Upgraded Import Resonator, or Take The Pluge?

[Troubleman]

About a month ago I bought a Gold Tone/Beard steel-bodied reso - 12 fret modeled after a Style O. The resophonic GAS oddessey has begun. GASsin' hard. I've run across two other cool reso's that are up for sale - both tweaked Republic instruments - one a 14 fretter with National cone, a fret job, and a National Hot Plate pickup installed. The 2nd is a Republic tricone - again, National cones and a fret job, but no pickup.

I've been pinchin' pennies getting ready to send my daughter to college, so the "economy minded" reso has been my response to reso GAS - buy an "ok" import reso, add some upgraded parts. Then it occurred to me - should I just forget the import stuff, sell off a Strat/Tele/amp or two, bide my time and look hard for a used National?
Would it be that much better?
Do suped-up Gold Tone/Beard or suped-up Republic reso's get really close, or am I fooling myself?

I could probably find a National Delphi used for what - $1500?
Maybe a used Dobro (real one)?

Anybody lived in both camps - tweaked economy resos (especially Gold Tones and Republics), and moved up to a National, or own both?

Chime in please...


jb

[pfrischmann]

I'm sort of in the same boat. I've played a few of the import resonators, a few with upgrades. Nine of them came close to the depth and natural reverb I heard in the delphi.

The delphi was the only one I couldn't put down.

[mrmuzikhead]

There's a reason you couldn't put the National down. They are on another level completely. i've seen used Delphi's go for as little as $1000. If you've got the bug, take the plunge you won't regret it.

[paddywhack]

...get the real deal...stay alert and you can get a style O or N for 1500.....and their wood bodies rip too....the M-2 is a goodun

[EataPeach]

I'm sort of in the same boat. I've played a few of the import resonators, a few with upgrades. Nine of them came close to the depth and natural reverb I heard in the delphi.

The delphi was the only one I couldn't put down.

Exactly my experience too...

FWIW-I traded for my 1993 Delphi(Serial #006) .They wanted $1150

Oh....I day dream at work about playing this guitar and I've had it for a couple months,and I dont see that stopping anytime soon : )

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r228/EatAPeach_01/National1.jpg

[Troubleman]

Exactly my experience too...

FWIW-I traded for my 1993 Delphi(Serial #006) .They wanted $1150

Oh....I day dream at work about playing this guitar and I've had it for a couple months,and I dont see that stopping anytime soon : )

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r228/EatAPeach_01/National1.jpg

:drool
Wouldn't ya rather have a nice Strat and a nice Tele instead?
How about a little tube Marshall and a Strat...?
Tell me what ya wanna trade?????
(whining, 'cause I've no money at present)

Peace,

jb

[gregc]

Been there & done that. I'd wait till I could afford the National. You won't regret it.

[9fingers]

An upgraded import can do nicely in spider bridge (Dobro type) guitars. I have 2 Dobros and my actual fav spider bridge guitar is a Fender FR50CE (the one with the cutaway- they are made very different than the non cutaway Fender resos which I don't care for).
For a biscuit bridge guitar there is NOTHING like a National. I went thru a bunch of lesser biscuit resos and finally got a National Radiotone Bendaway (wood body with cutaway). The tone is so much better than any other brand it is not even a fair comparison. I don't know know how they do it but National has "got it". I was at Blues Week at the Augusta workshops in Elkins WV last month. In every class the few Nationals just stood out head & shoulders above all the other guitars. They made me turn my head & look to see what was making "that sound" every time. IMO the current Nationals are as good in their own way as any of the more historic ones. Amazing sound creation machines!

[sixty2strat]

got a wood body dobro DF60 and a johnson metal body biscut. not really a way to compare them, the DF sounds fatter and warmer, but that is the normal difference. the johnson even with a quarterman and a better biscut from stewmac never gets the funky snap n roar of the real nationals.....got it a a Guitar show for a 100 bucks, so well worth it but not if you going to lay out real $$$

[clemduolian]

Go REAL or go home...disappointed.http://www.troutstudios.com/duo2.jpg

[EataPeach]

Clem-What year is that? How long have you had it?

Sweet guitar....

[clemduolian]

Thanks. It's a 1931 Duolian for Sears (note the 5 groups of holes on the cover plate instead of the usual 9. Also, the serial number starts with an "R"). the Ducco finish really "changed" to something psychedelic over the years. It has "The Sound" and enough mojo to....(fillin your favorite blues adage here).


I've had it for 9-10 years. Its the one for me.

[EataPeach]

Very,very nice...I did notice the hole groupings.

[RGB]

Check out Liberty Guitars....I have a Copperhead round neck and it's a nice USA made reso at a very reasonable price.
http://libertyguitars.com/

[Groovey Records]

wella wella well

its the little things they say and do

I bought my style O Dobro back when a new one was about $700. Palm trees swaying and the moon full and clear as the Hula girl rocked to the sounds of the waves lapping against the shores. I never had a more soulful and wistful tone.

It was also the best ampllifier I ever had for Blues guitar. Used it for everything and anything, any style at all it was my main Kazain.

Played it all night long.

Long story short my 63 Caddy broke down when I had to get from point A to point B so I got $300 for it from a pawn shop. Long story short, I don't have either anymore anymore anymore.

Chjnese/Korean/Fender/Current Dobro brand guitars just won't do it. They don't do it, they can't do it. I tried to make them let me but it ain't happening.

Now National steel is all there is except a few old timey special builds.

BTW National has the original machine dies that they always used dating back to before before.

I work regularly with a Steel Guitar engagement. One duolian and one walnut top.
Drop down mama and find that lonesome whiporwill that is calling your name.

I won't let go anymore anymore anymore

Natiional is all thats left, a Dobro early eighties or older. A lot of people buy them and leave them under their beds you might find one for a grand or less even buy one new for 1500.

Don't settle for less the $ you spend here is going to pay dividends

[Double10]

To echo everyone else's sentiments, save for a used American. Some good deals can be had- I picked up a dead mint Tut Taylor at GC's labor day sale this weekend for $1299. Elderly also has a good selection of used resophonics.