Gradual steps downward in quality from Mike Auldridge reso?

Ed Altrichter · From: Schroeder, Minnesota, USA

Hello,
I'm thinking about buying a good-quality reso to replace my OMI Dobro. I get the impression that the MA Beard is about the top-of-the-line, but I don't want to spend
$3,700. So, what reso's have quality
characteristics in gradual downward steps
from a ten to a one with the MA Beard as
"ten" ?

Also, what wood-body reso is about the
same quality as my steel-body National
Tri-cone ?

If this sort of comparison is verboten,
please ignore it and accept my apology
in advance.
Ed

Stephen Abruzzo · From: Philly, PA

That's a BIG area Ed. How much are you willing to spend? Does it have to be USA made or is "made in China but set-up in USA" OK?

Since you mentioned Beard...go on their website.....www.beardguitars.com.....and look at the Beard-made guitars and then the Gold-Tone Bear (much less expensive). The top-line GoldTones are still a fine playing reso for up to $1,000.

Check out the Wechter Scheerhorn resos too for a price range of $1,000-1,500.

Both are excellent guitars and well respected without breaking the bank. Anything higher than that is rarefied air and something I can't speak on as I have no experience with it.

Perhaps Brad can chime in to point you in the right direction??

Robert Allen · From: Tennessee, USA

It's difficult to go wrong with brands such as Scheerhorn, RQ Jones, and Beard. Affixing a 10 to 1 scale is problematic because quality of some brands may vary. Also, appearance and sound are subjective. If you like the looks, the sound, and the price, then you've found your instrument. It matters not what your neighbor thinks unless you intend on selling it to him.

If you are going for price, a decent used instrument can save you a lot of money. For example, musician dies, spouse sells pricelss dobro for $25. Thrift shops genrally have no idea what an instrument is worth. Instruments are buried among clothing, toys and furniture. They may be overpriced or underpriced. I once paid $5 at a thrift shop for a guitar that was imprinted CF Martin New York. At another I bought 3 brand new 1935 Dobros in original cases for $45 each. Check the classified, yard sales, 2nd hand stores. Sometimes a musician at a jam is hurting for money and will make a good deal. I know one man who stood a discreet distance from a pawn shop waiting for musicians to go by, asked them what they had and what they'd take. Most pawn shops aren't going to pay much for an instrument.

Bill McCloskey · Posted 6 Sep 2010 7:11 am

In my opinion, there is a steep drop off after the Beard MA. If you've played one, you'll know what I mean. Beard has a lower end line and they are fine.

My suggestion: hold on to your current dobro and put $25 a week aside. In 3 years you'll be able to get the MA.

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

This is a golden age for resonator guitars. More people are making high quality resonator guitars than at any time in the past, and they're experimenting with ways to improve the quality of the guitars they're building.

Give us a price range that you're willing to spend and we can offer suggestions within that range. It would also be helpful to hear what dobro players you like, with the idea of getting a guitar that sounds like theirs.
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Clyde Mattocks · From: Kinston, North Carolina, USA

I agree with Brad. There are a lot of good sounding reasonably priced dobros out there now. A good set up can do wonders for a lower priced box. My main dobro is a Harlow that will stand up against most any of them, but I have a cheap Regal that was set up by Bobby Wright (www.customresosetup.com) that kicks. He set up an inexepensive Beanblossom for a friend of mine and did wonders for it. Spending 150.00 or so on a good set up will amaze you.
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LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro

Mark Eaton · Posted 6 Sep 2010 9:39 am

Ed, due to the the economy, along with the fact that some guys just accumulate too many guitars and can't stop themselves from buying new ones, there are some great resonator guitars for sale on the used market right now.

And no, in terms of Beard, the MAS is not dollar-wise, the top-of-the line guitar. There is the Beard Jerry Douglas model which retails for over $5K (there is also a Limited Edition for $7500). For that matter, the Beard E sells at around the same price as the MAS.

Used: It's currently "on hold," so I don't know what that means exactly, but if you like the Beard sound and look, Michael Barton in the Washington D.C. area has a really nice Beard R Mahogany model for sale @$1800, and I believe new these go for $2700-$2800. I have played several Beard R Mahoganys, and I have yet to meet one that I didn't really like.

And this is the tip of the iceberg. There are many good used guitars for sale right now on Reso-Nation. I don't know if you have the ability to view the link below if you are not member, but it is a site well worth joining for one who is serious about dobros. This link is to Michael's classified ad on the site:

http://www.reso-nation.org/classifieds/michael-barton/house-cleaning-burgin-still-sale-beard-hold-martin-sold
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Mark

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