All three are excellent choices for any style and setting and set the PBS-D apart from other instruments on this list. The Epiphone Dobro Hound Dog is an excellent overall choice. This combination produces the sweet wood-and-metal tone that’s so ideal for Bluegrass steel playing. No, resonator guitars are not hard to play. A short scale length means a shorter neck with less space between frets. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. According to master resonator player Steve Dawson (4): The main thing about any of the resonator guitars is the tonality is so unique and cuts through a mix in a nice way. To maximize the tone and durability of your resonator, you need to purchase specially made resonator strings. The only thing that sets the Recording King Professional apart is the ebony fretboard and vintage sunburst finish. Despite being the smallest instrument on this list, a great spruce top, white wood back and sides, and nato neck with ivory binding combine to create a unique and iconic instrument. The G9220 Bobtail also features a laminated mahogany top, back, sides, and neck and comes with a padauk fretboard. The Rogue Classic Brass Body is for those looking for an all-brass version at a reasonable price. This is a great resonator that combines affordability and high sound quality as well as playability in order to achieve an amazing feat. The G9200 Bobtail still features Gretsch’s Ampli-Sonic diaphragm resonator spider cone, which provides an authentic and classic tone for many styles. Of course, all the hardware, like the cheap tuning machines, can always be upgraded later! A medium V neck is sharper than a C neck. While the guitar sounds better when played using the medium gauge strings, you can still achieve a deeper bass if you get heavier strings. The scale length essentially determines the length of the fretboard and the distance between frets. The RM-991 also features a Honduran mahogany square-neck with an ebony fretboard, giving warmth and depth to the brass body. The Epiphone Dobro stand as one of the best resonators with... 2) Regal RC-55 Metal Body Tricone Resophonic Guitar-Nickel Plated Brass. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use, Studio monitors are devices designed to give an accurate, unadulterated, and transparent v…, Loudspeakers, subwoofers, game consoles, computers, DVD/CD players, and TV’s are all compo…, A bookshelf speaker refers to a speaker made out of a case, driver and crossover network t…, As a guitarist, having an instrument you can travel with is a big advantage. A lipstick single-coil pickup combines with a cone-mounted piezo to deliver a multitude of amplified sonic textures. The RM-991 is made from nickel-plated brass and because of this is much louder acoustically than the other guitars on this list. Since the genre first came to be, it was characterized by riffs made on this very instrument. This guitar is perfect for a lap steel player that is interested in buying an instrument that has good style, sound, and quality. Each of these woods has a unique quality and timbre. Copyright 2018. This is a great resonator for a beginning player and awesome for casual use or as a backup on a gig. The laminated mahogany neck coupled with a high bone nut has 19 frets. These are important factors that will help you make a good choice in the end. The Danelectro’s double-cut body is adorned with a tone-enhancing diamond plate cover. The high-quality Grover Sta-Tite Die-cast and the bone nut mean the Bobtail will stay in tune and intonated well. International Shipping Eligible; Condition. As such, if you are struggling to pick the best resonator guitar, don’t sweat it. Your email address will not be published. This aluminum cone is hand-spun in Eastern Europe and kicks out an impressive level of volume and mesmerizing and rich midrange. Show only makers of specific products. Two rounded sound hole screens boost the style while simultaneously enhancing the instrument’s sustain. It sports a beautiful and natural mahogany finish. A dobro guitar is a sort of resonator guitar. Rogue is known for their entry-level instruments, so don’t expect professional-level quality. The G9220 Bobtail’s two-tone sunburst and vintage semi-gloss finish is the main thing that sets this instrument apart from its relative on the Gretsch line. The classic Danelectro double-cut body is perfect for players who are not attracted to a traditional resonator guitar’s generally bulky body. Some resonators, like a square neck resonator guitar, have such high action that you can only play them with a slide. This guitar is suitable for a beginner or intermediate guitarist. The Gretsch G9200 Bobtail is a quality intermediate-level instrument. A medium V mahogany neck with Gretsch’s vintage semi-gloss finish and a warm padauk fingerboard round out an extremely playable and fun instrument. Check out this video to hear the Epiphone Dobro Hound Dog in action: The Dobro Hound Dog comes equipped with a Fishman™ resonator pickup, providing robust and natural amplification that helps maintain its beautiful acoustic tone. If you want to get a precise and fast tuning, you can use the traditional 15:1 open back tuners. The round-shaped neck means that the Rogue Classic Spider can be held like a traditional acoustic guitar. If you plan to play mostly with a slide, then the number of frets is not as big of a concern because you are not depressing the string to produce pitches to begin with and can easily produce pitches the fretboard already. For example, brands may choose wood, metal, or other materials for the body. An exceptional instrument produced by musical legend Paul Beard, the Gold-Tone PBS-D square-neck resonator lives up to its name, providing fantastic sound quality and playability for a significant price. It has a Honduran mahogany neck coupled with a padauk fretboard with 19 frets. The Dirty 30’s traditional resonator sound emanates from a single, hand-spun 0 size European 9.5″ cone in a pedestal sound-well. Other brands to check out include the fender resonator guitar, the recording king resonator guitars, or the regal resonator guitar. The G9200 Boxcar is a faithful contemporary replica of a vintage classic. The Honey Dipper features a bell brass body for increased resonance, sustain and volume and the weathered finish gives it a classic and nostalgic look. This resonator is perfect if you are interested in a resonator that sounds and looks good for an affordable price. It Might Get Loud Blog. We have reviewed some of the best ones for you below. This guitar from Gretsch is perfect for both beginner and experienced players. However, if you will not be playing with a slide, then the number of frets is essential because this determines how the number of pitched notes available on the fretboard. These are popular due to a revival in jug bands, and the Do-It-Yourself culture. Not all resonators have pickups. Resonators are an iconic instrument in traditional Americana. Popular Brands; Fender Gibson Taylor Martin Ibanez Epiphone ... A resonator guitar works on a similar principle but includes one or more cones to amplify the sound level by transferring the vibration of the strings via the perforations in the cone and/or other sound holes in the guitar top. Are any brands missing from the list? Featuring an engraved two-toned body and eye-catching "F" soundholes, this guitar also includes a versatile electronics system, allowing you to effortlessly produce both … A resonator with an ebony fingerboard will play and feel different from a resonator with a rosewood fretboard. A few of the resonators listed above are not even made of wood! This instrument’s square-neck means it must be played with a slide. It also has a screen cover plate and a T-shape Bridge that have an ebony and maple saddle. Compared to traditional acoustic guitars, the material resonator guitar bodies are made out of has surprisingly little impact on their sound. It wasn’t an American thing. The guitar’s top is designed from a strong mahogany wood that is durable as well as the neck and body region. Very little EQ is needed if they are recorded right, and they cut nicely without taking up too much sonic space. Of course, the design is up to you and what pleases you. The choice of tonewoods, quality hardware, and the added Fishman pickup combined with Epiphone’s tradition of solid construction are a great value for the hobbyist and serious player alike. Gretsch is among the famous brands that is well-known and is reliable thanks to their high-end products. The fingerboard of this guitar is made from rosewood, and the truss rod has a classy bell cover that is adjustable. This is instrument has both a good finish and fit, is reliable and gives excellent performance. The design and number of resonator cones help determine the timbre and volume of the instrument.