2 Top-Notch National Resonators I Can't Live Without ★ Acoustic Tuesday 285

Ever thought that a laminate guitar might be too "cheap" or catered to beginners for your guitar collection? Just wait until you hear this resonator guitar.

In today's episode, we're going to dive into a comparison between two stunning resonator guitars from my personal collection—both of which are from @nationalguitars.

The first contender is a gorgeous National Supro Collegian resonator guitar. This beauty sports a striking duco finish that immediately catches your eye. With a rosewood fingerboard and a mahogany neck, it has plenty of bark and bite that you'd expect from a top-notch resonator guitar. We'll explore its unique tonal qualities and discuss why this guitar is perfect for those who love that classic resonator sound.

Our second guitar is the elegant National Estralita Deluxe resonator guitar. This one has a deeper, more mellow tone that sets it apart from its competition. Although it's a laminate guitar, don't let that deter you from considering it as a viable option! We'll delve into the Estralita's distinctive character and find out what makes it a must-have in any resonator guitar enthusiast's collection.

Whether you're a seasoned resonator guitar player or just getting into the world of these unique instruments, this is a great starting point for hearing how certain resonators with specific features sound. Be sure to drop your favorite resonator guitar or any you are interested in in the comments below!

Submit your guitarsenal at the link below!

Also featured in this episode...

#resonatorguitar
00:00 - Intro
01:06 - National Supro Collegian
07:58 - National Estralita Deluxe
18:21 - Acoustic Guitar News pt. 1
23:10 - TAC Guitar Lick Challenge
28:13 - Comments Review
36:54 - Acoustic Guitar News pt. 2

[monster]

I have a National Wood Reso Rocket that I purchased new from its designer, Steve James. Steve was the most awesome slide guitar player I've ever heard and I also considered him a friend. Unfortunately Steve passed away this past year. That the guitar came directly from Steve makes it a very special possession.

[allenhayesmusic]

On the waitlist for a Mule Resonator! Can’t wait!!

[rzentz]

My twin brother and I attended the Summit last year (VIPs). Had a chance to meet and speak with you briefly. See you in August! What a deal with lower price!

[johnreidroberts]

Mr. Polecastro,
Thank you so much for granting my request to compare and contrast National Resophonic verses Mule Resophonic!
I was inspired to purchase a resonator guitar after viewing your ‘QuickStart Guide to Resonator Guitars’ a few years ago.
Being a bluesman I knew that I wanted something that would give me a dirty tone with quick decay. Narrowing my search I honed in on a single cone design. Eventually I ordered a National Resophonic Raw Steel 12 fret through SoundPure in Durham, North Carolina.
Let me tell you…I couldn’t be happier with the guitar! It’s got the punchy dirty blues tone of the Mississippi Delta along with a minimal finish that gives the guitar a natural patina over time. In addition to its tone, the volume of this guitar is off the charts!
I was also able to have National build a ‘C’ shaped neck for it instead of the usual ‘V’.
Like your Supro I mostly use it for slide playing in open G tuning, sometimes in open D, and occasionally standard tuning. Learning slide and open tunings has really unlocked new musical avenues for me. Thanks for the inspiration to try something different.
Also, congratulations on your new Estralita acquisition! Happy Playing!

With Much Appreciation,
JR
North Carolina.

[JeffP]

Thanks for posting this Tony. My 2008 Estralita Deluxe has finish bubbling on the neck where it joins the body, exactly like yours. It was also disclosed when I purchased it, and it hasn't mattered to me at all. I also like mine for ragtime and blues.

[boydackerman]

I bought a Gretsch HoneyDipper a few years back. I've seen so many players recommend this guitar, and it got great reviews so it came home with me.. It is a great sounding very affordable metal body resonator. I still don't have all the skills for a resonator, but I'm working on that. This channel and the TAC family are helping with that process. I just need to get back to my schedule for practice and spending more time since I have by lifetime membership.

[javatar]

Great show! 3 months in with my National raw brass tri-cone. 12 fret. Solid in rotation with my Taylor Academy. Playing with D and G open tuning, amazed at the sounds this guitar can produce. I am a player one year in my journey, and excited to see where the tricone leads me.

