Gretsch Root Series G9220 Bobtail Round Neck Acoustic/Electric Resonator

[JAddison]

I am finding myself playing in Open G more than standard tuning and I am really liking slide.

At the moment I am using my '53 LG1 which is great.

 

I saw this in a magazine with a brief review and they said that in their opinion it is the best in its class.

Comes with a setup good for both fingerpicking and slide.

 

Laminate hog body and comfy round neck.

 

Thoughts? Anyone had a chance to play one yet?

 

I know next to nothing abount reso's but I am wondering if I should invest in as I am finding myself playing slide/delta blues picking most of the time. Plus they look amazing

[ParlourMan]

I asked about this before with limited responses...

[JAddison]

I asked about this before with limited responses...

 

Bah...

They are very new I suppose.

May take the risk at £429

[BluesKing777]

Bah...

They are very new I suppose.

May take the risk at £429

 

I played one the other week - I was looking for a wood body National, but the shop only had metal body Nats (I already have a Tricone).

 

 

No comparison......

 

 

Save your money for a real Nat - go to Dave Kings and try some/all and see what you think. Keep playing the LG1 until you have tried one - I have a 52 LG1.....

 

 

After leaving the shop empty-handed I ordered a National M14 wood body single cone from Elderly's in the US - it arrived yesterday and is truly sensational:

 

 

http://www.nationalg...ts/m14/m14.html

 

A lot more money, I know.

 

 

BluesKing777.

[JAddison]

I played one the other week - I was looking for a wood body National, but the shop only had metal body Nats (I already have a Tricone).

 

 

No comparison......

 

 

Save your money for a real Nat - go to Dave Kings and try some/all and see what you think. Keep playing the LG1 until you have tried one - I have a 52 LG1.....

 

 

After leaving the shop empty-handed I ordered a National M14 wood body single cone from Elderly's in the US - it arrived yesterday and is truly sensational:

 

 

http://www.nationalg...ts/m14/m14.html

 

A lot more money, I know.

 

 

BluesKing777.

 

That M14 looks gorgeous.. but out of my budget!

Would you say the bobtail inspiring enough as a budget option?

[Hotfoot]

I bought both the Boxcar Round Neck and Squareneck, which are the identical guitars-minus the (better looking) sunburst and pickups. I was very pleased with both, given their price, but ended up selling one and trading the other...'wish I could have kept both, but my tiny place can only hold just so many guitars and amps! I am putting a (removebale) pickup in my LG 2 for my 'acoustic/electric slide box, and my Les Paul lets me be Duane Allman and Elmore James (in my head), so the resos went. I do plan on picking up another metal body (I've had a couple) soon to have my Mississippi Fred McDowell pickin' presented in its best format. (I have had five roundnecks, and three squarenecks.) I trade guitars constantly

 

I give five stars to the Gretsch's, and I had tons of compliments on their tone...but that's relative to price. My advice is to pick one up, see if the reso grows on you, then you can jump on a great National when one comes up without getting hurt much at all. I sold my squareneck for $25.00 less than I paid for it, and it went quick...but I got it for a good price...so shop the net and Craigslist!

[Jayyj]

I've played quite a few, and would concur that they're certainly at the top of the class at that price point. Nowhere near as good as a National of course - but they are a fraction of the price, and I much prefer them to the Recording King / Savanah instruments. Ozark do a nice antique looking wood body resonator but it's a fair bit more than the Boxcar. All the Gretsches I've played have shipped with a fairly fingerstyle friendly setup.

[Mojorule]

I asked about this before with limited responses...

 

Have you kept hold of your Busker tricone in the end, or did you end up getting rid of it as you seemed to want to at one stage? How does/did that compare with other resos? Because the price is only a 100 or so more than the Gretsch. (I note that the Busker Cannon which I really fancied, and which might have been mentioned here, is no longer available, though I suppose a Republic Miniolian might still be ordered from America.) No way of affording any sort of reso at present, but I am increasingly thinking that if I were to save up for one it could only be a brass-bodied Style 1.

[ParlourMan]

Have you kept hold of your Busker tricone in the end, or did you end up getting rid of it as you seemed to want to at one stage? How does/did that compare with other resos? Because the price is only a 100 or so more than the Gretsch. (I note that the Busker Cannon which I really fancied, and which might have been mentioned here, is no longer available, though I suppose a Republic Miniolian might still be ordered from America.) No way of affording any sort of reso at present, but I am increasingly thinking that if I were to save up for one it could only be a brass-bodied Style 1.

