Cheap Far East Resonator vs USA National Resonator - Comparison Video
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- čas přidán 24. 01. 2022
- Compare a far eastern resonator with a genuine USA made one.
This Ozark branded Korean made resonator is like many of the china made guitars that come out of the same couple of factories.
This is your chance to hear and see what a cheaper generic resonator sounds like and then also compare it with a real vintage 1935 National Duolian.
Don’t forget to check out our podcast ‘The Washboard Resonators Present…’ on the CZcams playlist or every podcast platform.
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Thanks all!
❤️❤️❤️
About 25 years ago I was a delivery driver who went all over the North and Midlands. One day I was in Shrewsbury and stopped for my dinner break at the car park on the town centre. I noticed a second hand guitar shop on one side of the park so went over to have a look. I’d been interested in getting a resonator and had tried quite few over the last 5 or 6 years, all of them either Korean or Chinese, and, as you said in the video, they all had a rather thin “tinny” sound to them. Hung up in the window was an old, wooden, Dobro like resonator and the ticket on it said it was a 1930’s American instrument. I’m afraid it’s name is long forgotten by me, but it definitely wasn’t one of the better known ones. Anyway, I went into the shop and asked to have a look at it. It’s general condition looked as though it had been run over by a burning tank, battered to heck, dinged and with a few little splits in the body. It’s most memorable feature was a very deep V neck. One strum, and I placed the slide the proprietor lent me on the strings, and the damn thing almost jumped out of my hands. It sounded fantastic, all the frequencies were there in great balance, it positively hummed in a melodious tone I’d never heard from a resonator before. I asked the guy how much, thinking I was going to get a bargain due to its appearance. 400 quid he said. I’d no way to get that amount of cash together so I had to leave. I often think about that guitar, and in more insane moments I think of going back to Shrewsbury in case it’s still there. Probably the shop isn’t still there anymore let alone the guitar, but if anyone reading this lives in or around Shrewsbury maybe he knows the shop I mean and if it still exists.
It’ll have circulated. The washboard player lives near there now and I know a few folk in the area with resonator guitars. If I think I’ll ask. Might know. Ask in the resonator Facebook pages. They turn up all
Kinds of info!!
There is a difference but the cheap one has lighter gauge strings and naturally requires a lighter touch.
The differences are magnified with this arrangement.
Put a set of nickle strings the same gauge on both you will find much less difference.
Put a set of heavier nickle strings on the cheap one and you just might end up with the same sound.
I have compared my three Johnson Resonators to Dobro and National and yes there is a difference.
Is the difference $4000 worth, No way.... Maybe $250
I paid $100 for one in a garage sale, $285 for one in a shop, and $305 for another on line.
$40 in strings and a few adjustments and like I say maybe $250 worth of better sound.
🤩
I feel I should temper my comment below with the statement that I truly appreciate everything you have done for us aspiring box scratching, string sliding reso players. Thanks.
Glad to be of service! Thanks. 🎯🎵🎯
Informative and illuminating! Thanks you. Just getting into resophonic after decades of electric.😊
Welcome! Lots to get into. They’re unique beasts!
Listened to this one through my phone but really noticed the difference through my headphones. Great video!
Awesome stuff dude!
I have an Ozark and play old delta blues and it does the job, the brash sound suits well that sort of music, and I can get those dark blues sounds easily. It is well built and a bargain for the price. Thanks for your videos.
Any guitar will do the job if the person can get out if it what they want. Awesome to hear you’re doing the business!! 🎼🎯🎼
Agree. I have an Ozark and it sounds fabulous. In respect of weight, I have handled a Duolian and it weighed about the same
I definitely can hear the difference.
Thanks for the insight, I've just started to learn to play and fell in love with the resonator.
They’re beautiful instruments!!
Thanks for this video! Very interesting. Nice to see Hobgoblin getting a mention, I used to visit their West End shop a lot.
I have a Gretsch resonator which I bought to practice slide and see if I liked resos in general. Now I’m hooked and hoping to upgrade someday. It’s just the prices which limit me. Cheers!
Hobgoblin are a great range of shops. Always good for calling in at when around the country for interesting second hand instruments.
My pal has a Gretsch resonator and it’s a damn fine instrument. Not all are but his most certainly is.
🎯
Really great analysis, thanks! Love the discussion on biscuit wood. 🙂
Makes a huge difference! I had a Tricone that someone put an Ebony tip on the bridge. Once it was replaced with cheap maple the guitar was louder and bassier.
@@TheWashboardResonators Any thoughts on the Gretch Honey Dripper? Brass body rather than steel which sounds hopeful. I once had a Staff steel one which was shocking 😔
Great video, I would love to see your whole collection.
That will come soon!
We did a comparison video which shares the resonators it’s called ‘How To Choose a Resonator.’
Not quite the entire collection but it’s a start. We also have a series of guitar stories about specific instruments.
🎯
Thanks for the comparison, nicely done and very helpful! On my crappy computer speakers the Ozark sounded pretty good when played a bit more softly, which is encouraging. I do like the idea of upgrading with better parts which could be a good way to get decent tone at a decent price.
Spot on! It’s perfectly decent - a few tweaks and it could be better still. The ‘proper’ ones are better but then for thousands more spent they should be!
I have one called Rogue. I sanded the saddle down, and adjusted the truss rod. It plays reasonably well.
As someone new to guitar playing and considering a resinator rather than an a acoustic guitar to complement my Gretsch electric your video is very helpful.
Good stuff! Glad to be of assistance!
Thank you Martin. Some very useful tips here. I recently bought a used Gretsch honey dipper and it sounds truly awesome. I took the biscuit out and sanded down the saddle as it the action was very high. I appreciate this is a slide but sometimes i want to play open chords and notes as well. It was killing my fingers size 18-56!! lol It seemed to help and fingers were not so strained. I then put on a capo and got string buzz so found an old wooden plant marker, cut it to size and slotted it and fit it back in. Cheap wood indeed and far too soft although the action was better but It killed the sustain and that rich warm tone was no more so i packed the old saddle back in and i am back or near to the original height. Guess my fingers will strengthen in time. Thanks again.
