You can't really go wrong with a any national. The Reso Rocket compared to other single cone biscuit resonators sound fuller, deeper more of a singer songwriter guitar. It doesn't have that tin trash can sound some people are looking for in a resonator, however you can get close using fingerpicks and picking closer to the bridge.
Such an exceptionally well done video. Thank you so much! Fantastic editing, info., playing...everything. I DID end up buying the Gretsch Honey Dipper the other day with plans to sell my Gretsch mahogany Bobtail. BUT...playing them side by side, I can better hear how each of them have their own very beautiful tones and different uses. So, I'm definitely keeping both.
Thanks for another excellent comparison video. I bought a Gretsch Alligator about 18 months ago, your video helped me choose it. The Rockets sound really nice, I prefer the wooden body as I like more middle and warm tones. Cheers from Spain.✌️ PS Nice to see Ritchie on the wall behind you 😎
I am glad you found what you like and my video was useful. I love wood bodies too, they have such a wide harmonic range. Yeah my room is more designed for my Blackmore videos :D
Nice playing! I had a really nice 90s dobro wood body, which was great but I gravitated more towards a regular acoustic and really wanted a metal body. Regret it now, but my preeference for metal still stands!
I can totally relate, I am a sucker for the metal body even though wood is so much more comfortable and functional. Also to be fair, I go back and forth between reso and acoustic too.
OMG the Wood version is sweeter no question. It produces a louder and a more define sound....it goes deeper on projection. But the 2 guitars are fantastic!!
I actually prefer the sound of the metal one for the songs I like to play but I keep finding myself with the wood in my hands, just so much more light and has better balance.
Yeah, it's not. On my end, the wooden sounds like someone filled it with blankets. Muffled and dull. You get to have your opions mate, but don't state them like facts.
The wood resonator sounds woody and the metal one has that metal sound 😂 . They both sound fantastic I would be happy with either of them but more than happy with both . Very nice playing my friend 👍
@@BluesWillisMusic Yes, although I'm teaching 3 college digital media classes right now and don't have a lot of free time, except for maybe Friday's. Can you give me more details? parentestudios@gmail.com
One of the best guitar comparisons ever. Nice playing also! QUESTION: On both guitars is there a piece missing that is supposed to go over the hole in the middle of the cone? I see these for sale with a metal "cover," and was wondering why this has been taken off. More comfortable to play?
Thank you! Yes both guitars have a bridge cover that is removable on the "new" nationals unlike on vintage ones. I am taking them off to give me more room for my picking hand to palm mute and it is more comfortable for me that way.
I prefer the wooden Reso, sounds warmer and more projected. Had some other Resos like Gretsches, Johnsons, Regals or chinese made Dobros. Nothing compares to a National!
I don't remember what I said exactly but I don't consider fingerboard material a big factor in tone, it is probably a minor thing but it makes sense to me that every component that resonate affects the tone somewhat. I am not a luthier of course so definitely dont take my word for it. Tonewood is the biggest debate.
would it be possible to compare the gretsch honey dipper and the gretsch boxcar resonator? thank you for this review it’s great you had added a acoustic guitar for a clean palate to compare to
Thanks! I thought it was a good idea to include the acoustic as a reference point not to misunderstand the wooden reso. Unfortunately I only review what I have and I dont have neither a honey dipper nor the boxcar. But they are VERY different. The HD is a biscuit bridge resonator that sounds similar to thse guitar in this comparison while the Boxcar is spider bridge reso which means it sounds more nasal and cuts more. It sounds like a square neck dobro in bluegrass music.
Yes wood bodies are nice and warm, steel are a bit more raspy or cutting. I love both. Usually I either use daddario jazz medium EJ22 nickels or John Pearse or Michael Messer newtones.
I really liked the Gretsches (and still do) but when I got the National it was obvious how much better it was in terms or sound (although that is somewhat subjective) and craftsmanship. It is definitely a guitar to aspire for and rightfully a dream guitar.
