Resonator Guitar?

[B.T.]

Definitely worth trying a high-end or (preferably) all-original vintage resonator to establish a basis of comparison before/in addition to the lower-cost options

They behave quite differently in many cases; it’s very informative! And I bet you’ll be glad to have the info/comparison

For one thing—a replacement cone from National is 80 bucks

If the difference is important enough to you, you might decide to make sure your economy reso purchase will fit the better cone, and make the swap

I’m not sure I think the RI cones fully measure up to the old ones, but they’re a lot more like it than the stock cones on most economical guitars

I was going to say +1 on the cone swap. It's been years but Beard used to make a decent RI cone. Not sure if that's the case anymore or if they still sell them?

[-JB-]

Check out Mule. Great stuff, traditional and modern.

[46346]

coming from this Fender solid body electric camp, i took to the National Resolectric very happily. of course, it's not a solid body, but to me it behaves more like one than the traditional metal ones. more wood, and a P-90 or lipstick pup at the neck, as well as the piezo for the cone/bridge. i used one on a friend's record, and was able to get nice sustain and controllable feedback as well as the classic plunky metal can sounds. only trouble is they're expensive new. it's been on my bucket list for 20 years now!

but i nearly bought a used one for $1200 last year. decided to wait and see if i can score the newer Revolver style with mini-humbucker at the neck. i think that one may have the most wicked sound, and it looks the best yet. it would pretty much be for my experimental and ambient work, and only occasionally traditional.