What can you tell me about the resonators?

[Jeff Haddad]

While poking around the Guild website, I saw the resonators listed - specifically the round-neck R 30. Looks cool, has a National biscuit bridge and National cone.

Has anybody had a chance to play/buy one? Might want to put that on my want list (it never ends, does it?) Although I promised my wife I'd get a Style 3 National sometime because of the Lily engraving.

 

[Dadaist]

Jeff,
Having owned a National Resophonic Style EN, (singlecone, biscuit bridge) all I an say is play several or as many as you can before you pull the trigger on one. There's a National Dealer not too far from Me and I would periodically, spend several hours playing all their Nationals to talk myself out of owning one. I really liked a Style 1 or 2 Tricone which sounded a little more refined with a different sustain, especially when played fingerstyle. The Singlecones had more of a 'bite'.

I've not had a chance to play one of Guilds Resonators yet, but I have played Nationals Estralita. Different enough from the metal bodied guitars to be noticeable.

Another suggestion, is to listen to the various artists that use or used the different types. Tampa Red played a Tricone, Blind Boy Fuller a Singlecone. Some of my fascination with Tricones goes back fifty years, when I was just learning the guitar and I saw my first one......I still might get one for no other reason than to own the essence of the Chrysler Building in miniature.

David

 

[fronobulax]

There was a thread on the resonators when they were first announced but I don't think anyone had played them at the time. They were making some at LMG III but i can't say I was paying close attention except I remember that the basket is different between some of the models.

 

[Jeff Haddad]

Thanks for the tips, David. The Style EN is beautiful! I actually own a modern National Style O and a modern steel body tricone. I used to have a Delphi (modern Triolian) which I sold. I agree, they all have a different sound with the tricone being a little more refined and maybe mid-rangey. The style O is too pretty to play (!) - it really smudges easily. The Delphi was clangy and brash - I shouldn't have sold it.

I've heard wood-body Nationals and they are a little mellower; being a Guild fan the R30 intrigued me.

For a modern resonator player, check out Paul Rishell. Also, Kelly Joe Phelps plays a National on some tunes on his newest recording.

Paul Rishell "Canned Heat Blues":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JVQVvevSeY

Paul Rishell " Louise"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnFXcooulNs

Kelly Joe Phelps "Spit Me Outta the Whale" WARNING - you may not want to ever play guitar again after hearing this, he's that good
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGj4wK1RkUQ

 

[SouthernSounds]

Kelly Joe Phelps "Spit Me Outta the Whale" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGj4wK1RkUQ

Thanks for reviving my Resonator Fever, Jeff. I thought I had it under control :roll: :lol:

Nice vid, BTW. Thank you!

All the best,
B.

 

[Bill Ashton]

While we were at the factory during LMG III, there were quite a few of the new resonators present, all but one that I saw appeared to have "square necks" which I presumed were for dobro-slide type playing. There was only one standard neck style I saw, in the final finishing room (where they put strings on, adjust action and the like). It was while I was looking through those that I stumbled upon the little Fender Newporter...

 

[SFIV1967]

Jeff: Here are a couple of the links Frono mentioned.
They were introduced at NAMM this year already. viewtopic.php?f=5&t=29786
We had discussed them a few times, one example here: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=31428
The last time we discussed was this: http://www.letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/vie ... 15&t=32994
Nobody disclosed so far that he actually played one and I don't know a owner at LTG yet.
Ralf

 

[Jeff Haddad]

Oh - acoustics are usually off my radar so I missed them.

 

[satts]

Check out resonator forum: "Resonation". It's all there