move it while strumming. And instead of making notes in between frets you make them on top of the frets. Incredibly intuitive. I promise just strumming you will quickly find you can make decent music without even trying.
@@michaelmoore7975 thank you that's great I will tune my acoustic and crack on
Loving the look and sound of the parlour. By the way, are you the same Ben Smith I saw as a disgustingly talented teenager occasionally playing at Bracknell Arts Centre?
I think we did a gig together at Royston Folk Club?
@@bensmithguitar We may well have done, though it would have been more than about 6 years ago. If you guys want somebody who specialises in playing a Reso ....