dpete210 - Posted - 08/21/2008:  09:22:23

I don't think this question has been posed yet, so here goes. As an owner of a Gold Tone Beard square neck reso, I am really curious about how they differ from the genuine Beard square neck resos. I don't live in an area where I can try out any of the Beard stuff to make a comparison. I realize the woods may be different, inlays and trim fancier, etc. as one gets into the higher priced models, but I'm mostly curious about the sound. Has anyone been able to compare them and what were your impressions? Thanks for your input!

Any day is a good day to play music, and today is a good day.

harperk31794 - Posted - 08/21/2008:  10:35:09

Just my opinion, but I've tried them side-by-side and find that the Beard R's, E's and MA's are louder, clearer, and sweeter sounding. The GTs sound great don't get me wrong, but there is definitely a difference or Paul wouldn't be able to sell anything but GTs due to the price difference.

IFKAD, So Easy a Caveman can do it.

Brad Bechtel - Posted - 08/21/2008:  10:57:28

"Clearer" is a great way to describe the difference in sound between the Gold Tone square neck resonator guitars and the Paul Beard resonator guitars. The Beards have a "crisper" bass response in the lower strings and more "snap" when you play chopped notes. I hear the same difference between my Wechter Scheerhorn and a real Scheerhorn.

You pay more for the better sound.

=================
Brad''s Page of Steel:
well.com/user/wellvis/steel.html
A web site devoted to electric and acoustic lap steel guitars

dpete210 - Posted - 08/21/2008:  11:09:11

Thanks, Ken and Brad. I was wondering about the bass response. I notice that as I go up the neck the bass side of my GT Beard seems to deteriorate, especially on the low G string, if I have capoed to the key of A or Bb using the open G tuning. Of course it could be my technique causing some of the loss of bass clarity, but I would bet that a Paul Beard reso would not have a similar decay even with ME playing it. :)

Any day is a good day to play music, and today is a good day.

banjomon - Posted - 08/21/2008:  12:04:09

I'm glad this topic has come up as I've wondered the same thing about the comparison.

I purchased my PBGT solid mahogany as a first reso primarily due to it's reputation and also not wanting to shell out mega bucks in the event that I really reeked on reso. But, I do not regret my purchase in the least and have found a new instrument that really fills a void in my musical being. Oh that sounded hokey didn't it!

I've noticed that my PBGT has really opened up since I first started playing it. It's louder; tone is getting better; crisper note separation; good sustain - the whole deal. But - I'm sure that the other "real" Beard guitars just have to be sweeter and better.

Can't wait to try one out someday! You guys keep talking and fueling my GAS.......

Beard Guitars - Posted - 08/21/2008:  13:26:23

Great question,

The Gold Tone was designed to be a great value for the $$$. Slightly different materials, slightly different design and of course, different manufacturing techniques.

Paul's "Beard" guitars, as you would expect, are built from personally chosen materials and the only component that we don't make ourselves or have ownership of the manufacturing rights are the tuning machines. I think the only exceptions are the D'Addario EJ42 strings that Mike Auldridge and Jerry Douglas require on their model guitars.

The various models are designed to have different voices and Mike's and Jerry's guitars are voiced as they require. Those guitars are individually played and approved by the artist.

Anyone wandering out to our neck of the woods in invited to see the shop, talk to Paul and the guys (3 by the way) and play anything we have lying around. You'll not see better craftsmanship anywheres. I am highly opinionated in that regard. :-)

And if you wanted to take something with you...we would not object!

Howard Parker
Beard Guitars, LLC
howard@beardguitars.com
301-733-8271

Edited by - Beard Guitars on 08/21/2008 13:27:01

rmodel - Posted - 03/27/2009:  17:47:35

Being new to the reso, I too was reluctant to shell out big $$ so purchased a GoldTone PBSD, direct from Beard. Chose it because had read good reviews on them, and actual dealers in my area to try out reso's are scarce. received it just after the new year and before the end of the month it had developed a crack in the finish where the heel met the body. Did not seem to affect playability or tone and did not seem to be "loose" or wobbly there. Did not affect tone, in fact while playing it was not even noticeable. I think it was due to the fact that the finish was very thick in this area, maybe too thick? As I keep my instruments in a humidity controlled environment not sure why it appeared but it sure bugged the bejeepers out of me. Other than this it was a beautiful instrument. Having said that let me say that the people that I dealt with at Beard, (Chet and Howard) were very helpful and understanding. A class operation for sure, with customer satisfaction a high priority for them. I ended up trading for a Beard R model, which was a lot more money but was like comparing a Smart car to a Rolls Royce. I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for. If you are happy with an imported instrument then that's what you should have. I had to make some sacrifices in other areas to swing the Beard but I am very pleased with the quality, tone, appearance and playability. Now if I can only improve my end of the equation I will be a very happy boy. If you can hold off, scrimp and save up for a quality instrument. Oh yeah it was a plus for me that the Beard was manufactured in the good old U S of A. I also own a Weber mandolin and feel the same way about the workmanship of that instrument. That's my story and I'm stickin to it !

dwood1611 - Posted - 03/27/2009:  20:54:23

I just received my GT PBS DM and It is a great sounding, great playing instrument. For the money, it cannot be beat.

Philsweep - Posted - 03/28/2009:  17:08:38

seems to me the last couple of people who have gotten gold tone beard resonators' have had issues with them according to the list. With sound screens being loose and such. So I think there might be an issue here.