fuzzywig - Posted - 03/05/2009:  19:28:05

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Hola everyone. I am wanting to buy my first resonator for under 1K and wanted to know if anyone knew anything about the Dean Heirloon copper and/or the Dean Chrome G electric resonator. I'm pretty limited on what I can pick up and play here in town. I would like to find something with a good thick sound as opposed to a higher pitched tinny type sound. Also wondering if I should just go with wood.

The stars at night are big and bright!

prewar37 - Posted - 03/05/2009:  20:20:11

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fuzzywig,
I'm not familiar with Dean Heirloom, or Chrome G reso. If you want a full warm sound I think wood is the ticket. The metal resos. deliver more of a delta blues vibe. Being made of a metallic medium they are prone to sound tinny. I would think you should be able to find something suitable if not local there's always the www. Good luck with your search. Let us know what you come up with.

.....Deep in the heart of Texas
keep on pickin' prewar37

Mbradford6288 - Posted - 03/05/2009:  22:56:42

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Metal Bodies, look at republic guitars. Amazing instruments for around 6 or 7 hundred. Blow away the gold tones, regals, etc...

YMMV
Matt

Slideman1939 - Posted - 03/06/2009:  07:47:10

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There is a web site 'Folk of the Wood" who USED TO BE a web retailer of various brands--and had sound bytes of how various instruments and brands sound.Now they have changed format and are (selling) musical instruction--no longer retailing instruments.HOWEVER they have retained the old sound clips as locations within the website.So you can see and hear the tonal differences between various brands that they (used to) retail by clicking on various sub-links within the site. sort of like a short U-tube presentation with the brand and model number defined as part of the title. There are some fine products out there from lesser known manufacturers--that end up being inter-net or catalog retailed because the manufacturer can't find RETAIL music stores to stock the item.Music stores stick with the safe bet and want to stock Gibson, Beard, Regal (Saga distrib. Co.) and "known good sellers". So to actually hear a "Dean Heirloom Copper" prior to purchase you would have to ask WHO their retailers are (if any) or take your chances on direct purchase with right of return if the instrument is unsatisfactory or know someone who actually owns one in a closeby location. It's not easy being a (good quality) small brand in a world where the retail space goes to the top 3-4 brands. Good luck on your search.

jaykellogg - Posted - 03/06/2009:  08:19:21

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This is one of the problems buying any reso. You can go to a music store and play dozens of guitars. Sometimes multiple versions of the same guitar. but (around here) it is real rare to find any resos to play and if you do it is usually only a couple. The most I found in one place had about 4 and two were roundnecks. The owners of Blue Ridge Music said if they stocked a mid to high end Dobro it would sit in inventory. I couldn't find any Beards, but The Acoustic corner in Black Mountain stocks the Gold tones, one roundneck (PBR) and one squareneck (PBS).

W. Jay Kellogg

fuzzywig - Posted - 03/06/2009:  10:48:55

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Much thanks for all the info everyone. I checked for retailers on the Heirloom Copper but none in this area. Out of the 2 guitar stores I know of here, one does not carry resonators and the other has the same 4 WAY overpriced Dobros that have been there since I moved here. There's a Guitar Center in Greensboro but they don't have a Dean. It is my understanding that the Dean is made and assembled in America. That and the overall look to the guitar is what interested me. I'll check those sound bites too. Again, much thanks!

The stars at night are big and bright!

Brad Bechtel - Posted - 03/06/2009:  12:58:10

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I've never heard a Dean resonator guitar that I liked, but I haven't heard all of them. If you're looking for a good metal body guitar, try the Republic or Gold Tone Paul Beard Special.
republicguitars.com
goldtone.com/products/w/c/46/M...d-Guitars

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

Preston Thompson - Posted - 03/07/2009:  05:02:46

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With you interested in a metal body, what style music are you playing? That would be a large indicator of which would better serve your needs.

pt

Play it again, Sam. Over, and over, and over:

andyboyman - Posted - 03/07/2009:  08:22:38

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I bought a slightly used Dean heirloom brass last year and am very happy with it. the tone is not as bright as I expected, but it has great projection and it is surprisingly mellow. It seems fairly even across the frequency range and the bass end holds out nicely. Also, it is really easy to play, nice fast neck and good set action. Will upload a recording shortly if you're interested.

fuzzywig - Posted - 03/07/2009:  13:48:48

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quote:

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Originally posted by andyboyman

I bought a slightly used Dean heirloom brass last year and am very happy with it. the tone is not as bright as I expected, but it has great projection and it is surprisingly mellow. It seems fairly even across the frequency range and the bass end holds out nicely. Also, it is really easy to play, nice fast neck and good set action. Will upload a recording shortly if you're interested.

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Absolutely. Let me hear it.

The stars at night are big and bright!

fuzzywig - Posted - 03/07/2009:  13:53:23

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quote:

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Originally posted by Preston Thompson

With you interested in a metal body, what style music are you playing? That would be a large indicator of which would better serve your needs.

pt

Play it again, Sam. Over, and over, and over:

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Right now, I play mostly hard, fuzzy, raw type stuff and have a hollowbody on which I've been teaching myself slide. Really from what I've heard so far my favorite is a tricone from Rebuplic but I just can't seem to fall in love with it's looks.

The stars at night are big and bright!