Put 12’s on or take it to a luthier for a quick saddle adjustment. 🎯
Setting it up is huge! Even my National when i got it needed to be set up correctly. Steel is steel, brass is brass. Of course the Nationals have hours of hands on workmanship and the Asian ones are slapped together but, you can with some fiddling have a pretty good resonator for cheap money. buy one for 4 to 500 and if you love it and take to it save up for the national or dobro or mule or whathaveyou. To me, they all sound fine. the exception is the old german silver squarenecks, For hawaiian style, nothing can touch them. They are worth the money and will hold their value or go up. In the past ten years most of them have doubled in value. There i go again guitarded. I ramble once ive had my morning espresso. Cheers to all blues cats! tom somewhere in Maine...
I just finished watching this video for about the 5th time. I thank you for your efforts and results. I'm actually impressed with the Ozark. Sound is frankly just too subjective to speak about it as if opinions were facts. I liked the sound of both instruments. As another commenter noted, there is definitely not a 10X difference in price to sound comparison. They don't sell Ozarks here in the states, but I came across a music store in Great Britain (Gear4music) who sells the all brass body, cutaway, solid black finish, acoustic/electric resonator for a very good price and even with shipping it compares price wise to any similar resonator I could buy at Guitar Center. (There is actually nothing else on the market similar to this guitar) The fit and finish seems to be every bit as good, if not better, than anything else I've seen here in the US, I may go for it because in the world of resonators, it's a beautiful anomaly. Thank you for all your videos. I love the music and the tech content. Keep up the good work.
Thanks. Bear in mind that CZcams compresses video sound and the two sounds more different in the flesh. 🎯
Cheers, enjoyed it 👍
Great cheers.
Glad you mentioned Michael Messer , I had a Lightning and it was great. Now I have an old National and of course it is better. I also knew a guy with an Ozark. He had a Nrp cone and biscuit fitted and also a bone nut and it sounded fantastic for the money. Thanks for the video
Michael’s guitars and ethos are incredible. I know they can be stood behind as I know first hand what goes into making sure that they reach the customer in optimal playing state.
Glad the old one is good. It’s not always the case but often is. 🙃
National ! All the way!1111
They sound distinctly different, but I like how they both sound. I’m new to resonators and wouldn’t mind having either one in my collection
CZcams compressors the sound a bit on upload. The new one is quieter and thinner. Both still great and perfectly usable.
hello i have two very cheap resonators. Better buy something expensive. Come see my videos. thx.
Great video!
🎯🎯🎯🎼
Clear tonal difference but both do that old school recognisable thing. I have a NRP tricone that I love but the Ozark wasn't bad at all for what it is. We're lucky there's decent lower cost alternatives readily available for what is ostensibly a niche instrument
Couldn’t agree more. If you’re okay with the ethics of most western manufacturing going to the Far East then it’s a golden age of instrument building and consumerism at all prices points. 🎯🎵🎯
@@TheWashboardResonators Ethics? Based on the fact you are located where the industrial revolution was born, would you consider buying National resonator that was built by an overseas manufacturer to be unethical? If Chinese builders create instruments based solely on blueprints, how could one explain the excellent tone and quality of Eastman guitars, which are giving Martin, as well as many boutique builders, some sleepless nights worrying about profit margins and price points? On the other side of the coin, Breedlove guitar's chief designer and head of product development, Angela Christensen, does not play guitar at all and yet it is difficult to argue with the quality of Breedlove's guitars.
I have an untrained ear, can’t read a note of music. And I hear metal (Tin like) almost notes bouncing off the surface of the Chinese instrument vs a much more mellow (Softer) sound coming (not reflected) from the older USA National Resonator.
Wow. Great analysis & sampling for us to compare. The metal one certainly sounds more banjo-ish & metalic....but pretty cool. The 1935 one is just rich & deep & woodsy & beautiful sounding. The two would be used almost for different genres of music, I'd think.
Both fine guitars in different ways. What the video doesn’t show well is just how much thinner the cheaper one is.
🎯🎼🎯
Great video. Many are wondering what same strings on cheap guitar would have done. Since its gone now, a great qik vid would be to put 12's on your National next time change strings b4 you put on the 16s. That would at least give some idea of what the Ozark might have sounded like with same strings as the National. I'd sure like to hear it.
I wasn’t going to get into that on a quick video. The point is to show that a cheap one is fine.
I have an Ozark. Cannot complain as it does the job. I have handled a Duolian and it weighs about the same. I would like a more “jangly” cone, but I am happy with what I’ve got
The truth is 90% of instruments are fine for 90% of players. Every minute practicing is a minute better spent than wondering which guitar to buy.
my jaw kind of dropped when the national was finally played, it sounds incredible.
It’s very beefy. ❤️
The Ozark does sound thinner but fitted with a set of 16-56 phosphor bronze proper resonator strings like D'Addario EJ42 it would sound totally different and much closer to the National, although National resonator cones do have a sound of their own.
The CZcams compression made them sound more similar. In real life it was way quieter and thinner. But the video proves the point that instruments can be perfectly fine regardless of price.
A good comparison. Thank you for making that video.
I think, I could here the difference, and I have to say, I like the original a bit better. I've got myself a cheap one from Harley Benton last year to tip my toe into resonators for approx. 200€. It has a similar sound to the one you've testplayed. But my wife I pretty thankful for the compression when playing to loud. So I'm restricted to a more flat-level of loudness 😃.
Glad it’s been of use!
Really good and informative video. Clearly, the vintage American one has the richness, as you mention. Also true that any amateur (such as I am) would be perfectly happy with the cheaper one. One closing comment is that generally speaking, resonators have that "cut through" sound, and you gonna get that with your cheaper one, but of course, the danger is that you cross that line between good "cut through" and sounding like you're playing through a tin can. It seems to me that an all-metal guitar, as the cheaper one is, will always get you closer to the tin can sound than a guitar made with wood.
