I got my first Resonator Guitar Yesterday!

Frankenstrat2 · #1 February 9th, 2005

I just got my very first resonator yesterday. I'm pretty excited about it. I went to the NAMM show in Anaheim in January and played dozens of them from all the major manufacturers who were there. I settled on....
A Martin Alternative II Resonator.
Here's a link:
http://www.elderly.com/new_instrumen...s/ALTX2RES.htm

This guitar was an odd choice I suppose, but it met several criteria I had decided upon:
Single cutaway
On-board electronics
Good acoustic sound
Playable neck
Easy resale
Mfr guarantee

My friends have Dobro's and Nationals. This seemed to work for me. Its not as loud as a Triolian, but that makes it a better match to use with other acoustic guitarists. The Fishman Electronics are quite good.
Its a pretty wild guitar. I don't think there is any real wood anywhere.

This came with a hardshell case at a price that is hard to beat. A National single-cut with electronics would have been a custom shop order at more than double the price.

allthumbs · #2 February 9th, 2005

hi frankenstrat2. took a peek at your new guitar. very nice. Your gonna have alot of fun with that baby.
allthumbs

Frankenstrat2 · #3 February 9th, 2005

Thanks!
So far its pretty cool.

manwithaplan · #4 February 9th, 2005

Wow, very nice guitar you picked up there, post some clips soon

Frankenstrat2 · #5 February 10th, 2005

I'm not sure its staying- I have to call Elderly Music later and talk to the techs.
The output of the Fishman electronics is too low.
So far I have resisted recording clips. I'm mostly a live player.
Maybe further on down the road.
b.

Frankenstrat2 · #6 February 12th, 2005

Sent it back today.
LOL
the Fishman electronics were defective
Quality control anyone?

allthumbs · #7 February 12th, 2005

so are you getting the problem fixed or is it gone for good?
allthumbs

Frankenstrat2 · #8 February 13th, 2005

I don't know yet.
IME, Elderly Instrments has been a great company to deal with. They had the guitar in stock, and gave me a good price with free shipping. I called, and we agreed that I would send it back to the Repair Dept. for evaluation. If it is defective, they will either repair or replace it at their expense including my expense to ship it back.
If they can't find anything wrong with it (a remote possibility) then I would cancel the sale and eat the shipping. I'm fairly confident that the Fishman electronics are defective in this instrument. I'll let you know....

Frankenstrat2 · #9 February 21st, 2005

Update:
Elderly just called me back. It took a week for the guitar to get back to them in Michigan, and then it had to sit in the warehouse over the weekend to get 'acclimated' before they open it. But ultimately they agreed at the electronics were defective. Fortunately they had just gotten a new shipment that were backordered, and they pulled one out, opened it, plugged it in and it works properly.
So now it has to get processed , checked by the repair department and then shipped. But I had free shipping all along, and they are going to reimburse me for the shipping of the defective one back to them. Eventually I should get a brand new one that works and is under warrantee.
I'm a bit surprised that a defective Fishman pre-amp wasn't caught by the quality control people at the Martin factory, or by Elderly before they shipped it, but giving them all the behefit of the doubt, perhaps something shook loose in transit?
Lets hope that the next one arrives in working condition. If it sounds as good as I remember plugged in, it is a tremendous value under $1000 US with a lifetime warrantee
Keep your fingers crossed
b.

Frankenstrat2 · #10 February 27th, 2005

Happy Ending
The replacement instrument arrived Friday.
It is flawless. The Fishman electronics work very well, as I remembered. The guitar plays very well, with action low enough to fret notes comfortably and high enought that there is minimal fretting out or rattle from the slide.
The resonator cone has a sweet balanced tone. Its mellow and not too nasal or whiney. This is not a loud resonator, it is a single spider cone. That worked for me since acousically I plan to play this instrument in my living room with other acoustic guitars. A tricone or a powerful National steel would drown out a Martin or Takamine acoustic. This Martin resonator will blend much better with an unamplified acoustic guitar. If I use it with the band, of course it has on board electronics. If you look at the picture of it, there is also a section in the upper bout that is perforated. That is a 'sweet spot' for mic placement either for studio recording or for live sound reinforcement. Pretty cool.
I'm fascinated that there isn't a single natural element in this instrument. The nut is corian, the body is hpl, the top is aliminum, yet it feels like my other Martins, the neck has that familiar profile, the frets are nicely finished.
It doesn't weigh as much as a brass bodied resonator (or cost as much as the 'name brands' either.
As with all Martins it has a lifetime warrantee. I know from past experience that Martin honors that agreement totally.
Elderly.com had the best price on this guitar and were a pleasure to deal with in every respect. I highly recommend them for anything music related.
So now I'm a resonator guy too. Scuse me while I dust my broom.

allthumbs · #11 February 28th, 2005

glad it worked out for you. I found a site that sells carbon fiber resos. I will post the link if I can find it again.
allthumbs

LightninBoy · #12 February 28th, 2005

Welcome to the world of resonators Barry.
I bet you can't put that thing down.
I Love the sustain you get with a spider, the most sustain in the reso family. It really helps single lines to "sing".
I have fishman electronics in my Maton, and I'm very pleased with them.

C.F. Martin is a real gentleman, who sent me a big box of strings, stickers and a magazine recently, out of the kindness of his heart. (Something you wouldn't expect in this day and age). I love the guy, and his guitars.

Always happy to hear when someone has a new baby.
Slide on.

Frankenstrat2 · #13 February 28th, 2005

Thnak guys. I'm very pleased with the guitar.
Sometime when I have the time I'll tell a story about my other Martins and their outstanding warantee service above and beyond the call of duty.

allthumbs · #14 March 4th, 2005

Hi barry. Anywhere I can hear a sound clip from that model on the net.
allthumbs

Frankenstrat2 · #15 March 4th, 2005

Not that I know of at this time.
I have resisted becoming 'clip enabled'.
A deep pool to fall into.
b.