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I was in my local music store today and picked up a Gretsch resonator, and really liked it. As in I strongly considered walking out with it even though I can't afford it right now. It was one of these: http://www.gretschguitars.com/products/ ... 2717010000


I assume a few of you guys have resonators, any particular suggestions on what to get if I do make the plunge? I really liked the v-neck on this one, and I liked the sound of the all metal body compared to the resonators with wooden bodies. I really know nothing about resonators though, this was the first time that I'd spent more than a couple of minutes with one.

The price on this Gretsch wasn't too bad at $529, and I think that's about the upper limit of where I'd go if I do get one.

I've never been in possession of a resonator guitar, but I've got a resonator mandolin.

That Gretsch looks pretty nice.

What do you want it for, Colin?

I played around with one of those at NAMM last week. I can't play guitar and I really want one.

Now I really wanna resonator bass w/ fanned frets.

I've got an Epiphone Biscuit resonator that I've modded with a National cone and a Schatten pickup.
I absolutely love it.
I've heard that the Gretsch metal bodied resonators really don't sound like a normal resonator.
I'm not sure if that's actually a bad thing or not though
I know I've almost walked out of a couple music stores with that Gretsch

I do know that you have to be careful with cheaper resonators though. They tend to be built terribly.
One thing to really look out for is that cheaper resonators, especially foreign built, tend to screw the cone into the body, which is just not right.
My Epi came like that, and it also had two screws into the biscuit (instead of one right in the middle how it's supposed to be set up)
Overall, it still worked but it didn't sound right. After swapping to a better cone and setting it up right it sounded way better.
That being said I doubt the Gretsch would be built poorly

Chankgeez wrote:I've never been in possession of a resonator guitar, but I've got a resonator mandolin.

That Gretsch looks pretty nice.

What do you want it for, Colin?

I'm not really sure what I want it for, I just picked it up and really liked the sound of it. If I got one, I'd probably use it for slide a bit (I'm horrible at slide, but still enjoy it sometimes), but mostly not slide. I don't know, seems like it would be fun for some kind of droney psychedelic bluesy sort of noodling.

MrNovember wrote:I've got an Epiphone Biscuit resonator that I've modded with a National cone and a Schatten pickup.
I absolutely love it.
I've heard that the Gretsch metal bodied resonators really don't sound like a normal resonator.
I'm not sure if that's actually a bad thing or not though
I know I've almost walked out of a couple music stores with that Gretsch

I do know that you have to be careful with cheaper resonators though. They tend to be built terribly.
One thing to really look out for is that cheaper resonators, especially foreign built, tend to screw the cone into the body, which is just not right.
My Epi came like that, and it also had two screws into the biscuit (instead of one right in the middle how it's supposed to be set up)
Overall, it still worked but it didn't sound right. After swapping to a better cone and setting it up right it sounded way better.
That being said I doubt the Gretsch would be built poorly

Cool, thanks! I'll definitely do some more research if I decide to go down this path. I'd also go to a few more stores and try out some different options as well.

colin wrote: I'm not really sure what I want it for, I just picked it up and really liked the sound of it. If I got one, I'd probably use it for slide a bit (I'm horrible at slide, but still enjoy it sometimes), but mostly not slide. I don't know, seems like it would be fun for some kind of droney psychedelic bluesy sort of noodling.

That's the reason I bought my reso mando. I liked the way it sounds. I was on an extended trip without an instrument. That was the instrument I'd always pick up when I would go into the music shop in the town I was visiting. It was meant to be.

Maybe it's the same for you? Meant to be?

Definitely would be great for slide.

I just looked at the specs on this. It didn't say what size the cone is. If you do decide to get this, make sure the cone is a standard size. As MrNovember mentioned replacing the cone is popular upgrade. You wanna make sure you're able to do this if you want.

If you get it, you can get your Chris Whitley/Jeff Lang on:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceqz5MnT1MQ[/youtube]

I don't know anything about that particular model but I do know the following

1. Resonators are great and a lot of fun. My roommate has a cheap one and it has great sustain and a good tone. I have a 70's Hummingbird and still ask to record his guitar for its particular sound pretty frequently (especially cool when multi-tracking acoustic, for different textures).

2. The cheaper electric Gretsch guitars I've played have been extraordinarily well-put together.

I really want to get an acoustic, and when I do it'll be a resonator. To be more specific one of those Gretsch resonators exactly. Love Gretsch whole heartedly. Do it!

Here's some clips of my resonator. I haven't played it that much lately so I'm a bit rusty.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDR_G4kPANI[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGWFkUnUx68[/youtube]
I promised some clips of my resonator through some fuzz awhile ago, but it wasn't getting along with my Lab Ratchet so that'll have to wait

My wife got me one for christmas a few years ago and its been great when I get home I can get the name of it.