TGM 8/4
BUDGET RESONATORS
Regal RD-45
Tanglewood TADR 6
Vintage AMG-1
Back In TGM Vol 7 No 6 we unearthed the history of the
resonator guitar and reviewed some high-end examples from
National, Beltona and Dobro. But we’re all skint! So we
asked reso-phile Michael Messer to find some depression-priced
alternatives.
As a player and collector of predominately vintage guitars, when
I was asked to give my opinions on these three ‘budget’
resonators I really thought I was gonna see some pretty bad
impersonations of the ‘real thing’. In fact, I ended up
amazed at the lower-end quality. But as I was to find, not all is
quite as it seems in this part of reso-world. Read on...
REGAL RD-45
This guitar is a wooden-bodied Dobro-style resonator. That means
it has a different resonator system to a National-style. Arrgh!
I’ve lost you already. Hold on. Firstly we’re taking
single-cone resonators here. That means each of the three guitars
on review has a single aluminium cone hiding under its chromed
coverplate. Historically, National used a slightly smaller
diameter convex cone - on its tip is a wooden ‘biscuit’
bridge. Typically Dobro use a slightly larger diameter convex
cone; here we have a ‘spider’ bridge, its
‘legs’ connect with the edges of the cone in and in its
centre is the saddle. The single-cone Dobro-style is often
considered more suited to a country picking-style and has quite a
different tonality to the single-cone National often favoured for
blues-style slide. However, there are always exceptions to the
rule: Eric Clapton, for example, has more often than not used a
Dobro-style resonator for his recorded acoustic slide.
The Regal brand name (now presumably owned by the Far Eastern
manufacturing company) was originally connected with the
resonator story back in the early thirties; Regal were a
Chicago-based company making resonator guitars using Dobro
hardware. Incestuous? You got it. Importantly, while this guitar
is referred to as a Regal ‘Dobro’ that’s incorrect
- its Dobro-styling tells us a lot about the resonator set-up but
niether Dobro or National should be used as generic terms to
describe these guitars. Importantly you must realise that this
guitar should not be compared with either genuine Dobros or old
Regals: this is a budget-priced copy - albeit damn good one!
When you pickup up the RD-45 it has the feel, the balance and the
finish quality of a good guitar. Like many modern pieces it looks
a bit too glossy for the genre - if I owned this one it’d be
out with the wire wool to tame down that high gloss. Outwardly
the construction is very tidy and par for the course bearing in
mind its Korean original. The top is spruce-faced ply the back
and sides laminated mahogany. It’s very tidy though; the
ivoroid binding is cleanly scrapped and the finish near
faultless. The mahogany neck and bound rosewood fingerboard are
excellent. The neck’s trim oval almost wasted on a guitar
that will (hopefully) be used primarily for slide.
The obvious difference between this RD-45 and a genuine resonator
is the fact that the neck of both Dobro and National guitars
continues inside the body, all the way to the tailpiece. For some
reason - I suspect production economy - Regal have joined the
neck to the body in the same way as a regular acoustic and
there’s no block inside the body. A bit of a shame that - if
they’d added that detail to this instrument it would be
every bit as good as the real thing. Everything else about the
RD-45 however, is just right. It has a proper Dobro-type
sound-well and smartly chromed hardware.
As supplied the Regal came with a pretty high action and medium
gauge acoustic strings. They may seem heavy for electric players
but for slide resonator players they’re positively
lightweight (see Strings and Things...)
Sounds
Although it’s not quite the real thing in constructional
terms, there’s an undeniable character to the Regal that
definitely says Dobro resonator. It’s not as loud as the
real thing and the tone is a little box-like. But the barking
midrange is distinctive and, as supplied, the action was okay for
slide but worked and sounded much better after re-stringing (see
Strings and Things...). The one thing I’d recommend which
would improve the tone and volume considerably is to fit a
genuine Dobro or Quarterman resonator which would really make it
sing. The Korean-made resonator cone in this guitar is too thick
and dulls the sound. It would only cost you around 50 to fit the
real thing. But, at the recommended price, the RD-45 is an
excellent resonator guitar to get started with.
TANGLEWOOD
TADR 6
Like the Regal this follows the Dobro-style. It is not, however,
a copy of any original I’m aware of. Instead Tanglewood have
taken a standard dreadnought and plonked the resonator apparatus
in it. Now it’s clearly well made in both the timber choice
(same as the Regal) and finishing and it has a quality feel that
belies the price. The Regal looks much more the ticket and a damn
sight more classy especially in regard to the fingerboard. Here
the Tanglewood sports okay-ish small frets, the Regal’s
board is well bound with tidier chunky wire. Mind you, do I care?
I’ll be using a slide thank-you very much.
No, the problem with this guitar is not the build quality but the
fact that as a resonator - either a Dobro- or National-style -
they’ve completely missed the point! Resonators are a very
specialised instrument to build; they are in a little world of
their own and have their own techniques - quite different from
regular acoustic guitars. Visually the large square dreadnought
shape doesn’t suit a resophonic instrument - it looks weird.