 

No Mojo, I flogged the Busker. Got decent money for it too, bit of an interest piece as it was one of the prototypes he still had knocking around. It was a decent guitar that but I just never played it.. a bit too sporty for late night playing, the metal bodies are heavy and you have to sit old-timer style really, balanced like a normal guitar in the lap they aint so great. I recently played one of the wood body NRP jobs when I was home though, laminate wooden body tricone, was much lighter, was cool, 1199 from GuitarGuitar, same price as the J-35 actually. Not sure I'll bother getting a reso again, but if I did I'd likely go for one of those NRP wooden bodied jobs. The wee Gretsch I played briefly on a prior visit, I liked it, it was kind of cool, balance was decent as was the setup on the one I tried, can't remember too much about nuances of the sound as it was just on the shop floor while an electric was being tried fairly close by, but playability and feel were pretty OK.

 

What did amuse me though was they had those little comedy Gretsch collectables with the dodgy paint jobs of cowboys and spaceships etc... I think they cost 99 quid or so, I tried it for the comedy value, now the sound wasn't too great, but the playability of it was phenomenal, I assume someone had set one up properly so they would sell, but no kidding the feel was really good. Now I'm not advocating them as 'good' or 'real' guitars, so take it at face value...

[MissouriPicker]

I've got the Gretsch Roots Squareneck Boxcar 92somethingorother guitar. Absolutely a sweet guitar. No, of course it's not a Gibson or a National. Then again, with the GC discounts it cost me less that $300. Acoustic/electric, approx. parlour size, maybe just a bit bigger. Good sound acoustically and a killer plugged-in. I've had it about 2 months and used it four times in gigs. Lots of fun with it and people are always impressed when someone is playing a lap guitar. They probably think it's real difficult...lol....Anyway, I have no issues at all with this dobro. It's a sweet guitar. Not just sweet "for the money," but sweet. I'm not a big fan of other Gretsch guitars, although part of that is because I know little about them, but when I found this squareneck, I wanted it. Highly recommended.

[ParlourMan]

I'm not a big fan of other Gretsch guitars, although part of that is because I know little about them...

 

Care to expand MP? I'm a bit of a fan of Gretsch. I'd be interested in what would make you steer clear.

[Mojorule]

No Mojo, I flogged the Busker. Got decent money for it too, bit of an interest piece as it was one of the prototypes he still had knocking around. It was a decent guitar that but I just never played it.. a bit too sporty for late night playing, the metal bodies are heavy and you have to sit old-timer style really, balanced like a normal guitar in the lap they aint so great. I recently played one of the wood body NRP jobs when I was home though, laminate wooden body tricone, was much lighter, was cool, 1199 from GuitarGuitar, same price as the J-35 actually. Not sure I'll bother getting a reso again, but if I did I'd likely go for one of those NRP wooden bodied jobs. The wee Gretsch I played briefly on a prior visit, I liked it, it was kind of cool, balance was decent as was the setup on the one I tried, can't remember too much about nuances of the sound as it was just on the shop floor while an electric was being tried fairly close by, but playability and feel were pretty OK.

 

What did amuse me though was they had those little comedy Gretsch collectables with the dodgy paint jobs of cowboys and spaceships etc... I think they cost 99 quid or so, I tried it for the comedy value, now the sound wasn't too great, but the playability of it was phenomenal, I assume someone had set one up properly so they would sell, but no kidding the feel was really good. Now I'm not advocating them as 'good' or 'real' guitars, so take it at face value...

 

Makes sense - you said it wasn't getting played, and despite my attempts to dream of a role for it in your live set-up, I can see that it wouldn't exactly fit in with your band's arrangements.

 

The weight thing is interesting. Heavy I knew. Too heavy to play normally, I didn't know. But I grew up with classical, and while I do prefer right-lap playing these days, I don't mind giving it some of the old knees-up Mother Brown on the left.

 

As for wood bodies, I was very impressed by the M1 when I first heard it, but I just hear something really special in the brass tricones now (though in light of today's revelations I'm needing a break from National promos right now). Is the NRP wood-body tricone very different from the M1? The M1 usually seems to list at a good deal more than 1199. At that price I'd seriously consider the Tricone over a J35 had I more readies. More variety to the collection, but still with two very versatile acoustics.

[BluesKing777]

Oh oh!

 

 

Now I look like the normal 'National snob".

 

I thought it sounded skinny, but it looked very nice.....

 

Here is some other reso business and info for your reading and research:

 

http://www.resohangout.com/topic/33155

 

 

 

BluesKing777.

[BluesKing777]

Makes sense - you said it wasn't getting played, and despite my attempts to dream of a role for it in your live set-up, I can see that it wouldn't exactly fit in with your band's arrangements.

