Resonators!

[WingedWords]

I've never bought direct from the States - no idea how well that works. But yes, I see your point!! Thanks very much for coming back - really appreciate it.

I've bought from the States, but only new and pre-Brexit. Once from a reputable dealer (Elderly Instruments) and twice from builders direct so the instruments started their journey in mint condition, were very well packed and arrived safely. Buying a 90 year old resonator is a bit of a gamble at the best of times though.
As far as import procedures go, it was straightforward but added around 1/3rd to the cost. Add on carriage costs, customs clearance fees and then VAT on the whole lot. How Brexit has affected the process and whether the procedure is different for used instruments I'm afraid I don't know.

If the Heathfield guitar was cheap it might be worth a look, if you have a decent repairer who knows about resonators on speed dial. But I'm dubious.

If you want a gap filling resonator, look here

Michael Messer - About MM Guitars

About MM Guitars. Michael Messer, a blues artist

www.michaelmesser.co.uk

Very reliable and well set up instruments.

Or talk to James at

James' Home of Tone

A boutique specialist guitar, parts & accessories store who are UK Distributor for McNelly Pickups and a main UK dealer for Jennings Guitars, Millimetric Instruments, Mother Mary Co Straps, Ground Control Audio, Yellowcake effects and many more! Also maker of our own series of pre-wired guitar...

www.homeoftone.co.uk

He got me my Royall and set it up very well.

 

[WingedWords]

Any takers?

Fender unveils 2022 Custom Shop Masterbuilt Prestige and limited-edition Annual Collection models;
View attachment 963950

Makes a $4k Mule Mavis suddenly look affordable..

MAVIS

Handmade Steel Custom Resonator Guitars

www.muleresophonic.com

 

[KeithDavies 100]

I've bought from the States, but only new and pre-Brexit. Once from a reputable dealer (Elderly Instruments) and twice from builders direct so the instruments started their journey in mint condition, were very well packed and arrived safely. Buying a 90 year old resonator is a bit of a gamble at the best of times though.
As far as import procedures go, it was straightforward but added around 1/3rd to the cost. Add on carriage costs, customs clearance fees and then VAT on the whole lot. How Brexit has affected the process and whether the procedure is different for used instruments I'm afraid I don't know.

If the Heathfield guitar was cheap it might be worth a look, if you have a decent repairer who knows about resonators on speed dial. But I'm dubious.

If you want a gap filling resonator, look here

Michael Messer - About MM Guitars

About MM Guitars. Michael Messer, a blues artist

www.michaelmesser.co.uk

Very reliable and well set up instruments.

Or talk to James at

James' Home of Tone

A boutique specialist guitar, parts & accessories store who are UK Distributor for McNelly Pickups and a main UK dealer for Jennings Guitars, Millimetric Instruments, Mother Mary Co Straps, Ground Control Audio, Yellowcake effects and many more! Also maker of our own series of pre-wired guitar...

www.homeoftone.co.uk

He got me my Royall and set it up very well.

Oh, that's great - thanks very much - both for the import advice and the links. Wasn't familiar with either of them. Much appreciated.

 

[WingedWords]

Oh, that's great - thanks very much - both for the import advice and the links. Wasn't familiar with either of them. Much appreciated.

Budget resonators get varied opinions if you read through this thread. I've been fairly happy with a Gretsch Alligator and very happy with a Michael Messer and a Royall.

I totally understand the appeal of a pre-war resonator. So far I've resisted it, basically because I don't know enough about them to avoid being ripped off. I had my fingers very slightly scorched in the vintage market by an ES125 from a very reputable dealer, so I'm very wary. Though the experience ended well thanks to a good repair man. Olly Neale in Norwich. I think he'd be fine with a resonator and if not, he'd tell you.

Good luck filling that resonator gap and keep us informed!

 

[WingedWords]

Not really a lesson, but some interesting thoughts.

Can anyone clarify to me the technique he talks about at 9min15sec of fretting behind the slide to get a minor chord? As far as I understand it, he's got the slide across all 6 strings lightly enough to allow the first string fretted between the slide and the nut to sound. I've been trying it and it might be just about doable, but I'm not totally convinced I've understood him right.

 

[KeithDavies 100]

Can anyone clarify to me the technique he talks about at 9min15sec of fretting behind the slide to get a minor chord? As far as I understand it, he's got the slide across all 6 strings lightly enough to allow the first string fretted between the slide and the nut to sound. I've been trying it and it might be just about doable, but I'm not totally convinced I've understood him right.

I think you have understood it. It is tricky though! If you watch Sonny Landreth, you'll see his fingers fretting behind the slide all over the place. It's quite intimidating!!

 

[Flaneur]

Can anyone clarify to me the technique he talks about at 9min15sec of fretting behind the slide to get a minor chord? As far as I understand it, he's got the slide across all 6 strings lightly enough to allow the first string fretted between the slide and the nut to sound. I've been trying it and it might be just about doable, but I'm not totally convinced I've understood him right.

Yep, that's it. It's easier, with a high action and strong fingers, otherwise, it'll just rattle like crazy. Tuning to minor chord, will give you a similarly mournful vibe.

 

[Flaneur]

- and when I say 'a high action'.......

 

[KeithDavies 100]

- and when I say 'a high action'.......

View attachment 964152

Do you get intonation issues with it that high, or does it all just meld into the vibe?

