Post by duggyk on Sept 13, 2010 20:56:28 GMT
Manufacturer & Model *: Regal RC-58TT Tricone
Where Purchased: London Resonator Centre (now closed)
Year Purchased: 2005
Sound *: As expected of a resonator - this instrument is loud (especially when picked with finger picks or a thumb pick)!
Using supplied resonator cones, this instrument offers up a sweet high tones and barking(!) bass notes.
I suspect (as is said about most resonators built in the far-East) that if the cones were replaced (with more expensive ones) a more authentic tricone tone could be had.
That being said...right now I like my RC-58TT's 'grunt', volume and singing high notes.
Sound Rating *: 8
Setup *: No complaints about the action height.
My one is setup with an action just high enough for slide, but not so high that fretwork isn't possible.
A little bit of attention to fret hight on the far side of the neck could be filed (by a proffesional!) as this would possibly improve slide action.
Setup Rating *: 8
Appearance *: The TT in the name stands for 'Texas Tea'.
The guitar body is powder coated with a kind of 'gun metal' coloured paint, giving the instrument a slightly unusual appearance (its a resonator, but it's not shiny!).
The headstock has a 'perloid peghead veneer' - which at a distance looks quite elegant, but on closer inspection looks a little bit 'cheap'(?).
Check out a picture (or better still check one out close up).
Looks are subjective - I really like the body work, but am not so keen on the headstock.
Appearance Rating *: 8
Reliability *: No complaints yet. This is a heavy weight sledgehammer of a guitar.
Reliability Rating *: 9
Components *: There are a couple of components that could be improved
* the 'die-cast' tuners
* the frets could be filed / set up better.
Other than that the mahogany neck is very comfortable and the brass(?) body is incredibly sturdy.
I suspect, as with other factory-made instruments, that the quality may vary between each instrument - so it would be worth giving any potential purchase a good checking over.
As mentioned earlier - the overall sound could be 'improved' by upgrading the cones.
I'd recommend that all these kind of upgrades (cone replacements) should be carried out by an experienced professional.
Components Rating *: 7
Pre-sale Customer Service: The London Resonator Centre was a magical Alladin's cave of resonator guitars.
I spent a fantastic afternoon trying out guitars before finally choosing my Regal RC 58-TT.
Shame the centre closed down
Pre-sale Customer Service Rating: 10
Post-sale Customer Service: Haven't had the need for any post sales service.
Post-sale Customer Service Rating: 10
Any Other Information: This is an unusual looking budget tricone resonator which barks, bites and sings.
It won't suit everyone's taste, but it does pack punch and will get noticed!
If I was shopping for a resonator (in a similar price range) now I would try out this model against the new Michael Messer ones, and hopefully choose this one.
Here's a link to one...
www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/RC58TT.htm
Where Purchased: London Resonator Centre (now closed)
Year Purchased: 2005
Sound *: As expected of a resonator - this instrument is loud (especially when picked with finger picks or a thumb pick)!
Using supplied resonator cones, this instrument offers up a sweet high tones and barking(!) bass notes.
I suspect (as is said about most resonators built in the far-East) that if the cones were replaced (with more expensive ones) a more authentic tricone tone could be had.
That being said...right now I like my RC-58TT's 'grunt', volume and singing high notes.
Sound Rating *: 8
Setup *: No complaints about the action height.
My one is setup with an action just high enough for slide, but not so high that fretwork isn't possible.
A little bit of attention to fret hight on the far side of the neck could be filed (by a proffesional!) as this would possibly improve slide action.
Setup Rating *: 8
Appearance *: The TT in the name stands for 'Texas Tea'.
The guitar body is powder coated with a kind of 'gun metal' coloured paint, giving the instrument a slightly unusual appearance (its a resonator, but it's not shiny!).
The headstock has a 'perloid peghead veneer' - which at a distance looks quite elegant, but on closer inspection looks a little bit 'cheap'(?).
Check out a picture (or better still check one out close up).
Looks are subjective - I really like the body work, but am not so keen on the headstock.
Appearance Rating *: 8
Reliability *: No complaints yet. This is a heavy weight sledgehammer of a guitar.
Reliability Rating *: 9
Components *: There are a couple of components that could be improved
* the 'die-cast' tuners
* the frets could be filed / set up better.
Other than that the mahogany neck is very comfortable and the brass(?) body is incredibly sturdy.
I suspect, as with other factory-made instruments, that the quality may vary between each instrument - so it would be worth giving any potential purchase a good checking over.
As mentioned earlier - the overall sound could be 'improved' by upgrading the cones.
I'd recommend that all these kind of upgrades (cone replacements) should be carried out by an experienced professional.
Components Rating *: 7
Pre-sale Customer Service: The London Resonator Centre was a magical Alladin's cave of resonator guitars.
I spent a fantastic afternoon trying out guitars before finally choosing my Regal RC 58-TT.
Shame the centre closed down
Pre-sale Customer Service Rating: 10
Post-sale Customer Service: Haven't had the need for any post sales service.
Post-sale Customer Service Rating: 10
Any Other Information: This is an unusual looking budget tricone resonator which barks, bites and sings.
It won't suit everyone's taste, but it does pack punch and will get noticed!
If I was shopping for a resonator (in a similar price range) now I would try out this model against the new Michael Messer ones, and hopefully choose this one.
Here's a link to one...
www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/RC58TT.htm