10 Best Resonator Guitars 2025 in the United States

The Recording King RM-997-VG 6 String Resonator Guitar is designed to capture the classic sound many players seek in resonator guitars. Its all-bell brass body and handspun resonator cone contribute to a rich, resonant tone that is perfect for blues, bluegrass, or folk music enthusiasts. The distressed vintage green finish adds a unique aesthetic that appeals to many players looking for both sound and style.

One of the standout features is its scale length of 25 inches, which provides a comfortable playing experience, especially for those new to resonator guitars. The Grover open gear tuners ensure precise tuning, enhancing playability. The use of phosphor bronze strings adds to the warm tone, making it suitable for both strumming and fingerpicking.

This model lacks a pickup system, which might limit its use in live settings where amplification is necessary. Players looking for versatility in performance might find this limiting. Additionally, the weight of 11.2 pounds could be cumbersome for some, especially during extended playing sessions. For those who appreciate handcrafted quality, the Recording King RM-997-VG stands out with its European craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The Gretsch G9200 Boxcar Round-Neck Resonator Guitar stands out with its mahogany body and vintage semi-gloss mahogany neck, offering a classic and warm aesthetic. The laminated mahogany body material contributes to its durability and resonant sound. One of the key highlights is the Gretsch Ampli-Sonic diaphragm, a hand-spun resonator cone made from almost pure aluminum, which ensures a rich, loud tone, making it ideal for blues and bluegrass music.

The Padauk fingerboard adds to the visual appeal and smooth playing experience. The guitar features a natural finish, giving it a timeless look. With a scale length of 25 inches and a fixed bridge system, it offers stability in tuning and playability. The pickup system includes both piezoelectric and magnetic double coil pickups, providing versatile sound options for different playing styles and amplification needs.

On the downside, the action height is not specified, which might be a concern for players who prefer customized string height. The guitar is right-handed and comes with light gauge D'Addario strings, which are known for their quality but might require frequent changes depending on playing intensity. Weighing just 1 pound, it is lightweight and portable, though some might question its solid build quality due to the low weight. The Gretsch G9200 is well-suited for musicians looking for a quality resonator guitar with a traditional design and versatile sound capabilities.

The Regal RC-43 Metal Body Triolian Guitar stands out with its authentic steel body and antiqued nickel-plated finish, offering a rich vintage tone and appealing aesthetic. The 9.5-inch aluminum resonator with a biscuit bridge provides a warm, pleasing voice with excellent projection, making it suitable for both bottleneck and traditional playing styles.

The slim mahogany neck enhances playability, while the rock maple saddle and bone nut contribute to its sound quality and sustain. Additionally, the die-cast 15:1 tuners allow for fast and precise tuning, which is a handy feature for musicians.

However, the guitar is relatively heavy at 10 pounds, which might not be ideal for extended playing periods. Also, as a right-hand-only instrument, it excludes left-handed players. The fixed bridge system can limit some players who prefer adjustable options for action height. Despite these drawbacks, the Regal RC-43 is a good choice for those looking for a resonator guitar with a vintage feel and robust sound, particularly fitting for blues and slide guitar enthusiasts.