I am usually in Open D tuning and I already have an in depth mini series on it: th-cam.com/video/VIrf6D8cI9s/w-d-xo.html As for the strings in the video I am using a 16 to 56 set believe but since them I went lighter 15 or 14 to 56. You can check out newtone strings and Michael Messer's signature. Most people tend to prefer nickel wound strings for resonators like I do, but if you want a warmer sound go 80/20.
Very cool! Those two would compliment each other very well for call-and-response.
I also like to use them as ryhthm with the wood and lead with the steel.
I play tenor guitar and your video had helped me decide on getting a Royall long scale tenor resonator.
Thank you for the video!
I am glad I was of service, hope you enjoy your new guitar.
well done - very nice playing and selection of tunes to show the subtleties between the guitars
Thanks! I learned a lot from previous comparisons and feedbacks so thank you for commenting and letting me know I went int he right direction.
Absolutely excellent stuff, I’m undecided about the steel resorocket. But I think you have swayed me towards it many thanks. Your a very good player.
You can't really go wrong with a any national. The Reso Rocket compared to other single cone biscuit resonators sound fuller, deeper more of a singer songwriter guitar. It doesn't have that tin trash can sound some people are looking for in a resonator, however you can get close using fingerpicks and picking closer to the bridge.
Such an exceptionally well done video. Thank you so much! Fantastic editing, info., playing...everything. I DID end up buying the Gretsch Honey Dipper the other day with plans to sell my Gretsch mahogany Bobtail. BUT...playing them side by side, I can better hear how each of them have their own very beautiful tones and different uses. So, I'm definitely keeping both.
Great idea to keep both. They have their own thing indeed, glad you enjoyed the video!
if you only had to choose one, the gretsch honey dipper or say the gretsch box car resonator
Great video! Informative with perfect exemples. Thank you
Thank you so much!
Wow, That is some very clean, on tone, beautiful slide playing.
Thank you so much!
Thanks for another excellent comparison video. I bought a Gretsch Alligator about 18 months ago, your video helped me choose it.
The Rockets sound really nice, I prefer the wooden body as I like more middle and warm tones. Cheers from Spain.✌️
PS Nice to see Ritchie on the wall behind you 😎
I am glad you found what you like and my video was useful. I love wood bodies too, they have such a wide harmonic range. Yeah my room is more designed for my Blackmore videos :D
Nice playing! I had a really nice 90s dobro wood body, which was great but I gravitated more towards a regular acoustic and really wanted a metal body. Regret it now, but my preeference for metal still stands!
I can totally relate, I am a sucker for the metal body even though wood is so much more comfortable and functional. Also to be fair, I go back and forth between reso and acoustic too.
OMG the Wood version is sweeter no question. It produces a louder and a more define sound....it goes deeper on projection. But the 2 guitars are fantastic!!
I actually prefer the sound of the metal one for the songs I like to play but I keep finding myself with the wood in my hands, just so much more light and has better balance.
Agree with you. And thank to TH-cam for this great test between folk, metal and Wood
Yeah, it's not. On my end, the wooden sounds like someone filled it with blankets. Muffled and dull. You get to have your opions mate, but don't state them like facts.
@@Bejaardenbus Good on ya.....
How would you know it's louder he is playing into a mic
Metal every time.
For me too, except when I have to carry it or hold it for long time :D
Although my Mexiican Jazzmaster is heavier than my 1936 National! @@BluesWillisMusic
@@timridley1That must be one helluve jazzmaster :D I have a really have japanese strat too but it's not quite as heavy my reso rocket.
I like the wood body the best. But both are very nice.
I am the other way around but yes both are super nice.
The metal bodied guitar sounds the best to me,
I personally prefer the sound of the steel myself too.
The wood resonator sounds woody and the metal one has that metal sound 😂 . They both sound fantastic I would be happy with either of them but more than happy with both . Very nice playing my friend 👍
Thank you! Yes you can definitely hear the material in the sound. I am lucky and glad to have both because I cannot choose :D
@@BluesWillisMusic 🤘
Excellent comparison and playing!
