James Inkster
From:
Ukee, BC
|
Posted 14 Apr 2012 12:49 pm |
|
Hi guys,
I've been itching for an 8-string squareneck reso, and consensus seems to be that the GoldTone/Beard is the best bang for the buck in this area.
I live in Canada, and one of my local shops can get one in my hands for just under $1000, which seems quite good considering they seem to sell online for $839 USD (which, with shipping and import duties to canada would cost significantly more, I believe).
My steel playing is generally restricted to electric lap steel, but I'd like to branch out into reso-land as well. 8 strings is very appealing to me because I want to move into more of a jazzy/swing direction.
Does anyone have any strongly negative thoughts about this GoldTone reso? Any alternatives in the same price range? If I'd been able to pull the trigger a few months ago, I'd have probably gone for a McKenna but he's closed up shop and there don't seem to be many used ones floating around.
The two things I'm a bit concerned with are:
1. I've never played it/heard it -- I've never bought an instrument sight-unseen/unheard before, but this is a bit of a niche instrument and there aren't a lot of chances for me to play one first around here.
2. Because I'd be buying it through the local shop and not Beard's directly, it won't be "setup" by the Beard guys. Is this a big problem? The local shop (Rufus' in Vancouver) has a good reputation for their setup work, and they'll look it over before selling.
Does anyone have any insight into what Beard's shop would do differently than any other?
Finally, for an additional $130 I can get a hardshell case with it. I already have numerous hardshell cases kicking around of various sizes... is there anything specifically different about this one? I assume the neck slot is more open to accomodate the squareneck, but if I could save the money and re-use an existing case, I probably would...
any insights?
thanks! |
|
Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
|
Posted 14 Apr 2012 7:02 pm
|
|
I bought a Beard GT-8 at the Dallas show... very pleased with the guitar and TKL case.
I've restrung the guitar to C6... it came in G6, someone's vision of a baritone dobro I guess. Much less muddy in the new tuning (strings from .010 to .039).
The case is very form-fitting... like it was made for the guitar. If you don't need it don't get it. |
|
