fbounds - Posted - 05/12/2009:  10:39:46

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I am thinking pretty seriously about another guitar. A friend's brother is a Beard dealer (and very good Reso player) and suggested a Beard E. He would have to order it but could help me out by taking a trade in. I currently have a nice spruce/mahogany soundwell design Reso that has a rich tone but I think I prefer the punch of the maple open bodied designs.

I am looking for a responsive, modern open design with good sustain and volume. Has anyone played a maple E model? How would they compare to other open body designs? (very subjective I know but give it your best shot). From what I understand the E is similar to the MA-6 but without the baffle. I have played on some MA-6s and thought they were very good. How would the tone of the E compare to the MA-6?

Any help/thoughts would be appreciated.


"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one."
--Mark Twain

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Edited by - fbounds on 05/12/2009 11:20:29

harperk31794 - Posted - 05/12/2009:  11:34:59

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I've played some Beard "E" models. I played them side-by-side with the MA-6 and decided on the MA-6, same price, very close in tone and volume, but I am a fool for Black guitars, started out 52 years ago on a Black Silvertone Flat Top and have always wanted another Black guitar so I bought the MA-6.

Ken

IFKAD, So Easy a Caveman can do it.

billy bob - Posted - 05/12/2009:  12:11:19

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ma6 is the way to go same price but as the boys up at Beards say it's got the secret sauce inside only the Auldridge guitar will ever have whats inside to make that tone no other Beard guitar will be made that way .Thats the deal they have with Mike A .Don't even think twice about it . MA6 it's the one

otbreso - Posted - 05/12/2009:  12:37:26

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I have the E model and like it but I wish I would have played the MA6 first as I would have bought the MA over the E. That's just my take others may feel different. I'd figure a way to play them both before you decide.

Arrowsmit - Posted - 05/12/2009:  15:18:52

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I have a maple E model too & am extremely happy w/it in every respect. Everyones ear is different, but I certainly wouldn't swap mine for an MA. I doubt you'd ever regret getting a "banjo killer" (E model).

Vic



The more I learn about playing this crazy thing the more I realize how very little I know about it...

exdmd - Posted - 05/12/2009:  15:50:40

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I got a chance the other month to play a Beard mahogany E, couple of Beard MAS resos, and a Meredith maple next to my DeNeve walnut D body. The Mike Auldridge signature was my favorite, followed by the DeNeve, then the Meredith and finally the Beard E mahogany. The MAS is the best sounding reso I've ever heard. It had better note separation than the DeNeve and was a tad louder. Not a night and day difference, I was really pleased to see how well the DeNeve sounded next to a few high end resos. Guy who owned the Meredith told me he would have bought a DeNeve instead of the Meredith if one had been available. I just might buy a MAS sometime in the future, if I found one used at a good price. Nice thing about the MAS is how consistent the guitars are, I would not hesitate to buy one without playing it. Before laying out the big bux for any high end reso you really need to visit a shop where you can play before you buy.

billy bob - Posted - 05/12/2009:  20:03:35

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my friend go to youtube and look for Paul Beard and you'll see Mike playing .He goes up to Beards when a few of his ma's are ready to ship out and plays everyone of them to make sure it meets his standard.Beleive me nothing but the best comes out Beards shop.That includes all there customs aswell. Hell if you really want to do it right go to Beards take a day or two off from work make a road trip of it heck you might even get a chance to be there when Mike lay's his golden hands on your guitar .Just call the shameless Howard Parker he makes dreams come true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lol

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Edited by - billy bob on 05/12/2009 20:12:33

Square Neck - Posted - 05/12/2009:  22:26:44

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I think a box is a box. The cone, bridge, spider, nut, strings, and you, make up the biggest part (70%??) of YOUR sound.

The set up is the most important part.

The "E" looks like a great box!!

I wonder if one took the "set up" from a MA6, whatever it might be, and put it on an "E"????? I bet it would be louder, not better or worse, but louder...

I have played a (plywood) MA6 and it was really great. I have also seen what can be squeaked out of an 80s (plywood) OMI.

I guess I am just saying that with the right set up and a tweak or two, an "E" should stand pretty tall along side of any MA.

I would like one of each!!

This link here.........guitarseminars.com/gs/viewtopi...c&start=0 is some interesting reso reading including a review of what me and a friend found out at a music store with ton of resos.

fbounds - Posted - 05/13/2009:  04:55:58

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Thanks for all of the input. I really appreciate it.

