Sound

This guitar has a true clean sound. The upper two strings sing like a bell, the middle two are crisp and loud, and the bass roars. I have never played a reso with such sustain as this guitar has. It can hold it's own in a jam session. It is picked up well over a microphone also.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

A beautiful piece of work! The curly mahogany has a high deep gloss finish which enhances the grain of the wood. The "snowflake" fret markers and the maple frets add to the appearance of the fretboard. The tuners and other metal parts shine. The poinsettia cover plate adds a lot to the overall look.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

Phil is a great guy to work with during the building process. He kept me informed throughout and asked my opinion on several aspects during construction. He made sure I was getting exactly what I wanted. Any question I had, he answered with no problem.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

I could not have designed a better reso for my style of playing. It has met and exceeded my expectations. I would recommend Mastereso Guitars to any player either new or seasoned. Great job Phil!

Overall Rating

10

Sound

I play in church and around the house. The type of music is bluegrass to country. This guitar is loud and very bassy. I have recorded in a studio with it and it has a nice warm presence with clear mids and highs. I chose East indian rosewood and sitka because I wanted to play unplugged and be heard as back up to a singer.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

The appearance was very good. I had a semi satin finish on it with maple binding. There are no inlays beside the fret markers. All the metal hardware came shining like a new dime.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

Phil is a pleasure to work with. He assured me that he stands behind his product and has never turned my questions away.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

I am well pleased with my reso. I would have no problem trusting Phil with a future build and I might just do that.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

Sounds great for the price. Really couldnt believe it. I play mainly bluegrass and I am just starting the dobro, I picked this up to see if I could do something with it. Something was rattling inside or on the cover, couldnt tell

Sound Rating

6

Appearance

I was very pleased with the look of this guitar, finish was great. The burst is a little cheasy, but still looks good. The mahogany veneer is beautifull. Tuners look really cheap, but seem to stay in tune

Appearance Rating

7

Customer Service

not sure, Musicians Friend is pretty good about service from my experience

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

I bought this guitar and played it for about a month until I decided that upgrading would not be worth it. It feels cheap and I was always thinking about it's shortcomings. The nut is not the standard height, rim that cone sits on was crooked, A proper setup was going to cost me like $150 bucks - i decided to return it and I am now waiting on a Redline Rambler - Made in USA. I also tried a Gold Tone PBSM, but it did not have the beard setup, I wasnt too impressed with the sound for 975 bucks. Bottom line - for 200 bucks, it is an amazing deal and for a couple hundred more, you could have a nice guitar with a proper setup.

Overall Rating

8

Sound

The mohogany has the warmest sound and the Maple is much brighter. They both have great tone and sound and are loud enough in a jam. The Maple is the loudest.

Sound Rating

9

Appearance

All TTT and TTV's are easy on the eyes from the factory and the craftsmanship is is very good from Crafters.

Appearance Rating

9

Customer Service

Mark Crafter has always been helpful

Customer Service

8

Overall Comments

Overall for the money they are the best buy out there. They have the old sound which some people prefer and some don't. They do have a lower resale when used, which makes them a good bargain.

Overall Rating

9

Sound

I dont know if its the best for bluegrass,but it is very bright and full sounding.
I am very pleased with the sound and tonal quality.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

Its the most beautiful guitar i own.
Mahogany laminated,glossy finish.Finish work is with no imperfections!
reso was spotless!! Elderly handles the instruments well.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

ordered it via internet on sunday shipped tuesday from michigan, arrived to me friday.
didnt have to speak to them,i order it online and they shipped it fast. just the way i like it.
Eldery seems to be a stand up company +1 btw they have there pbs gold tone SETUP BY BEARD GUITARS!!!

