The Resonator Thread

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Re: The Resonator Thread

Post by jeremyb »

I'm wondering now if I should get a normal acoustic as a bridge towards a resonator first, thoughts?
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Re: The Resonator Thread

Post by calling card »

They have a brash tinny quality that at first leaves you wondering what to do with it. Tune it into open G or even better D, get your slide out and search for the sweet spots. It's a time travel trip and will take you somewhere that no other guitar can do.

Good intro though to tune your acoustic into G and see what you can find.
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Re: The Resonator Thread

Post by olegmcnoleg »

calling card wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:33 am They have a brash tinny quality that at first leaves you wondering what to do with it. Tune it into open G or even better D, get your slide out and search for the sweet spots. It's a time travel trip and will take you somewhere that no other guitar can do.

Good intro though to tune your acoustic into G and see what you can find.
This ^^

I once heard the sound described as that of a zinc bucket being kicked down some wooden stairs :moresarc:
I guess I like that kind of tone though. But I definitely would not have one as my only acoustic instrument. They are too limited, tonally. And for a while, after I'd learned to play "Romeo & Juliet', I was not sure what to do with it. Thankfully Bruce Cockburn provided some inspiration. Once you get into that world of swamp slide, it can be quite intoxicating.

Mine is usually tuned to open D or even open C.

A couple of other things to note.
Resonators are heavy and bulky. Mine weighs more than my Les Paul, I'd guess at least 5kg. Brass is heavy. You need a thick strap.
Resonators often have really thick necks, even when designed for fingerstyle. Not sure why.

So mine does not get played much, compared to my acoustics. But nothing else can get you that tone. If that's what you are looking for, no point in having an acoustic.

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Re: The Resonator Thread

Post by jeremyb »

olegmcnoleg wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:39 pm
calling card wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:33 am They have a brash tinny quality that at first leaves you wondering what to do with it. Tune it into open G or even better D, get your slide out and search for the sweet spots. It's a time travel trip and will take you somewhere that no other guitar can do.

Good intro though to tune your acoustic into G and see what you can find.
This ^^

I once heard the sound described as that of a zinc bucket being kicked down some wooden stairs :moresarc:
I guess I like that kind of tone though. But I definitely would not have one as my only acoustic instrument. They are too limited, tonally. And for a while, after I'd learned to play "Romeo & Juliet', I was not sure what to do with it. Thankfully Bruce Cockburn provided some inspiration. Once you get into that world of swamp slide, it can be quite intoxicating.

Mine is usually tuned to open D or even open C.

A couple of other things to note.
Resonators are heavy and bulky. Mine weighs more than my Les Paul, I'd guess at least 5kg. Brass is heavy. You need a thick strap.
Resonators often have really thick necks, even when designed for fingerstyle. Not sure why.

So mine does not get played much, compared to my acoustics. But nothing else can get you that tone. If that's what you are looking for, no point in having an acoustic.
I think the more I think about it the more an acoustic makes sense right now :rofl:
Slowy wrote: That's the problem; everything rewarding is just such hard work. Regret takes much less effort.

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Re: The Resonator Thread

Post by olegmcnoleg »

jeremyb wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:58 pm

I think the more I think about it the more an acoustic makes sense right now :rofl:

What do you mean "right now"? Acoustics always make sense.

If you want to get half way between resonators and acoustics, you could try an archtop built in the 30's style. These can sound plenty bluesy & rootsy with the right strings.

You would need to look out for mahogany, not maple. And with a solid top at least. See recent thread on archtops.

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Re: The Resonator Thread

Post by jeremyb »

olegmcnoleg wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:46 pm
jeremyb wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:58 pm

I think the more I think about it the more an acoustic makes sense right now :rofl:

What do you mean "right now"? Acoustics always make sense.

If you want to get half way between resonators and acoustics, you could try an archtop built in the 30's style. These can sound plenty bluesy & rootsy with the right strings.

You would need to look out for mahogany, not maple. And with a solid top at least. See recent thread on archtops.
I do like the look of archtops for sure! More digging.... my 335 does a reasonable acoustic tone too, ergh....
Slowy wrote: That's the problem; everything rewarding is just such hard work. Regret takes much less effort.

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Re: The Resonator Thread

Post by Bg »

jeremyb wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 10:38 am I'm wondering now if I should get a normal acoustic as a bridge towards a resonator first, thoughts?
Oh look, daza is back!
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Re: The Resonator Thread

Post by calling card »

Your 335 tuned into the devil tuning will get you there and then some.
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Re: The Resonator Thread

Post by jeremyb »

Bg wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:40 pm
jeremyb wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 10:38 am I'm wondering now if I should get a normal acoustic as a bridge towards a resonator first, thoughts?
Oh look, daza is back!
Any tips on a good piano forum?
Slowy wrote: That's the problem; everything rewarding is just such hard work. Regret takes much less effort.

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Re: The Resonator Thread

Post by olegmcnoleg »

jeremyb wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:07 pm
olegmcnoleg wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:46 pm
jeremyb wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:58 pm

I think the more I think about it the more an acoustic makes sense right now :rofl:

What do you mean "right now"? Acoustics always make sense.

If you want to get half way between resonators and acoustics, you could try an archtop built in the 30's style. These can sound plenty bluesy & rootsy with the right strings.

You would need to look out for mahogany, not maple. And with a solid top at least. See recent thread on archtops.
I do like the look of archtops for sure! More digging.... my 335 does a reasonable acoustic tone too, ergh....
Archtops are cool.

335s do not make good acoustic guitars. :-)

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Re: The Resonator Thread

Post by calling card »

There are no rules...

2024; I have explored the extent of the perimeter dome, there is no escape. I am become Morpheus

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Re: The Resonator Thread

Post by jeremyb »

calling card wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:16 pm There are no rules...

Damn thats cool!
Slowy wrote: That's the problem; everything rewarding is just such hard work. Regret takes much less effort.

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Re: The Resonator Thread

Post by robthemac »

calling card wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:16 pm There are no rules...

Except that guy. He rules.
Jops wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 7:46 am Spring is the comic sans of reverbs anyway.

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Re: The Resonator Thread

Post by jeremyb »

Discovered this kiwi guy building resonators in Nelson! BG!!!

https://www.mattsenguitars.co.nz/
Slowy wrote: That's the problem; everything rewarding is just such hard work. Regret takes much less effort.

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Re: The Resonator Thread

Post by sizzlingbadger »

jeremyb wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2023 9:00 pm Discovered this kiwi guy building resonators in Nelson! BG!!!

https://www.mattsenguitars.co.nz/
He was featured in Mr Glynns YT a while back.

Tube amp and guitar tones straight from 1958… amazing how believable the sounds were back then, even without the modellers...

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