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Topic: 3 resos compared side by side |
Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 22 Sep 2005 10:55 am |
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I got to play a Wechter/Scheerhorn side by side with the Gold Tone Paul Beard PBS and the Regal RD-52 Black Lightning at a recent visit to Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto, California.
All three instruments were tuned to standard open G tuning (bass to treble G B D G B D), making it easier to do an aural comparison. I played each instrument solo; I cannot say how the instruments would fare when matched up with others (although I have an opinion).
I'd be very happy if someone gave me any one of these three instruments, but I'd like it best if I got the Beard Gold Tone.
The Wechter/Scheerhorn is the most visually impressive instrument of the three. Everything about it screams "QUALITY!" The tone has a pronounced midrange "honk" to it. I found that it sounded best on the middle strings; the top D string was a bit thinner than the others. The bass strings were especially good sounding, with no sign of mushiness in the lowest notes. I loved the neck - it's slightly rounded on the sides rather than being completely square. String spacing was good, as was string height. This instrument has modified F holes rather than sound holes with screens.
The Beard Gold Tone was the best sounding of the three instruments, even though it was drab compared to the Wechter and Regal. ("Drab" is a relative term - I think it's a great looking instrument, but the Wechter blows it away visually.) I found that tonally it was the most even within the range of strings, and it sang out the best when played above the 12th fret. This guitar didn't have the tight sound in the bass strings that the Wechter did. String spacing was a tiny bit closer than on the Wechter, but still quite acceptable. This instrument has sound holes with screens.
The Regal RD-52 Black Lightning is a beautiful instrument in its own way, with that good Dobro® sound. I found the overall tone to be somewhat mushy when compared to the other two instruments; it didn't respond as quickly when picked, and the note attack seemed somewhat hesitant. I couldn't really dig into the notes like I could on the Wechter or Gold Tone. I felt the string spacing was somewhat wider, which was surprising since the head of the instrument was definitely narrower than the other two instruments. String height was also the lowest of the three instruments - not a problem unless you like to use a capo. This instrument has sound holes with screens, and beautiful inlay across the head. Everything about this instrument was as good as the other two, but the sound wasn't quite as good.
Short of spending some time at Gryphon recording these instruments, this is about as good as you're going to get from me.
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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 22 September 2005 at 11:57 AM.] |
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David Ward
From:
White Rock, BC,Canada
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Posted 22 Sep 2005 3:17 pm
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Brad,
While looking for a back-up to my Clinesmith, I have owned all three of these guitars and my observations are almost identical to yours.
I found that the W/S looked the best and was easier to play and that the GT/Beard had the best sound overall. I thought that the action on the Black Lightening was a bit 'rubbery'.
BTW, I ended up with a Beard Vintage Cherry and wouldn't trade for it. It makes a good counterpoint to the 'Smith.
David |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 22 Sep 2005 3:21 pm
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Great review, Brad. Thank you from those of us who, unfortunately, are currently in the "Only can look at reso's for under $1,000" catagory. I personally like the "plainer" looks of the Beard. I've never been one for really fancy cosmetics anyway.
Thanks for the review.
TJW
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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, A6, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (open G); Regal resonator (open D or G)
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 22 Sep 2005 7:06 pm
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I'm in that same category, Todd. Buying a tricone was for me the most expensive musical instrument I've ever owned. I'll have to sell something to buy something else.
I've thought about asking at Gryphon if I can go in a room and record some samples there while the guitars are still available. I don't know when I could arrange such a thing or if they'd be amenable to such an idea.
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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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Yann Obergfell
From:
Gottenhouse, France - Soon in Bloomington, Indiana
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Posted 23 Sep 2005 4:49 am
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There's a guy on ther eso-nation forum who's selling a solid mahogany Beard Goldtone. he posted sound clips on his personal website and I must say that I really like the sound of that instrument...
I'm actually thinking about getting both a solid mahogany beard/ gold tone for songs using the G and a Wechter/Scheerhorn for the D tuning stuff...
Now I gotta find the money...
Here is the link:
http://www.robanderlik.com/interest.htm |
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