offdutyreso - Posted - 04/04/2009:  06:48:35

So I purchased my first resonator guitar last week (Rouge Classic Brass Body Resonator) which I was told is a hit-or-miss guitar. If you get a good one there great but if you don’t there only good wall hangers, well I got a great one. The sound is amazing with zero rattles and no blemishes.
I took it into the local Music repair shop here in Madison WI which primarily deals with only Martin, Guild, Weber, National, Lebeda and Wechter Guitars (needless to say guitars way out of my price range). They took a look at my Rouge and were impressed and said it seems like a good starter.
So my Question for you all;
It’s a great guitar and metal (metal body and I understand the difference between high end wood body guitars for sound quality but metal body), and since I will never be able to afford a high-end resonator. Could I take the rouge and put all top quality gear on it and turn it into a great resonator? Replace the cone, neck, tuners and tail piece (pretty much everything but the body).
I figured spacing out replacing everything would be easier and cheaper and custom to what I want. Any thoughts, suggestions or mishaps?
Thanks,
David

Philsweep - Posted - 04/04/2009:  07:01:24

Why not buy a Beard resonator guitar kit and build your own wood body. they are a little over $400 I believe.
Phil

offdutyreso - Posted - 04/04/2009:  07:34:35

quote:

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Originally posted by Philsweep

Why not buy a Beard resonator guitar kit and build your own wood body. they are a little over $400 I believe.
Phil

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jaykellogg - Posted - 04/04/2009:  07:35:40

A Beard setup would cost $200 plus shipping and I believe includes a new cone, nut, spider, and bridge inserts. I think though when the time comes you would be better off to buy a Beard Gold Tone PBR or a metal GRS, GRE or GRB and sell yours.

W. Jay Kellogg

prewar37 - Posted - 04/04/2009:  10:31:33

David,
Making your reso into a Hot Rod isn't as tough as you might think. The parts would consist of a quality cone, (Beard or Quarterman), bone nut, and maple ebony bridge. The rest of the equation is set up by someone who knows what to do. I've done it many times with very positive results. If you like the Rouge, keep it, and make it what you want it to be. I'm thinking about holding a setup workshop in the future for folks like youself. I'm working on the logistics with a local music shop. I had a student who plays a Rouge now, and it has a nice clean sound and good volume. Good luck with it.

keep on pickin', prewar37