Guide to understanding and buying Resonator Guitars. Resonator guitars were designed to make it louder (compared to traditional acoustic guitars) so that they could be heard over horns and percussion instruments. Review of the bestselling resonator guitars.
What is a Resonator?
Resonator guitars were designed to produce a louder sound so that it could be properly heard when played with other music instruments.
A resonator guitar basically utilizes a metal cone (rather than a customary wooden soundboard) that sits underneath the strings and acts very much like a stereo speaker. The strings connect to the cone via a bridge. When the strings are played, the metal cone vibrates, and you get a completely distinct tone and timbre.
The original purpose of designing resonator guitars was to make them sound louder than conventional acoustic guitars. These were the days when amplifiers were not common.
The problem encountered by musicians was that the sound from the acoustic guitars was easily drowned by the sounds from the other instruments in dance orchestras.
This problem gave birth to the resonator guitars, also known as resophonic guitar.
By using spun metal cones (resonators) instead of the wooden sound board that you find on modern guitars. The body of a resonator guitar could be made of wood or metal (these are the more common ones), or occasionally from other materials.
The original problem for which resonator guitars were designed no longer applies as you can easily amplify the sound of your acoustic guitar using an amplifier.
However, resonator guitars are still used because of their distinct sound quality!
Musicians/composers want their music to sound distinct. That’s the reason resonator guitars are still being used in several musical styles, more so with bluegrass and also blues.
This musical instrument allows a musician to add a distinctive sonic flair to an arrangement, without having to plug in any electric instrument. Although most resonators nowadays also come in an electric version.
- Resonators have always been a favorite instrument of several blues & bluegrass players.
- Resonators have also been used in several country music classics.
Several musicians love playing the slide on these guitars, because of the bright and smokey sounds that these produce.
Though the production of these instruments have decreased over the years, these still continue to be made. As far as the brands are concerned, Gibson is the more popular one, though you may also consider the more affordable “National” brand.
Resonator or “resophonic” guitars (Compare Bestsellers) have an unmistakable and unique sound that been embraced and incorporated into country and blues music.
Resonator Guitar Styles / Sub-categories
To cater to musicians who are used to playing in different styles, resonator guitars are usually available in a couple of styles:
Square necked guitars
These are designed considering the guitar players who play in steel guitar style. These are intended to be played like a lap steel guitar or suspended from a strap.
Round necked guitars
These can be played in either the conventional classical guitar style or in the lap steel guitar style. These can be played like traditional guitar or horizontally like a steel guitar.
Types of Resonators
There are 3 main types of resonators: Tri-Cones, Single-Cone Biscuit Bridge and Single Cone Spider Bridge.
While there are exceptions, Tri-cones almost always come in a metal body and Spider Bridge guitars almost always come in wood. Biscuit Bridge guitars are a mixed bag and come in both.
If you want more of a delta blues sound, you want a tri-cone or a single cone biscuit bridge, if you want a bluegrass and country sound, you want a a single cone spider bridge.
Here’s a video on selecting Resonators:
Resonator Guitar Design
Typically there are two main sound holes, positioned on either side of the fingerboard extension.
The body of a resonator guitar is usually made of wood or metal, and is feels solid as a rock.
Though several brands come out with guitars that have a variation of these styles and designs, most Resonator guitars sound loud, are very responsive, and look beautiful.
Metal vs Wood Resonator Guitar
Johnny Winter lovingly described it as the “sound of a garbage can with strings”. Metal body guitars sound very metallic and brash.
There are a few types of metal commonly used – steel, brass and German Silver. They are almost all coated in Nickel, so while they may look similar but each has it’s own sonic properties.
Wood Body Resonator Guitars sound mellow. Wood provides a warmer, more organic sound. Typically the type of wood used in a guitar has a big impact on the sound. The majority of wood resonators are made out of plywood, which is sturdy, durable, and long lasting.
Dobro vs Resonator
So what exactly is the difference between a Dobro and a Resonator?
This is one question that stumps many, especially if they’re new to the world of resonator guitars.
Here’s the answer:
A resonator guitar is a type of guitar that uses a resophonic cone to amplify sound.
A Dobro is a very popular brand of resonator guitar, and because of its popularity many think its a type of guitar. Other common brands are National, Regal, Beard and Gretch.
Famous Resonator Guitar Players and their Guitars?
Here are some of the most famous Resonator Guitar players, also take a look at their Resonator Guitars.
- Bukka White: Played a National Single Cone Biscuit Bridge
- Son House: Played a National Single Cone Biscuit Bridge, typically a Triolian, Duolian, or Style O
- Taj Mahal: Played steel bodied nationals (among many)
- Tampa Red: Played a National Style 4 Spanish Tri-Cone resonator
- Duane Allman: Played a Dobro round neck single cone (probably among many others)
- Josh Graves: Played a Dobro 1928 Model 37
- Jerry Douglas: Plays a Beard Jerry Douglas Signature square neck
- Eric Clapton: Owned any played many, including a Beltona Tricone, several Nationals and a Fine Resonphonics
- Keith Richards: Played a National Style O (among many)
- Johnny Winter: Played a National Doulian
Recommended Resonator Guitars
As you can see, a Resonator Guitar still continues to be used primarily for their distinct tone quality. Resonators are particularly used for playing in bluegrass and country style of music.
Another thing to note is that Dobro is actually a brand of resonator guitar, although it has now become somewhat synonymous with the entire category. However, there are other good brands of Resonator Guitars as well.
Here are some of the bestselling Resonators:
Gretsch G9210 Boxcar Square-Neck Resonator Guitar
Mahogany top, body, and neck; a rosewood fingerboard; Ampli-Sonic spider cone and bridge. Great-sounding square-neck resonator is easy to play. A pair of “F” soundholes top off the distinguished good looks of this unique instrument.
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Washburn R15R Resonator
Natural Finish. Reso Round Neck. Mahogany Top. Mahogany Sides/Back.
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Gretsch G9202 Honey Dipper Round-Neck Resonator Guitar
Comfortable v-shape mahogany neck and slick-fretting rosewood fingerboard. Gretsch’s Ampli-Sonic hand-spun biscuit cone puts out impressive volume, but there’s also a pair of “F” soundholes joining in. Has all the same features of the popular G9201 Honey Dipper, with the additions of aged white fingerboard binding, screened headstock graphic and a weathered “Bell Bronze” finish.
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The Loar LH-700-VS Deluxe Hand-Carved Archtop Guitar
Solid Hand-Carved Arched AAA Spruce Top. Solid Hand-Carved Arched Flamed Maple Back and Flamed Maple Sides. Figured Maple Neck with Vintage-Style Skunk Stripe. Bound Ebony Fretboard. Hand-Buffed Nitrocellulose Finish.
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KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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