[dealsbetweenfriends]

thanks....playing a T-101 made by Korea company now closed.. ! classic National style steel body with patina style finish from usage got used last year!

[walterstreet]

Thanks for the info on Resonator guitars and the new utube channel. As a life long BLACKHAWK FAN MYSELF back to Bobby Hull and Stan M as a kid. I was introduced to the blues at home along with jazz and soul. My teacher took me to see West Montgomery when I was sixteen even though I was into Segovia and rock

[andrewmorgan]

Hi Tony. I own a Gold Tone Paul Beard Signature Series (PBR) wooden body resonator and I'm very happy with it. All the best Andy in Caerphilly. UK.

[mikefullerton]

I have a National Reso Rocket WB, a Regal RC02, and a custom made tenor reso.

[cph_Chris]

My only Hawks jersey is actually the Griswold jersey (like worn by Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation). It’s sort of a family tradition from my brother at Christmas time.

[mikefullerton]

Hi Tony. I just listened to your interview with Charlie Parr, you did a wonderful job of helping Charlie open up and share some really wonderful stories and insightful thoughts about his father, his place in country/folk blues, and the creative process. I really enjoyed the interview and was wondering, if you still do these interviews, if you would consider interviewing Ben Powell. Not sure if you are aware of him, but he is a solo performer of country/delta blues based on his take of masters, and his own writing and arranging. Like Charlie, I think most of his recording has been done in home studios. You can check out Ben on YouTube. I have been playing guitar for just shy of two years, and I’m maybe an intermediate beginner focusing on fingerpicking and slide, but having only had four lessons from Ben Powell. I have a tenor reso, a Regal RC02, and a National Reso Rocket WB. The tenor is an extension of my baritone ukulele playing that started after my brother sent me a uke in the mail for my 55th birthday (I am now 71). With four strings behind me, I now only play 6-strings, a challenge given no music training. Anyway, all this to say given my focus on guitar, I now look forward to Tuesdays when you post a new episode of Acoustic Tuesdays. Thank you so much for all that you do for us wanna be guitar players, and if I may, please think about more episodes on reso guitars. Thanks again, Cheers. Mike Fullerton, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

[robertjohnson]

Great show. I do have a Recording King resonator. Not expensive, but it has a pleasant sound. Thanks for reading and responding to my comment. No, I am not that Robert Johnson, but I am striving to make my name resonate (ha-ha) in the guitar community. I enjoyed your comments' on the Bruins. Any team has to lose once in a while. Glad it could put a smile on your face.

[Mlee]

#backinthegame Move is completed, guitars are finally set up and back into practicing again after almost 3 weeks being unable to do so. Feels good, really good. 3, 000 hours of practice? Here I come.

[cph_Chris]

The only resonator guitar I have right now is an Eka guitjo or Banjar. It is a banjo body with 5 string guitar neck. Has a sun ray pieced wood resonator & opaque skin. It was an oddball I bought that I actually took to a club in Austin & got Tom Chapin (Harry Chapin’s brother) to play & sign it.

[boblang]

Mentioned in this episode are tenor guitars. Tenor guitars are great to own and play. They are working well for me as I age into my mid 70's, they are smaller in size and weigh considerably less than my dreadnaught. Standard tenor guitar tuning is G-D-A-E. However "Chicago Tuning", which is D-G-B-E makes the transition between tenor and 6-string guitars a natural. Have your luthier do the initial change to "Chicago Tuning" to be sure that the nut and saddle are setup correctly, then it's off to the races. You won't be disappointed. Several years ago, I commissioned a local luthier to build a tenor guitar for me in "Chicago Tuning", made of Cuban mahogany, a beautiful looking and sounding guitar. He is Micah Plante of Plante Guitars in Bristol Vermont.

[arocker]

I have a great slide resonator that is definitely a great “entry” into pre-wars- 1933 Regal/Dobro Model 12 Angelus. 18:22

[penfold]

Whats the difference between a Resonator and a Dobro? I bought what I thought was a Resonator (wood body with single metal cone and two meshed chest soundholes). I play it the same way as my accoustic guitars and bought it initially just to get more volume on unamplified gigs.

[raymondstebbins]

I have a national Delphi love it have a highlander pickup in it can't beat it I prefer the steel body sound but that's a personal choice