Support us by clicking the description above and... 🎯Put something in the tip jar. 🎯Subscribe to the mailing list. 🎯Find us on other social media. Thanks all! ❤️❤️❤️

About 25 years ago I was a delivery driver who went all over the North and Midlands. One day I was in Shrewsbury and stopped for my dinner break at the car park on the town centre. I noticed a second hand guitar shop on one side of the park so went over to have a look. I’d been interested in getting a resonator and had tried quite few over the last 5 or 6 years, all of them either Korean or Chinese, and, as you said in the video, they all had a rather thin “tinny” sound to them. Hung up in the window was an old, wooden, Dobro like resonator and the ticket on it said it was a 1930’s American instrument. I’m afraid it’s name is long forgotten by me, but it definitely wasn’t one of the better known ones. Anyway, I went into the shop and asked to have a look at it. It’s general condition looked as though it had been run over by a burning tank, battered to heck, dinged and with a few little splits in the body. It’s most memorable feature was a very deep V neck. One strum, and I placed the slide the proprietor lent me on the strings, and the damn thing almost jumped out of my hands. It sounded fantastic, all the frequencies were there in great balance, it positively hummed in a melodious tone I’d never heard from a resonator before. I asked the guy how much, thinking I was going to get a bargain due to its appearance. 400 quid he said. I’d no way to get that amount of cash together so I had to leave. I often think about that guitar, and in more insane moments I think of going back to Shrewsbury in case it’s still there. Probably the shop isn’t still there anymore let alone the guitar, but if anyone reading this lives in or around Shrewsbury maybe he knows the shop I mean and if it still exists.

I feel I should temper my comment below with the statement that I truly appreciate everything you have done for us aspiring box scratching, string sliding reso players. Thanks.

There is a difference but the cheap one has lighter gauge strings and naturally requires a lighter touch. The differences are magnified with this arrangement. Put a set of nickle strings the same gauge on both you will find much less difference. Put a set of heavier nickle strings on the cheap one and you just might end up with the same sound. I have compared my three Johnson Resonators to Dobro and National and yes there is a difference. Is the difference $4000 worth, No way.... Maybe $250 I paid $100 for one in a garage sale, $285 for one in a shop, and $305 for another on line. $40 in strings and a few adjustments and like I say maybe $250 worth of better sound.

Informative and illuminating! Thanks you. Just getting into resophonic after decades of electric.😊

Listened to this one through my phone but really noticed the difference through my headphones. Great video!

I have an Ozark and play old delta blues and it does the job, the brash sound suits well that sort of music, and I can get those dark blues sounds easily. It is well built and a bargain for the price. Thanks for your videos.

Thanks for this video! Very interesting. Nice to see Hobgoblin getting a mention, I used to visit their West End shop a lot. I have a Gretsch resonator which I bought to practice slide and see if I liked resos in general. Now I’m hooked and hoping to upgrade someday. It’s just the prices which limit me. Cheers!

Great video, I would love to see your whole collection.

I definitely can hear the difference. Thanks for the insight, I've just started to learn to play and fell in love with the resonator.

Really great analysis, thanks! Love the discussion on biscuit wood. 🙂

I have an Ozark. Cannot complain as it does the job. I have handled a Duolian and it weighs about the same. I would like a more “jangly” cone, but I am happy with what I’ve got

Thanks for the comparison, nicely done and very helpful! On my crappy computer speakers the Ozark sounded pretty good when played a bit more softly, which is encouraging. I do like the idea of upgrading with better parts which could be a good way to get decent tone at a decent price.

As someone new to guitar playing and considering a resinator rather than an a acoustic guitar to complement my Gretsch electric your video is very helpful.

I just finished watching this video for about the 5th time. I thank you for your efforts and results. I'm actually impressed with the Ozark. Sound is frankly just too subjective to speak about it as if opinions were facts. I liked the sound of both instruments. As another commenter noted, there is definitely not a 10X difference in price to sound comparison. They don't sell Ozarks here in the states, but I came across a music store in Great Britain (Gear4music) who sells the all brass body, cutaway, solid black finish, acoustic/electric resonator for a very good price and even with shipping it compares price wise to any similar resonator I could buy at Guitar Center. (There is actually nothing else on the market similar to this guitar) The fit and finish seems to be every bit as good, if not better, than anything else I've seen here in the US, I may go for it because in the world of resonators, it's a beautiful anomaly. Thank you for all your videos. I love the music and the tech content. Keep up the good work.

