Submitted by Nico Brooks (see all reviews from this person) on 11/5/2012

Where Purchased: UK

Year Purchased: 2012
Price Paid: £649.00 historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

Full but twangy & bright sound with the emphasis on LOUD.....even non-amplified! I went looking for a tricone - and was disappointed by Chinese National wannabe so picked this one instead. It was love at first pluck & even the Keni Lee YouTube vids do not do this outstanding sounding reso full justice - ya just gotta hear it chime & ring & howl like a banshee then bring it down nicely to some sweet Cooder Southern Comfort lilts. Righteous indeed!

Sound Rating: 9

Setup

Could do with a little action setting & maybe some heavier strings but this seemed to play straight outta the box so go get yours.....

Setup Rating: 8

Appearance

Usual classy materials for important components - mahogany neck; rosewood fingerboard; bell-brass body (with antique finish); inlaid dot markers etc. The 'reso-relic' antique finish is a tad 'manufactured' looking & will be interested to see how it really ages over the years but this guitar is a real head-turning looker. Don't look too closely though - browse it, caress it then PLAY IT!

Appearance Rating: 8

Reliability

Again, be interesting to see how it stands the test of time - the workmanship has a nice mix of classical, agricultural & solidness with some nice refined touches so ya don't feel like you bin cheated from your bucks. Tuners are smooth & confident, neck is comfortable & easy to use, cone sounds pre-set & shouldn't need touching.

Reliability Rating: 8

Customer Service

'Frank' seems to be proud of what he (Republic) offer - & rightly so. First item arrived with some 'transit' damage and I'm sure Frank will sort somehow.

Customer Service: 8

Components

Authentic finish is a bit variable - I've heard stories of 'brush / rag' marks where the luthier has not quite achieved the blended look but you could argue that this makes each one authentically handmade & finished. Also heard tales of sub-standard tuner finishing but hey - this ain't no $3000 Nat ya know! Looks American built with a trusty VW feel - Made In Texas? Who knows.

Components Rating: 8

Overall Comments

I got into resonators only March this year & have never looked back. I bought a budget-but-nice mahogany reso to start me off but very soon lusted after the more authentic steel sound of the Delta - found it in bucketfuls with this fine instrument. Nice guitar. Very nice. The only way to upgrade now would be the National route.....

Overall Rating: 8