Resonator suggestions

[Budman2k]

I've been thinking about picking up an inexpensive (but decent) resonator. I've looked at the Gold Tone Paul Beard Deluxe and the Liberty FA 100. I've only seen them online and done some research on both models. Does anybody here have first hand experience with either of these models?

Thanks,
Budman

[lyles]

Sorry Budman,

I looked at Johnsons, and Epi resonators and decided that they just didn't have what I needed. I went for the Dobro.

But, I have a friend that went for the Johnson wood body and for $250 USD he got a really nice axe. Great tone, good playability and nice action. No electronics and made offshore but hey its a good inexpensive option.

Check them all out and remember if it feels good and sounds good---- That's the one !!!


I've been thinking about picking up an inexpensive (but decent) resonator. I've looked at the Gold Tone Paul Beard Deluxe and the Liberty FA 100. I've only seen them online and done some research on both models. Does anybody here have first hand experience with either of these models?

Thanks,
Budman

[sliding-tom]

The Johnsons seem to be not too bad and since you don't get the National quality on a low budget you still could get one and upgrade to a better resonator. There's a resonator guitar company here in Germany (Continental), that assembles and markets resos with bodies and resonators made in Czechoslovakia and necks from Japan and Johnson is their low-budget line. Good luck in finding a good one!!

[Budman2k]

Thanks guys.
The problem is I can't find a local dealer to try these out. I've hear that the Johnson quality is all over the map so finding a good one means finding a dealer and playing a bunch. I'm tempted to order the Gold Tone since MF has a 45 day return policy.

Budman

[lyles]

Thanks guys.
The problem is I can't find a local dealer to try these out. I've hear that the Johnson quality is all over the map so finding a good one means finding a dealer and playing a bunch. I'm tempted to order the Gold Tone since MF has a 45 day return policy.

Budman

If you have a local music store they should have the connections to bring in a few and let you try them then they should be able to return the ones you don't take. There shouldn't be a penalty or restocking charge but if there is it might be worth paying it to try them out first.

There are many out there and it is very easy for the tone to be flat. especially in the entry market. The cone quality may not be good and it might just sound plunky instead of bright.

You also need to try spider and biscuit bridges to see what tone you like. I sprung for the spider but many prefer the biscuit.

Don't just buy without trying if you can. At least contact the manufacturers and see if they have sound clips so you can make sure the tone is what you want. Its not going to help you with the real thing but it might help you better decide on which bridge configuration.
Good Luck.

[iamru02]

Hi Budman,
This is a late post, considering your first inquiry and you may have found a resonator by now. Good suggestions from the replies you received, just thought I'd add my 2 cents.
I too wanted a Dobro but just couldn't swing the bucks. So a little over 10 years ago, I found a "Morrell" resonator. It's Korean made but when I was looking around, everyone told me they were the best foreign that could be found at the time. I was told there was a distributer in either Nashville or Memphis, don't remember now and I just did a search and couldn't find anything on them. I paid 5 bills for mine and like I said it was over 10 years ago but I haven't regreted it at all. Well made, true sound and what I was looking for to learn some bottleneck on.
Probably too little too late but the Morrell's are worth looking into.
cheers