Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,890
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Sept 4, 2022 16:23:15 GMT
Just wondered what the thoughts are on here about resonator guitars? I’ve had one or two of these guitars, not really because I want to play slide, but I love the look and the haunting sound they can have in the right hands. Most recently I had a Gretsch Bobtail which was sold as a Honeydipper, so had a different sound than expected. Loved the look but sound and feel didn’t really do it. Then I made the mistake yesterday of playing a 2021 National Style 0. The sound was beautiful and just bloomed effortlessly from the guitar. It felt very nice to play, although very heavy. Its really got me thinking seriously about these guitars, but I’m sort of lost in a large number of attractive options at various price points. If anyone can help me narrow things down with some recommendations it would be helpful. for example, the National style 0 has that Hawaiian etching that I don’t love, but what else is similar? are the steel bodies much different? What about the raw steel or brass body versions? Or the NRP style versions? are there other makes that are just as good or better? are Michael Messer guitars as good or would that be a compromise? just looking for a bit of guidance before I ditch this latest obsession
|
|
|
Post by lavaman on Sept 4, 2022 17:32:49 GMT
So many to choose from. I definitely prefer wood bodied resonators. These days I'm liking the sound of spider cones more than biscuits, even for blues. Perhaps I'm mellowing out. I'd have a look at Beard resonators. slidingwolf might be able to point you in that direction.
|
|
|
Post by delb0y on Sept 4, 2022 18:57:13 GMT
I bought a Michael Messer Lightning, earlier this year. Really delighted with it, although I haven't had as much chance to play it as I'd anticipated as this year has proved to be just one of those years where everything has been thrown up in the air. But I don't think a Messer would be a compromise. It's certainly isn't for me. I think the Lightning is brass, which was a little bit more smoother and more mellow than steel - but to be honest, I think it's all in the fingers, same as any acoustic. I wasn't a fan of the old palm tree type etchings on some guitars, but the Lightning is absolutely gorgeous. I've played - and play - straight finger-picking, gypsy jazz, swing rhythm, and slide on mine. Probably less slide then anything else. I'm sure I posted a few things in the Plucky Duck.
|
|
juliant
C.O.G.
Posts: 335
My main instrument is: Lowden L23
|
Post by juliant on Sept 5, 2022 12:27:06 GMT
The Messer guitars are very good for the price. I've got a 1931 National Triolian which is excellent for blues and 1920s ragtime-type stuff, and I like the raw sound of the steel body (plus you can stick a pickup on with magnets!). I once got a mate to make me a wood bodied custom reso (cutaway, oval sound hole, slot head, flat fingerboard, 'flying buttress' supports for the Dobro cone) which I sold at that point when more kids meets less money and time to play. Wish I still had that one!
Best advice, I think, is to play as many as you can, but that isn't easy.
|
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,890
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Sept 5, 2022 21:12:21 GMT
Thanks for the opinions so far folks! While I’d love a National, I’m not sure I’d be able to justify ( or even afford it), so it’s good to hear the Michael Messer instruments are so highly thought of.
Did you buy yours from Michael, Derek? Was it a simple process?
|
|
|
Post by delb0y on Sept 5, 2022 22:15:04 GMT
Yep, dealt with Michael direct. He's a lovely bloke and was keen to know what sort of sound I was after, what sort of style I'd be playing, and was then able to advise on model/strings/ setup etc. All done via email. Delivery was quick and the service and the guitar was all excellent. I highly recommend Michael and his guitars.
|
|
|
Post by curmudgeon on Sept 5, 2022 22:49:28 GMT
As an old blugrasser I've had a dobro since the mid '70s.My current one was made by Gibson so it had to be rebuilt to correct their intonation issues and a good (Beard) cone and correcting spider.
It's a fine instrument but I haven't had much opportunity to play it for a few years.
my first National was a Style "0" deluxe - a real giant of a guitar - so heavy, and frankly too loud, so I traded it for a wood body Estralita which is more my style.
|
|
|
Post by PistolPete on Sept 6, 2022 7:56:04 GMT
I have a Korean-made Ozark*, which I bought new for about £400 in 2002/3 or so. It's pretty decent for the money and was my main guitar for a long time, but I ultimately decided I wanted something with a broader range of sounds than it gave me. Maybe that would have been different with a National or something higher end, I don't know. I would definitely say it's a tier above the little Gretsch resos, which always sound very cardboard-y to me.
Anyhow, although it has quite a bit of sentimental value, being the first guitar I bought for myself rather than was handed down, it's had very little play in recent years, so I would be willing to part with it if someone made an offer.
Here it is in action, back in the day:
*3515N biscuit bridge, nickel-plated steel body, fitted with an aftermarket Schatten passive resonator pickup.
|
|
Welshruss
C.O.G.
Posts: 477
My main instrument is: Turnstone, Wandering Boy & Santa Cruz
|
Post by Welshruss on Sept 6, 2022 10:17:55 GMT
I had a Michael Messer destroyed in shipping to me when a forklift prong went through the box, the case and mangled the neck and cone. There was briefly a dealer down under for them. I did own a Mule tricone for a few years , great guitar though it’s was very heavy. My favourite resonator though is the National El Trovodor. I prefer wooden bodies as their lighter. I play slide and I currently prefer ladder braced acoustics for that.
|
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,890
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Sept 7, 2022 8:33:05 GMT
Thanks to everyone for your input.
I spent some time watching and listening on Youtube, and I think due to the distinct possibility this might not be a long-term interest, I've decided against investing in a National and instead contacted Michael Messer.
I really love the sound of his guitars, and was torn between the Blues and Lightning models. Michael was extremely courteous and helpful and advised that if I was inspired by a National Style O, then the Lightning model would likely be a better bet. Sadly he has none in stock at the moment, but I've reserved one from his next batch later this year, so will report back then.
|
|
|
Post by stevie2sticks on Sept 9, 2022 18:02:44 GMT
Hi Martin, I own both a MM Lightening & MM Blues 28 both guitars are great, the Lightening is well worth waiting for - it’s an awesome guitar. He also does a Steel version which plays good. They all sound different! Michael Messer is a great person to deal with. Regards Steve
|
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,890
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Sept 10, 2022 15:58:44 GMT
Thanks Steve!
|
|
|
Post by curmudgeon on Sept 23, 2022 23:02:10 GMT
Back to Resos, thought I'd share this :
And possibly this:
Couldn't do this this year as the neighbour's dog barks so loudly that we can't use our back garden any more.
|
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,890
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Dec 5, 2022 17:00:25 GMT
As an update, I had to change my mind about the Lightning guitar as I had a rather hefty tax bill to pay last month, which was exciting But last week things changed a bit as I finally sold my Lowden, which I wasn't thrilled about but I wasn't playing it. I then had an unexpected offer on a banjo, so suddenly this weekend found myself back in the black! Then (wouldn't you know it), I was at friend's music shop on Saturday and he said he had something to show me - a rather nice 2008 Tricone resonator! It just seemed like the timing was good, so I tried it, loved it and picked it up today. So my question is.....does anyone know how to set these things up and what I should be looking at? I think it has .016 gauge strings on it, set up for slide with 4/32" string height at low E 12th fret...I'm thinking medium strings (0.013 set) for hybrid picking and maybe some slide. Is standard tuning ok, or should I 'man up' and try someting different? I was so excited getting this thing I didn't really look into how or what I was going to play on it
|
|
|
Post by borborygmus on Dec 5, 2022 18:32:37 GMT
How exciting! One would think if you were going to play some slide, then Open D or Open G might be appropriate.
|
|