Thank you Martin. Some very useful tips here. I recently bought a used Gretsch honey dipper and it sounds truly awesome. I took the biscuit out and sanded down the saddle as it the action was very high. I appreciate this is a slide but sometimes i want to play open chords and notes as well. It was killing my fingers size 18-56!! lol It seemed to help and fingers were not so strained. I then put on a capo and got string buzz so found an old wooden plant marker, cut it to size and slotted it and fit it back in. Cheap wood indeed and far too soft although the action was better but It killed the sustain and that rich warm tone was no more so i packed the old saddle back in and i am back or near to the original height. Guess my fingers will strengthen in time. Thanks again.

Cheers, enjoyed it 👍

They sound distinctly different, but I like how they both sound. I’m new to resonators and wouldn’t mind having either one in my collection

Glad you mentioned Michael Messer , I had a Lightning and it was great. Now I have an old National and of course it is better. I also knew a guy with an Ozark. He had a Nrp cone and biscuit fitted and also a bone nut and it sounded fantastic for the money. Thanks for the video

Great video!

my jaw kind of dropped when the national was finally played, it sounds incredible.

Wow. Great analysis & sampling for us to compare. The metal one certainly sounds more banjo-ish & metalic....but pretty cool. The 1935 one is just rich & deep & woodsy & beautiful sounding. The two would be used almost for different genres of music, I'd think.

A good comparison. Thank you for making that video. I think, I could here the difference, and I have to say, I like the original a bit better. I've got myself a cheap one from Harley Benton last year to tip my toe into resonators for approx. 200€. It has a similar sound to the one you've testplayed. But my wife I pretty thankful for the compression when playing to loud. So I'm restricted to a more flat-level of loudness 😃.

Clear tonal difference but both do that old school recognisable thing. I have a NRP tricone that I love but the Ozark wasn't bad at all for what it is. We're lucky there's decent lower cost alternatives readily available for what is ostensibly a niche instrument

This was a fantastic video. Iv bought and sold so many cheap resanators. Upgrading the cones and so on. After playing and taking apart so many. The best budget resanators out there are Michael Messer s. Followed by early republics. ( the newer ones are very hit and miss in qc). Most of the other sub $1000 resanators. ( regel, gretch, Johnson, recording king, Alabama) are just poorly built for there price point. By the time you do the upgrades and set up. Your looking at the price of a Michael Messer. This is coming from someone that owns two nrps a mule , older republic brass body parlor and a Michael Messer blues. But iv wasted alot of money over the last 10 years to get to this point. Thank you for this video . It's always a pleasure to view them and your so very helpful. Wish this video was available 9 years ago.

The Ozark does sound thinner but fitted with a set of 16-56 phosphor bronze proper resonator strings like D'Addario EJ42 it would sound totally different and much closer to the National, although National resonator cones do have a sound of their own.

Thanks for this honest comparison. Worth mentioning fact. Owning a good playing vintage resonator, or any instrument, comes equipped with that certain "X" factor (or vibe) over newer instruments, whatever the price. By owning, but most importantly, PLAYING it you've suddenly become part of its history which can be important for some musicians/performers. But it has to play and sound acceptable for the money spent (or be adjusted to sound good) and not just be a museum piece. Personally, I'd much prefer to see old vintage instruments, especially instruments with famous past ownership, played till they they literally fall apart rather than be stored behind glass, worst still in a bank vault. (Maybelle Carter's Gibson L-5 acoustic comes to mind!). I think the point Martin was making is there are instruments to be had across a broad price range that are playable with a good or acceptable sound to suit your budget, and that playing resonators is a good thing. So share the message. I applaud that. Me, I have a selection of mainly cheap reso's in wood and metal, that deliver a range of different sounds, with one vintage resonator that has buckets of vibe and a dark delta tone I would never part with. It's a love affair. I even make up stories (some true, some half true, and some darn-right lies) attached to the instrument to keep listeners amused! The main disadvantage with cheaper instruments can be the poor manufacture which makes the instrument uncomfortable to play, thus the musician will usually be reluctant to play it. However. If it sounds great....? For example. I have a fairly cheap, great sounding tri-cone bought from Amazon years ago with a twisted neck, but played ok. In fact the twist actually gave relief on the treble strings to help eliminate fret buzz with slide. They sent me another with a perfectly straight neck which I sent back because it didn't sound nearly as good, so I kept the one with the twisted neck which is probably worthless in terms of re-sale. So overall my friends, it's the SOUND that will eventually go to your heart and ears rather than any other factor. That's the one you'll end up appreciating the most.

