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Topic: Which inexpensive resonator guitar? |
Roman Sonnleitner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Posted 12 Dec 2006 3:36 am |
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A friend of mine, Herbert (from the Rewolfinger guys I occasionally play lapsteel with) wants to buy a resonator guitar, and asked me for advice, but since I'm far from being an expert, I thought I'd hand the question over to you guys...
He's not looking for a square neck, since he probably won't be playing it lap style, but with a slide in 'regular' guitar playing position.
I've done a quick search of the old "No Peddlers" section, and general opinion seems to be that the Goldtone Paul Beard is the best beginner model - but this one is almost unavailable over here in Europe, I only found a shop in London that sells those online, and with shipping and everything it would cost about 900 to 1000 Euros.
AFAIK, his budget is a bit smaller, I guess somewhere in the 500 Euros range - the only brands of resonators in that range regularly found in stores over here are Johnson, Fender, and Epiphone, all Made in China (probably in the same factory...) - any opinions on those?
What about the Dean resonators, I know their electric guitars are good value for money?
Another brand found here is Regal, but I guess that's only a brand name used for Made in Korea-guitars these days (though MIK would hint st slightly higher quality than MIC, as does the price difference) - any expereinces.
And finally, is there a site for 'regular' (non-lap-style) resonator site similar to SGF, that I could point my friend to?
Thanks for your help![This message was edited by Roman Sonnleitner on 12 December 2006 at 03:37 AM.] |
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Randy Reeves
From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 12 Dec 2006 4:38 am
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I have only hard about Regal's resonators. RD45 I believe. most say they are acceptable for the price range.
here is a resonator forum that is welcoming and informative. http://www.resonation.org/ [This message was edited by Randy Reeves on 12 December 2006 at 04:39 AM.] [This message was edited by Randy Reeves on 12 December 2006 at 04:40 AM.] |
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Fred Kinbom
From:
Berlin, Germany, via Stockholm, Sweden.
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Posted 12 Dec 2006 5:23 am
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Guten Tag Roman,
Over at the IGS Forum there are hundreds, if not thousands, of non-lap style reso players. If you do a search there, you will find plenty of good info.
The only reso I've tried (ever!) is a squareneck Mahogany Goldtone/Beard at the London Resonator Centre, and it sounded very good to me (and Steinar's recent clip with his Goldtone/Beard sounds great!). The cheapest way to get one of those into Europe is to order one from Elderly Instruments in the US. The cost around $570 (like the Mahogany model here), and a shipping quote can be obtained from Elderly, I would guess about $100 to Europe. The ones available from Elderly are set up at the Beard shop, which is apparently essential. There will also be import duty and VAT (Mehrwertsteuer) to pay in Austria, but it shouldn't be too much. An estimate could be a total of $800 (depending on Austrian customs regulations), which is 607 Euros.
That's my opinion, offered simply as an opinion, without any liability. 
I think the way the shops are overcharging us for instruments over here in Europe, they can't expect our business. There is of course the advantage of being able to try a guitar before you buy it, but if that comes at a cost of a 80% price increase, I'll happily take the chance to buy from the USA.
And trying the guitar doesn't seem to be an option in Austria anyway.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Fred
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www.myspace.com/fredkinbom
www.youtube.com/oahusteel75
[This message was edited by Fred Kinbom on 12 December 2006 at 05:27 AM.] |
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Roman Sonnleitner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Posted 12 Dec 2006 12:57 pm
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Thanks, guys.
Fred, yes, the London Resonator Center is the only place I found in Europe that has the Goldtone; BTW, VAT here in Austria is 20%, and import tax is around 5 or 6% (both applicable on price AND shipping).
I'm not sure, though, whether my friend would be happy about buying without trying first, so if there's anyone than can give me his experiences with any of the other cheaper brands, I'd appreciate their opinions... |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 12 Dec 2006 2:21 pm
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I'd agree with the suggestion of searching the forum at the IGS web site. There are many resonator guitarists there from all around the world, and I'm sure someone will have an opinion for you.
The Regal, Johnson, etc. resonator guitars are decent entry level instruments. Almost all of them will sound better when various parts are upgraded.
I haven't liked the Dean resonator guitars I've heard, but they look nice.
I think the Gold Tone Beard is probably the best buy for the money, but if your friend wants to try before he buys, he'll probably need a ticket to the USA. 
I'd second the recommendation for Elderly Instruments. They deal with this sort of thing all the time and are very helpful.
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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 12 Dec 2006 2:47 pm
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I bought my solid mahogany squareneck GT/PBS from Elderly,- it arrived at my doorstep after only two days (UPS express, only $166 so Elderly obviously has a very good deal with them), tuned to a near perfect high-F.
Even when adding the shipping and 25% import tax it still cost less than the laminated model in Norway (the solid model isn't available here)........
Steinar
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"Play to express, not to impress"
www.gregertsen.com
Southern Moon Northern Lights
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Roman Sonnleitner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Posted 12 Dec 2006 3:19 pm
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Thanks, guys, all infos forwarded to Herb...
That's him, BTW:
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Roman Sonnleitner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
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Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
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Max Laine
From:
Pori, Finland
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Max Laine
From:
Pori, Finland
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Roman Sonnleitner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Posted 13 Dec 2006 4:56 pm
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| Thanks, somehow missed those in my Google search... |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 14 Dec 2006 4:27 am
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| In addition to the Gold Tone and Regal, the Ozark square neck wooden body resonator is well worth a look. £249 buys a pretty good sounding guitar with a case. They also do quite a range of brass bodies too. |
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