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The resonator guitar reviews database is here to help educate people before they purchase an instrument. Of course, this is not meant to be a substitute for playing the instrument yourself!
265 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: World Music - Nashville
Year Purchased: 2012
Price Paid: 1058 ($US)
I purchased this guitar because i like to play bluegrass and the recommendations of others suggested a good loud traditional sound.
Sound Rating: 9
The salesperson @ WMN was willing to make me a package deal and inspected the guitar himself before I made the purchase. The instrument played fine right from the start.
Setup Rating: 8
This is a beautiful instrument. I build mandolins and I could not find any flaws in the finish at all. The ebony fretboad with the ornate inlay was very well done.
Appearance Rating: 9
Hardware seems fine... but too early to really tell.
Reliability Rating: 8
I bought this guitar only by email correspondence. The sales person @ World Music Nashville answered my questions and when I inquired about a combo price better than listed for the guitar + case, they offered a better deal with free shipping.
Customer Service: 8
It's a well made instrument.
Components Rating: 8
I am very pleased with the fit, finish and sound on this resonator. I am definitely happy with my purchase. I took it to a jam last night and a couple other reso players gave it a try and they were impressed. It has tons of volume. I had to be careful not to overpower the other players, and there were nine people picking.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Private
Year Purchased: 2009
Price Paid: (Canadian) (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Very loud projection, beautiful tone. Mic it with a Kel condenser, and it sounds like a very expensive aqll wood model. Rich sound.
Sound Rating: 10
Well set up by Beard, and the previous owner kept it in good shape. Nothing to compare action to, but seems good.
Setup Rating: 9
Maple "coffee" appearance. Very nice looking body. Hard to believe it is not solid wood. Has the MOP inlays
Appearance Rating: 10
Solid materials, the Beard cone. The only thing I can say that is not perfect is that the gloss sometimes gets a cloudy appearance where my fingers are. But easily shined up with some guitar polish.
Reliability Rating: 8
Asked Beard about these guitars. Very responsive and helpful
Customer Service: 10
The cone and the appearance are top drawer. The tuners are probably ok, though we don't have a lot of mileage yet. Will see.
Components Rating: 9
Could not be happier with this purchase. Although new to reso, I know guitars and this is a solid instrument, especially for the price.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Private Sale
Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: 400 (£) (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Great for traditional bluegrass and for country folk and country blues (Little Feat, Dead, JJ Cale)
No amps or effects. Has Beard factory set-up.
It's a loud instrument with a big, bright sound. It's has plenty of low-end though; more than some much more expensive laminates.
Some of the top string notes can lack the depth and richness you'd get from say a $3000 Beard. It also lacks the complexity, subtleness and richness of the best instruments.
Sound Rating: 8
Perfect sep -up by Beard on purchase. Guitar had been hardly played in 3 years.
Beard Special 29s strings fitted rather than D'Addarios (personal taste). No other changes needed.
Setup Rating: 10
Lovely looking guitar with a simply beautiful tiger maple back. No flaws.
Appearance Rating: 9
Hardware's fine. No problems.
Finish excellent. No signs of wear to wooden parts.
I would definately depend on it for live performances.
A recent buzzing problem was easily solved by local guitar shop.
Reliability Rating: 8
Beard have always been very helpful and prompt in response to my emails. First class customer service.
Customer Service: 10
All the important bits (cone, bridge, nut, ) are Beard parts. No upgrades needed.
Tuners are the weak link.
Components Rating: 9
Just the best value for money squareneck available backed up by the first class guys at Beard. The sound is a personal thing but I prefer it to the Wechter Scheerhorns which I guess would be the closest rival.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Beard Guitars
Year Purchased: 2009
Price Paid: 773 ($US)
Loud, perfect bluegrass instrument
Sound Rating: 7
very well set up, as came direct from Beard shop in MD.
Setup Rating: 10
As received - very glossy finish, fit & finish good , maple binding, inlaid hearts & flowers on fretboard. A little rough spot on bottom of fretboard. Not a problem as don't need to fret anyways. Probably not visible to anyone but picker when in use.
Appearance Rating: 8
very thick glossy finish, maybe too thick
Reliability Rating: 5
Customer service from Paul Beard shop is best I've ever dealt with. I dealt with Chet and Howard, both stand up guys that are very helpful. Warranty length a little sketchy but 3 weeks into ownership they were very helpful and accommodating with a problem.
Customer Service: 10
beard internals are strong point.
weak point - neck joint construction, according to GoldTone the neck joint is a dowel pin arrangement. 3 weeks into ownership, about 30 hrs play time the neck joint had cracked where it joined the body.It did not seem to move or be loose but looked liked sorta like lipstick on a pig. Finish was very thick in this spot, perhaps too thick?
Components Rating: 5
Maybe the problem I experienced was a fluke but seems for $800 it should not have a crack appear at 3 weeks use. I would like to stress that the staff at Beard was very helpful, I actually traded it in toward a Beard R model. Much more money but worth every hard earned penny.
Overall Rating: 6
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