Nice video flick. I play a National Delphi open g but not the way you think of a resonator. Think grunge ZZ Top “Tush” and Keef “Honky Tonk Women”….and then I open a can of bizarro world by playing Bowie “Heroes”. It ain’t just for slide or delta blues. 🤙

They both sound good,buth the National gives a warmer sound all over the place. Nice video,Martin. Kind regards, T.

Great video. Many are wondering what same strings on cheap guitar would have done. Since its gone now, a great qik vid would be to put 12's on your National next time change strings b4 you put on the 16s. That would at least give some idea of what the Ozark might have sounded like with same strings as the National. I'd sure like to hear it.

Liked & subscribed!

For a fair opinion, you should compare a cheap ''made in USA '' with a ''made in China'' of the same price. Then with a cheap ''made in China'' that costs 1/4 of the cheapest ''made in USA''. As long as the body and the neck are well done, one can change any spare part (and strings) to his taste, and get a good sound, and playability. That has probably already been done on the 1930 model.

Wish you had shown MORE of your collection, and got into the BEST WAYS to electrify or amplify/MIC a Vintage National w/out doing TOO much damage to it! Nice playing!

Really good and informative video. Clearly, the vintage American one has the richness, as you mention. Also true that any amateur (such as I am) would be perfectly happy with the cheaper one. One closing comment is that generally speaking, resonators have that "cut through" sound, and you gonna get that with your cheaper one, but of course, the danger is that you cross that line between good "cut through" and sounding like you're playing through a tin can. It seems to me that an all-metal guitar, as the cheaper one is, will always get you closer to the tin can sound than a guitar made with wood.

I think this is the only "deadcheap vs deadly expensive" resonator comparison online, so, well done! I got a cheap 359 euro Harley Benton one, and a Lace humbucker pick up for it. With hindsight, I should probly have gone for their 150 euro more electric one with a lipstick and a piezo pickup. Because when using the humbucker for gain the typical res sound tends to fade. The piezo would be to maintain the res sound, which you can dial in with a volume knob. The HB looks much like the ozark, except the HB has a flat(ter) neck.

Just when I thought it was okay to jump into the ocean I watch this...fortunately I am in no hurry. It's not the kill but it's the thrill of the chase. The more I research the more confused I become. I want to do it right and do it once and maybe once again.

The Korean reso’s sound is thinner and the frequency is higher. It would need to be taken to a luthier to be properly set up. I have a Regal RC-02, and needed to get it set up properly. Also, not all far eastern resos are equal. I’m currently focused on the Michael Messer resos (in my price range). My point is that for lots of folks Nationals and Dobros costing thousands of dollars are too expensive so the question is do you buy Gretsch or another National knockoff from wherever. In the end it’s about sound and playability. Lastly, a good point about changing the cone. Again, I love your videos. Cheers from chilly Ottawa.

Thanks for this comparison, that I've just watched for the second time, after the happy purchase of a Royall Resonators Tampa tricone. I began resonators with a very plain biscuit entry-level Harley Benton 2 years ago. I was disappointed with the tone, changed the cone to something better and managed to get better sound and more stable tone, then one year later, the neck and fingerboard got totally weird, so I chose to move up to a Royall, and I'm now very happy to play a reliable guitar, no matter which tuning I may use. I think that between the Ozark and the National there's a wide spectrum of brands providing very good instruments. My Tampa cost me 880.00€ via Thomann (Harley Benton is their home brand, which I can't recommend after my disappointment with their biscuit baby) but the other resonator brands they market are really something to be considered, IMHO.

They sound very different but I like both sounds.

Tried a Greshch in a shop here in Perth Western Australia as I was walking past just out of curiosity, didn't pick it up to play it. That thing was very loud, and heavy, quite heavy compared to a wooden accustic guitar, tested the weight by lifting it by the neck. This instrument was very loud for an aucustic instrument. And expensive a brand new Gretsch. I was a little surprised by how loud it was having once owned a wooden bodied Johnson Dobro. The Gretsch was much louder than the Johnson but the Johnson was half the price of that Gretsch maybe even less than half but it was a long time ago and the intonation was not good on the Johnson, didn't test the Gretsch for intonation. It is not easy to get a quality instrument on the cheap but they do happen.

I've just dipped my toe in the reso waters, having been an acoustic player for over 50 years. I bought a cheap wooden-bodied parlour reso by Icarus, which I believe are sold as Republic in the US, and I have to say I love it! It's very playable, I like the sound and overall it's just great fun to play. Although I've only had it for a few weeks I'm already thinking about a metal-bodied reso - for my budget, I think a Michael Messer looks great, certainly a step up from the real budget instruments.