To a degree. I’ve head warm steel bodies abc very trashy ones. Set up, cone quality etc all play a roll. Generally I like wood bod resonators. You get the resonator ‘honk’ but with more body.
Liked & subscribed!
Thanks!!
Thanks for this honest comparison.
Worth mentioning fact. Owning a good playing vintage resonator, or any instrument, comes equipped with that certain "X" factor (or vibe) over newer instruments, whatever the price. By owning, but most importantly, PLAYING it you've suddenly become part of its history which can be important for some musicians/performers. But it has to play and sound acceptable for the money spent (or be adjusted to sound good) and not just be a museum piece.
Personally, I'd much prefer to see old vintage instruments, especially instruments with famous past ownership, played till they they literally fall apart rather than be stored behind glass, worst still in a bank vault. (Maybelle Carter's Gibson L-5 acoustic comes to mind!).
I think the point Martin was making is there are instruments to be had across a broad price range that are playable with a good or acceptable sound to suit your budget, and that playing resonators is a good thing. So share the message. I applaud that.
Me, I have a selection of mainly cheap reso's in wood and metal, that deliver a range of different sounds, with one vintage resonator that has buckets of vibe and a dark delta tone I would never part with. It's a love affair. I even make up stories (some true, some half true, and some darn-right lies) attached to the instrument to keep listeners amused!
The main disadvantage with cheaper instruments can be the poor manufacture which makes the instrument uncomfortable to play, thus the musician will usually be reluctant to play it. However. If it sounds great....?
For example.
I have a fairly cheap, great sounding tri-cone bought from Amazon years ago with a twisted neck, but played ok. In fact the twist actually gave relief on the treble strings to help eliminate fret buzz with slide. They sent me another with a perfectly straight neck which I sent back because it didn't sound nearly as good, so I kept the one with the twisted neck which is probably worthless in terms of re-sale. So overall my friends, it's the SOUND that will eventually go to your heart and ears rather than any other factor. That's the one you'll end up appreciating the most.
Exactly that. Like cars, houses and other things you buy the best you can buy there’s no reason that something cheaper can’t do the job. 🎯
Resonators are different from conventional guitars in a couple of key ways .
Even in same brands , models , and vintages , each one sounds different , more so than regular accoustic guitars .
Resonators are mechanically complex . Both in requiring ongoing tightening and adjusting , and in being properly set up initially .
The Ozark is indeed recognizable as a Metal Body Biscuit Bridge , and I've heard a lot worse .
As noted , the action was problematic .
Inexpensive Imports should be thought of as a Kit rather than a finished product .
A knowledgeable , Reso skilled luthier ( or a patient amateur who does research ) could go over and tweak the internals for fit and squareness , upgrade to brand name USA cone , new bridge insert , set relative string levels , and string height to player preference , and the Import will sound up to twice as good as out of the box .
If you want a good set up out of the box , you'll have to spend 2 or 3X the price on a Republic .
They both sound good,buth the National gives a warmer sound all over the place.
Nice video,Martin.
Kind regards,
T.
Indeed. Some may even prefer the cheaper one! 🎯
Wish you had shown MORE of your collection, and got into the BEST WAYS to electrify or amplify/MIC a Vintage National w/out doing TOO much damage to it! Nice playing!
Done all these videos you mention. Cue the playlists. 🎯
Nice video flick. I play a National Delphi open g but not the way you think of a resonator. Think grunge ZZ Top “Tush” and Keef “Honky Tonk Women”….and then I open a can of bizarro world by playing Bowie “Heroes”. It ain’t just for slide or delta blues. 🤙
Couldn’t agree more. Bon Iver is good evidence of that!
This was a fantastic video. Iv bought and sold so many cheap resanators. Upgrading the cones and so on. After playing and taking apart so many. The best budget resanators out there are Michael Messer s. Followed by early republics. ( the newer ones are very hit and miss in qc). Most of the other sub $1000 resanators. ( regel, gretch, Johnson, recording king, Alabama) are just poorly built for there price point. By the time you do the upgrades and set up. Your looking at the price of a Michael Messer. This is coming from someone that owns two nrps a mule , older republic brass body parlor and a Michael Messer blues. But iv wasted alot of money over the last 10 years to get to this point. Thank you for this video . It's always a pleasure to view them and your so very helpful. Wish this video was available 9 years ago.
Hey Andy. The point of these videos is to save people the time and open the doors.
Your comment is very valuable as it explains better than I could the reality of cheaper resonator production and value for money.
Thanks. 🎯
@@TheWashboardResonators don't get me wrong anything to get your foot in the door with resanators is a good thing. And in fairness Michael Messer s were not available in the mid 2000s if I recall. I wish I had never bought the Johnson or Alabama or newer regals. We are truly lucky that Michael Messer has worked very hard to put out a budget resanator that is a great workhorse right out of the box for such a reasonable price point.
@@andywilliams2942 I know first hand that he cares so much about putting a good instrument in peoples hands.
We did a podcast about his life and will soon release an interview about his brand.
@@TheWashboardResonators ❤
Thanks that’s very helpful
The Korean reso’s sound is thinner and the frequency is higher. It would need to be taken to a luthier to be properly set up. I have a Regal RC-02, and needed to get it set up properly. Also, not all far eastern resos are equal. I’m currently focused on the Michael Messer resos (in my price range). My point is that for lots of folks Nationals and Dobros costing thousands of dollars are too expensive so the question is do you buy Gretsch or another National knockoff from wherever. In the end it’s about sound and playability. Lastly, a good point about changing the cone. Again, I love your videos. Cheers from chilly Ottawa.
Cheers for this.
We’ll be releasing a podcast in a few weeks about Michael Messers guitar brand. He gives the lowdown on the QC procedures.
Ultimately we’ve got to buy the best we can afford as players and hopefully one day we can get to be able to afford ‘the best’ as it’s nice to play something that has the special sound.