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

good

Overall Rating

10

Sound

Bear in mind, this is the least expensive reso available...
I play gospel bluegrass.
The Rogue is louder than many more expensive instruments. Tone is very good, did I say loud?!
I use a condenser mike (Nady CM-90) over the resonator, with the instrument on a Morell "dobro" stand, as I also play banjo.
Expressive - responds well to pick and bar. Good thing, since I cannot "work the mike" with this setup.

Sound Rating

9

Appearance

Black laminate body, plastic off white ivory binding, chrome hardware -reso cover is tarnished from play.
Looks good under lights, if you don't look too close!

Appearance Rating

8

Customer Service

Sent the first one back with a broken tailpiece; MF replaced the instrument no questions asked.
When the second tailpiece broke, I decided it was more time and cost effective to fix it myself. Had fun doing it!

Customer Service

9

Overall Comments

If you are reasonably competent doing your own repairs and setup, the Rogue is a great value, even at the current $199.99 price.
I learned a great deal by DIY Rogue repairs.
The end result is better than most middle-of-the-road instruments.

If you pay someone else to change your strings, it's not the instrument for you.

Overall Rating

8

Sound

Well, let's review this as post set up. Sound is full and rich, not a cannon in volume tho. Pleasant would be a good adjetive to describe the tone.

Sound Rating

8

Appearance

Has some nice flame under that matt finish. Will buff out to a nicer sheen. Inlay dots look more like plastic than pearl. But it is a pretty guitar all in all

Appearance Rating

7

Customer Service

N/A...but a nice well thought out web site

Customer Service

5

Overall Comments

Over all, for the money, it was exactly what I was looking for. A workhorse. I gig out at least 4-6 hours a week, sometime up to 12, often in tight spaces. Can get a little rough out there and this thing is built like a Russsian T-72.

Overall Rating

8

Sound

Hard to find the words. It's as loud and resonant as you'd expect from a modern large body guitar, but the way it's controlled is amazing. It's got the sweet, refined clarity of a small body guitar, but with that volume and punch of a large body guitar. I think it's the perfect combination.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

It's the red sunset model with the lotus cover plate. Construction is great and the detail work (binding, inlay etc) flawless. My only criticism is with the finish. I may be nit picking, but I wasn't expecting to see sanding marks to the extent I'm seeing on a top end instrument. Also there appears to be a slight reaction over the dark parts of the burst.

10 out of 10 for everything except the finish.

Appearance Rating

6

Customer Service

Customer service was great. Both Chet and Howard are top guys to work with.

Customer Service

9

Overall Comments

Just about the best sounding guitar you'll ever hear, regardless of price.

Overall Rating

9

Sound

Sounds great. Good volume, good balance, good clarity.

Sound Rating

8

Appearance

Great looking, really good finish.

Appearance Rating

8

Customer Service

Nice company to deal with, but as you'd expect over here not much knowledge on resonators.

Customer Service

7

Overall Comments

Really great, well designed guitars. For a beginner or occasional player there is nothing better. Period.

The most important thing I will say in this review is that if you’re outside of America don't bother buying one local, go direct to Beard or a US store that carries the Beard set-up ones

Overall Rating

8

Sound

A bit disappointing. Duller, quieter and not as resonant as I was expecting.

Sound Rating

6

Appearance

Best build quality I've seen on an instrument of this price. Better that some a lot more expensive too.

Appearance Rating

9

Customer Service

Rob was great to deal with. Flawless service

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

Everything about this guitar is great, except the sound, which is average at best. It's not surprising that almost everyone who buys one has it re-setup, after which it's absolutely great.

