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Resonator Guitar Lovers Online
I've played a few, and they're not quite the right feel/tone for me personally, but...they were certainly right for their owners, and extremely good solid instruments. I would also trust one without playing it first. And, if by luck or a good deal one landed in my lap (okay, pun intended) I'd acclimate myself to it.
I bought a 2011 E Odyssey on Reverb a few months ago. Mahoghany and spruce. I always opted for less expensive guitars. I have a Reed, an RQ Jones, a Tom Warner made guitar and a Dobro. In my opinion the Odyssey is a cut above the others in construction, looks and sound. I play all the others a lot and really like them but I am glad I bought the Odyssey. One thing that surprised me. I had a new Dobro case (Epiphone),and the Odyssey was a perfect fit for it.
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Originally posted by LukeLI’ve bought four, currently still have three of them. Most recent was the Trailhead E model last July. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a Beard without playing it first- unless maybe it’s heavily used or in poor setup. They are very consistent. Which model are you considering?
I played a new Legacy E all maple that's the only one I've ever played. As someone said "not the right sound for me" very almost brittle high D but would cut in a band setting.
As some may recall I redid a Regal RD65 made it an "open sound well" with posts (with advice from the late as so great Frank Harlow RIP) and with all beard parts wow it came alive and I'll be darned if that doesn't have alot of the sound I'm looking for, it only lacks some bass and volume. I thought the high D on the Regal surpassed the Beard in tone sustain character but not quite in volume.
The Beard was however a masterwork of luthier-mans-ship gorgeous. But I know I am probably in the minority as most people rave about their Beards. I have only respect for Paul Beard!
Some have suggested the Mike Auldridge frm Beard and from some Mike Witcher demos that might be the one. But I just found another RD65 ROYC gold plated like my hacked one and so I'm continuing my search with more sonic surgery.
I do love my Beard MA-6.
FWIW, i found the Witcher demo accurately captures the essence of the MA-6 tone (as compared to the other Beard models he demo's on YT). Obviously he's a world class musician and his touch and technique bring out its best.
I'm a huge fan of Beard resos. Have played a handful over the years and they always impress me.
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Originally posted by JC DobroBTW i wasn't implying that Witcher's other Beard demos don't capture the Beard tone for those models. I'm just vouching that what i hear on his MA-6 demo sounds like my guitar...if i had that talent :)
Right Witcher is a wicked player thank goodness for his demos! I just bought a used mint Beard Decophonic 37 from a collector based on Witcher's demos, I will get it in a few days and I'm sure excited! I'll report on how much the dobro sounds like the demo to vouch for this model Beard.
Not all that recent now but I bought my Beard Jerry Douglas Signature in October of 2021 and could simply not be any happier with my purchase. I started my reso journey with a Wechter Scheerhorn and still think that it was a great instrument. A few years later I cam across a good buy on a Reed all mahogany reso and loved it so much that I sold the Wechter. Fast forward several more years and my dream reso followed me home. Gorgeous does not begin to describe both the looks and sound of the guitar. It came with the Hipshot Doubleshot installed from the factory and i really enjoy having two tunings available at the flip of a lever. I am only a semi-pro level player but I have been a musician going on 67 years now and I know in my mind what sound I am after. The Beard does not disappoint in any sonic area that I can detect.
Phil