🎯
Tried a Greshch in a shop here in Perth Western Australia as I was walking past just out of curiosity, didn't pick it up to play it. That thing was very loud, and heavy, quite heavy compared to a wooden accustic guitar, tested the weight by lifting it by the neck. This instrument was very loud for an aucustic instrument. And expensive a brand new Gretsch. I was a little surprised by how loud it was having once owned a wooden bodied Johnson Dobro. The Gretsch was much louder than the Johnson but the Johnson was half the price of that Gretsch maybe even less than half but it was a long time ago and the intonation was not good on the Johnson, didn't test the Gretsch for intonation. It is not easy to get a quality instrument on the cheap but they do happen.
Absolutely played some great budget resonators over the years. The Michael Messer range easily being the best. A pal has a Gretsch and it’s fantastic. 🎯
Thanks for this comparison, that I've just watched for the second time, after the happy purchase of a Royall Resonators Tampa tricone. I began resonators with a very plain biscuit entry-level Harley Benton 2 years ago. I was disappointed with the tone, changed the cone to something better and managed to get better sound and more stable tone, then one year later, the neck and fingerboard got totally weird, so I chose to move up to a Royall, and I'm now very happy to play a reliable guitar, no matter which tuning I may use. I think that between the Ozark and the National there's a wide spectrum of brands providing very good instruments. My Tampa cost me 880.00€ via Thomann (Harley Benton is their home brand, which I can't recommend after my disappointment with their biscuit baby) but the other resonator brands they market are really something to be considered, IMHO.
Lots of choice. The Michael Messer brand are killer. Most budget are perfectly okay now. A good vintage / NRP / Mule / Fine Resophonic / BELTONA takes some beating though.
Interesting video! Enjoyed it! Am I right in saying that the key to a great resonator tone is thin metals and soft woods, to allow the instrument to vibrate as freely as possible?
They’re really important points but there are so many more variables beyond those points you raise.
Neck set and angle, string slots, cone and even more.
The best ones I’ve played all do a 3D thing and have a super rich harmonic content that has to be heard to be believed.
Old Nationals from the 1920s & 30s often have it as well as great instruments by Beltona, NRP, Fine Resophonic, Mule, MM, Beltona and others have it too.
Anyone can factory produce these guitars but it takes a master(s) to make a really great one by dialling in all the components just so.
🎵🎵🎵
@@TheWashboardResonators
Just an observation...
There IS a difference between a wood body and a metal body resonator guitar.
On top of that, there will be a difference between biscuit and spider type designs.
Then, there are the choice of strings bridge and nut materials as well as fretboard and neck materials.
Of course body size factors in the tonal properties.
Even if the Asian made model were top shelf in the purist's mind, the two will still have very different sound qualities.
I cite these considerations as just observation.
On a wood Spider bridge , little to none of the tone comes from the wood . It comes from the cone , influenced by the sound well vs sound posts , and baffle design ( or absence ) .
I think this is the only "deadcheap vs deadly expensive" resonator comparison online, so, well done!
I got a cheap 359 euro Harley Benton one, and a Lace humbucker pick up for it. With hindsight, I should probly have gone for their 150 euro more electric one with a lipstick and a piezo pickup.
Because when using the humbucker for gain the typical res sound tends to fade. The piezo would be to maintain the res sound, which you can dial in with a volume knob.
The HB looks much like the ozark, except the HB has a flat(ter) neck.
Thanks! You definitely loose the resonator sound in high gain situations. Still a cool and usable rig. You could get a piezo and wire it in perhaps with a stack pot and blend. Perhaps 150€ to buy and install.
Less talk an more play would be nice
All depends upon what Sound you are looking for , and the rest of the signal chain , and the amp . For say heavier blues rock setting , that Lace humbucker is probably the bee's knees .
Getting hooked up natural sound from a Reso is a major challenge . The simplest , and setting the bar for quality, is to just mic it up .
@@margarethouse404 The Lace gives also a decent (enough for me) clean sound, so I solved the problem by splitting the signal into stereo: one half into a tube amp, the other into an acoustic amp.
I agree that the HB is not very reliable. I changed the cone, but the little magic didn't hold for long, so I moved to a much more expensive axe, 3x the HB price, but less than 1/3 of an entry-level National tricone.
For a fair opinion, you should compare a cheap ''made in USA '' with a ''made in China'' of the same price.
Then with a cheap ''made in China'' that costs 1/4 of the cheapest ''made in USA''.
As long as the body and the neck are well done, one can change any spare part (and strings) to his taste, and get a good sound, and playability.
That has probably already been done on the 1930 model.
Just did a video with what I had in the house to help people enquiring about if cheap guitars were worth having.
It’s not scientific and not to be taken seriously.
🎯
@@TheWashboardResonators 😉
If you still have it, it could be interesting to show how you can improve it with easy and cheap modifications and improvements. Good strings, other biscuit, frets and neck playability, etc.
That would help beginners to understand their instruments better, too.
Anyway, thanks for this présentation. 👍
I've just dipped my toe in the reso waters, having been an acoustic player for over 50 years. I bought a cheap wooden-bodied parlour reso by Icarus, which I believe are sold as Republic in the US, and I have to say I love it! It's very playable, I like the sound and overall it's just great fun to play. Although I've only had it for a few weeks I'm already thinking about a metal-bodied reso - for my budget, I think a Michael Messer looks great, certainly a step up from the real budget instruments.
The Parlor ones give a great sound if you have a good cone!
Congrats and do email Michael.
He’ll advise and help!!
They’re great instruments!!
You are correct, Bob. Icarus are made in the same factory as Republic and Baton Rouge guitars, the company is called, Aiersi. I recently took delivery of an Icarus Duolian O style Hawaiian Islander resonator and to be honest i can't fault it. No sharp or bad frets, intonation was pretty much bang on out the box, machine heads are solid and it stays in tune. I think Icarus are bit of hidden gem for the price. You get a better price if you message Ian direct as oppose to buying from other platforms. With set up, case and postage included, they are fantastic value for money. Had to have mine converted to lefty and Ian hand made the nut. So, plus one from me mate on Icarus.
