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National Resophonic Steel Delphi


Guest J-Doug

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I play a 1932 National Duolian and in my opinion, the Nationals of today are every bit as good as those made in the company's storied past. Plus they have an adjustable truss rod. You can still safely say there are Nationals and then there is everything else.

 

A steel body, single cone guitar will tend to sound harsher and more in your face than a reso made of bell brass or a Tricone.

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Thinking on a similar track: I've had an eye on a Republic Resophonic Resolian (maybe the 301 style) for some time. Any impressions or advice on the Republic?

PS There's a great video on youtube made by a one HoopieJohn (complete with ski mask) playing on his Resolian a great and "true" version of Willie Brown's "Mississippi Blues." Worth a listen. Here's the link:

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Thinking on a similar track: I've had an eye on a Republic Resophonic Resolian (maybe the 301 style) for some time. Any impressions or advice on the Republic?

PS There's a great video on youtube made by a one HoopieJohn (complete with ski mask) playing on his Resolian a great and "true" version of Willie Brown's "Mississippi Blues." Worth a listen. Here's the link:

 

Parlour Man has/had a Busker Tricone. Busker is essentially the UK brand under which Republic resos are sold. PM was talking about selling his Tricone recently, but I don't think quality was the issue, more fit with his playing priorities. The quality seems to be quite good for the money. Personally I really fancied the Busker Cannon as a beater when the frets on my current camping guitar wear out. The Cannon is the wood-bodied version of the Resolian (Republic Miniolian). Only had videos to go by, but they seem to sound good. A touch mellower because of the wood body, perhaps, perhaps a tad more flexible for covering a full range of music, and a bit less prone to damage than the metal (I've read about some Republics that got dented). But the Cannon hasn't been available for several months now. And there is no Busker version of the Resolian, unfortunately. Had there been, I would have been very tempted by the metal body too, especially with the wood body verison unavailable. Very cute and quite big sounding it would seem. Gotta love the combination of parlour-sized portability and near-full-size cone.

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Hi,

 

there's a used one for sale locally. Any impressions/thoughts?

 

National Resophonic makes great instruments...I have two Tricones (one steel and one mahogany)...not real familiar with the single cone models but one thing to watch out for...a few years ago NRP redesigned their steel bodied guitars...the new one have thinner metal bodies and arched (instead of flat) backs. And the new models had pretty attractive pricing...

 

I remember some guys thinking the Delphis would drop in value in relation to some of the newer models...I'm not too sue if the prices actually dropped...just check around and compare so you don't pay too much...

 

Do you have any other details on the Delphi?

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I won't be able to play before I buy. I would like to think that doesn't matter quite as much when it comes to a metal instrument. Thoughts?
Wish it were so, but they can still suffer from the usual stuff (set-up, neck angle) as well as its own unique problem set (biscuit & cone issues). Btw, the one I have is the Vintage Steel Delphi. I've hear that the polychrome models were a little more, uhm, direct sounding.
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Thinking on a similar track: I've had an eye on a Republic Resophonic Resolian (maybe the 301 style) for some time. Any impressions or advice on the Republic?

PS There's a great video on youtube made by a one HoopieJohn (complete with ski mask) playing on his Resolian a great and "true" version of Willie Brown's "Mississippi Blues." Worth a listen. Here's the link:

 

i've seen this guy hanging round west belfast .... he must have quite a large band too

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i've seen this guy hanging round west belfast .... he must have quite a large band too

 

Apparently he does a mean version of 'Troubles so Hard'. I've heard reports that he was seen playing at the Queen's bar too. He was playing a Martin then, though.

 

On the other hand, there is a rumour that this is really Van Morrison's latest guise.

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Apparently he does a mean version of 'Troubles so Hard'. I've heard reports that he was seen playing at the Queen's bar too. He was playing a Martin then, though.

 

On the other hand, there is a rumour that this is really Van Morrison's latest guise.

 

he just shoves it on real quick if he feels a smile comin on

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