Wolneberg - Posted - 08/15/2023:  01:58:02

Hi everyone! I have been looking into which resonator to get for the last month or so. I made another thread where I got a lot of help. I live somewhere there is no option of trying before buying, so I need to research, listen to youtube and ask questions before making a decision.

I have gone through my options and narrowed it down to a Recording King Swamp Dog with a Lace Ulta Thin pick up. It will cost app. 1.000 euros. I entertained the idea of a Messer, but they were just too far out of my budget. The Swamp Dog is already pushing it.

The thing is, whenever I see a video with the Minnie Bucker I really like the sound. I know they are cheap and the quality is probably not what fine folks would associate with a good guitar. I am reluctant to spend that little because I am afraid I will end up regretting it. But it would cost me less than half of the Swamp Dog with a pick up.

When I reflect about it I think I am telling myself I need a metal body because that's what looks and sound right. In many ways I think the Swamp Dog is the perfect choice in my budget. What do you guys say?

wlgiii - Posted - 08/15/2023:  07:56:40

I have a few guitars, square and round neck, of varying qualities, and one of my favorites is a cheap old 30s non-reso Oahu. Nothing wrong with a cheaper guitar if it fits the budget. Either should be fine and be fun to play.

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 08/15/2023:  09:14:31

If I were buying the RK Swamp Dog, I wouldn't get the Lace pickup - the ones I have come across seem to make acoustic instruments sound a little too electric.

I would go for a Krivo pickup. These have become very popular with both roundneck and lap style players. Still a bit of an electric sound, which is almost impossible to avoid because it is after all a surface mounted magnetic pickup, but likely the best thing out there these days in that category. 

Here is a link:

krivopickups.com/store/p2/Kriv...ars..html

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 08/15/2023:  15:14:12

Okay - I just realized after visiting the RK site that we're talking about two different guitars. The one with "Minnie Bucker" in the title is the Dirty 30s Minnie Bucker Resonator - a wood body guitar.

The Swamp Dog is a of course a metal body, and of course one can add a pickup - but I don't see anywhere on the RK site where there is a mention of it coming already equipped with a Lace humbucker. Must be something new?

Wolneberg - Posted - 08/15/2023:  21:32:47

I ment to get the Lace as an extra when I order and install myself. I looked at the Krivo, but it's a bit more of a hassle to get it here. Lace is stocked in the same shop I buy the guitar. I also don't really mind the electric guitar sound all that much.

Thanks for the input, as of now I am leaning towards getting the Swamp Dog.