Sorry. Then there is the essential sound-well so associated with
Dobro-guitars - and it’s missing! And like the Regal the
neck doesn’t continue through the body to the tailpiece. In
a word too much is missing to make this work. Maybe Tanglewood
are hoping that people will be fooled just by the look?
sounds
‘Tanglewood’s resonator series is as traditional as
they come... 100% country and fusion... that Nashville
sound,’ says the blurb. Now, I’ve been to Nashville and
I can tell you that I never heard anything sounding remotely like
a TADR 6! So much missing... this is just a regular acoustic with
a hint of reso-tone and even that is overly metallic. The guitar
is step-up way too low and shows up further the lack of
understanding of the genre. However, if you want a guitar that
has the look, but not the sound, this is fine. Considering the
TADR 6 is only around 30 cheaper than the Regal, I can’t
really recommend this one - as a reso-phile it holds little
appeal.
VINTAGE AMG-1
This is a National-style instrument so we get a 9.5”
resonator on a bell-brass body which is similar in design to a
genuine National. It’s not an actual copy of any particular
model but at first glance it is very close to a late ‘30s
style O National - as used by Mark Knopfler.
Let’s just remember we’re talking budget prices here.
Okay, 700 is hardly entry level for an acoustic but for a
metal-bodied resonator (including case!) it most definitely is.
There’s no way it matches the performance or build quality
of National, Beltona or the Paris-based Fine Resophonic, but the
AMG-1 costs a third of the price. Okay? Good.
While I do have a few points to criticise with this one I will
say its an excellent buy for the price. The body construction
uses a thinner metal that a National and the nickel-plating is
far from perfect - both reasons why the real things cost so damn
much! But the neck feels right - chunkier and a little more
V’d in section than the Regal. Importantly, played seated
the balance is good; sometimes Nationals can be either neck or
body heavy, this one feels fine.
sounds
Playing the AMG-1 is rewarding - it has many National-like tonal
qualities and the supplied set-up was sympathetic to the style.
It is pretty loud with a clear metallic tone and as a slide
guitar, in open tuning, it sounds quite authentic. The tone suits
ragtime picking and hard-edged delta blues. Conversely, I
wouldn’t recommend this to someone looking for a mellow
sounding, old National tone and definitely not for the Ry Cooder
disciples playing that raga-ish, open D tuned Paris Texas stuff!
My main criticisms of the AMG-1 is to do with the way they have
designed the positioning of the resonator. This is nothing to do
with the production costs (or final retail price) but with the
basic design. The ledge that the resonator sits on is too deep
into the body, to compensate they have had to fit an
exceptionally high saddle on the wooden biscuit bridge. The more
wood you put between the strings and the resonator, the less tone
you get. In other words, that design fault has seriously affected
the overall volume of the guitar and has made the bass strings
quieter creating an overall thinner sound. A shame as
they’re so close to getting it really spot on.
As I said about the Regal, I believe you could really improve the
sound of this guitar, and iron out some of the faults, by fitting
a bonafide National resonator cone - the one installed here is
pretty crude. However, I can’t state enough that the AMG-1
is great value for money and would serve you well if you’re
getting into this style of guitar. And hey, it looks a bit flash
doesn’t it?
THE VERDICT:
At the quoted recommended retail prices I was very impressed with
the Regal and Vintage resonators (don’t forget the Vintage
price includes a moulded-plastic hard case). The Tanglewood,
unfortunately, is more of a cosmetic exercise than a proper
resonator. It’s a bit like making a Les Paul from alder with
a bolt-on maple neck and two single-coil pickups: it may look the
part but it ain’t gonna sound it.
So, if you’re really chasing a resonator tone the choice is
between the Regal and the Vintage. But the decision is compounded
by the polar opposite designs: the Regal is wooden bodied
Dobro-style, the Vintage is metal-bodied National: very different
beasts. But considering the price difference - nearly 300 - I
have to say that the Regal is simply a brilliant buy. With a
little jiggery-pokery and the installation of a better Dobro or
Quarterman cone, this little guitar would really sing.
And to prove that point I took it along to a gig with a six-piece
acoustic band in a small venue. I miked it with a Shure SM57 and
played a two-hour set. Yes, it was a little quiet but it sounded
just fine. A big well done to Regal. But the Vintage is a very
close second, without doubt the cheapest entry into the wild
world of the metal-bodied resonator.
Michael Messer
(additional material Dave Burrluck)
STRINGS &
THINGS...
You can’t expect to get great results from a resonator
guitar if you use light-gauge acoustic strings. Also, as
you’ll probably use a slide or bottleneck, low actions are
out. In reality, medium gauge strings (.012”-.052”) and
an action of around 3.5mm at the 12th fret will give you a
‘slinky’ set-up but if you want to get a bigger,
smoother slide tone you’ll need heavier gauge strings an a
higher action.