I listened to this video instead of watching it and the National sounded a lot richer. The pattern I've noticed in manufacturing in gear is that at first some companies outsource there for strictly cheaper products. They don't care about quality. Then somebody pays up for a better quality built, or they do semi custom, where parts are made then shipped to be finished with more expertise. The bang for the buck, mid range, and such type. Ultimately, if there is money in it and there is an enthusiast, a couple high quality companies will pop up, giving high end product for less. Then the quality trickles down and there is surprisingly good starting level product.

Shiny one sounds louder , and bighter and banjo-esque...National has that dark sound...National with a faint little over-drive and verb would be slick. Nice guit-fiddle...I have a johnson a buddy gave me and it's a mix of both..with zero brassy ching bs. Just set it up and sounds cool. One day I'll get a National.

I have a Gretch Honey Dipper, really nice. PS. National sell their cones for about 80+dollars which you can retro fit.

Great videos. What are your thought's on Regal resonators for an experienced guitarist but beginning resonator player?

That is a Ozark Steel Body Resonator 3515N which costs £499, verses a vintage National which probably cost about £6,000 or more. Not exactly apples for apple. Now for a lot of people £499 is not exactly a cheap guitar, there are certainly cheaper models available. Its kinda getting up to a mid-range price. So, yes I think the better sounding one is the National and I suspect the feel and playability of the National is much better. Now come on, did anyone out there expect the National to get second place? It cost 10 or 11 times as much. But did it sound 10 or 11 times better? The answer is NO. If you played the Ozark at your next gig, would the audience be saying how terrible you sound tonight? Or would they not even notice? Maybe some would say, "Wow, never heard him play so well". You buy the instrument you can afford, simple as that. Having the expensive instruments are nice to have but that guy with the cheap guitar who has more talent than you still sounds better than you, even when you play the expensive one.

That National sounds like a recording from the old days. The Ozark sounds like it would really cut through on stage, especially if you replace the 12's with 16's.

Interesting video! Enjoyed it! Am I right in saying that the key to a great resonator tone is thin metals and soft woods, to allow the instrument to vibrate as freely as possible?

Seems to me there are many factors to be concerned when you buy a resonator guitar. I purchased a Gretsch's G9200 Boxcar Roundneck Resonator. They also make the square neck some model concepts. When I want higher strings, i just for better slides. I attach a steel nut raiser . For the bucks, it's hands down a plays well. And solid made guitar. I'm not sure what the wood o. Top and sides are, but all I know is that it plays perfect for me. Best of both worlds in one guitar at a great price.

great video. am new to resonator guitars so would like to buy a budget chinese/korean one to get started. Any suggestions? thanks!

I hear that the Ozark has a clearer tone, I can make out the individual tones of the chords more easily. At the same time, the sound, when played with more force, is harsher and less "deep". The National mashes together the tones more, but has much more (darker) "soul" in its voice.

OMG what a difference in sound. One thing not mentioned is who and what are you supporting with your choice to buy a mass produced eastern instrument vs a guitar made in a lower production shop with trained and skilled crafts-people. I feel an obligation to support those who have developed a craft and take pride in their guitars. I see their efforts as very similar to my own work to become the best player I can be and the pride I take in the music I make. I understand if you cannot afford a quality instrument but I would encourage players to consider not only price and sound, but what we are supporting with our guitar purchase.

Well the National definitely sounded way fully and richer but it should at probably 10x the price. Nice to hear them both side by side though 👍🏻👍🏻 Dare I say the Ozark sounds brash 🤔

You should check out Delta Resonators by John Alderson in Leicestershire. Absolutely mental good.

A good comparison in some respects, however , the difference in string guages is a very major factor. If you put a set of 11-12s on the National it wouldn't sound half as good. Totally agree about the cone and the bridge. In fact I think these two in combination with good heavy strings dictate the sound of the instrument . The rest is cosmetics and playability. Has anyone built an aluminium alloy body? From an engineering standpoint it would be a good choice and keep it light.

Thanks for the review. I think the weight you described puts me off. Have you ever tried any of the Gretsch resonators? They are relatively cheap and are also made in the far east. Thanks.

Pretty sure that's a newer version of the Ozark I have - mine was bought new around 2003. The ebony capped saddle must have been a design 'improvement' (along with the snazzy engraving on the bridge cover) as the one on mine is just plain wood.

