Resonator Guitar

[mdrs]

As I mentioned on the Guitaraholic's Anonymous thread, I'm seriously researching vintage resonators.

 

Do any of you have any expertese with these?? Do any of you have one, or experience playing them?

 

What do I want? Wood body, or metal? Single cone, or Duolion, or tricone??

 

My understanding is that I'll want an old National of some kind. Is this your impression??

[Kramer Ferrington III.]

I have a plain old biscuit resonator (the Epi Biscuit) and it's a bit of a PITA, actually.

 

It has no bottom end whatsoever, which means it sounds kind of thin and tinny. Now... it cuts through other instruments in the most wonderful way, which is what it is meant to do, and it's LOUD, very loud. But it's not a particularly pleasant guitar to play on its own, due to the treblyness.

 

Tricones have a nicer, richer sound, but they're not as loud as single cones, which is what I have.

 

[mdrs]

I've heard that the tricones are richer tone wise, and not as loud, but that they sustain longer.

 

I'd be using it mostly at home, and HOPEFULLY for recording at home. So, just intuitively, I'm thinking tricone???

[Caevan O’Shite]

Well, as far as wood, metal, biscuit, spider, single, double, triple ( ), etc.... what tone and feel and vibe are you wanting in a resophonic?

 

You probably know more than I do about 'em overall, but obviously, there's no single type that's 'best', just different.

 

So far, I'm of the impression that I would like a biscuit-bridged/single-coned reso' with a wood body, pretty much of the Dobro persuasion; but many prefer other styles.

 

Since you mention considering an "old National", I presume that you aren't afraid to throw a sum of money at this (they ain't exactly cheap these days, are they?); if so, why not consider some of the newer specialty builders out there, perhaps even custom-ordered one?

[Kramer Ferrington III.]

why not consider some of the newer specialty builders out there, perhaps even custom-ordered one?

 

Like these guys in NZ! Clapton and Knopfler liked them...

 

http://www.beltona.net/index.htm

[mdrs]

I am a resonator nubie, but I really like the tone Clapton gets on the one he plays on "Walkin Blues" on his unplugged DVD. I believe that one is a Dobro.....it's got a wood body with two round sound holes, and the large round resonator.

 

I'm looking for something bluesy and soulful...not tinny or trebly. I don't need a loud one.

[Kramer Ferrington III.]

Well, I'd go for a tricone, in that case. And make sure it's a Spanish style one, not the square neck, unless that's what you want.

 

Any chance of a picture of Clapton's one? Sounds like it might be a tricone (the two smaller sound holes might be the other tweo cones)

[mdrs]

Well, I'd go for a tricone, in that case. And make sure it's a Spanish style one, not the square neck, unless that's what you want.

 

Any chance of a picture of Clapton's one? Sounds like it might be a tricone (the two smaller sound holes might be the other tweo cones)

 

Here it is;

 

http://www.12bar.de/gif/unplugged.jpg

 

The inlay on the fretboard is very elaborate.

[mdrs]

this is a bit better;

 

http://www.12bar.de/gif/walkingblues.jpg

[mdrs]

btw, if you can, listen to Clapton's "Walkin Blues" off of his Unplugged DVD. It's just him on this Dobro (??), and it is scarry low down, make your hair on the back of your neck stand up GOOD!!

[mdrs]

here's another view;

 

http://www.agpix.com/catalog/AGPix_bailey502/large/AGPix_bailey502_0027_Lg.jpg

[Rhino Madness]

btw, if you can, listen to Clapton's "Walkin Blues" off of his Unplugged DVD. It's just him on this Dobro (??), and it is scarry low down, make your hair on the back of your neck stand up GOOD!!

Here it is on

.

[Kramer Ferrington III.]

I'm trying to find some info. But there's a useful article here.

 

http://www.michaelmesser.co.uk/RESONATOR%20GUITARS%20INTRODUCTION.htm

 

And trust Wiki to have a decent article too.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobro

 

Personally, I think the guitar Clapton's playing is a tricone, but if you're going to buy one, you should definitely get a second opinion!

[Trucks]

I aint no expert,

and my heads full of cold,

but that there lil reso,

looks not that mighty old,

looks a little likes a single,

single coned spider,

but hey man, dont quote me,

or take on no bets now,

coz I aint got a dollar,

to buy me a clue.

 

I love these, http://www.nationalguitars.com/lo_band/model_d_western.html

 

They are available in round neck also, if you get the chance to try one out, go for it. :-)

 

Hasn't Ellwood got a clip of his National on his soundclick somewhere??

 

 

[Dr. Ellwood]

Here's one clip with my Dobro over a backing track: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=372411&songID=4518998

 

But it's not a National, it's a Dobro brand trademark by Gibson: http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/ellwood1/Dobro-1.jpg

[mdrs]

Lee....is that Dobro of yours got a pickup? Or, did you mic it for that clip??

 

 

[Dr. Ellwood]

That was miked with a SM57 Doc.