@Steve Mindurown I have seen Aiersi advertised, I didn't realise they came from the same place also. I do like a smaller-bodied or parlour size guitar, I moved away from jumbo/dreadnought acoustics two or three years ago, and although I've acquired a couple of metal reso's recently I'm tempted by the Icarus metal parlour size to kind of complete the set. They (and my Gretsch reso's) may not be a true recreation of the old National sound, but they all feel good and have a sound that suits my playing.
@Bob Green Both Ian at Icarus and MM use Nationals original spec. Even down to the boxwood saddle. I believe the Tri Cone cutaway parlour is the only parlour Icarus do , that is a 14 fret model.
@Steve Mindurown I've definitely seen an Icarus metal-bodied parlour with no cutaway in a clip on CZcams, but on further investigation the clip is 7 years old so maybe it's a discontinued model. I suspect my wood-bodied Icarus parlour is no longer available. Maybe one will turn up second hand, I find parlour guitars such fun to play.
Seems to me there are many factors to be concerned when you buy a resonator guitar. I purchased a Gretsch's G9200 Boxcar Roundneck Resonator. They also make the square neck some model concepts. When I want higher strings, i just for better slides. I attach a steel nut raiser . For the bucks, it's hands down a plays well. And solid made guitar. I'm not sure what the wood o. Top and sides are, but all I know is that it plays perfect for me. Best of both worlds in one guitar at a great price.
Trying an instrument is best. 👌🏻
Just when I thought it was okay to jump into the ocean I watch this...fortunately I am in no hurry. It's not the kill but it's the thrill of the chase.
The more I research the more confused I become. I want to do it right and do it once and maybe once again.
Depends on budget. Get a Republic or Michael Messer brand guitar at the cheaper end. A newer National Resophonic one in the middle. Buying used can get a good deal. A real vintage National is great and could be considered an investment. You’d want to play a bunch though to be sure.
I thank you for a road map. You truly provide a great service.
They sound very different but I like both sounds.
Great! No right or wrong answers.
I listened to this video instead of watching it and the National sounded a lot richer.
The pattern I've noticed in manufacturing in gear is that at first some companies outsource there for strictly cheaper products. They don't care about quality.
Then somebody pays up for a better quality built, or they do semi custom, where parts are made then shipped to be finished with more expertise. The bang for the buck, mid range, and such type.
Ultimately, if there is money in it and there is an enthusiast, a couple high quality companies will pop up, giving high end product for less. Then the quality trickles down and there is surprisingly good starting level product.
Exactly. The Michael Messer range is Far East made with the guitars build specified by him uniquely. He knows resonators well. The guitars are in many ways the equal of things costing 4-7 times more.
That is a Ozark Steel Body Resonator 3515N which costs £499, verses a vintage National which probably cost about £6,000 or more. Not exactly apples for apple. Now for a lot of people £499 is not exactly a cheap guitar, there are certainly cheaper models available. Its kinda getting up to a mid-range price. So, yes I think the better sounding one is the National and I suspect the feel and playability of the National is much better. Now come on, did anyone out there expect the National to get second place?
It cost 10 or 11 times as much. But did it sound 10 or 11 times better? The answer is NO. If you played the Ozark at your next gig, would the audience be saying how terrible you sound tonight? Or would they not even notice? Maybe some would say, "Wow, never heard him play so well".
You buy the instrument you can afford, simple as that. Having the expensive instruments are nice to have but that guy with the cheap guitar who has more talent than you still sounds better than you, even when you play the expensive one.
It’s a well known empirical FACT that anybody that plays a guitar that COST less than SIX THOUSAND BIG ONES is a shit bastard. 🤪
@@TheWashboardResonators Yep, shit poor for sure.
Seasick Steve for example!!
@@TheWashboardResonatorsI didn't know there were guitars that cost under 6000. I guess I don't shop at those types of guitar stores... now pass the Dom perignon lovey
Pretty sure that's a newer version of the Ozark I have - mine was bought new around 2003. The ebony capped saddle must have been a design 'improvement' (along with the snazzy engraving on the bridge cover) as the one on mine is just plain wood.
Perhaps it is. It’s very clean but has no serial number or model name anywhere so it’s all a guess. It was the Korea thing that made me think 2000-2012 ish as I’m only seeing Chinese made ones new. Unfortunately this kind of instrument is clearly not my forte. 🎯
The inexpensive imports are all made in the same 1 or 2 factories in China , with different branding for different importers . Plus whatever QC the importer does or doesn't perform after recieving , before reselling .
@@margarethouse404 Mine definitely has "Made in Korea" on the back of the headstock, which would strongly imply it wasn't Chinese ;) I'm told it was Samick who were making the Korean resonators like the one Martin is playing in the video, that you could get under the names Ozark, Johnson & Regal, but I think they've moved their factory to Indonesia in the last few years
That National sounds like a recording from the old days. The Ozark sounds like it would really cut through on stage, especially if you replace the 12's with 16's.
What this CZcams video doesn’t show because of compression is how much quieter the Ozark is than the National!
Cutting is the word.
A great beginners instrument that could be improved hugely in the ways suggested.
Shiny one sounds louder , and bighter and banjo-esque...National has that dark sound...National with a faint little over-drive and verb would be slick. Nice guit-fiddle...I have a johnson a buddy gave me and it's a mix of both..with zero brassy ching bs. Just set it up and sounds cool. One day I'll get a National.
It was 1/3 the volume in real life, the copy. CZcams compression is a hell of a thing. Both fine guitars in different ways. Both capable of making great music!
You should check out Delta Resonators by John Alderson in Leicestershire. Absolutely mental good.
Know his work well. Incredible stuff!
Great videos. What are your thought's on Regal resonators for an experienced guitarist but beginning resonator player?
Played some that were decent. Just get it and see how you go!
I have a Gretch Honey Dipper, really nice. PS. National sell their cones for about 80+dollars which you can retro fit.