I see a lot of "go for the MA" but what are you hearing that makes the MA-6 the one to your ears? Is it louder? Sweeter? More sustain? All of the above? What is it that makes you want to take the MA home. Since I won't have a chance to play them side by side your input would be a big help. I have played an MA-6 and I was impressed. I also like the punch from some of the maple Resos that I have played. But I have not played an 'E'.

I really want an instrument that is responsive. A hard to define term I know... I am relatively new to Reso but have played music most of my life. I guess the best way to describe it is that I don't want to fight the instrument to get tone. I would ideally like for it to be responsive to a light touch when needed and punchy and loud when I dig in without losing tone. Does that make sense? It is so hard to describe tonal color... I currently have a Tut Taylor Carolina. It is a mahogany/spruce and has a very rich tone but in a Bluegrass jam it gets buried. Wish I could keep it and buy a second guitar but I just can't swing it. So... I want something that has good tone but can cut in a jam.

Yes... I want my cake AND eat it too.

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one."
--Mark Twain

billy bob - Posted - 05/13/2009:  07:09:00

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like i said in my other reply the way the ma6 is built will never be reproduced in any of Beards guitars.Call Howard at Beards talk to him about what your thinking and take it from there.3700 dollars why would'nt you get a ma6 it's the same price and same body as the E except for the plywood construction.I just bought a R Vintage from them last friday birch plywood and it sounds amazing loud as hell fire with awsome tone i love this guitar man it's nice.I also have a 94 f60s omi dobro all maple body with a quartermen cone that sounds bad ass aswell.Beards #301-733-8271

Beard Guitars - Posted - 05/13/2009:  07:32:16

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Just to correct my good friend BillyBob The MA-6 is not quite the "same body as the E...". The MA-6 is a flat back guitar with a baffled interior. The Maple E is an arched back guitar which is top braced and features a completely open sound chamber.

They are both big guitars, just built with different voices in mind.

Hope this helps a tiny bit.

Howard Parker
Beard Guitars, LLC
howard@beardguitars.com
301-733-8271

ArchyHD28 - Posted - 05/13/2009:  12:59:46

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quote:

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Originally posted by fbounds

I really want an instrument that is responsive. A hard to define term I know... I am relatively new to Reso but have played music most of my life. I guess the best way to describe it is that I don't want to fight the instrument to get tone. I would ideally like for it to be responsive to a light touch when needed and punchy and loud when I dig in without losing tone. Does that make sense? It is so hard to describe tonal color...

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I've recently purchased a used Beard E maple over here in Sweden and I'm
completely blown away by the tone and volume.

I can only compare to the Adams Maple pro I also play and the Beard E is much
richer in tone. Even in a hard driving bluegrass-jam I can lay out fills in the
background and than jump up and overpower the banjo player all the time
keeping that same sweet tone.
I would say that this guitar has changed the way I play. I don't have to fight
to be heard anymore. It all becomes much more relaxed.

Just my thoughts on my Beard E!

//H.

exdmd - Posted - 05/13/2009:  16:47:46

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If you have played a Mike Auldridge signature reso and were happy with the tone, you are safe IMO buying through the mail because the guitars are so consistent. The guitar doesn't get sold unless Mike A signs off. You don't have that luxury with the Beard E. You better have a deal worked out where you can return the guitar if you are not happy with the tone. Or be prepared to make a $3000 mistake.

When I was able to play a couple of MAS resos next to a Beard mahogany E, I noticed that the MAS was louder with more punch and sustain. The Beard E sounded thin in comparison. The MAS had a warmer tone and more punch. The high B and D strings rang like a bell with awesome sustain on the MAS. Now I admittedly am a big fan of the MAS, the tone of that guitar really blows my skirts up. You might get off on a different tone, that's what makes buying a reso you have not played usually such a risky venture.

fbounds - Posted - 05/14/2009:  05:45:45

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I have a little time before I have the money together. Maybe I will get a chance to try a Maple E at ResoGat in July (July 8-11 in Wilkesboro, NC). There are a lot of Reso players there with a wide variety of guitars. Everyone seems to be pretty consistent in their remarks about the MAS. I have to admit that I personally like the looks of the Maple E better but most seem to favor the tone of the MAS. I love stained curly maple but sound will be the ultimate deciding factor.

I really appreciate the input. I like to research and get opinions before I fork over that kind of money. I spoke with Howard Parker at Beard and he was tremendously helpful. Very willing to speak with me and answer questions. They seem to really care about their customers (and potential customers). That impressed me quite a bit. Thanks Howard!

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one."
--Mark Twain