Royall Resonators

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Royall Resonators

Posted by GGrav on June 5, 2022 at 9:51 am

Hello TAC Family,

I’m a new member – 30 Days and a few more in – and I’ve got an itch for getting a resonator. Does anyone have first-hand knowledge about Royall Guitars out of Santa Barbara? I like their look, sound, and price point (<$1000), but I can’t find a shop in the Pacific Northwest that carries any to try out. (Even Guitar Center and Sweetwater don’t have any.)

Any input would be appreciated.

Peace out, Gordon

N-lightMike replied 1 year, 10 months ago 5 Members · 11 Replies
11 Replies

jumpinjeff

Member
June 6, 2022 at 10:29 am

No experience with Royalls @GGrav , if I were going down the resonator road I would do it with Progreba. That choice is solely based off of demos. I have never played one. The other resonator builder that caught my eyes and ears is Vilhelm Engstrom. Pricey but sounds as good and looks as good as I have ever heard. No help to you regarding Royall sorry. How did you find out about Royall?
- GGrav
  
  Member
  June 6, 2022 at 5:07 pm
  
  Thanks for the suggestions @jumpinjeff. Both are beauuutiful guitars, visually and tonally, but way out of my budget right now.
  
  I stumbled upon Royall while browsing other resonator makers on YouTube.
  - jumpinjeff
    
    Member
    June 6, 2022 at 5:26 pm
    
    How is the resale value of Royall? If it is good, the decision may be easier regarding buying without having one in hand first? Just a thought.
  - GGrav
    
    Member
    June 6, 2022 at 8:13 pm
    
    I like what you’re saying, so I just did a quick search online and found nothing used from them. (All the Royalls on Reverb are new.) I may just go ahead and pull the trigger. I see that the company offers a full refund.
    
    Thanks for the input, @jumpinjeff
  - jumpinjeff
    
    Member
    June 6, 2022 at 9:15 pm
    
    Yeeah Buddy. Let us know what you think when it arrives.
Kitman

Member
June 8, 2022 at 5:00 pm

Hi @GGrav , if you haven’t seen it yet, in this week’s Acoustic Tuesday Tony provides his input on resonator guitars at a number of price points – there were at least one and maybe 2 under $1,000.
- GGrav
  
  Member
  June 9, 2022 at 9:08 am
  
  I did see that @Kitman. It’s certainly given me some things to ponder.
  
  Thanks, man.
  - Kitman
    
    Member
    June 9, 2022 at 11:55 am
    
    Looking forward to seeing and hearing your resonator when you land on one @GGrav ! 😃
Cadgirl

Member
June 9, 2022 at 12:11 pm

I agree with @Kitman watch the Tuesday #242 show. Nice example of 10 resonators. Myself, I did like the #3 Republic Hwy 61 which was $659 – $799. Make sure if you buy something you put a picture up. Or…. a youtube would be nice.
- GGrav
  
  Member
  June 9, 2022 at 4:49 pm
  
  Thanks, @Cadgirl.
N-lightMike

Member
June 10, 2022 at 9:24 am

Hey Gordon @GGrav , I would think buying from a small startup could be a really smart thing to do. Being a small guy, and they are obviously for real if the offer a full refund, they have to try harder. And when they are better known, their price will go up. And guess what? The guitar you bought will be worth more than you paid for it… used. Gotta like that.

There are a number of people who own and play resonators on the Virtual Open Mics. The schedules are at justmusicgeeks.com. Zoom is used to get together virtually. Many people only listen at first and don’t turn on their camera or microphone. You should come by and give us a listen. It has been very inspiring for all of us “VOMers” and it has contributed to a lot of growth and improvement in our musical ability and guitar playing.

MG 😀

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