For example, I set the Regal up with a nut-raiser (bent metal cap
which sits over the nut to raise the low-fret action height and
costs around 8) lap-style playing plus my own Newtone Michael
Messer heavy gauge strings (contact, Newtone Strings
01773-714-409) with an extra heavy top string for that authentic
powerful-but-clean Dobro tone. These gauges are (low to high)
.059”, .049”, .039”, .027”, .018”,
.018”. Then I tuned it to what’s known as Dobro tuning
(low to high) G, B, D, G, B, D; taking those low strings all the
way up to G and B really twangs that resonator cone. That’s
what the old-style Dobro players would do but don’t expect
the neck to be dead straight afterwards -that’s why they
made square neck guitars. Also it’s pretty important both
for tone and the longevity of the cone to use a flat-pick or
thumb- and finger-picks - not fingers alone.
For more info on resonator replacement cones, general resonator
set-up, strings and finger-picks etc. call the Acoustic Centre,
tel: 0171-265-1366 or Hogan’s Music, tel: 01635-37868
FACTFILE
REGAL RD-45
RRP:£ 412
Korean-made, Dobro round-neck copy. Laminated spruce top,
laminated mahogany back and sides mahogany neck with
14-fret-to-the-body, bound rosewood fingerboard. Ivory-style body
binding. Enclosed chrome-plated tuners and Dobro-style 10.5”
resonator with spider bridge.
Options: Up till recently a National-style Japanese-made Regal
resonator was available in the UK. Now, unfortunately, its been
discontinued.
Colour options: Sunburst, natural (as reviewed), black cherry
‘burst, mahogany.
Contact: Summerfield Musical Instruments, Olsover House 43
Sackville Rd. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear. Tel:
0191-276-0448
Dimensions
(In mm unless stated)
Scale Length 630 (24.8”)
Width of neck
...at nut 43
...at 12th fret 54
Depth of neck
...at 1st fret 23
...at 10th fret 24.2
String spacing
...at nut 35
...at bridge 56
Action as Supplied
...at 12th fret treble 4.5
...at 12th fret bass 4.5
Weight (kg/lbs) 2.7/6
TANGLEWOOD TADR 6
RRP: 379
Korean-made dreadnought with resonator. Laminated spruce top,
laminated mahogany back and sides mahogany neck with
14-fret-to-the-body rosewood fingerboard. Black body binding.
Enclosed chrome-plated tuners and Dobro-style 10.5”
resonator with spider bridge.
Options: None in this resonator range.
Colour options: Natural satin, natural gloss (as reviewed),
see-thru black.
Contact: EMC, Unit 6, Concorde Business Centre, Main Rd., Biggin
Hill, Kent. TN16 3YN. Tel: 01959-571600.
Dimensions
(In mm unless stated)
Scale Length 642(25.3”)
Width of neck
...at nut 43
...at 12th fret 53
Depth of neck
...at 1st fret 22
...at 10th fret 23.5
String spacing
...at nut 35
...at bridge 54
Action as Supplied
...at 12th fret treble 1.8
...at 12th fret bass 2.5
Weight (kg/lbs) 3.2/7
VINTAGE AMG-1
RRP: 699 (inc case)
Joint Chinese/eastern European-made metal bodied National-style
resonator. Nickel-plated, bell-brass body, mahogany neck and
rosewood fingerboard. Enclosed chrome plated tuners.
National-style 9.5” resonator with biscuit bridge.
Options: Er, no. This is it as far as options go.
Contact: JHS, Salem House, Parkinson approach, Garforth, Leeds.
W. Yorks. LS25 2HR. Tel: 0113-2865381
Dimensions
(In mm unless stated)
Scale Length 630(24.8”)
Width of neck
...at nut 44
...at 12th fret 55
Depth of neck
...at 1st fret 24
...at 10th fret 26.5
String spacing
...at nut 38
...at bridge 54
Action as Supplied
...at 12th fret treble 2.5
...at 12th fret bass 4.0
Weight (kg/lbs) 3.7/8.5
CHECKOUT
NATIONAL resonators starts from £1199 for a wooden bodied,
single-cone Radio-Tone, metal-bodies start at £1450 with Delphi,
contact The Acoustic Centre 0171-265-1366. DOBRO’s start-up
up wooden-bodied resonator is the round-neck DWF60 at£ 999,
contact OMEC Dist 0171-240-8292. F1 RESONATOR INSTRUMENTS are a
small company in Derby producing very high-quality resonators at
very good prices. They are making their bodies from carbon fibre
and currently offer a tri-cone copy and National-style
single-cone guitar, both around the £1000, contact
0115-972-4831.
Like TANGLEWOOD, HOHNER have the R12 (£325), a single resonator,
all wood with 14-frets clear of body and twin mesh-covered
soundholes, contact Hohner 01222-887333.