Exactly! 🎯🎯
I havnt been impressed by gretch resos but I bet a national cone and biscuit would help them greatly. Good idea
Thanks for the review. I think the weight you described puts me off. Have you ever tried any of the Gretsch resonators? They are relatively cheap and are also made in the far east. Thanks.
Played some. They’re generally okay. Not great. Not bad. I’d try guitars if I could in person and buy the best one.
@@TheWashboardResonators Hey, thanks for answering.
A good comparison in some respects, however , the difference in string guages is a very major factor. If you put a set of 11-12s on the National it wouldn't sound half as good. Totally agree about the cone and the bridge. In fact I think these two in combination with good heavy strings dictate the sound of the instrument . The rest is cosmetics and playability. Has anyone built an aluminium alloy body? From an engineering standpoint it would be a good choice and keep it light.
The point of the video is to give folks ideas of ‘what’s good enough.’
The cheap is fine I’d basically the point.
Not sure on aluminium. Dobro made aluminium ‘duralite’ guitars.
They sound quiet and thin.
Somebody should do one these days!
You didn't mention some brands in this video and I understand why. There is an international retailer in Germany. They sell their own "brand". Are they any good? My point is: I simply cannot afford "the real deal" so I have to look to alternatives without "busting the bank" (which is a topic in another great international retailer in the UK :-) Thanks for sharing your opinion. You have a great collection of perfect instruments.
The trouble with the more generic ones that come out of the same 2/3 factories is that they’re very hit and miss and rarely great so I could be liable to recommending something I can’t guarantee and it’s not for me to waste other peoples money.
I’m aware now of dozens of instruments that we’ve helped people choose and buy from the 200k CZcams views we get a year often discussing resonator instruments so I’d hate to recommend bad products.
A cheap resonator is different from a cheap acoustic as the resonator is essentially a mechanical object and tolerances are more critical.
This is why I stand behind the Michael Messer range mainly in terms of Far East production. They’re his specs and no one else can use them. They get a final check in the UK and only go out if working.
The Thomann brand guitars will be perfectly okay. Absolutely playable and capable of making good music. If you’re happy playing it and keep saving then you can get something better later.
I hope all this helps!
So long as more people play resonators and the music associated with them then the world is a much better place.
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@@TheWashboardResonators thanks a lot! It certainly helps. Due to your video I now have more information where I should pay attention to. I am happy with my Thomann though.I am still dreaming of the real deal. I hope one day my dream will come true. I like your channel. Please continue for years and years. :-)
great video. am new to resonator guitars so would like to buy a budget chinese/korean one to get started. Any suggestions? thanks!
Michael Messer / Republic. Should do you good to start!
OMG what a difference in sound. One thing not mentioned is who and what are you supporting with your choice to buy a mass produced eastern instrument vs a guitar made in a lower production shop with trained and skilled crafts-people. I feel an obligation to support those who have developed a craft and take pride in their guitars. I see their efforts as very similar to my own work to become the best player I can be and the pride I take in the music I make. I understand if you cannot afford a quality instrument but I would encourage players to consider not only price and sound, but what we are supporting with our guitar purchase.
Couldn’t agree more. Very important in the globalised economy to support businesses that pay living wages where the money gets spent in local economies and supports craftsmen.
In the band we’re big fans of the ‘slow fashion’ movement. Buying fewer clothes and shoes but buying British made and bespoke.
Quality over quantity.
Guitars should be no different.
I bought a Hercules 6-guitar stand and thought I should fill this up with different types of guitars. I opted for a Fender Paramount PR-180E resonator guitar as I like to listen to bluesy music, but I didn't do much of proper comparisons. I saw a couple of reviews and the item was in stock at Gear4Music, plus it came complete with a hard case, so I put my trust in this being a decent product. This is of course one of those made in Asia products, but if quality control is good, I don't think buying a cheaper product like this is so bad. But is this a model you've had any experience with? The Fender doesn't pop up in any top 10 reviews of resonator guitars, so I'm guessing there are just too many to choose from and the Fender might not be among the most desireable models despite it being a budget release.
PS! I haven't started learning to play it yet (complete novice to guitars), but will spend some time with it this summer to see what I'm able to pick up.
Not sure of this model. TBH it’s all a bit of a stab in the dark and I’ve heard classic vintage ones priced in the thousands that sounded bad and good sounding used far east ones that were good. At the learning stage just get playing. Learn other people’s tunes and build the vocabulary! The best sounding resonators I’ve heard have always been good vintage ones along with NRP, BELTONA or FINE Resophonic.
great video! i'll always favor my NRP estralita but i'm saving up to add a style O to the mix for a metal body. these overseas guitars are harsher and brighter i think with the need for better setups and the neck feel can be wonky but...if the real deal resos are out of your budget or if there's just an itch to try a tricone for example etc and so on, it's hard to say they're not pretty cool for the money. $4000-$4500 is a lot of money for me it's going to take some saving and sacrificing other gear to afford that style O i want in the next year or so. i had a republic tricone for a few years a while back and once i set it up right it was a rather heavy but great sounding guitar thanks for doing these vids they"re always fun to watch!
Glad you like them! These videos are such a niche thing but any positive feedback is appreciated!
The Style O is like the Swiss Army knife of resonators - some of the ring of steel and some of the warm of wood.
You’ll be very very happy with one.
I’ve generally had good experiences with Republic’s. Glad you did too!!
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You can easily distinguish steel from brass by using a magnet. A steel body will be highly magnetic. Plated brass will be magnetic, but noticeably less than a steel body.
You certainly can. I usually do these videos on the fly and didn’t have a magnet to hand!
Pretty sure it’s steel from the internal oxidisation.
If it is a lot heavier it’s probably brass.Find that magnet.
I hear that the Ozark has a clearer tone, I can make out the individual tones of the chords more easily. At the same time, the sound, when played with more force, is harsher and less "deep". The National mashes together the tones more, but has much more (darker) "soul" in its voice.
Yep. The CZcams sound quality compresses lots so they sound more similar on the video. The Ozark is considerably thinner and quieter. Nice top end. Perfectly fine and dandy especially if you’re on a budget.
