Best Resonator Guitars for Americana 2026
Perfect resonator guitars for americana - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
National Reso-Phonic Raw Steel Single Cone 12 Fret
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
#2
⭐
5.0/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Recording King RR-36S-VS Squarneck
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
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
National Reso-Phonic Style O 14 Fret LH
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
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Harley Benton Custom Line CLR-ResoEl. w/Bag
Country
Blues
Americana
Key Feature:
• Perfect for slide guitar playing
✓ PROS
- • Unique visual and sonic character
- • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✗ CONS
- • May not suit all musical styles
- • Very specialized sound
Harley Benton Custom Line CLR-ResoEl. w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line...
⭐
4.7/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 542133
$725
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Leewald Bluesy Fellow Duotone
by
Leewald
Folk
Bluegrass
Country
Key Feature:
• Great volume and projection
✓ PROS
- • Great volume and projection
- • Unique visual and sonic character
✗ CONS
- • Very specialized sound
- • Requires different playing approach
Leewald Bluesy Fellow DuotoneResonator GuitarBody shape: 0Laminated wood bodyResonator: 241 mm / 9.5" single...
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 373952
$2,749
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Gold Tone PBS
by
Gold Tone
Blues
Slide Guitar
Country
Key Feature:
• Unique visual and sonic character
✓ PROS
- • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
- • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
- • May not suit all musical styles
- • Requires different playing approach
Gold Tone PBSSquare Neck Resonator GuitarPaul Beard Signature ModelOriginal Beard Cone and Spider Resonator -...
⭐
4.5/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 423802
$1,539
#7
⭐
4.4/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Ortega RRG40CE-DBK
by
Ortega
Folk
Slide Guitar
Country
Key Feature:
• Perfect for slide guitar playing
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
- • Unique visual and sonic character
✗ CONS
- • Very specialized sound
- • Limited tonal versatility
Ortega RRG40CE-DBKResonator Guitar with PickupAmericana SeriesTop: MahoganyBack and sides: MahoganyResonator:...
⭐
4.4/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 557085
$486
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Recording King RR-36-BK Black
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
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Ortega RRG40CE-DBK-L
by
Ortega
Blues
Country
Americana
Key Feature:
• Great volume and projection
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
- • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
✗ CONS
- • Can be heavy and uncomfortable
- • Requires different playing approach
Ortega RRG40CE-DBK-LResonator Guitar with PickupLefthand / left-handed modelAmericana SeriesTop: MahoganyBack and...
⭐
4.5/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 557086
$465
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Fender PR-180E Resonator ACB
by
Fender
Bluegrass
Country
Slide Guitar
Key Feature:
• Cuts through acoustic ensembles
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
- • Unique visual and sonic character
✗ CONS
- • Limited tonal versatility
- • Very specialized sound
Fender PR-180E Resonator ACBResonator Guitar with PickupLaminated mahogany topArched laminated mahogany backMahogany...
⭐
4.6/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 537619
$593
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Gretsch G9202 Honey Dipper BELL BRNZ
by
Gretsch
Bluegrass
Country
Slide Guitar
Key Feature:
• Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✓ PROS
- • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
- • Perfect for slide guitar playing
✗ CONS
- • Very specialized sound
- • May not suit all musical styles
Gretsch G9202 Honey Dipper BELL BRNZResonator GuitarBody: Bell brassNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: PadaukAged pearloid dot...
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 609332
$938
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Royall KOA12US Resonator Guitar
by
Royall
Slide Guitar
Folk
Americana
Key Feature:
• Cuts through acoustic ensembles
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for slide guitar playing
- • Unique visual and sonic character
✗ CONS
- • Can be heavy and uncomfortable
- • Limited tonal versatility
Royall KOA12US Resonator GuitarResonator GuitarBody: Koa with cutawayResonator type: Tricone T-bridgeCone...
⭐
4.5/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 578461
$1,099
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Royall CH12/BRS Chess 12
by
Royall
Folk
Country
Slide Guitar
Key Feature:
• Unique visual and sonic character
✓ PROS
- • Unique visual and sonic character
- • Perfect for slide guitar playing
✗ CONS
- • Very specialized sound
- • Requires different playing approach
Royall CH12/BRS Chess 12Resonator GuitarType: Tri Cone T-Bridge DesignBody: MahoganyResonator: 3 Handmade 6"...
⭐
4.8/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 516816
$934
#14
⭐
4.7/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Dobro Hound Dog M-14
by
Dobro
Slide Guitar
Bluegrass
Americana
Key Feature:
• Great volume and projection
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for slide guitar playing
- • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
- • Limited tonal versatility
- • Very specialized sound
Dobro Hound Dog M-14Resonator-/Dobro GuitarBody: Bell brassnickel-platedResonator Spun ConeNeck: Mahogany (Swietenia...
⭐
4.7/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 356215
$831
#15
⭐
4.4/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
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
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.
