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I was thinking it might be cool to get a resonator acoustic to add to my arsenal. I would like to be able to use it for slide and fingerpicking. I want something that's of a decent quality, but I can't spend lots of money on it either.

I know some of you (Lew, for instance) have a few reso acoustics, and I'd like some input as to what I should be looking for in a good one. Should I go with a wood body, or all metal? What are the different types of resonators (biscuit, tricone, etc.), and what are they best for? What's the best way to amplify a resonator ... can you use a piezo pickup like in a standard acoustic, or does it have to be miked?

Also, does anyone have any experience with the Korean-made Regals? Their prices seem too good to be true.

Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I've owned a few. I loved my National Estralita and that was a wood body guitar. But after obtaining my National Delphi (steel body) I stopped playing my Estralita and eventually sold it. The Delphi is so much louder and has the classic National tone.

I also have a real 1929 Style O. Mine's made of German Silver which is a type of brass that sounds amazing. The new National Style O is made of regular brass and IMO not the equal in tone to German Silver quot;Brassquot;. Steel actually sounds better than the brass National uses now and those guitars cost less.

For example, I like the tone of the National steel bodied quot;Polychromequot; Tricone guitars alot more than thier fancy chrome plated brass Polychrome Tricone. And the steel bodied Tricone cost alot less.

Same is true of the new brass bodied National Style O compared to the less expensive steel bodied National Delphi: the Delphi costs alot less and sounds better. Deeper and more resonant.

So: I'd recommend a used steel bodied National Delphi model. I see them used for about $1000.

I don't know much about the Chinese made Johnson guitars. I stay away from Chinese made products as much as possible the same way I wouldn't buy products made by Nazi Germany if I was around in the 30's.

Lew

Whatever you do, buy a chromed bell brass, not a wood one. The best resonator you can buy at a reasonable price is Johnson. Johnson acoustics suck, but their resonators are made by a different subcontractor and the quality is really good. I have one with a rosevine engraved top and back. They go for around $650 and are way better than Fender, Regal, Washburn etc.

Click on my gearpage to see it. It plays and sounds great!

Thanks guys! That Johnson looks great GJ!

I will be picking up my Atomic this week and I'll check out some resonators while I'm there.

I did have another question: what is the difference between a biscuit resonator, a spider resonator, and a tricone resonator? Also, are there other types?