Yup , the Ozark is all top end , the Vintage does the full spectrum .
Wow...that thing about the biscuit is really helpful...so you can buy spare biscuits from national??
You can or online.
Have you tried a Gretch 9200 Boxcar, Mahogany back, sides and front, with a Spider Cone. Learning Guitar on a Boxcar.
A pal had one. A perfectly decent dobro style guitar. 🎯
That Ozark has the dreaded "banjoy" sound that I dislike in some resos. My recent Gretsch Honey Dipper and Regal RC43 metal-bodies come so close (for me) to the originals that I think I'm over my obsession (I hope) with pricey vintage stuff, of which I've had dozens over the last few decades since I discovered the internet. Now if they could just make them to be not so damn heavy!
There’s some good repros to be had for sure.
I think the Ozark may be a plated brass body so it rings verses the National steel body.
Could be. Looked steel through the F Hole but it’s long gone now!
A magnet will tell you.
The Korean (not “Oriental”) guitar gets the job done, but the National sounds sweeeet.
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Maybe would have helped putting same gauge strings on both? Far East copy had much lighter strings I think you said.
I wasn’t going to restring them both just to make this video.
The point of this video is that people regularly ask us on social media if they should buy a cheap resonator.
I just send this video now. The point is that shit ones are fine and good ones better.
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I have Just buyed a Royall resonator guitar.
Very similar to the mark knopfler model….remember brothers in arms?
I payed 900 euro and worth it
It’s not bad if you think it is my first “dobro”
Probably it need to change strings
What do you think about Royall guitars?
Thanks
Never played one but sure it’s fine! Have fun!! 🎯
This video shows exactly what I am trying to avoid. The cheap one has a lot of "trashy noice" that will keep my tinnitus on the worst side for days. The National has body to it, sounds grounded and has more bassy qualitys to the sound.
I want to buy a wooden spider (Dobro type) budget resonator, and can't chose since I can't try before buying.
Are there someone who can tell differences between Fender pr-180e, Gretsch Bobtail and Royall SPD14/DSB SPIDER 14? I am looking for full sound, not trashy noice or too little resonator feeling (some resonators sound close to an ordinary acoustic guitar when played without slide and picks, but most do not).
I have no experience from guitars before. I come from piano/cembalo/church organ and double bass (massive wood, not mic depending plywood). I like full AND loud (NOT mellow + quiet OR trashy noicy and loud) acoustic sound, regardless of the instrument. I don't want to be be totally depending on a pickup.
I hope someone has tried the models mentioned above and can tell differences. ^_^
Can’t comment on those guitars personally as the model numbers mean little.
I’d say buy used and sell if you’re not happy. You won’t loose much money doing it that way.
The funny thing about this video is that CZcams has compressed the sound.
They sound similar volumes on the uploaded videos but at the recording the cheap one was much more quiet.
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Through headphones, the difference is bonkers! Funny, I don't hate the Ozark but it is no match with the National. Thinner is a great way to describe it. Thanks for the biscuit info.
Yeah! They’re both cool depending what you’re after.
What would the Ozark have sounded like with a proper set of strings?
Similar I reckon. The ones on it are perfectly fine.
Well the National definitely sounded way fully and richer but it should at probably 10x the price. Nice to hear them both side by side though 👍🏻👍🏻
Dare I say the Ozark sounds brash 🤔
Bit thinner and brasher. Still a great blues machine though. A good step on the ladder for someone. 🎵🎯🎵
Rather 50 x the price (not sure what vintage ones go for nowadays).
@@snorrevonflake $1500-25k depending on model and condition.
Korean guitars are often quite a bit better made than Chinese made guitars. The labor rate is a fair amount higher and the skills just a bit better. You can still get a very good guitar no matter the type from Korea. Made in USA is not always a guarantee of superior quality but certainly a superior price.
As far as the bisket wood goes, I think you're right. If you want to reduce vibration in something and all the other sources have been accounted for, you add mass to the item and that will deaden it a bit.
100%. Also, I have played great Chinese resonator guitars that a do a superb job.
In real life there was more of a pronounced difference than CZcams shows.
Also, this video gets sent to people that ask thus question regularly.
It’s really to save time trying to explain differences.
Thanks for sharing the wisdom.
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If the age estimation was close , in early 2000's much of the Import Guitar manufacturing was moving from Korea to China .
I would be interested to know what the steel thickness is in the two
The cheap one is considerably thicker I reckon which will explain the considerable weight difference.
Try to place a magnet on the body to check if it's steel.
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Have you played or had any experience with Icarus Resonators, they are based in Bournemouth. They are Chinese made; I was looking at one of their Duolian relic 12 fret models. I have been looking at buying a resonator for many years, had a 1931 Duolian slip through my hands back in the earley 90's I still regret not buying it ever since.
Hey Paul. The Plymouth based blues guy Vince Lee uses them and they seem to do great with him! I had a 1931 Duolian and it was spectacular. Nothing beats a good old one!!
@@TheWashboardResonators Yes, the Duolian I let get away from me was a real beaten-up beauty, I'm still kicking myself to this very day for not buying it! Just comes down to cost now. The old ones are becoming so much harder to find these days!
Violin uses maple so a maple biscuit makes sense 👍
Never thought about that. What an excellent point. You ‘win’ at commenting on our CZcams channel this month. 🎯
To my ears the heavier sustains and cuts though bright and louder. The older instrument sounds more mellow and less bright and more like wood acoustic . HoweverThe lighter a guitar the more I like it
Spot on!
Duolian all day long and the other one was good if it was quietly played. I have a Recording King that is very nice.
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Is there a difference? Yes is it a huge difference? Yes But if you just want to play a resonator occasionally it's a very good deal - especially if you are a little handy as you suggest.
Perfectly fine at a certain point. Could be improved too. Hopefully this video helps others navigate the world of resonators, especially if it’s new.
The best fix for those oriental resonators is to change out the cone.
Can in many cases, sure.
Some though have genuinely good cones. It’s a certain man in a certain factory in china. Guy does great work!
