Resonator Guitars in Jazz

**Thumpalumpacus** · 01-26-2017, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Hep To The Jive

The only other guitar I have considered as alternative loud acoustic is a nice big archtop, but $$ for it I dont have. If anyone knows where I can get those old acoustic cannons like Epiphone, Gibson, Stromberg, D'Angelico for around $1500, please do let me know

I was at South Austin Music yesterday, playing some old boxes as well as a newer Godin. Amongst those I played was a 1953 Epi Century (I think?) with a P-90. I didn't plug in so I can't tell you its electric sound, but even with the little wires they had on it, it still had a good voice. Straight neck, too. I think they're asking around $1800 for it.

I looked for it on their website and couldn't find it, but here's the pic I took w/ my cell:

Though I don't know if it's big enough to get the projection you want.

**oldane** · 01-26-2017, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by Hep To The Jive

If anyone knows where I can get those old acoustic cannons like Epiphone, Gibson, Stromberg, D'Angelico for around $1500, please do let me know

If I knew that, it's for shure I wouldn't tell you or anybody else before I had grabbed what I wanted.

But yes, I can envision the scene. "A Stromberg Master 400, an Epiphone Emperor and a D'Angelico New Yorker for $1500 each? Now, how about $3700 cash if I take all the three of them here and now?"

**Hep To The Jive** · 01-26-2017, 01:26 PM

So since the thread is resurrected, here's update: I did buy a National resonator, and it's the best investment I ever made in guitars! It made my money back and more, and I continue to gig on it most of the time. And it's only been since, what, July?

In terms of projection, forgetaboudit, no other acoustics can match it, not even best Gypsy guitars. I mean, it's in different league. And you can hear yourself very well too, so it's not just project upfront.

The soft V neck profile turned out to be not a problem, and even though the nut width is very wide, I still feel no fatigue playing (I'm a fan of narrow necks, so this one is the opposite of it)

The sound is very unique, so it's not for everybody maybe, but for the style I play- heavy strumming in Gypsy/Swing/NOLA styles- it's perfect! Sort of banjo like, but with more sustain.

**Lionelsax** · 01-26-2017, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by Hep To The Jive

So since the thread is resurrected, here's update: I did buy a National resonator, and it's the best investment I ever made in guitars! It made my money back and more, and I continue to gig on it most of the time. And it's only been since, what, July?

In terms of projection, forgetaboudit, no other acoustics can match it, not even best Gypsy guitars. I mean, it's in different league. And you can hear yourself very well too, so it's not just project upfront.

The soft V neck profile turned out to be not a problem, and even though the nut width is very wide, I still feel no fatigue playing (I'm a fan of narrow necks, so this one is the opposite of it)

The sound is very unique, so it's not for everybody maybe, but for the style I play- heavy strumming in Gypsy/Swing/NOLA styles- it's perfect! Sort of banjo like, but with more sustain.

That's pretty interesting, have you tried to record something with it ?

**Hep To The Jive** · 01-26-2017, 03:31 PM

Nothing good quality or with emphasis on the guitar AFAIK, but I will try to do a home demo soon, might be a good idea.

**MarkRhodes** · 01-26-2017, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by jasaco

Really enjoyed that! Paul Howard (the guy on the left in the video) wrote a book on swing guitar that featured a resonator guitar playing over the practice tracks on the accompanying CD. Love that sound.

Guitar Roots -- Swing: The Roots of Great Guitar Playing, Book & CD: Paul Howard: 0038081196268: Amazon.com: Books