Resonator guitars might not be as popular as conventional acoustic or electric guitars. However, they still play an important musical, stylistic, and historical role in not just the ‘guitar world,’ but the music world as a whole. With its distinct look and idiosyncratic sonic qualities, the resonator guitar has undoubtedly become some sort of hieroglyph for genres and styles like Blue Grass, Country, and the Blues.
 | 1.Editor’s choice for best resonator guitar – Gretsch G9200 Roundneck Boxcar Perfect for the seasoned pro and enthusiastic beginner looking for an awesomely made instrument that plays just fine and versatile enough. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 2.Best beginner resonator guitar – Recording King RPH-R1-TS A great-sounding entry-level resonator guitar for the beginner player and even intermediate player. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 3. Best affordable resonator guitar– Pyle Electro Resophonic Acoustic-Electric Guitar A combination of affordability and top-quality resophonic guitar technology. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 4.Best round-neck resonator guitar – Gold Tone Paul Beard Signature Series A professionally crafted resonator guitar for the seasoned player with flawless artistry and guitar mechanics. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 5. Best acoustic-electric resonator guitar – Gretsch G9220 Bobtail Round-Neck Featuring a pristine tonal character and outstanding look that makes it one of the best acoustic-electric resonator guitars you can ever lay hands on. | Buy on Amazon |
5 Best Euphonium Mouthpieces Reviewed
Editor’s choice for best resonator guitar – Gretsch G9200 Roundneck Boxcar
Gretsch remains one of the most reputable and outstanding names in the guitar world. With a legacy that spans over 135 years, this great guitar company has always laid great emphasis on top-notch craftsmanship and innovative guitar designs. Greats like Chet Atkins, Eddie Cochran, Billy Duffy, Stephen Stills, Bono, Brian Setzer, Duane Eddy, George Harrison, and Malcolm Young have all at a point in their careers endorsed Gretsch as an outstanding guitar brand. The Gretsch G9200 is just another testimony to this unrivaled legacy and reputation for excellent guitar technology.
With stunning natural colour, top made of Rose Wood, Aluminum, and Mahogany, the G9200 is such a pure beauty to behold – it plays twice as fine. The G9200 has a round neck which makes it the best choice for blues-based styles such as Mississippi Delta blues, country [blues], and ragtime blues. There is a square neck version which is mostly used by bluegrass guitar players. Added to the stunning mahogany body of this amazing guitar are traditional-style F-holes. Laying the foundation for a rich and unrivaled resonator guitar tone is the Gretsch Ampli-Sonic resonator cone. According to Gretsch, this resonator cone was hand-crafted in Eastern Europe from about 99-per cent pure aluminum. The cone aids fantastic volume and powerful sonic projection.
Apart from the captivating aesthetic design, this is one resonator guitar that plays just perfectly, regardless of style or playing scenarios. It is highly versatile, as its rich tonal character makes it a great tool for tonal exploration and experimentation. It can play just fine in genres and styles resonator guitars are not typical to. Also, regardless of playing/proficiency level, this guitar remains a great guitar, be it in the hands of the total beginner or seasoned professional.
Pros
- Perfect for both slide work and normal finger playing.
- The woody tone makes it versatile and fit for many genres while also maintaining its unique resonator character.
- Plays better than pricier models.
- Well-balanced weight distribution and overall natural feel make it highly playable even for first-timers on resonator guitars.
- Sturdy and built to last.
- Ergonomically designed.
Cons
- Not exactly the cheapest resonator guitar.
- Might require a skilled luthier to adjust the action for better playability.
Best beginner resonator guitar – Recording King RPH-R1-TS
Finding a good-quality beginner resonator guitar that plays amazingly without having you “break the bank” can be hard sometimes. This is where the RPH-R1-TS comes in. An amazingly crafted resonator guitar that fits the budget and satisfies the musical needs of beginners and intermediate resonator guitar players. However, it can still work just fine in some professional playing scenarios, as there are seasoned guitar players who still fall back to this awesome guitar when the need arises. It is versatile enough for both stage playing and studio recording.
This will be an amazing choice for players looking to play slide as it has a very soft sound (especially the highest two strings) when compared to other resonator guitars. Another quality that makes it just perfect for slide playing is the soft painting of the guitar. Because it isn’t covered with varnish/glaze like other resonator guitars, it feels quite smooth to the touch. With this smoothiness, your sweaty palm will never get stuck when you are sliding up and down the guitar’s neck. It features an elegant spruce top and body and white wood on the back. The neck material is Nato wood while the fretboard is made of rosewood. It also has an adjustable bridge system. Also, it features a 9.5″ resonator cone and a biscuit bridge with a maple/ebony saddle.