[mdrs]

btw, if you can, listen to Clapton's "Walkin Blues" off of his Unplugged DVD. It's just him on this Dobro (??), and it is scarry low down, make your hair on the back of your neck stand up GOOD!!

Here it is on

.

 

Thank you, Rhino!! That may be a National Resophonic Model D, or at least that style???? I can't tell if it's old or new.

 

http://www.nationalguitars.com/lo_band/model_d.html

 

I really like the tone he's getting there....that's what I'm after....warmer, and low down bluesy.....

 

 

[Darcy H]

I've been shopping for one as well, great thread!

[mdrs]

While I have yet to play either, I'm focusing in on the following two;

 

The National Reso-phonic Model D(check out the sound clip);

 

http://www.nationalguitars.com/lo_band/model_d.html

 

The National Reso-phonic Tricone Vintage Steel;

 

http://www.nationalguitars.com/lo_band/tricone_vintage_steel.html

 

I have some inquiries out about these two. I NEED to play each before I can really tell which is for me. I'd also really like to get a vintage one, and have inquiries out about vintage models as well.

 

We need more imput here. Aren't there any other resonator players out there???

[Caevan O’Shite]

"Ricochet" (another Doc, too! ) used to hang here, and he was BIG into resophonics and slide and Open- 'n' Alternate-tunings and all; IIRC, he's either a moderator or a major contributor to another forum (or sub-forum, somewheres) that focuses on slide and alternate tunings and the like. (I'd like to add that he's a Hell of a great guy all-around, friendly and knowledgeable.)

 

See if you can't find some old posts of his on this forum (hmmn, we don't have a directory here anymore, do we? Or do we?), whilst I try to figure out what 'n' where that forum was. It would be a gold-mine for ya, mdrs, even to browse through, let alone to pump those folks for their input on this...

 

EDIT: Here ya go- Guitar Noise Forums - Slide & Alternate Tunings Forum

 

OK, this looks pretty interesting, too: Planet Dobro | The Slide Guitar Page

[mdrs]

Thanks, Cav.

 

I, er, "met" Ricochet when I first arrived here.

 

I posted a request for info on how to "modify" a Leslie speaker cab I'd obtained, in order to use it for guitar. Instead of just telling me I didn't have to, or should not modify, he and a couple of others sort of "ganged up" on me. It was sort of sneeky, with them talkin about me on other forum sites, etc.. But, I got over it!!! LOL

 

Yea, I haven't seen him around in a while. But, I'd be happy to have his imput here, that's for sure.

[Caevan O’Shite]

Hmmmnn, that's weird! I'm sorry to read of that... I can only chalk it up to the fact that not everybody's going to get along all the time, and that includes plenty of people I know or am acquainted with, no matter how I may or may not get along with them... know what I mean?

 

Hmmmnn... while we're at it, would you be so kind as to tell me EVERYTHING you know about real, live Leslies and teir being used for guitar? I'll start another thread for ya to reply on...

 

(Please note the links I threw up on my previous post for ya...)

[Dr. Ellwood]

DOH!!! I dunno!!....I just let my keyboard player plug in my guitar and it works LOL!!

[Caevan O’Shite]

Hahhahhahhah!

[Caevan O’Shite]

Just in case you didn't see my edit above...

 

Here ya go- Guitar Noise Forums - Slide & Alternate Tunings Forum

 

OK, this looks pretty interesting, too: Planet Dobro | The Slide Guitar Page (lots of further links)

[bbqbob]

How are the Fender resonator guitars? Haven't played one, no one seems to have one in stock for me to play. Price seems reasonable.

[mdrs]

Cav....as for richochet, he probably just saw that I was new here, and thought I was about to do a hachet job on a lovely old Leslie!! LOL

 

I do have some info re: Leslie's. They are one of the coolest music amplification contraptions I've encountered. I dig some out, and post.

 

And, thank you for the links. I've saved them, and will check them out.

 

Dr. Ellwood.....you are SO LUCKY to have an acomplished keys guy who plays a Hammond thru a Leslie!! I've never had the opportunity to play with a B3 thru Leslie guy in the flesh...but, I'd love to...what a lovely sound. And, the fact that you have it on stage each week to play thru!!! That must be heaven.

 

Do you play Badge thru it?? What other songs do you play thru it?? And, does your keyboard guy charge you rent to play thru his Leslie?? LOL

[Dr. Ellwood]

Right Doc although we don't play Badge very often, but just allot of Hendrix and Trower mostly. he as two of these one on each side of the stage, he switches me into them from his console. I've got a UltraVibe on my peddle board but it's nothing like using these..

 

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b48/ellwood1/hammondxk3082101rear.jpg

 

 

[Caevan O’Shite]

Oh, man, if you've got a real Leslie at your disposal, any and every excuse to play "Badge" must be pounced upon, while any reason not to should be responded to... by playing "Badge" yet again!

 

Followed, of course, by "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", never mind that it wasn't done with a Leslie (it was tape-reel manipulation, not too different from flanging)...