 

The weight thing is interesting. Heavy I knew. Too heavy to play normally, I didn't know. But I grew up with classical, and while I do prefer right-lap playing these days, I don't mind giving it some of the old knees-up Mother Brown on the left.

 

As for wood bodies, I was very impressed by the M1 when I first heard it, but I just hear something really special in the brass tricones now (though in light of today's revelations I'm needing a break from National promos right now). Is the NRP wood-body tricone very different from the M1? The M1 usually seems to list at a good deal more than 1199. At that price I'd seriously consider the Tricone over a J35 had I more readies. More variety to the collection, but still with two very versatile acoustics.

 

My new M14 is under half the weight of my Tricone.... would be twice the weight of a J45 but.

 

Sorry Mr Gibson and Gibson people, but I will fan the flames with some vids that hooked me by Mike Dowling - ignore if you have already seen them:

 

 

And I am still singing this catchy ditty to myself:

 

 

And this is what hooked me to begin with -Drop Down Mama:

 

 

 

The El Trovador (Travelling Poet, Bard) is a different shape than the others and by the specs is pretty heavy as well.

 

I took a punt on my M14, 5 1/2 lbs?, but the pics don't do it justice in the real - mahogany with the binding, nut, face plate all real Ebony - just beautiful and then we play it and....

 

 

BluesKing777.

 

 

 

Edit:

 

 

And now to disillusion everyone, here is my photo of the guitar - mahogany guitars just don't seem to photograph well and I have ruined it.:

 

 

[MissouriPicker]

ParlourMan, I've always seen Gretsch electrics, but very few acoustics. I haven't owned an electric for years. My primary interest is acoustics. Other folks are more interested in electrics. I know that many of their electrics have legendary reputations. However, the Gretsch acoustic instruments don't seem anywhere near the level that Gretsch electrics are said to be at, aside from an arch top they make. I see a lot of lower end stuff. Still, this little dobro is excellent.

[ParlourMan]

ParlourMan, I've always seen Gretsch electrics, but very few acoustics. I haven't owned an electric for years. My primary interest is acoustics. Other folks are more interested in electrics. I know that many of their electrics have legendary reputations. However, the Gretsch acoustic instruments don't seem anywhere near the level that Gretsch electrics are said to be at, aside from an arch top they make. I see a lot of lower end stuff. Still, this little dobro is excellent.

 

Ah, ok, got you... After years of owning Gibson, Fender and other electrics, 26 at its peak... I went on a selling spree around 2009. Now the only electrics I own are the Gretsches. Of all the electrics I've owned they are the closest in feel to playing an acoustic, I just love them... I've only tried two of the Ranger / Rancher or whatever they're called, acoustics with the funny soundhole... nope, never liked them at all, clunkers, fairly ugly too. Definitely not for me.

[JAddison]

Thanks for the advice, I took a look at the Nationals and they are definitely out of my price range.

I have never owned a reso so I don't want to go all out and spend alot on something I may not bond with.

 

So... I have pulled the trigger on a bobtail G9220 round neck :)

 

From what I have read it's the best in it's price range and is geared around delta blues - pickin and slide which is exactly what I want it for. The You tube vids sounded quite nice so hopefully I won't be disappointed.

[ParlourMan]

Thanks for the advice, I took a look at the Nationals and they are definitely out of my price range.

I have never owned a reso so I don't want to go all out and spend alot on something I may not bond with.

 

So... I have pulled the trigger on a bobtail G9220 round neck :)

 

From what I have read it's the best in it's price range and is geared around delta blues - pickin and slide which is exactly what I want it for. The You tube vids sounded quite nice so hopefully I won't be disappointed.

 

A wee green arrow to show my enthusiasm.

[JAddison]

A wee green arrow to show my enthusiasm.

 

Heh thanks ;)

[MissouriPicker]

Congrats on the new Gretsch, JAddisons. This guitar thing is kind of screwy at times. Although this forum is fun and we enjoy hearing the reviews of various guitars, it still comes-down to us picking the guitar that speaks to us. No doubt in my mind that the Gretsch will do what a resonator guitar is supposed to do and you will have a blast. Once you're sliding-into all those chords, people begin to think "this guy knows what he's doing."....Have fun.

[JAddison]

Congrats on the new Gretsch, JAddisons. This guitar thing is kind of screwy at times. Although this forum is fun and we enjoy hearing the reviews of various guitars, it still comes-down to us picking the guitar that speaks to us. No doubt in my mind that the Gretsch will do what a resonator guitar is supposed to do and you will have a blast. Once you're sliding-into all those chords, people begin to think "this guy knows what he's doing."....Have fun.

 

Thanks for the encouraging words, I am looking forward to it arriving tomorrow!

I need to find me some decent slide/Open G books now and knuckle down :)