Thank you Steven! I am glad you came over and subscribed to the new channel.
@@BluesWillisMusic I did and am enjoying the music!
@@StevenParente Hey Steven, are you still interested in skype lessons? I have some availability nowadays so just checking in, don't wanna be pushy :)
@@BluesWillisMusic Yes, although I'm teaching 3 college digital media classes right now and don't have a lot of free time, except for maybe Friday's. Can you give me more details? parentestudios@gmail.com
@@StevenParente Thanks, I just sent you an email.
One of the best guitar comparisons ever. Nice playing also! QUESTION: On both guitars is there a piece missing that is supposed to go over the hole in the middle of the cone? I see these for sale with a metal "cover," and was wondering why this has been taken off. More comfortable to play?
Thank you! Yes both guitars have a bridge cover that is removable on the "new" nationals unlike on vintage ones. I am taking them off to give me more room for my picking hand to palm mute and it is more comfortable for me that way.
great playing. great sound
Thank you!
Great thank you 🌟😊👍
Thanks for watching!
Excellent review!
Thank you!
Best comparison video I've ever seen.Great job!
Thank you so much!
I prefer the wooden Reso, sounds warmer and more projected. Had some other Resos like Gretsches, Johnsons, Regals or chinese made Dobros. Nothing compares to a National!
That is very true, nothing's like a national. And yeah wood bodies have a nice warmer sound though I prefer the metal ones a little bit better myself.
Great comparison but I must disagree with your opinion that the fretboard material affects the tone of the instrument. How could it affect the tone?
I don't remember what I said exactly but I don't consider fingerboard material a big factor in tone, it is probably a minor thing but it makes sense to me that every component that resonate affects the tone somewhat. I am not a luthier of course so definitely dont take my word for it. Tonewood is the biggest debate.
would it be possible to compare the gretsch honey dipper and the gretsch boxcar resonator? thank you for this review it’s great you had added a acoustic guitar for a clean palate to compare to
Thanks! I thought it was a good idea to include the acoustic as a reference point not to misunderstand the wooden reso.
Unfortunately I only review what I have and I dont have neither a honey dipper nor the boxcar. But they are VERY different. The HD is a biscuit bridge resonator that sounds similar to thse guitar in this comparison while the Boxcar is spider bridge reso which means it sounds more nasal and cuts more. It sounds like a square neck dobro in bluegrass music.
Blues Willis Music thank you so much ! i ended up getting the boxcar! the spiderweb bridge is super cool! and it just feels good in the hands
@@consciousdrifter7182 I am glad you like it, have fun!
I have a wood body, really loud, warm and clear, what strings do you use ?
Yes wood bodies are nice and warm, steel are a bit more raspy or cutting. I love both. Usually I either use daddario jazz medium EJ22 nickels or John Pearse or Michael Messer newtones.
Wood body has a thick and warm tone, while metal body has a sharp and brassy tone. One major sound difference
That’s the main thing yes.
Another great comparison film! How much better are the national’s compared to the Gretchs you had a few years ago ? I’d love a national one day!
I really liked the Gretsches (and still do) but when I got the National it was obvious how much better it was in terms or sound (although that is somewhat subjective) and craftsmanship. It is definitely a guitar to aspire for and rightfully a dream guitar.
I like both 🤣 but my wallet doesn't
Haha :D I can deeply relate!
Is this standard tuning?? 🎵
No, the first thing I played was in Open D (D A D F sharp A D) and the song is called Things is bout comin my way, Mike Dowling's arrangement.
Can you a video on strings ur using and the tuning ur in.
I am usually in Open D tuning and I already have an in depth mini series on it: th-cam.com/video/VIrf6D8cI9s/w-d-xo.html
As for the strings in the video I am using a 16 to 56 set believe but since them I went lighter 15 or 14 to 56. You can check out newtone strings and Michael Messer's signature. Most people tend to prefer nickel wound strings for resonators like I do, but if you want a warmer sound go 80/20.
I'll take wood, warmer tone.
Certainly, good choice!