Overall Rating

7

Sound

Very loud projection, beautiful tone. Mic it with a Kel condenser, and it sounds like a very expensive aqll wood model. Rich sound.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

Maple "coffee" appearance. Very nice looking body. Hard to believe it is not solid wood. Has the MOP inlays

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

Asked Beard about these guitars. Very responsive and helpful

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

Could not be happier with this purchase. Although new to reso, I know guitars and this is a solid instrument, especially for the price.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

IT HAS A FULL SOUND TOP TO BOTTOM.EASY TO PLAY,NO PROBLEMS. SOUNDS AS GOOD AS SOME COSTING 2 TO 4 TIMES THE PRICE.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

NATURAL WOOD COLOR.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

Customer Service

not rated

Overall Comments

I WILL KEEP THIS ONE WHEN I UPGRADE.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

Strong clear mids and lows, sweet highs giving it a warm sound without sounding dark. Volume is strong. Does not cut quite as well as my maple Clinesmith in a loud BG jam, but it will hold it's own. It will excel in a recording or performance situation.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

Curly claro walnut back/sides with spruce top. Curly maple binding. Mahogany neck. Gloss poly finish. The Odyssey is a bit non-traditional looking with the single sound hole and Solar coverplate.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

I visited the Beard shop in Hagerstown, MD when I purchased the guitar. Paul spent the afternoon with my wife and I, showing us the shop, talking guitars, and letting me play everything in the shop. The guitar comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

Great sound, superior materials, excellent workmanship and customer service. Did I mention that I like this guitar?

Overall Rating

10

Sound

this dobro is awesome!!! I really love the tonal quality and chop.
It has a crisp clear sound except for the middle G sting Has a tiny buzz but I think that might be just because the strings haven't been changed in a while. It is very loud. I like it for playing Jerry Douglas style. If anyone is looking for a instrument of almost any type, I would recomend contacting Dobie at FaithRidge.com

Sound Rating

9

Appearance

It is a beautiful instrument. the inlay is very well placed and makes it look so awesome! The wood is almost a dark mahogony color. The finish is very smooth and brings out the color. The only small problem I have with the appearence is that one of the covers on a sound cone is dented.

Appearance Rating

8

Customer Service

Customer Service

not rated

Overall Comments

AWESOME!!!

Overall Rating

9

Sound

This is definitely the bluesy tone I was looking for. For finger picking that old delta stuff and occasionally running a slide on it, this is a good deal for the porch. That said, I was surprised by how accurate the built in single coil pickup is. No hum, super clean, and accurately reproduces the resonator tone. I was concerned that it would end up sounding like an electric guitar, but no...it's all 'cone'. The biscuit bridge is nice and punchy and I didn't realize how loud it was until I let someone else play it...wow! There isn't a whole lot of things you can do to change the overall tone of the guitar...it is what it is. Not that it's a bad thing.

That said, now having had this guitar for a couple of days now and clowning some more with it, I have to say it blows my doors off. Last night I plugged into a '64 Fender Deluxe Reverb I have sitting here. With the vibrato going and some deep reverb..well, holy smokes!! It got so swampy I almost had to go get my waders! Nice deep bass, ringing highs..wowee!

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

It's certainly odd. Flat black? Yeah, flat back. Yet with the ultra polished resonator and pickup, it's working for me. The flat finish on the back of the neck is something I have to get used to, but it sure is fun trying! This thing showed up in terrific condition. No dings, scratches, anything. It's a very 'no frills' looking guitar as it was intended to be....very swampy.

Appearance Rating

9

Customer Service

Customer Service

9

Overall Comments

An awesome unit for banging out the blues and getting the dogs to howl...can't wait for the gig this weekend!

Overall Rating

10

Sound

only a beginner - bluegrass, gospel, old country
fits all genres well.
loud

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

beautifulllllllllllllllllllllll
mahogany with maple binding
fit and finish superb

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

folks at Beard are extremely friendly and helpful. Dealt with both Howard and Chet. Straight shooters and customer oriented.
originally bought a PBSD which developed a slight seperation at the heel, traded it back to them toward the R. They were very accomodating and fair throughout this entire process. Had to wait a bit for the R model to be finished but well worth the wait.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

very pleased. I did not start playing stringed instruments until I was 48 years old. When my son was younger I bought him a Sigma Martin guitar, which I thought looked, sounded good. When he got a little older he saved up and bought a "real" Martin. I asked him if the more expensive one sounded better than the imported one. I think he was sort of exasperated that I couldn't tell the difference. Since taking up stringed instruments I have come to appreciate the workmanship of quality instruments. I owned a few cheap mandolins then bought a Weber. WOW. same feeling with the Beard, after playing some cheapo's, the R model is like comparing a Ford Fiesta to a Lincoln Continental.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

