Andreww - Posted - 11/07/2008:  22:30:04

I'm looking to buy my first Reso, and have been zeroing in on one of the Beard Goldtone models. I've seen a lot of comparisons between the GT and other brands, etc, but not a lot of comparison between GT models. I should say I'm planning to use it for both semi-traditional music as well as crossover styles. I've heard some studio recorded clips and was leaning toward the maple for its sweeter tone. Any opinions? Is the maple solid wood ? (I know there are two mahogony models, laminate and solid ...). In the clips the maple seems to sound clearer, though I know I'll lose a little bass response. Anyway, any opinions would be welcome, thanks.

exdmd - Posted - 11/08/2008:  07:55:01

I've owned two Goldtone PBS squarenecks and played all the models. The maple is laminate. To my ears there was not that much difference between the models. The PBS I owned responded well to replacing the screened sound rings with the screenless trim rings available from Beard. However, bass response was still lacking and was the reason I moved up to a large body reso (DeNeve) when I could afford one. For resos available under $1000 they are hard to beat, my feeling would be to stay with the less expensive laminate PBS. There's one for sale in the classifieds right now. If you buy one make sure it was set up at the Beard shop (there is a label inside the left soundhole.)

Edited by - exdmd on 11/08/2008 09:34:05

Andreww - Posted - 11/08/2008:  17:33:42

So, not much difference between maple and mahogony? I know with a laminate, you're not going to get as much of the tonewood's character. It seemed, from recordings anyway, that the mahogony sounded a little muddier to me -- more of a lower-mids presence, while the maple had more upper mids. Wasn't too fond of the bright-colored finish on the maple, though. As far as bass, I kind of expected it would be lacking in a lower-end instrument. If I get into it much, I'll probably amplify it for live stuff anyway, and then I can EQ it a bit. A little less lively bass response is sometimes an asset when amplifying an acoustic instrument anyway ...

CentralMO - Posted - 11/09/2008:  08:30:00

Like exdmd, I removed the screens from my maple PBS and I'm very happy with the tone - even the bass response. I've swapped my guitar back and forth with a friend's laminate mahogany and we both thought that the maple had an all-around better sound. He also has a Beard vintage cherry and it sounds much better than either GoldTone and it's also laminate. I haven't been able to try a solid mahogany GoldTone. I'm saving up for a Beard E.
Howard Parker has been posting to this forum and he is "the" Beard man. If he doesn't chime in here, you can email him with questions.

Andreww - Posted - 11/09/2008:  20:32:50

Thanks for chiming in. That's what I thought after hearing the clips, and that's what the consensus was in the reso roundup review I saw. I'll wait to see if the Beard guy checks in. There's a dealer who carries Beard less than an hour from me -- I'll see if I can check them out in person.

dpete210 - Posted - 11/11/2008:  09:39:25

I have a Goldtone PB Deluxe model and the bass response is my only criticism. For the money it is a very nice reso. Some day I'd like to move up and maybe put this one up for sale. I haven't tried removing the screens, so I'll see what that does.

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