Resonators In Jazz

SmoothOperator · #1 08-28-2011, 08:19 PM

I am wondering if anyone has had success with resonator style guitars, biscuit or otherwise, in jazz? They seem very popular in blues, but not so much in jazz? I accidentally posted this in everything else sorry.

mr. beaumont · #2 08-28-2011, 09:21 PM

Oscar aleman used one...few folks since (I think I have seen earl klugh at least pictured with one?)

They're pretty loud...but if you need loud acoustic volume, I feel a selmer style does it much better, with a tone that's actually pleasing to the ear...

A resonator will cut nicely for single note work...but I think complex chords will really suffer under all that nasalness...I'm sure there's a guitarist out there to prove m wrong though.

Rick Kay · #3 08-29-2011, 06:35 AM

I'm thinking you play Spanish style? If not, I play lapstyle resonator, and have frequent forays into jazz. I generally use an open G tuning, and have woked out some neat stuff on "Wave", "Fly Me To The Moon" and "Byrdland". I love playing jazz with bluegrass instrumentation. Its a very unique sound in the jazz world.

SmoothOperator · #4 08-29-2011, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

nasalness...I'm sure there's a guitarist out there to prove m wrong though.

The nasalness is usually a characteristic of spider cones as opposed to biscuits and tri-cones. The spider is more popular in bluegrass, and the biscuit in blues. I was assuming a biscuit or tri-cone would work better, since the biscuit is know for its plunky sound.

mr. beaumont · #5 08-29-2011, 01:53 PM

They all seem midrange heavy to me, which can some times get "nasally." Just my ears, I guess.

I think applied as Rick's talking above could be quite cool...To me, these guitars really shine when played with a slide/steel.

SmoothOperator · #6 08-29-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Kay

I'm thinking you play Spanish style? If not, I play lapstyle resonator, and have frequent forays into jazz. I generally use an open G tuning, and have woked out some neat stuff on "Wave", "Fly Me To The Moon" and "Byrdland". I love playing jazz with bluegrass instrumentation. Its a very unique sound in the jazz world.

Fundamentally I am a trumpet player. I have a slide instrument(not a resonator). Tuned basically to the pentatonic + the 4th, which I play in a bluegrass group lap style. Its a little soft for even bluegrass, so I was thinking about something that would be a little louder, that would also cross over, and well I can't stand the open G tuning

mr. beaumont · #7 08-29-2011, 03:04 PM

Well, don't let my opinions hold you back, I say blaze your own trail.

Like I said, with slide, those babies shine...so if that's an element you're keeping then I say go for it.

For playing "Spanish Style" they wouldn't be my first choice for jazz...but it sounds to me like you're doing your own thing, which means full speed ahead!