The “Dirty 30’s” Resonator offers lots of classic styles and a vintage resonator guitar tone that fits slide players and even some old-school blues. The handcrafted 9.5-inch cone delivers a traditional and authentic resonator sound. The sound holes (F-holes) are positioned to enhance low and high frequencies as they leave the body of the guitar for that perfect and traditional resonator guitar tone. It doesn’t matter if you are a songwriter looking for that old-school blues or flawless slide sound, or a beginner player searching for something cool-looking and cool-sounding, the Dirty 30 might be just the perfect resonator guitar for you.
Pros
- Delivers an exceptional sound that some more expensive models and brands can’t.
- Perfect for beginners, intermediate, and even seasoned players.
- Very versatile as they can use it in a wide variety of styles.
- Ergonomically designed.
- Affordable enough for many beginner players.
- Perfect for slide playing.
Cons
- Although not in all cases, it might require some assembling by a skilled luthier once it is out of the box.
Best affordable resonator guitar- Pyle Electro Resophonic Acoustic-Electric Guitar
To get that warm, vibrant and authentic resonator guitar tone, you don’t need to spend All You’ve Got. The Pyle Electro Resophonic guitar is a complete all-in-one resophonic guitar set. It comes with everything you will need to start playing straight out of the box. It comes with a gig bag, six spare guitar strings, a detachable nylon shoulder strap, a digital tuner, and three ABS guitar picks. There is a built-in preamplifier with a volume, treble, and bass knob. This guitar is perfect for both educational and professional usage.
This amazing guitar features handcrafted spruce and mahogany plywood construction with a beautiful white ABS binding. Also, it features a high gloss polished deep cherry stained body and back with dual circular body sound holes and die-cast chrome tuning plugs. The total length of the guitar is 39.8” while the scale length is 24.8”. The guitar body is 18.9” while the neck is 14”. The headstock is made of Okoume and the fretboard is made of walnut. It features an elegant spruce body with mahogany wood.
This is a beautiful guitar for both students and seasoned professionals. Although it might be categorized as a “cheap” guitar, the sound and the overall mechanics beat its price tag. The action of the guitar is just perfect as it might never need adjustments from a luthier – you are supposed to play this right out of the box. The gig bag helps to ease carriage and transportation. This is an amazing deal, considering its price.
Pros
- Affordable enough for students and beginner players.
- Comes with everything you will need to play straight out of the box.
- Amazing body finish.
- Comes with a tuner and gig bag.
- Can play both electrically and acoustically – this makes it perfect for beginner players.
Cons
- Being a very cheap guitar, you should definitely not compare the quality to pricier models.
- Might come with some engineering imperfections that will require a luthier to fix before playing just fine. However, this is not always the case.
Best round-neck resonator guitar– Gold Tone Paul Beard Signature Series
If you are looking for a round-neck resonator guitar with a vintage vibe, then you might want to check this Gold-Tone out. Making a list of resonator guitars without including any Gold-Tone resonator guitar on that list might render the list invalid. With a reputation for excellence, artistry, and top-quality guitar technology, this elegant resonator guitar is another testament to the unrivaled legacy of this brand. With a mahogany top, body, and back material, this guitar doesn’t just stand out elegantly from every other round-neck resonator guitar in the market, it also plays quite exceptionally. It features a maple neck, rosewood fretboard, and phosphor bronze string.
With a USA-made beard Cone, spun aluminum, USA-made beard spider, and a 25-inch-scale round neck, you can be sure of that natural, pristine, and authentic resonator guitar sound. It also comes with a bone nut, maple saddle with ebony top, dobro-style tailpiece, and sealed adjustable tuning pegs with metal buttons. This is one elegant guitar that is worth every dime on its price tag. The Gold Tone Paul (PBR) signature model is a handmade guitar and has remained tonally and aesthetically unrivaled ever since it came into the resonator guitar world. All Gold Tone guitars in this series are assembled and set up in the USA by experienced luthiers who are bent on perfection, ergonomics, and playability. It features traditional dot inlay, vintage binding, and a high gloss vintage mahogany finish.
If you need a round neck resonator guitar that will stand the test of time, play exceptionally and versatile enough, then investing in this legendary guitar would not be a bad idea. It is worth every dime on its price tag. It is perfect for blues, jazz, ragtime, and conventional playing.
Pros
- Perfect for players of all levels.
- Highest quality resonator guitar technology.
- Versatile enough for diverse playing scenarios.
- The overall quality and design are top-notch.
Cons
- Not exactly the most affordable guitar.
Best acoustic-electric resonator guitar – Gretsch G9220 Bobtail Round-Neck
Gretsch is another brand known for making not just amazing resonator guitars, but amazing guitars in general. The G9220 Bobtail Round-Neck is both a sonic and visual beauty. Be it slide playing, fingerpicking, or conventional guitar playing styles, the Bobtail will always sound amazing and unmistakable. Being a pretty moderate guitar in terms of price, it might surprise you that this guitar might play way better than some pricier brands and models.
