How to Choose Your First Resonator Guitar?
How to Choose Your First Resonator Guitar?
For many players exploring Blues, Slide, Folk, or Fingerstyle, the resonator guitar is both mysterious and fascinating.
With its metal body, iconic coverplate designs, and unique cone system, a resonator sounds and feels unlike a traditional acoustic guitar.
It carries its own history, its own culture, and—most importantly—its own voice.
But if you’re choosing your first resonator guitar, where should you start?
This guide, written from Royall Resonator’s technical and musical expertise, will help you find the instrument that fits you.
1. Start with Your Style: Single Cone or Tricone?
The heart of a resonator guitar is its cone system.
Different cone structures produce dramatically different tone and dynamic response.
Single Cone — Punchy, Raw, Classic Blues
Characteristics:
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Direct attack and strong projection
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Mid-range punch
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Excellent for expressive slide playing
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Ideal for Delta Blues and roots music
Sound keywords:
Aggressive, raw, powerful.
If you love players like Son House or Robert Johnson, or enjoy modern Americana slide work, a Single Cone is the most authentic choice.
Tricone — Smooth, Balanced, and Rich
Characteristics:
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Wider sound field
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Longer sustain
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More harmonic complexity
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Ideal for fingerstyle or melodic playing
Sound keywords:
Warm, spacious, elegant.
If you prefer lyrical melodies, open tunings, or intricate fingerpicking, a Tricone will feel more refined and expressive.
2. Choose the Body Material: Metal or Wood?
The body material shapes not only the look—but also the tone.
Metal Body (Brass / Steel / Copper)
Metal resonates differently from wood, producing a brighter, more “resonator-authentic” tone.
Advantages:
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Strong stage presence
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Brighter, more metallic sound
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Better projection
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Highly distinctive appearance
Tone differences between metals:
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Brass: Warm and round
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Steel: Bright and sharp
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Copper: Smooth and dense, visually striking
If you’re looking for the classic resonator voice and aesthetics, metal body instruments are the clear choice.
Wooden Body
Wood softens the resonator’s natural brightness and feels familiar to acoustic players.
Advantages:
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More natural and balanced sound
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Lighter weight
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More comfortable if transitioning from regular acoustics
If you’re new to resonators, a wood-body model (like the Royall C5 series) can be the easiest introduction.
3. Neck Feel & Playing Style: Will You Use a Slide?
Resonator guitars can be tailored for two main approaches:
(1) Slide-focused playing
(2) Traditional fretted playing
Your technique affects how the neck and setup should feel.
If your main focus is Slide:
Look for:
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Slightly higher action
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V- or U-shaped neck profiles for stability
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Durable fretwork for open tunings
Royall’s WESTEND and PARLRORIZER metal-body models are built with slide performance in mind.
If you want traditional playability as well:
Look for:
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Medium action
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Comfortable C-shape neck
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Standard radius suitable for chords
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Balanced setup for fretting + occasional slide
If you need a hybrid setup, you can request a custom adjustment.
4. Consider Whether You Need Electronics
Many players forget that resonator guitars behave very differently when amplified.
Choosing the right pickup is essential for stage use.
Common pickup types:
|
Pickup Type |
Characteristics |
Best For |
|---|---|---|
|
Tele Single Coil (Royall Signature) |
Bright, punchy, cutting through the mix |
Blues, Slide, live performance |
|
Lipstick Pickup |
Vintage character, smoother tone |
Classic blues, folk |
|
Piezo (Under-saddle or Biscuit) |
Natural, acoustic-focused response |
Fingerstyle, clean tone |
If you plan to perform, a resonator with a factory-installed pickup system is highly recommended.
5. Budget Guide: How Much Should You Spend on Your First Resonator?
Entry Level (for beginners / experimentation):
USD $200–$450
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Understand the feel and sound of a resonator
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Good for starting slide practice
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Limited tonal complexity
Mid Level (serious practice / small gigs):
USD $450–$900
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More accurate cone response
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Better metalwork and tone projection
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Suitable for recording demos and live performance
Professional Level (stage / studio / long-term investment):
USD $900–$2,000+
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Hand-spun cones
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Advanced metal finishes
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Superior sustain, clarity, and craftsmanship
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Royall MR.HOUSE, TRIFECTA, and DELTA series fall into this category
Most experienced players recommend starting from the mid-level if budget allows, because resonators are highly “character-driven”—better quality reveals far more tonal depth.
6. Royall’s Simple Recommendations for First-Time Buyers
If you tell us your style in two sentences, we can recommend a model.
But here are the universal rules:
① Want the classic resonator punch?
Choose: Single Cone + Metal Body
Bold, loud, unmistakable.
② Want balanced tone for fingerstyle?
Choose: Tricone Series
Rich sustain and harmonic detail.
③ Coming from acoustic guitar, want easy transition?
Choose: Wooden Body Series
Comfortable, warm, and beginner-friendly.
Conclusion: Your First Resonator Should Not Be Confusing—It Should Be Inspiring
Choosing a resonator is not only about specifications—it’s about choosing a musical identity.
Every model has its personality, and the right one will encourage you to explore new tones, new tunings, and new styles.
If you’re still unsure, feel free to share your musical taste or preferred sound.
We’ll help you find the model that resonates with you.