Tell me about a Beard Resophonic

Ron Hogan · From: Nashville, TN, usa

How do they compare to other custom builts?

Ian McLatchie · From: Sechelt, British Columbia

Ron:
A few years ago at Elderly Instruments I had the chance to try a number of custom resophonics back-to-back: a solid wood Beard, a Yanuziello, a couple of Rich and Taylors and several of the current Dobro signature models. The Beard was frankly a little disappointing, particularly given its hefty price (I don't remember what it cost, but it was the most expensive). A fine sounding guitar, certainly, but as I remember, a bit lacking in attack. I'm maybe prejudiced because I own a Yanuziello, but to my ears the Yanuziello was clearly the best sounding of the bunch. Certainly in terms of cosmetics, no other resophonic is in the same ballpark as Joe Yanuziello's.

Mike D · From: Phx, Az

So much is subjective. I've never heard a Yanuziello and don't know what style he builds in. Beard beards a tradional style reso, using a soundwell, this gives his guitars more of the "old timey" sound compared to Scheerhorn and other who build using soundpost and baffles.
I've heard one Beard up close in a little coffeeshop and was much impressed. Cindy Cashdollar plays her's on Steve James' newest album and it sounds great on it (course Cindy could sound good on a trash can lid with strings too

) Alot really depends on what your lookin' fer.

Ian McLatchie · From: Sechelt, British Columbia

Mike:
I agree, there's a huge subjective factor involved in choosing an instrument. All the instruments I mention above are "traditional-upgrade," (i.e. modern versions of the pre-war Dobro or Regal style), so comparison is maybe a little easier, and certainly valid. Every instrument has its particular tonal characteristics, and it finally comes down to personal taste in deciding which sound is best. Nonetheless, there are obviously some objective characteristics to be considered too. With resophonics, I find that maybe the greatest test of the quality of the instrument is the consistency of tone throughout the whole register. Volume is obviously another factor. Some of the old Dobros, for instance, sound great over a few frets, but I've yet to try one that didn't lose a great deal tonally in the second octave. The one Beard I played was certainly a fine instrument, but it didn't have the projection or the "bite" of a couple of others, and particularly if price was a factor it certainly wouldn't have been my choice.

[This message was edited by Ian McLatchie on 04 September 2000 at 11:26 AM.]

Howard Parker · From: Maryland

K Maul · From: Hadley, NY/Hobe Sound, FL

Now-my two cents.I own a solid Mahogany Beard guitar with a "modern"(RQ Jones-ish) style body as opposed to the smaller-waisted Regal style body.It is very warm,incredible midrange,and quite loud enough,thanks.I have played it on several recordings(including my own TOOLSHED and several of Robin and Linda Wiliiams recordings) and in dobro(note the small "d") workshops with Jerry Douglas and Tim Scheerhorn himself playing Scheerhorns.I had not problem with clarity,warmth or attack.
Beard has a new Birch-laminate model out now which IS a little brighter and snappier with the same good bass and mids.His basic model 1s $1800.Try looking at a Scheerhorn(which are wonderful instruments) or other small instrument maker for that price.Plus you can get them right now,not in two years.

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