 

[Flaneur]

Do you get intonation issues with it that high, or does it all just meld into the vibe?

It's always a compromise, with so little adjustment available. I fret a lot of notes- but nothing, other than the slide, at the dusty end......

 

[Flaneur]

- and I use really heavy strings, often tune down a step or more and capo a lot- so the action is a moveable feast.

 

[KeithDavies 100]

- and I use really heavy strings, often tune down a step or more and capo a lot- so the action is a moveable feast.

How heavy is "really heavy"? I had 14s on my resonator when I last had one, tuned to open D. Of course, I'm a southern wuss so...

 

[WingedWords]

Thanks both. Some new tricks for this old dog to try. (Actually still a young puppy in slide experience.)

 

[Flaneur]

How heavy is "really heavy"? I had 14s on my resonator when I last had one, tuned to open D. Of course, I'm a southern wuss so...

I have a 16-59 set, on one guitar and a 17-56 set, on another. A modern National neck is like a tree trunk- but I would use much lighter strings on smaller necks, with smaller profiles, or on vintage guitars. My Hound Dog Dobro has a 12-54 set and I'm very careful, when choosing tunings for that one. A friend of mine uses similar gauges, on his '28 Duolian.

You don't need Northern Superhands, to play 17-56s, a step or two down. Think of it like shredders, playing baritone electric guitars, with 13-72 sets.
Newtone do a custom Dave Arcari set, of 17-56s, which are great, for enthusiastic play, in G tunings. I'd go a bit lighter, for E/D type tunings.
With something unyeilding, like a lapsteel, the first you know you're using the wrong strings, is when you try to tune them up and a couple break, straight away. On a good Reso, you could easily strain and possibly damage the neck, before realising your mistake. Don't ask me, how I know......

 

[KeithDavies 100]

I have a 16-59 set, on one guitar and a 17-56 set, on another. A modern National neck is like a tree trunk- but I would use much lighter strings on smaller necks, with smaller profiles, or on vintage guitars. My Hound Dog Dobro has a 12-54 set and I'm very careful, when choosing tunings for that one. A friend of mine uses similar gauges, on his '28 Duolian.

You don't need Northern Superhands, to play 17-56s, a step or two down. Think of it like shredders, playing baritone electric guitars, with 13-72 sets.
Newtone do a custom Dave Arcari set, of 17-56s, which are great, for enthusiastic play, in G tunings. I'd go a bit lighter, for E/D type tunings.
With something unyeilding, like a lapsteel, the first you know you're using the wrong strings, is when you try to tune them up and a couple break, straight away. On a good Reso, you could easily strain and possibly damage the neck, before realising your mistake. Don't ask me, how I know......

Wow. All really useful for when I get one again. Thanks for all that. Happy picking!

 

[Wildeman]

Sorry if this is a bit impertinent, but I'm looking at a resonator on ebay here in the UK. It looks like a very scruffy version of your 1934. A Dobro Model 19 maybe? Would welcome any thoughts you have, based on the photos, if you're minded. No offence taken if you're not interested. Link below...

U.S.A DOBRO / RESONATOR, EARLY 20th CENTURY,STUNNING TONE PURE - DUST BOWL ERA | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for U.S.A DOBRO / RESONATOR, EARLY 20th CENTURY,STUNNING TONE PURE - DUST BOWL ERA at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Any other resonator aficionados want to wade in, it would be much appreciated, though I'm also conscious I don't want to hijack the thread.

1200 quid seems mighty stout for that thing, for that kinda money I'd be after a much nicer one or a better model. That said, I'm in America and assume there's alot more of them around here to choose from. What about a brand new Micheal Messer or something like that?

 

[KeithDavies 100]

Yes, that seems to be the consensus! I emailed with some queries about it and the response was pretty much a one-line take-it-or-leave-it response, so I left it. I hadn't heard of Michael Messer but someone above mentioned them so I've had a look and may very well go down that route. We're in rented accommodation at present - between houses - and most of my stuff is in store, so buying another guitar right now is difficult to justify. (Then again, that's never stopped me previously...!) You're right that older, US-made resonators appear to be much more rare here, and therefore carry a significantly higher price tag. This one, though, does look excessive. Interestingly, in the last day or so another has appeared on UK ebay, similar vintage, apparently much better condition, for about £200 less.

 

[Wildeman]

New Johnson Tricone, got this one locally for a great deal and its a good'un. I already have a nice Republic Tri but i want two so i can have one with a high nut in A Hawaiian and one for regular/bottleneck stuff.

ideally i would have a vintage square neck Tricone for Hawaiian style but one hasn't presented itself at the right time yet. Its cool though, I'm happy to have the one's i have, we live in a great time for reso's, when i first started wanting one they were nearly impossible to find, i had no car, there was no internet, i had a phone book! I found one place that had new OMI's and got a ride and put a Original Hound Dog on layaway, something like $600.00 with a case, it was the first one i ever saw, two years later i bought my National Duolian over the phone with a borrowed credit card from a VG ad, times have changed but i kind of miss the adventure.

 

[Wildeman]

New old one on its way to me, got it as a cheap fixer upper, and i do mean cheap! Hope i don't need to post it in the turd thread when it arrives
Looks pretty cool in the pics....

 

[WingedWords]

Tractor watching is very much in the news here in the UK, so this is quite topical.