That Ozark has the dreaded "banjoy" sound that I dislike in some resos. My recent Gretsch Honey Dipper and Regal RC43 metal-bodies come so close (for me) to the originals that I think I'm over my obsession (I hope) with pricey vintage stuff, of which I've had dozens over the last few decades since I discovered the internet. Now if they could just make them to be not so damn heavy!

Through headphones, the difference is bonkers! Funny, I don't hate the Ozark but it is no match with the National. Thinner is a great way to describe it. Thanks for the biscuit info.

I bought a Hercules 6-guitar stand and thought I should fill this up with different types of guitars. I opted for a Fender Paramount PR-180E resonator guitar as I like to listen to bluesy music, but I didn't do much of proper comparisons. I saw a couple of reviews and the item was in stock at Gear4Music, plus it came complete with a hard case, so I put my trust in this being a decent product. This is of course one of those made in Asia products, but if quality control is good, I don't think buying a cheaper product like this is so bad. But is this a model you've had any experience with? The Fender doesn't pop up in any top 10 reviews of resonator guitars, so I'm guessing there are just too many to choose from and the Fender might not be among the most desireable models despite it being a budget release. PS! I haven't started learning to play it yet (complete novice to guitars), but will spend some time with it this summer to see what I'm able to pick up.

great video! i'll always favor my NRP estralita but i'm saving up to add a style O to the mix for a metal body. these overseas guitars are harsher and brighter i think with the need for better setups and the neck feel can be wonky but...if the real deal resos are out of your budget or if there's just an itch to try a tricone for example etc and so on, it's hard to say they're not pretty cool for the money. $4000-$4500 is a lot of money for me it's going to take some saving and sacrificing other gear to afford that style O i want in the next year or so. i had a republic tricone for a few years a while back and once i set it up right it was a rather heavy but great sounding guitar thanks for doing these vids they"re always fun to watch!

You didn't mention some brands in this video and I understand why. There is an international retailer in Germany. They sell their own "brand". Are they any good? My point is: I simply cannot afford "the real deal" so I have to look to alternatives without "busting the bank" (which is a topic in another great international retailer in the UK :-) Thanks for sharing your opinion. You have a great collection of perfect instruments.

You can easily distinguish steel from brass by using a magnet. A steel body will be highly magnetic. Plated brass will be magnetic, but noticeably less than a steel body.

The Korean (not “Oriental”) guitar gets the job done, but the National sounds sweeeet.

Korean guitars are often quite a bit better made than Chinese made guitars. The labor rate is a fair amount higher and the skills just a bit better. You can still get a very good guitar no matter the type from Korea. Made in USA is not always a guarantee of superior quality but certainly a superior price. As far as the bisket wood goes, I think you're right. If you want to reduce vibration in something and all the other sources have been accounted for, you add mass to the item and that will deaden it a bit.

The cheap one sounds brighter and the original one sounds warmer and deeper and sounds a lot better i do believe that the saddle & biscuit is letting it down a lot

To my ears the heavier sustains and cuts though bright and louder. The older instrument sounds more mellow and less bright and more like wood acoustic . HoweverThe lighter a guitar the more I like it

Interesting but not really a fair comparison. The National sounds incredible !

Nice video. I live in San Luis Obispo, Calif........the home of National Reso-phonic Guitars. National guitars are fabulous guitars. The cheaper one sounds nice....National is much better

The asia made guitar has more of a banjo sound. The national has the deep voice you want. I would save and buy a national.

DANG, not expecting that much of a difference. But hey, for all you newbies, no shame in learning on a cheap guitar.

Is there a difference? Yes is it a huge difference? Yes But if you just want to play a resonator occasionally it's a very good deal - especially if you are a little handy as you suggest.

I think the Ozark may be a plated brass body so it rings verses the National steel body.

The Ozark doesn’t have the warmth and character of the National but it didn’t sound bad. Definitely much brighter maybe a bit tinny not bad per se.

Wow...that thing about the biscuit is really helpful...so you can buy spare biscuits from national??

I have Just buyed a Royall resonator guitar. Very similar to the mark knopfler model….remember brothers in arms? I payed 900 euro and worth it It’s not bad if you think it is my first “dobro” Probably it need to change strings What do you think about Royall guitars? Thanks

Violin uses maple so a maple biscuit makes sense 👍

Maybe would have helped putting same gauge strings on both? Far East copy had much lighter strings I think you said.

What would the Ozark have sounded like with a proper set of strings?

Duolian all day long and the other one was good if it was quietly played. I have a Recording King that is very nice.