All I can say in this case the ebony biscuit is certainly hurting it.
It’s probably a shit cone too and could be improved.
I remember from personal experience getting my 2014 Tricone which somebody installed an ebony saddle on. Changed it to box wood and the guitar doubled in volume and got so much more bass.
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Nice video. I live in San Luis Obispo, Calif........the home of National Reso-phonic Guitars. National guitars are fabulous guitars. The cheaper one sounds nice....National is much better
NRP are a great company. Much love for them. The old ‘real National’ is a cannon of an instrument. Something that doesn’t come across through all the CZcams compression is the 3D harmonic nature of the sound. 🎯
Interesting but not really a fair comparison. The National sounds incredible !
We do say this. It’s to give folks an idea of quality and remedies.
The cheap one sounds brighter and the original one sounds warmer and deeper and sounds a lot better i do believe that the saddle & biscuit is letting it down a lot
Indeed! The cheap one doesn’t sound bad though which is a good takeaway!
Theres nothing like outsourcing historic Americana, to China. Thats Boomers for ya. The national sounds incredible. My guess is the lighter weight resonates more, and Im guessing its actually steel and the Asian made is pot metal alloy of whatever probably a lot of zinc and aluminum. They just dont male them like they used to. I play ith my slide on my middle finger, nobody ever told me it was wrong so thats what I do. You can still find used a Dobro branded thats made in the USA for under 1k. They sound really good.
Capitalism wants ever increasing profits.
Globalisation allows cheaper unprotected labour to produce products that allow it.
The less money in developed countries then the cheaper products need to be.
It’s a race to the bottom unless you’re part of the 2% that actually own the capital that mechanism works from.
However,
In some ways it’s incredible what we get as musicians for our money compared to previous times.
Especially in terms of PA, amps, effects etc.
In another way you can get unreliable but affordable products.
There are great resonators available at different price points but also bad.
Hopefully this video shows people that cheap ones are perfectly okay and expensive ones are good!
The 70s / 80s Dobros can be good guitars for a budget if you’re looking for a vibe.
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How do y'all feel about recording kings?
Played a bunch. Generally found them to be good!
I have one, just arrived yesterday. It may need a little adjustment to the bridge, but it's already very playable and I love the sound. Two things - it has great sustain and it's loud. I can't comment on what it's like for slide as I am a finger-picker only.
The old national sounded a bit more "woody" somehow, if that makes sense, on a metal bodied guitar?
Indeed. I hear more harmonic richness and open top end. It’s all subjective.
The Ozark doesn’t have the warmth and character of the National but it didn’t sound bad. Definitely much brighter maybe a bit tinny not bad per se.
It’s a perfect find guitar in a way. What happens though is CZcams compresses things do they sound similar volumes. Believe me the Ozark is much quieter. A great guitar to start with. Better oriental products exist now!
Are the far eastern made cones spun or stamped?
Spun as far as I’m aware.
The Ozark sounded pretty good, until you started playing the National. The Ozark didn’t sound bad by comparison, though, just thinner and brasher and much less rich. I wouldn’t kick it out of bed, though.
I agree. Completely usable as is and can probably be improved.
Hello there. Great videos man. I am reso player too. I think you did a great job in this videos,but you cannot compare those instruments. They are totally different. Set up and the construction. Although the cone. Keep it bluesy
Yes you can.
I say in the video that it’s not a 100% fair test and that things like the strings are different and that the point is to save me typing out the same responses to questions I get weekly.
The point is that cheaper ones are basically fine.
If somebody can’t see this video and comprehend how it will give a rough idea of instrument performance despite a few basic differences noted then frankly they shouldn’t be watching it.
They should be watching CZcams videos that teach them to count to 10 or how to spot the differences between ducks and chickens.
All things can be compared!
DANG, not expecting that much of a difference. But hey, for all you newbies, no shame in learning on a cheap guitar.
Absolutely! In the flesh it was considerably quieter but it seems to have compressed in CZcams.
Still no harm in getting any guitar to learn then upgrading as you understand the differences.
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Best lower price resos on today's market are Gretsch. I've owned 6 or 7 lower price models over the years, and my Gretsch Boxcar is comfortably the best.
It's no use pretending that price doesn't come into it. Of course, you'd prefer a 1935 Duolian, but do you have £4k available? No, thought not.
Don't buy a reso on the internet - you need to get it in your hands, and feel it ring. I did buy one on the internet once (it was quite a bargain on the face of it) and I had to get a lot of work done on it.
There you go. Spoken like an officer and a gentleman. 🎯
16 gauge strings? Oh wow 😮
Guitar is normally tuned a whole step down. Can still play it in standard though. You build the strength!!
@@TheWashboardResonators thanks. I am learning so much from your videos.
The strings and setup makes a big difference . Radius neck a disadvantage
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what do you think of republic resonators?
I’ve liked any of the few I’ve actually seen. I’ve heard people slagging them off. Beyond that I can’t say anymore. Would love to see more to form a better opinion.
@@TheWashboardResonators i just bought a 2nd hand one...the guy had hand painted it in B&Q gold paint...took me 2 days stripping it down and rebuilding it...its the 1st reso ive ever played, been playing 40 years...and i love it, im actually drilling the Bucker White song from your channel...its coming on...thank you
Would never buy the Korean made guitar assuming I had the choice. There is a richness and depth to the sound coming from the national... Very desirable to my old ears.
You get the best you can like houses, cars, partners and dogs! They all have a place!! If possible always get the USA / UK made instrument or a vintage one I think!!
There is just no comparison. The National is so much richer and rounded sounding. It may have to do with the age and quality of the cone. It also looks the par. Unfortunately, the price reflects that.
In real life it’s twice as loud too. But if you can only afford the cheaper one there no problem. We’ve all got to start somewhere!!
That old original National has it all over the Asian made copy....
It’s a great guitar!
did u sell the orzark?
Actually still got it. Forgot I have it TBH!!
Interested if you are still selling that
Got it still. Email at the bands website.