Resonator Guitars

A Resonator guitar, or resophonic guitar produces it sound by conducting string vibrations through the bridge to one or more spun metal cones (resonators), instead of to the guitar's sound board (top). Resonator guitars were originally designed to be louder than regular acoustic guitars, which...

A Resonator guitar, or resophonic guitar produces it sound by conducting string vibrations through the bridge to one or more spun metal cones (resonators), instead of to the guitar's sound board (top). Resonator guitars were originally designed to be louder than regular acoustic guitars, which were overwhelmed by horns and percussion instruments in dance orchestras. They became prized for their distinctive tone, however, and found life with bluegrass and the blues well after electric amplification solved the problem of inadequate volume.

Resonator guitars are of two styles:

  • Square-necked guitars played in lap steel guitars style
  • Round-necked guitars played in conventional guitar style or steel string style

There are three main resonator designs:

  • The tricone, with three metal cones, designed by the first National company
  • The single-cone "biscuit" design of other National instruments
  • The single inverted-cone design (also known as a spider bridge) of Dobro brand instruments and instruments that copy the Dobro design.

                                                                                       - Wikipedia

All of our Resonator guitars are shop-adjusted by our in-house luthier prior to purchase to assure you of a great playing instrument right out of the case!

Enjoy our selection below!