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Resonator Basses

Herrick

Herrick

Jul 21, 2010
3,587
2,637
Munchkin Land
#1
I've been looking into these and did a little reading of some older threads. I was considering buying one until I saw this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0s2mFyQfT8

This is really not the kind of sound I'm into.

Then I grew more hopeful when I saw this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F8rDztviOY

That's pretty good volume for that noisy environment, methinks and it sounds more thumpy than the other video.

So is the difference in sound due mostly to string choice & finger vs pick playing? Can these things get a more BASS-like sound with the right strings and still retain the volume?
 
#3
Personally, I think they sound awful unless you love a really tinny, trebly sound. If you search "les claypool resonator" on YouTube you'll find any interview where he plays one. I don't know anything about that particular bass, but I'm assuming he can afford the best. It's gotta be a good one.
 
#4
They both sound like a$$ in my opinion. Makes no sense on any level to me. Do you want one just 'cause, or are you looking for a particular sound? Any type of sound you seek will likely be more obtainable through anything but a resonator bass. And this is coming from someone who loves resonator guitar tone.
 
#6
inthevelvet said:
They both sound like a$$ in my opinion. Makes no sense on any level to me. Do you want one just 'cause, or are you looking for a particular sound? Any type of sound you seek will likely be more obtainable through anything but a resonator bass. And this is coming from someone who loves resonator guitar tone.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm not a fan of bass twang. If that's all a resonator bass can do then I'm not interested. I went to the Goldtone website and they had a video there and it was all twang. Ah well :hmm:
 
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#7
My understanding is that FMIC dreamed this nonsense up as a concept instrument and video prop for some awful Garth Brooks Dr. Pepper TV commercial some ten years ago, based on their truly horrible FR50 guitar.

Distinguished origins, huh? :rolleyes:

Since then, a number of others put these abortions on the market. Occasionally, someone buys one and generally regrets it. If you don't think there's a more doomed proposition than a regular ABG, these will prove you wrong.

I don't want to buy any more cute instruments that don't work in this lifetime, thanks. :rollno:
 
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#9
Ozark make one that I find great.
It has a horrible design flaw : the piece of soft wood used as a bridge under the cover. It needs to be replaced ASAP by a proper piece of ebony.

The rest is simply great. Short scale that favors mids and works well with the resonator to get you heard.
Single coil pickup that works wonders if you decide to plug.
Very comfy neck and body.

3516.jpg
 
#10
Bongolation said:
I don't want to buy any more cute instruments that don't work in this lifetime, thanks. :rollno:
Click to expand...

Have you played one?

zontar said:
Another thread so soon?
Click to expand...

Yeah I see there was one made only a few days ago. Whoops.

Jazz Ad said:
Ozark make one that I find great.
It has a horrible design flaw : the piece of soft wood used as a bridge under the cover. It needs to be replaced ASAP by a proper piece of ebony.

The rest is simply great. Short scale that favors mids and works well with the resonator to get you heard.
Single coil pickup that works wonders if you decide to plug.
Very comfy neck and body.
Click to expand...

Is it twangy?
 
#11
Nope. Bassplayer mag reviewed a resonator bass way back in the 90ies. Don't remember the brand, but I think it was from Dobro. I think that one had been around for a few years by then too.

Then there's the upright resonator bass from the 30ies. It wasn't very successful, and I'm not defending the concept here. I'm just saying that FMIC didn't invent the resonator bass.

Bongolation said:
My understanding is that FMIC dreamed this nonsense up as a concept instrument and video prop for some awful Garth Brooks Dr. Pepper TV commercial some ten years ago, based on their truly horrible FR50 guitar.
Click to expand...
 
#19
Bongolation said:
I've never heard a kind word for these monstrosities here.

There was a major hate thread on these gimmick instruments a couple of years ago.
Click to expand...

So eloquently put... down. Stating "monstrosities" and "gimmick" is really quite helpful in perpetuating the bad rep these instruments get and goes so well towards turning this thread into another bash-fest. Bravo, you tried one and didn't like it.

After trying many of these reso-basses I find they're not my cup-of-tone, but I don't feel the need to denigrate them and in so doing also desparaging those who do like them.

I've heard some that sounded okay and others that were too twangy for my tastes. String choice (as already noted in the thread) and playing technique have a huge impact on how they sound. What I haven't heard is how one of the old upright-sized ones sound like – That I would like to hear.

ResoBass.jpg
 
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