How are the newer Regals?

David Mullis · Post by **David Mullis** » 11 May 2003 7:25 am

Hey y'all, I'm looking into getting a Regal RD-75 square neck (if my .44 magnum sells). This is supposed to be their top of the line model but, that black spider bridge concerns me a little. Even though this is their top of the line model, I imagine I'll have to replace the spider, cone, bridge insert and nut eventually to get instrument up to it's full potential. What do y'all think?

Thanks
David

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 11 May 2003 8:24 am

Don't take my word for it cause I've never played one myself, but I believe several prefer the RD-45 model. This is supposedly because of the wider neck of the 45 and its soundwell.

Folk Of The Wood, www.folkofthewood.com , have a special offer on the RD-45 with a complete upgrade (cone, nut, bridge).
Nice prices, and you get a full discount if you decide to trade it in for something better later on.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 11 May 2003 at 09:27 AM.]</p></FONT>

Dan Farrell · Post by **Dan Farrell** » 11 May 2003 8:59 am

David-- I have an RD-45 and really like it. It has great tone and and an even better price for an entry level instrument. I also endorse the deal you can get through Folk of the Wood should you decide to upgrade.

Dan Farrell
Anaheim CA
RD-45
'97 carter D-10
Nashville 1000

Gregg McKenna · Post by **Gregg McKenna** » 11 May 2003 9:26 am

The RD 75 is a pretty nice guitar, but has a very narrow neck and tight string spacing. If that's an issue, go with the wider neck Regal 45 model.

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 11 May 2003 10:33 am

The RD-45 has become the more popular of the two for reasons already stated.

Even with "standard upgrades" it's a good buy.

hp

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Howard Parker
poobah@resoguit.com
www.resoguit.com
ListOwner RESOGUIT-L

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 11 May 2003 11:12 am

I have a 45, the finish is beautiful. The sound is okay for a beginner, but is substandard (poor volume and poor low end and mids). I put in a Quarterman cone and ebony saddle. It was worth it and helped quite a bit, but the sound is still softer and with less bass and mids than the good professional level instruments (don't know how the top builders get that). The Regal sounds fine until you play something better. It's a good entry level instrument, but if you hang out with other pickers and try out their instruments you will eventually want something better.

David Mullis · Post by **David Mullis** » 11 May 2003 2:27 pm

Thanks guys, I had an RD-45 last year, and to get it to sound decent, I ended up sending it to Paul Beard and had a complete setup done on it. Afterwards it was great, but at the time, I just didn't need it for the type of music I was playing. I'll go back and look at the 45's again. Folk of the wood has some good deals, but I'll probably order whatever model I get through the music store that I work a part time since I can get it at cost.

Thanks guys!

David

David Mullis · Post by **David Mullis** » 11 May 2003 2:35 pm

Well, I just looked up the RD-45 but can't seem to find what the width of the neck is at the nut. The RD-75 is 1 11/16 at the nut. Could I get one of you 45 owners to measure the width of the neck at the nut? I'd appreciate it. If it's just a matter of putting a nut on the RD-75 and cutting wider slots for the strings, I can do that, id the neck is too narrow, then I'll definitely have to reconsider the 45.

Thanks

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 11 May 2003 3:33 pm

This makes me wonder, has anybody tried the Stewart-Macdonald kits? Everything looks to be easy, but...

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 11 May 2003 3:37 pm

According to Folk Of The Woods the nut width is 2.0625".
Read all about it here: http://www.folkofthewood.com/page35.htm

Gregg McKenna · Post by **Gregg McKenna** » 11 May 2003 3:46 pm

David, from my experience on the Regal RD 45'S I've upgraded, the width of the neck at the nut is 2 1/16" which is pretty wide for a 6 string resonator guitar. As the Regals come stock from the factory, they really don't use the full width of the wider neck/nut, but set the guitars up with the outer string slots in quite a way from the edge of the neck. These guitars sound pretty good if you install a good cone,nut, spider bridge, and bridge insert in them. You can increase the bass response by using a good hard maple bridge insert and a #14 Dobro spider bridge.

David Mullis · Post by **David Mullis** » 11 May 2003 4:59 pm

Thanks for all the replies. Hmmmmmm decisions, decisions. I like the RD-75 body style better than the 45, but, I do prefer a wider string spacing. I'm almost tempted to sell my JCH and go all out and get a good american made dobro. I guess I'm going to have to think about this for a while. Funny, looking at the prices of a new US made Dobro kinda puts PSG prices in perspective doesn't it?

Tom Jordan · Post by **Tom Jordan** » 11 May 2003 8:42 pm

David,

I just went through the low-range resonator shopping. I looked at all available makes and settled on the -45 square neck over the -75. I did this because of the tuning peg placement (much easier to tune while standing) and also for the slotted head stock...I can place my strap out farther on the head stock so that it doesn't interfere with my playing down by the nut. These were important issues to me especially after playing a lap steel with guitar placement for the tuners.

Yeah, sound would have made a nice priority but this is a starter for me and something to use in addition to the steel. I do really like the guitar and can milk some pretty good tone out of it...maybe not next to the big guys, though.

Tom

David Mullis · Post by **David Mullis** » 12 May 2003 6:14 pm

From what I've seen so far, resonators go from low end, straight to high end stuff with no in between. I'm sooooo tempted to put the JCH up on buy and sell right now. At least I'd still have my Emmons. Anyone interested in a near mint D-10 JCH?

David Mullis · Post by **David Mullis** » 22 May 2003 6:01 pm

Well, I dunnit, I sold the JCH and have settled on a Crafters of Tennessee Virginian. I can't wait for it to get here. More details when it arrives.

Take Care
David

Alan Kirk · Post by **Alan Kirk** » 23 May 2003 7:15 am

David,

You won't regret buying a Crafters. A couple months ago I sold my Regal RD45 and bought a Crafters Tennessean. I'm happy I did. The Crafters has a harmonic richness that is totally lacking in the Regal.

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Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 24 May 2003 5:12 pm

yeah, David, I'd been looking at all kinds of wood body resos to compliment my melobro- I had played 15 or 16 different Crafters and they're all really nicely built. I finally found a Virginian that was head and shoulders nicer tonally and I've been really pleased, it records especially well. I'm sure you'll be thrilled. Have fun!

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C'mon by and visit!- www.markvanallen.com
My Bands: Sugarland Kate and the Retreads Kecia Garland Band Shane Bridges Band Dell Conner Blues Band

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 29 May 2003 12:06 pm

I'm the cat that bought Mr. Mullis' RD-45, and I think it sounds excellent, regardless of the money. Having that Beard upgrade does indeed make a HUGE difference, and still keeps the guitar in a wallet-friendly price range. I know the high-end reso's have more complexity of tone, and more volume, but there is a point of diminishing returns per $$$ spent. I say, get the RD-45, upgrade it, and you'll have a great, VERY giggable/recordable reso, IMO.

That said, I STILL want a Benoit!

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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, E13); Melobar SLS lapsteel (open D); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (open G); Regal resonator (open D or G)

David Mullis · Post by **David Mullis** » 3 Jun 2003 5:48 pm

Hiya Todd! Actually, that Regal is one that I wouldn't mind having back. I didn't mean to come off sounding like the Regal was junk. The main reason I got rid of it was, it just wasn't practical at the time. I may even get another one eventually to take to gigs that I wouldn't want to take the Virginian to. The Virginian will be here tomorrow. I can't wait to get my hands on it.