gc50l - Posted - 05/03/2019:  08:47:52

Hi ForumFolks,

Does anyone have any experience with the (fairly new?) Republic Highway 61 Woody resonator? It's 14 frets to the body and with a cutaway...

I've read some Republic reviews on line and theyre all over the place...from "great" to "lousy" and especially some bad reviews for follow up and after purchase warranty response. Are there any Republic players on this forum who can shed some light on this particular model or your experience with the company in general?

Thanks,
GC50L

Wildeman - Posted - 05/04/2019:  04:31:54

I bought a used metal body 61 for my wife, a couple hours of setup was needed but it is a great little guitar now. I don't mind working on stuff though so i look past things that would put alot of people off ( lousy action, sharp fret ends). Remember i bought this used though so it may not be a good example of what you get new. It had good bones.

Wildeman - Posted - 05/04/2019:  04:39:36

I think Republic's are made by a company called Aiersi in China. You can deal with them directly and I've heard nothing but good about them.

Cornfield - Posted - 05/04/2019:  05:29:42

I have a Hwy 49 (metal tenor resonator) from Republic. I bought this new a few years ago. I had called them before the purchase and when I had a concern after delivery. My experience was great and I would purchase from them again.

gc50l - Posted - 05/06/2019:  10:05:34

Thanks everyone for the feedback on Republic. I think the Aersi reference is true - at least for metal resonators. I'll do some research and see if they also make this Woody model.

I found a YT video where Bottleneck John is playing one that he bought recently and his comments below the video are very positive...though don't we all pretty much love our new guitars when we first get them? Confirmation bias is real! ;-)

He's promising some follow up videos in the near future...so I'll watch for those. I'm in the throes of GAS but am trying to stay strong! Thanks again.

quitos52 - Posted - 05/06/2019:  10:36:51

Jimmy Heffernan (jimmyheffernan.com) now offers Republic guitars. He is a great resource and very generous in answering questions.

Larry

aljohns - Posted - 06/08/2019:  03:24:45

Hi
when i buy any guitar , regardless of being electric a reso and or a flat top , the thing i find best ,is to always allow for a setup of some kind , why? out tastes playing styles are all so different

Maybe the best thing to do is just allow for a set up

best of luck

al

Wildeman - Posted - 06/11/2019:  18:12:16

Okay, now i have something of value to add. I just bought a brand new 2019 Republic Tricone and it completely kicks ass. I got a round neck because i still hope to get a real National Hawaiian Tricone someday. This is a great guitar and was set up to play ( standard)right out of the box, i had to let out some relief so i could play slide better but it was very responsive to truss adjustment. Excellent guitar, excellent value, I'm very stoked......there's my three cents.

Cornfield - Posted - 06/12/2019:  06:15:02

quote:

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Originally posted by Wildeman

Okay, now i have something of value to add. I just bought a brand new 2019 Republic Tricone and it completely kicks ass. I got a round neck because i still hope to get a real National Hawaiian Tricone someday. This is a great guitar and was set up to play ( standard)right out of the box, i had to let out some relief so i could play slide better but it was very responsive to truss adjustment. Excellent guitar, excellent value, I'm very stoked......there's my three cents.

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Where did you get this guitar?

Wildeman - Posted - 06/12/2019:  17:02:57

@Cornfield. I got it from John Mann's Guitar Vault in New Hampshire, it was listed on Reverb and i got their 15% Memorial Day discount. Very sweet deal and an excellent transaction.