This guitar has a deep rich bass and is very smooth across the register. The bone nut, ebony saddles, and handspun cone certainly help all this out. So far, I've only played it unplugged (just got it yesterday) but the notes are well defined and there's absolutely no buzzing or rattling. The cone was just right, out of the box.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

This is a mahogany body. I've always wanted a mahogany desk...it's gorgeous and the finish is excellent. No flaws...

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

This guitar has a lifetime warranty, here's to hoping I never need it. We've just started dealing with Recording King, so much remains to be seen. So far, it's impressive. There seems to be an element of pride here.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

For a resonator under a thousand dollars, I'm very, very impressed. I'm looking forward to many hours of jamming and playing as well as getting to know this guitar much, much better.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

rich and full sound. Refined and complex tone. Sounds better than it should for the price.

Sound Rating

9

Appearance

the quality of the build is high. I love the wood binding. hardware is great.

Appearance Rating

9

Customer Service

I emailed Steve about what the finish was and some otehr questions, he responded within the day and was great. cant complain about that.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

excellent guitar. get one before the secret gets out and they get expensive!

Overall Rating

9

Sound

This instrument has a full, rich and clear sound. This particular R body was built with what Mr. DeNeve calls "Rim and Post" instead of the traditional "soundwell" construction. Each note seems much more clear and defined as opposed to my GT PBS. It is bright sounding but not excessive. I'm a novice and play straight bluegrass at the moment and it is perfect for what I play.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

I had a choice as far as wood was concerned so I chose the Curly Koa. I was told it was similar to maple in sound and I am not disappointed. Mr. DeNeve sends his guitars out to a guy that does a beautiful job of finishing in lacquer. No flaws at all. The Koa is great looking. You also have the option of getting a bound or unbound fretboard & herringbone purfling around the top of the guitar at no extra cost.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

Dick was easy to work with. I never had to call and talk to him as he always answered my emails in a timely manner. And he remembered every detail I asked of him. The only warranty I got was if I ever had any questions or problems all I need to do is call him.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

A great looking guitar and sound to match. With all the options you have with Dick's guitars I don't think you can get as good of a guitar for the price he charges. It's like getting a custom guitar without the high price. And he's real easy to work with.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

I have had 4 Scheerhorns 1 L- Body, 4 R- Body’s, 1 RQ Jones Mahogany and countless others and this BY FAR is the best I have ever had or heard! Before I bought I had a chance to buy a Scheerhorn L body Curly maple and it was not even a race! The guitar has a VERY loud sweet low end with a nice bacon sizzle and a wonderful not ear piercing but just a cutting high end with none of the thingy bright sounds. I highly recommend if your going to shell out $5200 to go ahead and spend the extra $300.00 and $150.00 for the pickup and Fishman Aura box

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

Solid Mahogany back & sides with spectacular Quilted Pomele Sapele top Features a unique "E" body configuration with solid ribbon mahogany back, sides. The guitar features the Beard open brace body construction and arched back it has a dark tobacco sunburst finish

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

Paul is the nicest guy in the reso world and is there to help and in my books the best!!!!!!!!! He stands behind everything he sells. Now on the other hand Gruhn Guitars well that’s another story best not said..................

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

If your on the market for a High end Reso please go to Paul FIRST and you make your decision

Beard Guitars
21736 Leitersburg Pike
Hagerstown, MD 21742
1-301-733-8271
1-301-791-7811 (fax)

Overall Rating

10