National/Scheerhorn resos?

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

I've had a passion for 6 string G tuned squareneck resonator guitar for a while. Got my first 60DS in 87 or 88. Had a few other low end guitars since and am currently playing a RD52.

I'm thinking of selling off some pedal steel gear to finance a better instrument. Not really interested in the Gretsch, Regal, Gold Tone models, but a higher end big body instrument.

I'm particularly interested in the recent National/Scheerhorn collaboration.... seems like a pretty good choice for around 3K, but rising....of course the Beard E and I love the sound of Tooter Meredith's guitars.

About the Nat-Horns, any of you playing one? Offer any input on your experiences with them? Consistency? Quality? Sound v. original L bodies etc.?

Chris Bauer · From: Nashville, TN USA

I've played one or two of each model and the bang for the buck is amazing. That said, there is certainly variability from guitar to guitar so I'd want to play any you're thinking of buying, if at all possible, rather than ordering a guitar from afar.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Thanks for the input Chris. Good to know. If and when I'm in a situation to buy, I will certainly try to do that, but it's a problem finding a place that has a variety of these instruments to test drive.

The propaganda touts the Ickes model as being very loud and sweet. I've always liked the sound of maple, but of course they all sound good when people like Rob, Jerry et al. are playing them.

Chris Bauer · From: Nashville, TN USA

By the time you're ready, Artisan Guitars in Franklin, TN - so, just a few hours from you - seems to usually have at least a couple of these in stock at any given time as well as several other brands. Plus, once you're in the Nashville area, between Gruhn's and Carter's, there are usually at least a couple of used Beards and sometimes a used Merideth, etc., at the same price points as the new NatiHorns.

Forumite Bob Blair and I had the amazing dumb luck to be in Artisan when Tim Scheerhorn brought in the first three N'Horns available for sale. So we were able to compare all three models against each other. Huge fun.

The good thing is that any of these models - and any Beard - is going to be a terrific guitar. The issue is that both model to model and guitar to guitar, they're all going to sound great but different. At that price point you'll want to find the one that really sounds like you, in particular, want it to.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Great advice Chris. I appreciate it as well as the info on Artisan. I know Franklin pretty well but not the store. I get to Nashville a few times a year and always go into Gruhn's and drool. Don't know Carter's.

Got some things for sale so we'll see how it moves. I'd like to pick up one of these before the prices go out of sight.

Chris Bauer · From: Nashville, TN USA

Carter's is not far from Gruhn's - it's on 8th at the edge of downtown. Artisan is in The Factory in Franklin.

Brian McGaughey · From: Orcas Island, WA USA

I've tried both the maple and the mahogany models, playing them for a short time in a showroom. The mahogany was OK to my ears, the maple had a focused sound and good projection like one might think, but definitely lacked low end. Even the sales rep completely agreed with my analysis.

I have not had a chance to try the Ickes model. I think that's the National/Scheerhorn to spring for.

Obviously these are only my opinions. The trial of those two guitars did satisfy that particular GAS craving and now I'm on to saving for another Guernsey. If you get a chance to try one of Ivan Guernsey's guitars don't pass it up.

Also some fellows over at the ResoHangout really like a US handbuilt dobro called an Appalachian. I believe it's built by Tom Warner. Looks like a really great value. Snoop around on the web for that one. I've never tried one but there are players who own multiple Applachians.

And of course don't dismiss a Beard MA model. I believe it's a bigger body and I've played several I would have loved to own.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Thanks Brian. Do you mean the maple had less low end than the magogany? Was the low end disproportionate to the other tones?

I'm aware of Ivan's guitars for sure. He's not too far from me. Last I heard, he was years behind. Don't come across used ones.

I'll search around for something on the Apps.

The MA is birch...per Mike's requirements as I understand it. How does the MA compare to the maple E tonewise?

Brian McGaughey · From: Orcas Island, WA USA

Jerry, I've never played an E Beard so I can't answer that one.

Yes, to me the maple N/S was lacking in low end. Mids and highs were great. That guitar is still hanging on the wall and the Mahogany sold within several weeks of coming in. I'm sure there's quite a difference between guitars within the same models and I don't want to step on any toes here. Just my opinions of course.

I wouldn't avoid a birch ply guitar. I've always assumed Mike had Beard build his signature MA guitar similar to Ivan's birch ply model that Mike played for years prior to the MA models existence. Not sure the dimensions are exactly the same but they're both birch ply for sure. Ivan told me Mike came to him to build a MA series signature guitar and Ivan recommended he talk to Paul 'cause Ivan was swamped with orders and didn't want the added stress.

I talked to Ivan earlier this year and he said it would take him 6 months to complete a guitar for me. If I understood him correctly he's building a couple a year.

Howard Parker · From: Maryland

In my hands the MA-6 is a better balanced guitar with a huge bottom end.

The _Maple_ E is more aggressive. FWIW Es are made out of many tone woods. Also the baffled Odyssey E which is my fav.

Each with it's own flavor.

h

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