Howdee folks. About 10 years ago, I had a Tanglewood TBS 1000 roundneck resonator. Like a fool I sold it, so will revisit. It was all steel (or whatever the body was made out of) and was 14 fret, and had a regular acoustic guitar style neck, which I liked.
A few years back, I got a Republic Resolian Parlor 12 fret, which I just couldn't get used to. The neck was way too thick for me.
I think this time around I would get a wooden body resonator as I think they sound a bit warmer.
They seem to be available cheap enough and wide ranging. I'd consider installing a pickup, but not sure if there could be complications here? I'd stick one by the neck.
I'm not sure of the technical term for the two smaller holes on the shoulders of the body? Would a reso with these prevent me from installing certain types of pickups?
I think I'd steer clear of the parlor bodies, because of the thick necks.
Any mid range recommendations on 12 or 14 fret roundneck wooden bodies?
Comments
I'd go for a Michael Messer Blues '28 with MM Sixtus pickup fitted. It'll be set up exactly how you want it and sound awesome!
https://www.michaelmesser.co.uk/michael-messer-blues-28
For pickups your basic choice is the hidden type like k&k and Fishman that give a fairly natural acoustic sound or a surface mounted magnetic pickup that sounds more 'electric'.
Resos that follow the National style favoured by blues players tend to have f-holes like the Michael Messer model rather than the small screened soundholes of Dobro-style.
Funnily enough, I'd probably be playing very little blues or slide on one....
I spied an Epi hound dog roundneck used for sale near me for not much money.....
Because the volume comes from the cone, not the vibrating top, you'll probably be fine drilling into it to fit a magnetic pickup. But I'll warn you that this is my fist resonator, so my advice could be suspect...
“Theory is something that is written down after the music has been made so we can explain it to others”– Levi Clay
Many of the cheaper "brand name" Fenders, Epis, etc etc are not built correctly, so may sound a a bit clanky and Reso ish, but are not the authentic real deal...Mostly..its been a while since I got my Messer, Metal bodied 12 fretter...
Messer are superb, authentic, good quality control and setup and reasonably priced also holding their value....
join the Messer forum and read about the copies.....
I loved the Beard "Copper Mountain" range that Oasis Music (Ringwood, Hampshire) are the distributors for. Lovely to play and a beautiful sound. But, at £2,100 or so, that's 5 times what I paid for the Hound Dog. Maybe next year!....
roundneck wooden dobro. e.g. the lace sensor slim humbucker and the black single coil one.
Any thoughts or advice ? They just stick on with tape?