AudioFu

Best Resonator Guitars 2026

Top-rated resonator guitars 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Blues For Bluegrass For Country For Slide Guitar For Folk For Americana
BRANDS: Royall National Reso-Phonic Gretsch Harley Benton Beard Guitars
National Reso-Phonic Style O 14 Fret LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

National Reso-Phonic Style O 14 Fret LH

by National Reso-Phonic
Bluegrass Blues Country
Key Feature:
• Unique visual and sonic character
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
  • • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Requires different playing approach
  • • Limited tonal versatility

National Reso-Phonic Style O 14 Fret LHResonator GuitarLeft-handed modelHandmade resonator: 24.1 cm...

⭐ 4.7/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 614466
$5,168
Buy at Thomann View Details
National Reso-Phonic Style O - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

National Reso-Phonic Style O

by National Reso-Phonic
Slide Guitar Americana Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Unique visual and sonic character
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
  • • Perfect for slide guitar playing
✗ CONS
  • • Requires different playing approach
  • • Can be heavy and uncomfortable

National Reso-Phonic Style OResonator GuitarNickel-plated brass bodyHandmade resonator 9.5" (24.1 cm)Slotted...

⭐ 4.6/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 260767
$4,948
Buy at Thomann View Details
Recording King RR-36-BK Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Recording King RR-36-BK Black

by Recording King
Country Blues Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Unique visual and sonic character
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
  • • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • Requires different playing approach

Recording King RR-36-BK BlackRoundneck Resonator GuitarTop: MahoganyResonator: SpiderConeBack and sides: MahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 553825
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Beard Guitars Road-O-Phonic HSDS TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Beard Guitars Road-O-Phonic HSDS TS

by Beard Guitars
Slide Guitar Americana Folk
Key Feature:
• Perfect for slide guitar playing
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
  • • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
✗ CONS
  • • Requires different playing approach
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Beard Guitars Road-O-Phonic HSDS TSLap Steel Resonator Guitar with PickupDesign: Squareneck Solidbody Resonator with 3...

⭐ 4.8/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 598113
$5,829
Buy at Thomann View Details
Beard Guitars Trailhead E-Model SN Tobacco - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Beard Guitars Trailhead E-Model SN Tobacco

by Beard Guitars
Country Slide Guitar Americana
Key Feature:
• Unique visual and sonic character
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
  • • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Can be heavy and uncomfortable

Beard Guitars Trailhead E-Model SN TobaccoSquareneck Resonator Guitar with PickupTop: Solid flamed mapleBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 605892
$5,719
Buy at Thomann View Details
Beard Guitars Trailhead E-Model CE Tobacco - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Beard Guitars Trailhead E-Model CE Tobacco

by Beard Guitars
Americana Blues Folk
Key Feature:
• Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
✗ CONS
  • • Can be heavy and uncomfortable
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Beard Guitars Trailhead E-Model CE TobaccoResonator Guitar with PickupStyle: Round neckTop: Solid flamed mapleCone:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 605886
$5,719
Buy at Thomann View Details
National Reso-Phonic Raw Steel SingCone 14 Fr. LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

National Reso-Phonic Raw Steel SingCone 14 Fr. LH

by National Reso-Phonic
Folk Blues Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Perfect for slide guitar playing
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for slide guitar playing
  • • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Can be heavy and uncomfortable
  • • Requires different playing approach

National Reso-Phonic Raw Steel SingCone 14 Fr. LHResonator GuitarLeft-handed modelStyle: Round neckCone: Single...

⭐ 4.7/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 614399
$3,629
Buy at Thomann View Details
National Reso-Phonic NRP Rubbed Steel 12 Fret - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

National Reso-Phonic NRP Rubbed Steel 12 Fret

by National Reso-Phonic
Blues Country Americana
Key Feature:
• Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
  • • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Can be heavy and uncomfortable
  • • Very specialized sound

National Reso-Phonic NRP RubbedResonator GuitarConstruction: RoundneckResonator: 9.5" Single ConeBack & sides:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 276776
$4,068
Buy at Thomann View Details
National Reso-Phonic Raw Steel Single Cone 12 Fret - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

National Reso-Phonic Raw Steel Single Cone 12 Fret

by National Reso-Phonic
Americana Country Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Perfect for slide guitar playing
✓ PROS
  • • Great volume and projection
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
✗ CONS
  • • Requires different playing approach
  • • May not suit all musical styles

National Reso-Phonic Raw Steel Single Cone 12 FretResonator GuitarType: Roundneck with slotted headstock and flat cut...

⭐ 4.7/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 519963
$3,738
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch G9220 Bobtail Roundneck - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Gretsch G9220 Bobtail Roundneck

by Gretsch
Folk Americana Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Great volume and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for slide guitar playing
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • Requires different playing approach

Gretsch G9220 Bobtail RoundneckResonator GuitarBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyNeck profile: RoundneckFretboard: Katalox19...

⭐ 4.4/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 279668
$846
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch G9230 Bobtail Squareneck - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Gretsch G9230 Bobtail Squareneck

by Gretsch
Country Bluegrass Folk
Key Feature:
• Perfect for slide guitar playing
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
  • • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Gretsch G9230 Bobtail SquareneckResonator GuitarMahogany bodyMahogany neckSquareneckKatalox fretboardScale 635...

⭐ 4.7/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 279667
$846
Buy at Thomann View Details
Royall PB12/ANI Pony Boy - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Royall PB12/ANI Pony Boy

by Royall
Slide Guitar Blues Americana
Key Feature:
• Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
  • • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✗ CONS
  • • Requires different playing approach
  • • Can be heavy and uncomfortable

Royall PB12/ANI Pony BoySingle Cone Resonator GuitarBiscuit Bridge DesignBody: SteelNeck: MahoganyFretboard: Technical...

⭐ 5.0/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 529667
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Royall HB12/SB Hobo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Royall HB12/SB Hobo

by Royall
Bluegrass Folk Blues
Key Feature:
• Unique visual and sonic character
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for slide guitar playing
  • • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Can be heavy and uncomfortable

Royall HB12/SB HoboResonator GuitarBody: MahoganySingle cone resonatorHandmade 9.5" aluminium coneBiscuit bridge...

⭐ 4.4/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 578469
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Recording King RR-36S-VS Squarneck - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Recording King RR-36S-VS Squarneck

by Recording King
Slide Guitar Country Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
  • • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✗ CONS
  • • Can be heavy and uncomfortable
  • • Requires different playing approach

Recording King RR-36S-VS SquarneckResonator GuitarDesign: SquareneckTop: mahoganyBody: mahoganyFretboard: padaukSaddle:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 534346
$435
Buy at Thomann View Details
Royall BB14C/FL Bantam Blazer - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Royall BB14C/FL Bantam Blazer

by Royall
Folk Slide Guitar Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Great volume and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
  • • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Royall BB14C/FL Bantam BlazerSingle Cone Resonator GuitarBiscuit Bridge DesignBody: Flamed mapleNeck: MahoganyNeck...

⭐ 4.6/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 561869
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Resonator Guitars

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced resonator guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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