It features a mahogany top, body, back, and neck, and a rosewood fingerboard that makes it just irresistible enough for players of different levels and styles. Its perfectly designed round-neck makes it just the right resonator guitar for blues and related styles such as country blues, Mississippi Delta blues, and ragtime blues. There is a square neck variation that fits bluegrass and other similar styles. The G9220 has an elegant mahogany body with standard style sound-holes (F-holes) that enhance both the low and high frequencies that escape the guitar.
A great contributing element to the amazing sound of this guitar is the “Gretsch Ampli-Sonic” cone, handmade in Eastern Europe out of almost 99-per cent pure aluminum. This gives the guitar that amazing volume and fantastic sonic projection. Its Fishman pickup that comes with this guitar has a split saddle piezo-ceramic pickup specially made for spider-style bridges. This pickup gives the guitar a consistent and perfect sound reproduction every time it is played. When compared to other resonator guitars in this price range, the Gretsch will always stand out from the rest.
Pros
- Perfect for both beginners and pros.
- Being from a reputable brand like Gretsch, you can always expect nothing but top-quality design and guitar technology.
- Considering the quality of this guitar, it is right to say that the price is fantastic.
- Perfect intonation.
- You can play it straight out of the box without having to visit a luthier for more adjustments.
- Versatile enough to be played both like a resonator and an acoustic guitar.
Cons
- None that I can think of.
Resonator Guitars Buying Guide
What is the difference between dobro and a resonator guitar?
Although used interchangeably, the dobro is just a type of resonator guitar. The dobro guitars are simply single resonator wooden-bodied acoustic guitars. Some, but not all resonator guitars are Dobros.
Actually, Dobro (with an uppercase letter “D”) was just a brand of resonator guitars. It used to have a single cone and a wooden body. Gibson owns the brand name while Epiphone manufactures them. But the name now applies to all wooden-bodied resonator guitars. Because other resonator guitars can come with more than one cone and also in metal bodies, players now use the term “dobro” to classify all resonator guitars that come with wooden bodies and single cones. It is also important to know that all wooden-bodied resonator guitars come with just one cone. So, practically we have two categories of resonator guitars and they are, dobros and metal-bodied resonator guitars.
Why is the bridge covered on a resonator guitar?
The aluminum cone that covers does what a speaker does in a stereo system. The strings contact the bridge and the bridge transfers the vibration to the cones. Now, the cones vibrate to move air inside the guitar and out from the sound holes.
Unlike conventional acoustic guitars, which will depend on tonewoods to produce sound, the resonator guitar works quite differently. The resonator guitar sends vibrations from the strings to the [covered] bridge. The bridge of the resonator guitar is connected to either a single resonator or a double resonator. Sound waves are now transferred through the sound plate into the body before the sound finally exits through the sound holes found on either side of the guitar neck.
https://youtu.be/MoBJuw7PACo
Are resonator guitars hard to learn?
Resonator guitars, especially dobros are pretty easy and fun to learn. They are also very versatile as they can fit varieties of genres and styles.
However, just like every other musical instrument, with determination, love for the instrument, and some high level of commitment, you will get to learn the resonator guitar faster than people who do not approach it this way. It will always remain a very fun and expressive musical instrument to pick up.
Should you get round neck or square neck resonator guitars?
Round neck resonator guitars can be played like conventional guitars by fretting the strings or using bottle-neck slides. Square necks are played quite differently by laying them across your lap. Also, the actions are always so high that they can only be played with slides.
Deciding on whether to go for a round neck or square neck is totally up to you to decide. We can use both types of guitars across different styles and genres. Just go for what makes your heart beat.
Which resonator guitar sounds better, wooden-bodied (dobro) or metal-bodied?
Neither “sounds better” than the other. Wooden-bodied resonator guitars sound rather warm and woody while metal-bodied gives somewhat of a brighter and louder sound.
These are just individual tonal characteristics that make each of these guitars different from the other. You should choose the sound that appeals to you and your musicianship or style. Personally, I don’t vibe well with overly bright sounds, so I will lean towards the woody and warm sound of the wooden-bodied resonator guitars.
https://youtu.be/Ogfi3g-yCZ4?t=80
Conclusion and Winner(s)
After analyzing everything in detail and taking everything into consideration, I have narrowed down my options and resultantly concluded. However, it is important I remind you that every resonator guitar mentioned here is amazing in its own way. You can deviate from my choice and choose that which you feel is best for you and your musicianship.
The Gretsch G9200 Roundneck Boxcar is my top choice. This is an amazing resonator guitar from a reputable guitar brand. Aesthetically, it looks stunning and it is designed by top-notch luthiers who are bent on playability. It is perfect for both slide and conventional playing. It has a woody tone which makes it quite appealing to me, sonically. It has a well-balanced weight distribution and overall natural feel which makes it highly playable even for first-timers on resonator guitars. It plays way better than some pricier models.
My second choice is none other than the Gold Tone Paul Beard Signature Series. The Gold Tone, apart from being a bit on the high side, has basically no disadvantage – in my opinion. If you can spare such an amount, then you will definitely not regret it. As I said, it is worth every digit on its price tag.
Last update on 2023-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
