electrauke
Well-known member
Hey everyone, got a quick question: What is the best resonator ukulele? I know lots of people will say personal preference but in YOUR opinion what is the best?
Resonator Ukulele
- Thread starter electrauke
- Start date
river_driver
Well-known member
Hope this generates some discussion... I am jonesing for a reso & would appreciate people's opinions!
(FWIW, I want a National, but I don't think I'll be hitting the lotto anytime soon. I'd be interested in opinions on the Kala-Recording King-Gold Tone price range).
(FWIW, I want a National, but I don't think I'll be hitting the lotto anytime soon. I'd be interested in opinions on the Kala-Recording King-Gold Tone price range).
FiL
Well-known member
Are you looking for a metal body or a wood body?
What size are you looking for?
What kind of stuff to you want to play with it?
I have a wood-bodied Kala tenor resonator, strung with Southcoast low-G classical metal strings. I think it sounds great for fingerpicked stuff (check out my YouTube channel), but I would also say it sounds more like a little guitar than a uke (which is fine with me). A concert with reentrant tuning would be better for getting a more traditional strummed sound.
Wood bodies are a bit mellower. Metal bodies have more "bark".
I'm sure a Mya-Moe is going to sound better than my Kala, but they are well out of my price range.
- FiL
What size are you looking for?
What kind of stuff to you want to play with it?
I have a wood-bodied Kala tenor resonator, strung with Southcoast low-G classical metal strings. I think it sounds great for fingerpicked stuff (check out my YouTube channel), but I would also say it sounds more like a little guitar than a uke (which is fine with me). A concert with reentrant tuning would be better for getting a more traditional strummed sound.
Wood bodies are a bit mellower. Metal bodies have more "bark".
I'm sure a Mya-Moe is going to sound better than my Kala, but they are well out of my price range.
- FiL
I've played a few of John Mortons resonators. All handmade, one at a time.http://www.jmorton.us/pages/AboutJohnMorton.html
I have one of the cheap metal body Regals. I bought it from a local shop that did a nice setup. I had a number of upgrades done to it, Waverly tuners, Worth Clear Low G strings, a custom bridge and biscuit and a pickup. I love playing around with it. It's loud and shiny. It's name is "Frankenreso". People that are not Ukunistas always say ooooo when I take it out of the case. For what it is, its great. Intonation up the fret board improved when I had all the upgrades done. All the upgrades cost more than the uke itself. If I were to start over, I probably would have began with a Mya-Moe for a wood body reso or R.E. Phillips. if I wanted a metal body.
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OP
OP
electrauke
Well-known member
This guy, Lil Rev, owned a National wood body and switched to MYa-Moe. Here is a link to his blog:
http://fountainofuke.blogspot.com/
and here is a video of hime playing his Mya-Moe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxt07PvAGlI
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PedalFreak
Well-known member
Nationals. Best sound out of any Reso Uke I've ever played. Nothing has come close.
Stackabones
Well-known member
Best one would be a free one!
Book Worthy comment :smileybounce:
ichadwick
Well-known member
Thing about tenors is that they really need tension on the cone to get the best sound. I've had a Republic reso and played with several others including National, Goldtone and Kala. My own opinion is that the best/loudest sound comes from a tenor in great part because it has the greatest string tension. A reso should almost have a banjo-like tone.
I have a metal-body tenor guitar with metal strings. It doesn't have the same punch as a six-string because the strings have just that much less tension. I've considered some options, including changing the saddle from the traditional ebony to a Tusq piece.
I've been hemming and hawing over a Kala myself, but find the nylon strings just a bit too mild for a reso sound. I believe metal strings can be substituted, which might really pick up the punch.
I have a metal-body tenor guitar with metal strings. It doesn't have the same punch as a six-string because the strings have just that much less tension. I've considered some options, including changing the saddle from the traditional ebony to a Tusq piece.
I've been hemming and hawing over a Kala myself, but find the nylon strings just a bit too mild for a reso sound. I believe metal strings can be substituted, which might really pick up the punch.
Strummin simon
Well-known member
i have a kala concert reso. its good for the money.
i had a ashbury/johnson/recording king before. not as good as the kala. but they are cheaper
if you really want a reso, save up and buy a national. they are the best sounding
i had a ashbury/johnson/recording king before. not as good as the kala. but they are cheaper
if you really want a reso, save up and buy a national. they are the best sounding
FiL
Well-known member
Try Southcoast's classical metal strings. I wouldn't use any other metal strings on a uke--they're not built for standard steel string tensions.
- FiL
Can't help wondering how Guadalupe fiber cores would work. Good ebony nearly as hard as bone anyway. Doubt changing nut/saddle would be worth it, but, on the other hand, couldn't hurt either.
fernandogardinali
Well-known member
I have a Republic and I like it, but I'm looking to upgrade. I love the looks of the Big Rusty ukuleles, does anyone have any experience with those?
Ambient Doughnut
Well-known member
Skozar
Member
I bought a Kala Concert Reso after trying 1 National, 2 Gretsch, and the 2 Kala's one after another again and again and playing the same chord progressions mixed up with some banjo-like finger rolls. I really did not care which brand I bought just wanted one with the best punch and a distinct sound. The National had great playing action and the fit and finish was top knotch but the sound was muffled and dull in my opinion compared to the Gretsch and Kala instruments (note all instrument had wood bodies). The Gretsch's had slightly better finish but the Kala natural satin finish concert blew all comers (including another Kala Tenor) away. The necks on the Kala's are a little thicker than the other instrument and do take some getting used to but the playability with either Aquila or Kala Pearl strings is awesome. Even the instrument sale person agreed with my choice as he was listening to me plinking on all his instruments from across the sales floor. I guess I just got lucky and found the "right one." And I saved a boat-load of money---always a good thing!!!!
Another reason to try instuments in person rather than making an opinon and purchase based on a sound bite over the internet.
Another reason to try instuments in person rather than making an opinon and purchase based on a sound bite over the internet.
ichadwick
Well-known member
Resos don't depend on the wood for their sound nearly as much as standard ukes. The cone and biscuit have more to do with the output than the wood. It's been argued that laminates are better for resonator instruments than solid woods because they reflect more sound and don't age (mellow) like solid woods.
You cant to change the sound? Start with the biscuit/saddle. Try materials for the saddle that are denser, pass more energy to the wooden biscuit. Bone, Tusq, glass and even brass will give you a different sound.
Metal bodied resos have the advantage of having high internal reflectivity, which gives them some additional harmonic complexity, but to really work well, they need holes for the sound to escape.
You cant to change the sound? Start with the biscuit/saddle. Try materials for the saddle that are denser, pass more energy to the wooden biscuit. Bone, Tusq, glass and even brass will give you a different sound.
Metal bodied resos have the advantage of having high internal reflectivity, which gives them some additional harmonic complexity, but to really work well, they need holes for the sound to escape.
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