axeslingincowboy - Posted - 03/26/2009:  09:51:08

I met a dobro mechanic that sells guitars for a custom builder named bob hilton out of Missouri, and he gave me the offer to trade in my wechter/scheerhorn 6510f and $1000 for a Hilton solid mahogany handmade resonator. It is definitely the nicest reso I've ever played and I'm sure I wouldn't miss the w/s if i had it. I know the redline ramblers are selling for $950, but they are laminate if I'm not mistaken. Does this sound like a deal you guys would go for?

Dobro playin'' mofo.

jmb3450 - Posted - 03/26/2009:  10:19:03

I've never heard or played a Hilton so I can't comment on it, same with Redline. But....being made from laminate does not mean a resonator isn't pro quality. Beard, among others, makes some fantastic laminate resos. The Mike Auldridge signature model is a laminate and it sounds fantastic.

Jim

dwood1611 - Posted - 03/26/2009:  12:47:50

The laminate Gold Tone PBS series are great sounding resos. I had a W/S and sold it. They are great instruments but the Gold Tone PBS series are very good sounding instruments. They seem to hold their value pretty good. The W/S is hard to put a clamp on. The Gold Tone has a actual squareneck and is easy to clamp. I just received mine yesterday and played it at church last night. I have a vintage Dobro and have played all kinds of resos of all price ranges. For the money, it is hard to beat a Gold Tone PBS. That is my $.02 worth. Check out this link...robanderlik.com/guitar_comp.htm

RobA - Posted - 03/26/2009:  13:58:03

without having had a chance to play the Hilton guitar it's impossible to offer any meaningful advice to you. If I understand this correctly, the offer is to trade him your Wechter/Scheerhorn 6510F and $1000 cash in exchange for the Hilton guitar? Not sure what the W/S 6510's go for, but I am guessing the total outlay for the Hilton guitar is around $1600-1800? Is that correct?

I guess the next question is...have you played the Hilton? How does it sound and (just as important) play compared to the W/S?

One of the inherent challenges in requesting recommendations online is that they tend to turn into a "my guitar or gadget is great" thread instead of realistic assessment of the value proposition of this vs that guitar by fellow players who have actually played both guitars in question. So my recommendation would be to seek out advice from players who have had the chance to do the a/b, if at all possible.

Regards,
Rob Anderlik

axeslingincowboy - Posted - 03/26/2009:  17:17:37

Well I can tell you I've never played a nicer guitar than the Hilton, the W/S doesnt compare. But I did side by side it with an RQ Jones Rosewood and becides the tonal differences between the mahogany and rosewood, the Hilton has more projection and sounds less "boxy" if you know what i mean. It just makes me melt everytime I play it. It's starting to look like my mind is already made up and I just need to start saving.

Dobro playin'' mofo.

prewar37 - Posted - 03/29/2009:  07:04:29

If it were me I would save the $$$ necessary to buy the Hilton if that's the reso you want. Don't get rid of the W/S. Think hard about it. You don't want to regret having the Hilton if it cost you the W/S. My thoughts.

keep on pickin', prewar37

axeslingincowboy - Posted - 03/30/2009:  12:10:32

I've actually changed my mind about the Hilton altogether. I just spoke with Phil Dean and I am buying the curly maple master reso he has on sale here. I'm taking a leap of faith but from the looks of it and from talking to Phil I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be in love.

Dobro playin'' mofo.

bris48 - Posted - 03/30/2009:  13:52:40

I am just assuming ,,,, but you never tried the Red Line Rambler Delux did you????
It is laminate and from what I have played, Steve has it all together, ESPECIALLY the last one I played it was a Green to Black burst, Birch Ply. top and back, solid birch sides and neck, Scheerhorn cone!!!!! DAMN it was nice

RedLine Resohead

Edited by - bris48 on 03/30/2009 13:57:23

axeslingincowboy - Posted - 03/30/2009:  14:26:18

I live in Florida and Steves in Nashville. So Nope.

Dobro playin'' mofo.