Resonator Guitars: National, Republic or Hot Rod

[SouthernSounds]

Hello Folks:

Although I know this is not the right forum, I write these lines in order to see if some fellow LTGer has tested some of the Republic or the Hot Rod guitars and can make a comparison between those and the National ones.

I have a Tricone fever since a while ago and I really want to buy one. The problem, as you may guess, is money. I would really like to own a NRP or an old National, but I've never seen a great deal on that kind of guitars. So my real choice would be between a Hot Rod and a Republic. I tend to choose a Hot Rod, but before I do something, I would like to have some opinions about all of this.

Thanks in advance!

All the best,
B.

 

[fronobulax]

Hello Folks:

Although I know this is not the right forum, I write these lines in order to see if some fellow LTGer has tested some of the Republic or the Hot Rod guitars and can make a comparison between those and the National ones.

I have a Tricone fever since a while ago and I really want to buy one. The problem, as you may guess, is money. I would really like to own a NRP or an old National, but I've never seen a great deal on that kind of guitars. So my real choice would be between a Hot Rod and a Republic. I tend to choose a Hot Rod, but before I do something, I would like to have some opinions about all of this.

Thanks in advance!

All the best,
B.

What? A Guild is not an option?

(Can't offer you a knowledgeable opinion).

 

[SouthernSounds]

What? A Guild is not an option?

(Can't offer you a knowledgeable opinion).

Well Frono, I'm in love with the metal body guitars, so a Guild is not an option. And, that price, for me, it's a little prohibitive.

Anyway, thank you!

All the best,
B.

 

[Dadaist]

I've got a little experience with resonators, as I've played most of them that are on the Market. Some of the imports are a fine value for the money and with a replacement cone (on a Style "O") made to sound remarkable good. The caveat is that in the long run, it just depends on rationalizing to no one in particular why you need one of these metal bodied jewels in the first place.

Here's the Style EN, National I owned for a bit. German Silver over Brass with an Ebony fretboard on a 'Hog neck.

You're going to get different tones from different styles, as a Tricone will give you a smooth, more refined tone, than a Singlecone, which I always thought gave a rawer, bluesy feel and tone. You planning on playing slide?

The biggest difference between the imports, that includes the Hot Rod, Republic, and a number of others and a National is the materials, attention to detail....and the most important aspect, ...the tone. But...you're paying a lot for all of that and if you just want to play around and not want to invest a lot...get a $500 Republic. That said, there's nothing like a nice National, as it has a direct lineage to John Doperya's original guitars from the 1930s.

David

 

[SouthernSounds]

That said, there's nothing like a nice National, as it has a direct lineage to John Doperya's original guitars from the 1930s.David

Well David, as always, your thoughts are more than welcome.

As I said, I would really like to own a National, NRP or an old one, but I've been unable to find a deal on them & this Tricone Fever is getting worst and worst (John Hammond Jr., lastly, has contributed to that. But Bob Brozman or Little Toby Walker are the others, including guys like Son House, that have created this disease), so a Hot Rod is a pretty good alternative, I think: Lenny is concerned about give the last touches to their imports in order to have them buzz & rattles-free. And I know, nothing is a like a real National, but I've been waiting for a long long time, money is short and I really want to get one :roll: :shock: And yes, I'm planning to play slide. So...

Have you played a Hot Rod, David?

All the best,
B.

P.S. What a beauty you used to have, eh...

 

[Dadaist]

I played my first one, a '30s Style "O", back in the late '60s, and as I remember you could pick them up for a few hundred.....like anything considered Vintage now, they were just "...old, used guitars", and nobody really wanted them. I even had sets of original National Fingerpicks, in a vain attempt to try use them to get that metal "attack", but I never could and they ended up long gone in a drawer at my parents house. Probably worth something now wherever they are!

Love the Tricones....the tone...and because they resemble, tiny Chrysler Buildings...I'd buy another just to look at it. I haven't played a Hot Rod, but I've played a lot of Republics; CA Vintage Guitars, nearby, is a Dealer....as well as being a National Dealer. I got to A-B both brands. And yeah, the National wins,...but it's also over five times as much.

About a year ago, I missed one that appeared one morning on Craigslist, and was gone in an hour. Some guy up in Santa Barbara, CA had a 2000 NRP, Style 2, Tricone....for $1k with case and case candy. Just wanted to sell it and needed the money. Ouch!

Play the Hot Rod against a Republic.....if you can. Look at it this way, buy what you can afford now, and if you become a Slide Prodigy (you might be one now?) get a National, something with etched Chrysanthemums over German Silver, and channel the Guy in the Beret....
David

 

[SouthernSounds]

Play the Hot Rod against a Republic...

I wish I could, David but here in Chile it's a little bit difficult ... Following that logic is why I think Lenny (Hot Rod), could be a good choice, because he seems to be quite concerned about giving you a good service/product.

Someday, maybe, you'll hear from me. Someday, someday :roll: Not sure, if like Tampa, but who knows...

A hug & All the best, David.
B.