The best fix for those oriental resonators is to change out the cone.

Have you tried a Gretch 9200 Boxcar, Mahogany back, sides and front, with a Spider Cone. Learning Guitar on a Boxcar.

Theres nothing like outsourcing historic Americana, to China. Thats Boomers for ya. The national sounds incredible. My guess is the lighter weight resonates more, and Im guessing its actually steel and the Asian made is pot metal alloy of whatever probably a lot of zinc and aluminum. They just dont male them like they used to. I play ith my slide on my middle finger, nobody ever told me it was wrong so thats what I do. You can still find used a Dobro branded thats made in the USA for under 1k. They sound really good.

The Ozark sounded pretty good, until you started playing the National. The Ozark didn’t sound bad by comparison, though, just thinner and brasher and much less rich. I wouldn’t kick it out of bed, though.

There is just no comparison. The National is so much richer and rounded sounding. It may have to do with the age and quality of the cone. It also looks the par. Unfortunately, the price reflects that.

Try to place a magnet on the body to check if it's steel.

Would never buy the Korean made guitar assuming I had the choice. There is a richness and depth to the sound coming from the national... Very desirable to my old ears.

Best lower price resos on today's market are Gretsch. I've owned 6 or 7 lower price models over the years, and my Gretsch Boxcar is comfortably the best. It's no use pretending that price doesn't come into it. Of course, you'd prefer a 1935 Duolian, but do you have £4k available? No, thought not. Don't buy a reso on the internet - you need to get it in your hands, and feel it ring. I did buy one on the internet once (it was quite a bargain on the face of it) and I had to get a lot of work done on it.

The strings and setup makes a big difference . Radius neck a disadvantage

Hello there. Great videos man. I am reso player too. I think you did a great job in this videos,but you cannot compare those instruments. They are totally different. Set up and the construction. Although the cone. Keep it bluesy

This video shows exactly what I am trying to avoid. The cheap one has a lot of "trashy noice" that will keep my tinnitus on the worst side for days. The National has body to it, sounds grounded and has more bassy qualitys to the sound. I want to buy a wooden spider (Dobro type) budget resonator, and can't chose since I can't try before buying. Are there someone who can tell differences between Fender pr-180e, Gretsch Bobtail and Royall SPD14/DSB SPIDER 14? I am looking for full sound, not trashy noice or too little resonator feeling (some resonators sound close to an ordinary acoustic guitar when played without slide and picks, but most do not). I have no experience from guitars before. I come from piano/cembalo/church organ and double bass (massive wood, not mic depending plywood). I like full AND loud (NOT mellow + quiet OR trashy noicy and loud) acoustic sound, regardless of the instrument. I don't want to be be totally depending on a pickup. I hope someone has tried the models mentioned above and can tell differences. ^_^

How do y'all feel about recording kings?

16 gauge strings? Oh wow 😮

Have you played or had any experience with Icarus Resonators, they are based in Bournemouth. They are Chinese made; I was looking at one of their Duolian relic 12 fret models. I have been looking at buying a resonator for many years, had a 1931 Duolian slip through my hands back in the earley 90's I still regret not buying it ever since.

I would be interested to know what the steel thickness is in the two

I would strongly recommend to stay away from the $ 500 or below stuff and save up for a National Resophonic no matter how long it takes. They are awesome. If thats absolutely out of reach get a republic. I regret not buying a vintage one about 15 or 20 years ago when it was possible to get a Duolian in good playable condition for 2 or 3 K, don't know, must be 10-15 now if you can find one, they made only a few thousand of them (also quite a long time since i read about that in Bob Brozmans book).

My vote is the National Duolian…. The Ozark sounds something like a tin can with a string or two stretched across it… National is Quality and this quality is why the tone is less rich & full rather than the tin can like the ozark..… That’s my 2 cents worth at least…

The old national sounded a bit more "woody" somehow, if that makes sense, on a metal bodied guitar?

Why be so vague about the more affordable Reso guitars made in Asia? We tune into your YT videos to get your opinion on makes and models because you have more experience with both Real Old Nationals and the reso's being made now days. We get that your a collector and have invested quite a bit in Old Nationals and such. But most folks who watch you can't afford those kind of investments.😎

Aisian guitar makers have gottan MUCH better than they were in the mid 2000's....i wonder if they are any better at resonator guitars also? It doesn't sound bad to me. Not as good as the vintage one...but I've never played or owned one. Its not really "my" sound. Probably will buy one if i ever come across one for cheap enough tho.