dolan - Posted - 06/30/2024:  02:51:50

Hello,
I,m just about to purchase a new resonator.Budget less than $1000.
I like the look of the Fender PR190-E, the Gretsch alligator,Dobro M-14,Recording Kings,Gold Tone and Royalls.
I,m not in a position to try any guitars before purchase as there are no guitar emporiums anywhere closeby so it will be a mail order purchase.
I want to play slide plus be able to fingerpick as a normal guitar.I have been playing guitar for 40 years.Any advice would be very much appreciated.Thank You

resotom - Posted - 06/30/2024:  08:55:41

Don't go by the look... go by the sound you are after. many people get into this habit and my advice would be to somehow get a feel for the tone of the guitar either by looking at videos of each brand or getting opinions from other reso players.

wlgiii - Posted - 06/30/2024:  11:15:33

A note on Gold Tones- Though I've never played one that made me say "most awesome guitar ever", I've never encountered a bad one. They all have been decent, solid instruments, and it's one brand I've been comfortable with purchasing by mail order (an 8 string squareneck).

resotom - Posted - 06/30/2024:  13:23:33

Wayne Gordon's assessment of the Gold Tone is probable your best answer..
You might find a very good used one on the Reso Hangout 'for sale' section... another very good place to start. Hope this helps..

stephenandkindra - Posted - 06/30/2024:  16:54:43

I played a gold tone for a few years and loved it. I can attest to their build quality. If you can wait for a good deal on either the PBS-M (PaulBeardSeries Mahogany) or PBS-D (PaulBeardSeries Deluxe) it would be well worth it. Both of them sound great when they are setup correctly. I’m about to put a PBS-D on the classified. It’s got some dings on it and has been played but it’s a great guitar.

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 06/30/2024:  19:20:33

Dinner time here, can't do a comprehensive post, but I'm pretty sure Dolan is looking for a roundneck guitar rather than a squareneck, and what needs to be determined is which style of resonator in which he's interested - spider bridge, biscuit bridge, etc. 

dolan - Posted - 06/30/2024:  23:11:18

Thank you very much for all the replys.Yes it is a round neck i am interested in.

FrederickPatterson - Posted - 07/01/2024:  07:11:09

Are you just interested in what’s available near Scotland or are you willing to pay for overseas shipping?

dolan - Posted - 07/01/2024:  09:02:53

Really just need advice on what to avoid.
I will be purchasing in the UK .Thanks.

FrederickPatterson - Posted - 07/01/2024:  09:31:33

Since you’re new here I want to make sure you have located the member reviews section.

Look under “MORE”

dolan - Posted - 07/01/2024:  10:09:28

Thanks Frederick.
That helps a lot.Thank You.

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 07/01/2024:  15:52:39

You have a lot to consider Dolan - there are different resonator systems and cones in the brands you mentioned. Some are wood bodies while other are metal.

A biscuit bridge guitar is going to sound a lot different than a spider bridge guitar like a Gold Tone/Beard.   You might prefer the sound of the biscuit guitar where the notes decay faster - more of a blues vibe.  Or like Mark Knopfler playing the acoustic part with Dire Straits on "Romeo & Juliet" on his vintage National Style "O" 14 fret.

Recording King guitars are good values. The Gretsch product line seems to be up and down as far as consistency. Gold Tone will be among the most expensive of the guitars designed in the U.S, and built in China.

I haven't come across that particular Fender yet, it's a newer product, I've only seen the videos. Years ago they made some junk imported resonators. And here is a fun fact: Though Gretsch is still owned by the Gretsch family, they have an arrangement where Fender handles all of the production and distribution of the product line. It's probably a big reason why Gretsch resos are ubiquitous in U.S. guitar stores.

Since you are in Scotland you should also check out Michael Messer Guitars.

Like the majority here, I'm mostly a lap style player of spider bridge resonators  though I have come across a few round neck Royall guitars in recent years - they are a relatively new company - and I really like them. I'd be happy to own one but I already have too many instruments as it is.

Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 07/01/2024 15:56:32

dolan - Posted - 07/02/2024:  01:17:14

Thank you Mark.Very informative reply.
Problem i have is i really like the sound Jerry Douglas makes and also i like the sound oMark Knofler makes.Dobro make a metal guitar the Dobro Hound Dog M-14 Metal Body Resonator.I wonder how good it is.
I think i am leaning towards a wooden bodied guitar for the warmth.I cannot afford the Jerry Douglas model but i think i would like a guitar as close to his but within my budget.
Very difficult to make a decision as there are not many shops in UK selling these type guitars.
Thank you,Mark.